protein kinases

Kinase is an enzyme that adds phosphate groups to other molecules. This process is known as phosphorylation. Protein phosphorylation is a key aspect in the regulation of a large number of cellular processes including cellular division, metabolism, signal transduction, and so on. There are over 500 kinases encoded by the human genome and it has been estimated that kinases regulate approximately 50% of cellular functions. Kinases are a large group of drug targets in drug discovery. Kinase inhibitors are an important class of drugs that block certain enzymes involved in diseases such as cancer and inflammatory disorders.

Kinase inhibitor library designed by MCE contains 2,658 kinase inhibitors and regulators mainly targeting protein kinases (VEGFR, EGFR, BTK, CDK, Akt, etc.), lipid kinases (PI3K, PI4K, SK, etc.) and carbohydrate kinases (Hexokinase), and is a useful tool for kinase drug discovery and related research.

Protein Kinases (PTKs) are a class of phosphotransferases that phosphorylate proteins. Protein kinases participate in many signal transduction pathways including those involved with growth, differentiation, and cell division. Protein kinase not only plays an important role in the process of cell activation, but also its abnormal expression is closely related to the pathogenesis of many diseases. So far, the protein kinase family has become one of the most important drug targets. The most common drug targets include ALK, B-Raf, BCR-Abl, EGFR, and VEGFR.

MCE designs a unique collection of 2,930 bioactive compounds targeting protein kinases, which is an important tool for the development of drug targeting protein kinases.

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are key signaling molecules and important drug targets. Two classes of PTKs are present in cells: the transmembrane receptor PTKs (RTKs) and the nonreceptor PTKs. The RTK family includes the receptors for insulin and for many growth factors, such as EGFR, FGFR, PDGFR, VEGFR, and NGFR. RTKs are transmembrane glycoproteins that are activated by the binding of their ligands, and they transduce the extracellular signal to the cytoplasm by phosphorylating tyrosine residues on the receptors themselves (autophosphorylation) and on downstream signaling proteins. Their principal functions of PTKs involve the regulation of multicellular aspects of the organism. Cell to cell signals concerning growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and death are frequently transmitted through tyrosine kinases. In humans, tyrosine kinases have been demonstrated to play significant roles in the development of many disease states, including diabetes and cancers.

MCE designs a unique collection of 1,052 compounds that act as a useful tool for PTKs-related drug screening and disease research.

Protein serine/threonine kinases (PSKs) are protein kinases that use ATP as a high-energy donor molecule to transfer phosphate groups to serine/threonine residues of target protein. As an important signal transduction regulator, serine/threonine kinases can affect the function of target proteins by disrupting enzyme activity or binding of target proteins to other proteins. Serine/threonine kinases are involved in the regulation of immune response, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and other physiological processes. Serine/threonine kinase inhibitors are an important class of compounds that have been widely studied in cancer, chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, aging and other diseases.

MCE designs a unique collection of 1,288 serine/threonine kinase inhibitors, mainly targeting the receptor PKA, Akt, PKC, MAPK/ERK, etc, which is an effective tool for development and research of anti-cancer, anti-chronic inflammatory diseases, anti-autoimmune diseases and anti-aging compounds.

According to reports, most known kinase inhibitors exert their effects through competitive binding in highly conserved ATP pockets. Although genetic techniques such as RNA interference can inactivate specific genes, most kinases are multi domain proteins, each of which has an independent function. Highly selective inhibitors have higher efficiency than non-selective inhibitors, and the selectivity to the target is at least 100 times higher. Therefore, ensuring the validation of targets with the most selective inhibitors is crucial for a more thorough understanding of the pharmacology of the kinase field. The Highly Selective Inhibitors Library contains 4,617 compounds, covering multiple targets and subtypes, such as GPCR protein family, Ion channel, multiple kinases, etc. The Highly Selective Inhibitors Library is an effective tool for screening different phenotypes

The most prominent mechanism of action of kinase inhibitors is their competition with ATP by binding to the hinge region of the kinase protein. Once the kinase is blocked by an inhibitor, it loses the ability to transfer phosphate groups from ATP to other molecules, resulting in the loss of kinase activity.

The hinge-binding region of kinase inhibitors mimics the interaction pattern between the ATP nucleobase and the kinase. MCE extracted thousands of kinase inhibitors from the ChEMBL database and isolated their molecular fragments. In certain cases, the amino and amide groups on the molecular fragments are crucial for binding in the hinge region. Therefore, we enhanced the diversity of the collected results by adding these two groups to unoccupied positions on the ring system. Subsequently, the fragments were assessed for their hinge region binding ability via docking at distinct kinases, we also applied pharmacophore constraints to ensure interactions with key amino acids in the kinase hinge region, ultimately obtaining kinase-related molecular fragments.

MCE provides over 10,000 kinase fragment molecules that meet the above requirements and are available off the shelf, serving as an effective tool for screening and developing drugs targeting kinases.

MAPK families play an important role in complex cellular programs like proliferation, differentiation, development, transformation, and apoptosis. In mammalian cells, four MAPK families have been clearly characterized: ERK1/2, C-Jun N-terminal kinse/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) , p38 kinase and ERK5. They respond to different signals. Each MAPK-related cascade consists of three enzymes that are activated in series: a MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK), a MAPK kinase (MAPKK) and a MAP kinase (MAPK). MAPK signaling pathways has been implicated in the development of many human diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and various types of cancers.

MCE designs a unique collection of 544 MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors that act as a useful tool for MAPK-related drug screening and disease research.

Protein phosphorylation is a key post-translational modification underlying the regulation of many cellular processes. Phosphatases and kinases contribute to the regulation of protein phosphorylation homeostasis in the cell. This reversible regulation of protein phosphorylation is critical for the proper control of a wide range of cellular activities, including cell cycle, proliferation and differentiation, metabolism, cell-cell interactions, etc.

Protein phosphatases have evolved in separate families that are structurally and mechanistically distinct. Based on substrate specificity and functional diversity, protein phosphatases are classified into two superfamilies: Protein serine/threonine phosphatases and Protein tyrosine phosphatases. Ser/Thr phosphatases are metalloenzymes belonging to two major gene families termed PPP (phosphoprotein phosphatase) and PPM (metal-dependent protein phosphatases), whereas protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) belong to distinct classes of enzymes that utilize a phospho-cysteine enzyme intermediate as a part of their catalytic action.

MCE supplies a unique collection of 117 phosphatase inhibitors that mainly targeting protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases. MCE Phosphatase Inhibitor Library is a useful tool for phosphatase drug discovery and related research.

Adult stem cells are important for tissue homeostasis and regeneration due to their ability to self-renew and generate multiple types of differentiated daughters. Self-renewal is reflected by their capacity to undergo multiple/limitless divisions. Several signaling pathways are involved in self-renewal of stem cells, that is, Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog pathways or Polycomb family proteins. Recent studies mainly focus on cancer stem cell (CSCs), induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs), neural stem cell and maintenance of embryonic stem cell pluripotency. Among them, CSCs have been believed to be responsible for tumor initiation, growth, and recurrence that have implications for cancer therapy.

MCE owns a unique collection of 1,846 compounds that can be used for stem cell regulatory and signaling pathway research.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and seriously threatens human health. A neoplasm and malignant tumor are other common names for cancer. Disruption of the normal regulation of cell-cycle progression and division lies at the heart of the events leading to cancer. Target therapy, which targets proteins that control how cancer cells grow, divide and spread, plays an important role in cancer treatment. Recent studies mainly focus on targeting the key proteins for cancer surviving, cancer stem cells, the tumor microenvironment, tumor immunology, etc.

MCE designs a unique collection of 8,054 anti-cancer compounds that target kinases, cell cycle key components, tumorigenesis related signaling pathways, etc. MCE Anti-cancer compound library is a useful tool for anti-cancer drug screening.

Agonistic drugs activate or stimulate their receptors, triggering responses that increase or decrease cell activity. The highly selective activators can act on specific biological or molecular targets, while non-selective activators may interfere with multiple targets or targets simultaneously. The highly selective activators reduce the likelihood of these non-specific effects by targeting specific targets, making research more precise and reliable. The Highly Selective Activators Library contains 1,488 compounds, covering multiple targets and subtypes, such as GPCR protein family, Ion channel, multiple kinases, etc. The Highly Selective Activators Library is an effective tool for screening different phenotypes.

The Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is central to signaling by cytokine receptors, a superfamily of more than 30 transmembrane proteins that recognize specific cytokines, and is critical in blood formation and immune response. Canonical JAK/STAT signaling begins with the association of cytokines and their corresponding transmembrane receptors. Activated JAKs then phosphorylate latent STAT monomers, leading to dimerization, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding. In mammals, there are four JAKs (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, TYK2) and seven STATs (STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b, STAT6). Since the JAK/STAT pathway plays a major role in many fundamental processes, such as apoptosis and inflammation, dysfunctional proteins in the pathway may lead to a number of diseases. For example, alterations in JAK/STAT signalling can result in cancer and diseases affecting the immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency disorder (SCID).

MCE provides 439 compounds that can be used in the study of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and related diseases.

Lung cancer is a major global health problem, as it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Lung cancer is divided into two categories: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for about 85 percent of lung cancers.

As with all cancers, lung cancer may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or a combination thereof. Targeted therapy is one of the most exciting developments in lung cancer medicine, especially for NSCLC. Extensive genomic characterization of NSCLC has led to the identification of molecular subtypes of NSCLC that are oncogene addicted and exquisitely sensitive to targeted therapies. These include activating mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and BRAF or echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions and ROS1 receptor tyrosine kinase fusions. These are important targets for target therapy.

MCE offers a unique collection of 1,909 compounds with identified and potential anti-lung cancer activity. These compounds target lung cancer’s major targets and signaling pathways. MCE anti-lung cancer compound library is a useful tool for anti-lung cancer drugs screening and other related research.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is involved in many cellular processes in both the adult organism and the developing embryo including cell growth, cell differentiation, apoptosis, cellular homeostasis and other cellular functions. The TGF-β superfamily comprises TGF-βs, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), activins and related proteins. Signaling begins with the binding of a TGF beta superfamily ligand to a TGF beta type II receptor. The type II receptor is a serine/threonine receptor kinase, which catalyzes the phosphorylation of the Type I receptor. The type I receptor then phosphorylates receptor-regulated SMADs (R-SMADs) which can now bind the coSMAD (e.g. SMAD4). R-SMAD/coSMAD complexes accumulate in the nucleus where they act as transcription factors and participate in the regulation of target gene expression. Deregulation of TGF-β signaling contributes to developmental defects and human diseases, including cancers, some bone diseases, chronic kidney disease, etc.

MCE designs a unique collection of 247 TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway compounds. TGF-beta/Smad Compound Library acts as a useful tool for TGF-beta/Smad-related drug screening and disease research.

Ion channel is a membrane-binding enzyme whose catalytic site is an ion conduction pore, which is opened and closed in response to specific environmental stimuli (voltage, ligand concentration, membrane tension, temperature, etc.). Ion channel provide pores for the passive diffusion of ions on the biofilm. Due to their high selectivity for ion, ion channel are generally classified as sodium (Na⁺ ), potassium (K⁺ ), calcium (Ca²⁺ ), chloride (Cl^- ), and non-specific cation channel. Ion channel is an important contributor to cell signal transduction and homeostasis. In addition to electrical signal transduction, ion channel also have many functions: regulating vascular smooth muscle contraction, maintaining normal cell volume, regulating glandular secretion, protein kinase activation, etc. Therefore, dysfunction of ion channel can lead to many diseases, and its mechanism research is particularly important.

MCE designs a unique collection of 1,175 small molecules related to ion channel, mainly targeting Na⁺ channel, K⁺ channel, Ca²⁺ channel, GABA receptor, iGluR, etc. It is an essential tool for research of cardiovascular diseases, Nervous system diseases and other diseases.

Dopamine receptor (DAR), widely distributed in the brain, plays a key role in regulating motor function, motivation, driving force and cognition. The role of DA is mediated by D1-type (D1, D5) and D2-type receptors (D2S, D2L, D3, D4), which are distributed in presynaptic, postsynaptic and extrasynaptic, projection neurons and interneurons. Each receptor has a different function. D1 and D5 receptors couple with G stimulation sites and activate Adenylyl cyclase. The activation of Adenylyl cyclase leads to the production of the second messenger cAMP, which leads to the production of protein kinase A (PKA), which leads to further transcription in the nucleus. D2 to D4 receptors are coupled to G inhibitory sites to inhibit adenylyl cyclase and activate potassium Ion channel. These receptors utilize phosphorylation cascades or direct membrane interactions to affect the functions of voltage-gated and neurotransmitter-gated channels, cytoplasmic enzymes, and transcription factors. Dopamine receptor plays an important role in daily life.

MCE designs a unique collection of 203 small molecules related to dopamine receptor. It is a good tool for screening drugs from nervous system disease.

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway controls many cellular processes that are important for the formation and progression of cancer, including apoptosis, transcription, translation, metabolism, angiogenesis, and cell cycle progression. Every major node of this signaling network is activated in a wide range of human tumors. Mechanisms for the pathway activation include activation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) upstream of PI3K, mutation or amplification of PIK3CA encoding p110α catalytic subunit of PI3K, mutation or loss of PTEN tumor suppressor gene, and mutation or amplification of Akt1. Once the pathway is activated, signaling through Akt can stimulate a series of substrates including mTOR which is involved in protein synthesis. Thus, inhibition of this pathway is an attractive concept for cancer prevention and/or therapy. Currently some mTOR inhibitors are approved for several indications, and there are several novel PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors in clinical trials.

MCE owns a unique collection of 594 compounds that can be used for PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway research. PI3K/Akt/mTOR Compound Library also acts as a useful tool for anti-cancer drug discovery.

MCE Kinase Assay Buffer can be used for assaying kinase protein.