Mutation in Abl kinase with altered drug-binding kinetics indicates a novel mechanism of imatinib resistance Journal Article


Authors: Lyczek, A.; Berger, B. T.; Rangwala, A. M.; Paung, Y.; Tom, J.; Philipose, H.; Guo, J.; Albanese, S. K.; Robers, M. B.; Knapp, S.; Chodera, J. D.; Seeliger, M. A.
Article Title: Mutation in Abl kinase with altered drug-binding kinetics indicates a novel mechanism of imatinib resistance
Abstract: Protein kinase inhibitors are potent anticancer therapeutics. For example, the Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor imatinib decreases mortality for chronic myeloid leukemia by 80%, but 22 to 41% of patients acquire resistance to imatinib. About 70% of relapsed patients harbor mutations in the Bcr-Abl kinase domain, where more than a hundred different mutations have been identified. Some mutations are located near the imatinib-binding site and cause resistance through altered interactions with the drug. However, many resistance mutations are located far from the drug-binding site, and it remains unclear how these mutations confer resistance. Additionally, earlier studies on small sets of patient-derived imatinib resistance mutations indicated that some of these mutant proteins were in fact sensitive to imatinib in cellular and biochemical studies. Here, we surveyed the resistance of 94 patient-derived Abl kinase domain mutations annotated as disease relevant or resistance causing using an engagement assay in live cells. We found that only two-thirds of mutations weaken imatinib affinity by more than twofold compared to Abl wild type. Surprisingly, one-third of mutations in the Abl kinase domain still remain sensitive to imatinib and bind with similar or higher affinity than wild type. Intriguingly, we identified three clinical Abl mutations that bind imatinib with wild type-like affinity but dissociate from imatinib considerably faster. Given the relevance of residence time for drug efficacy, mutations that alter binding kinetics could cause resistance in the nonequilibrium environment of the body where drug export and clearance play critical roles. © 2021 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Keywords: imatinib; drug resistance; protein kinase; drug binding; binding kinetics
Journal Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume: 118
Issue: 46
ISSN: 0027-8424
Publisher: National Academy of Sciences  
Date Published: 2021-11-16
Start Page: e2111451118
Language: English
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111451118
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 34750265
PMCID: PMC8609647
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 December 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. John Damon Chodera
    118 Chodera
  2. Jiaye Guo
    3 Guo