3DQW

Activation of tyrosine kinases by mutation of the gatekeeper threonine.

(2008) Nat Struct Mol Biol 15: 1109-1118

• PubMed: 18794843 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb.1486
• Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
  3DQW, 3DQX


• PubMed Abstract: 
  

  Protein kinases targeted by small-molecule inhibitors develop resistance through mutation of the 'gatekeeper' threonine residue of the active site. Here we show that the gatekeeper mutation in the cellular forms of c-ABL, c-SRC, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha and -beta, and epidermal growth factor receptor activates the kinase and promotes malignant transformation of BaF3 cells. Structural analysis reveals that a network of hydrophobic interactions-the hydrophobic spine-characteristic of the active kinase conformation is stabilized by the gatekeeper substitution. Substitution of glycine for the residues constituting the spine disrupts the hydrophobic connectivity and inactivates the kinase. Furthermore, a small-molecule inhibitor that maximizes complementarity with the dismantled spine (compound 14) inhibits the gatekeeper mutation of BCR-ABL-T315I. These results demonstrate that mutation of the gatekeeper threonine is a common mechanism of activation for tyrosine kinases and provide structural insights to guide the development of next-generation inhibitors.

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Organizational Affiliation: 

Karp research building, 7th floor, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.