Mathematical Modeling Reveals the Importance of the DED Filament Composition in the Effects of Small Molecules Targeting Caspase-8/c-FLIPL Heterodimer

Biochemistry (Mosc). 2020 Oct;85(10):1134-1144. doi: 10.1134/S0006297920100028.

Abstract

Procaspase-8 activation at the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) triggers extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Procaspase-8 activation takes place in the death effector domain (DED) filaments and is regulated by c-FLIP proteins, in particular, by the long isoform c-FLIPL. Recently, the first-in-class chemical probe targeting the caspase-8/c-FLIPL heterodimer was reported. This rationally designed small molecule, FLIPin, enhances caspase-8 activity after initial heterodimer processing. Here, we used a kinetic mathematical model to gain an insight into the mechanisms of FLIPin action in a complex with DISC, in particular, to unravel the effects of FLIPin at different stoichiometry and composition of the DED filament. Analysis of this model has identified the optimal c-FLIPL to procaspase-8 ratios in different cellular landscapes favoring the activity of FLIPin. We predicted that the activity FLIPin is regulated via different mechanisms upon c-FLIPL downregulation or upregulation. Our study demonstrates that a combination of mathematical modeling with system pharmacology allows development of more efficient therapeutic approaches and prediction of optimal treatment strategies.

MeSH terms

  • CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein* / chemistry
  • Caspase 8 / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Multimerization

Substances

  • CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein
  • CFLAR protein, human
  • CASP8 protein, human
  • Caspase 8