The cholesterol transfer protein GRAMD1A regulates autophagosome biogenesis Nature Chemical Biology, 15 (7): 710-720 Editorial SummaryThe cholesterol transfer protein GRAMD1A was identified as the target of the autophagy inhibitors autogramin-1 and 2. GRAMD1A is required for autophagosome biogenesis, and autogramins represent tool compounds for studying this process. AbstractAutophagy mediates the degradation of damaged proteins, organelles and pathogens and plays a key role in health and disease. The identification of new mechanisms involved in autophagy regulation is of major interest. In particular little is known about the roles of lipids and lipid binding proteins in the early steps of autophagosome biogenesis. Through target agnostic, high-content, image-based identification of indicative phenotypic changes induced by small molecules, we have identified autogramins as a novel autophagy inhibitor class. Autogramins selectively target the recently discovered cholesterol transfer protein GRAM domain containing protein 1A (GRAMD1A), which had not been implicated in autophagy before, and directly compete with cholesterol binding to the GRAMD1A StART domain. GRAMD1A accumulates at sites of autophagosome initiation, affects cholesterol distribution in response to starvation and is required for autophagosome biogenesis. These findings identify a novel biological function of GRAMD1A and a new role for cholesterol in autophagy.

Accurate chromosome segregation during cell division is crucial for propagating life and protects from cellular transformation. The SKAP:Astrin heterodimer localizes to spindle microtubules and to mature microtubule–kinetochore attachments during mitosis. Depletion of either subunit disrupts spindle structure and destabilizes kinetochore–microtubule attachments. Here, we identify molecular requirements for the inter-subunit interaction of SKAP and Astrin, and discuss requirements for their kinetochore recruitment. We also identify and characterize a microtubule-binding domain in SKAP, distinct from the SXIP motif that mediates end binding (EB) protein binding and plus end tracking, and show that it stimulates the growth-rate of microtubules, possibly through a direct interaction with tubulin. Mutations targeting this microtubule-binding domain impair microtubule plus-end tracking but not kinetochore targeting, and recapitulate many effects observed during depletion of SKAP. Collectively, our studies represent the first thorough mechanistic analysis of SKAP and Astrin, and significantly advance our functional understanding of these important mitotic proteins.

Transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) transcription factors together with coactivators and corepressors modulate the expression of genes that regulate fundamental processes, such as organogenesis and cell growth, and elevated TEAD activity is associated with tumorigenesis. Hence, novel modulators of TEAD and methods for their identification are in high demand. We describe the development of a new “thiol conjugation assay” for identification of novel small molecules that bind to the TEAD central pocket. The assay monitors prevention of covalent binding of a fluorescence turn-on probe to a cysteine in the central pocket by small molecules. Screening of a collection of compounds revealed kojic acid analogues as TEAD inhibitors, which covalently target the cysteine in the central pocket, block the interaction with coactivator yes-associated protein with nanomolar apparent IC 50 values, and reduce TEAD target gene expression. This methodology promises to enable new medicinal chemistry programs aimed at the modulation of TEAD activity.

SMAC/DIABLO and HTRA2 are mitochondrial proteins whose amino-terminal sequences, known as inhibitor of apoptosis binding motifs (IBMs), bind and activate ubiquitin ligases known as inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), unleashing a cell’s apoptotic potential. IBMs comprise a four-residue, loose consensus sequence, and binding to IAPs requires an unmodified amino terminus. Closely related, IBM-like N termini are present in approximately 5% of human proteins. We show that suppression of the N-alpha-acetyltransferase NatA turns these cryptic IBM-like sequences into very efficient IAP binders in cell lysates and in vitro and ultimately triggers cellular apoptosis. Thus, amino-terminal acetylation of IBM-like motifs in NatA substrates shields them from IAPs. This previously unrecognized relationship suggests that amino-terminal acetylation is generally protective against protein degradation in human cells. It also identifies IAPs as agents of a general quality control mechanism targeting unacetylated rogues in metazoans.

Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell technologies and phenotypic screening shape the future of bioactive small-molecule discovery. In this review we analyze the impact of small-molecule phenotypic screens on drug discovery as well as on the investigation of human development and disease biology. We further examine the role of 3D spheroid/organoid structures, microfluidic systems, and miniaturized on-achip systems for future discovery strategies. In highlighting representative examples, we analyze how recent achievements can translate into future therapies. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges that need to be overcome for the adaptation of the next generation of screening approaches.