Allosteric Inhibition of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

Abstract

We previously reported a family of hydrocarbon-stapled peptides designed to interact with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) juxtamembrane (JM) segment, blocking its ability to form a coiled coil dimer that is essential for receptor activation. These hydrocarbon-stapled peptides, most notably E1S, decreased the proliferation of cell lines that express wild-type EGFR (H2030 and A431) as well as those expressing the oncogenic mutants EGFR L858R (H3255) and L858R/T790M (H1975). Although our previous investigations provided evidence that E1S interacted with EGFR directly, the location and details of these interactions were not established. Here we apply biochemical and cross-linking mass spectrometry tools to better define the interactions between E1S and EGFR. Taken with previously reported structure–activity relationships, our results support a model in which E1S interacts simultaneously with both the JM and the C-lobe of the activator kinase, effectively displacing the JM of the receiver kinase. Our results also reveal potential interactions between E1S and the N-terminal region of the C-terminal tail. We propose a model in which E1S inhibits EGFR by both mimicking and inhibiting JM coiled coil formation. This model could be used to design novel, allosteric (and perhaps nonpeptidic) EGFR inhibitors.