Successful selection of compounds inhibiting the function of a transcription factor

The compounds Everlastin1 and Everlastin2, which inhibit the binding of the transcription factor EPHEMERAL1 (EPH1), a regulator of flower longevity of the Japanese morning glory, to its target DNA sequence, have been successfully isolated. These compounds were found to be effective in extending the longevity of flowers of the Japanese morning glory by approximately twofold.

The longevity of plant flowers is controlled by genetically programmed mechanisms. After a certain amount of time after flowering, the expression of genes associated with programmed cell death is induced and cellular components such as proteins and nucleic acids are degraded, causing the flower to wilt and die. In the horticultural field, flower longevity is an important trait that determines the commercial value of ornamental plants, and the development of technologies to prolong flower longevity is desired.
In our previous research, we identified a transcription factor EPHEMERAL1 as a regulator of flower longevity in the Japanese morning glory (Fig.1), and it was thought that if a chemical could be found that suppressed the function of EPHEMERAL1, it would be possible to extend flower longevity.
In this study, we succeeded in constructing an assay system that can detect the binding of EPH1 to DNA using a wheat cell-free protein synthesis system and an AlphaScreen system, a molecular interaction analysis technology that PROS has independently developed. Using the AlphaScreen system, we succeeded in isolating Everlastin1 and Everlastin2, compounds that inhibit the binding of EPH1 to DNA (Fig.2). The analysis using the AlphaScreen system revealed that EPH1 binds to DNA by dimerisation and that Everlastin1 and Everlastin2 inhibit this EPH1 dimerisation, thereby reducing the ability of EPH1 to bind to DNA. Floating cut morning glory flowers in water with dissolved Everlastin1 or Everlastin2 inhibited DNA and protein degradation and prolonged the longevity of the flowers by approximately twofold (Fig.3).
Transcription factors are generally difficult to synthesize and purify and were considered very difficult proteins to develop as chemicals. In this study, by using the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system developed by PROS, which can synthesize any protein with high efficiency, and the AlphaScreen system, which can analyze the binding between DNA and unpurified proteins, we succeed in the synthesis of the transcription factor EPH1 and the binding analysis system of EPH1 and DNA. By using these technologies, it became possible to carry out compound screening targeting transcription factors and succeeded for the first time in the world to screen compounds that inhibit the function of transcription factors in plants. The methods used in this study are expected to stimulate the development of chemicals targeting transcription factors that were previously considered ‘Undruggable’. The analogous protein of the transcription factor EPH1 targeted in this study is also thought to be involved in the longevity of major cut flowers such as lilies, and it is hoped that an approach similar to the present study will lead to the development of chemicals that extend the longevity of the colorful flowers sold in flower shops.

Reference URL: https://rdcu.be/dSlrG

Bibliographic Information

A chemical approach to extend flower longevity of Japanese morning glory via inhibition of master senescence regulator EPHEMERAL1,
Kenichi Shibuya, Akira Nozawa, Chikako Takahashi and Tatsuya Sawasaki,
Nature Plants, 10, 1377-1388,
doi:10.1038/s41477-024-01767-z, 2024.

Fundings

• “Development of post-harvest technology in cut flowers” from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
• The Platform Project for Supporting Drug Discovery and Life Science Research (Basis for Supporting Innovative Drug Discovery and Life Science Research [BINDS]) from AMED under Grant Numbers JP21am0101086 (support number 1590) and JP21am0101077 (support number 1144)
• Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (JP16H06579)
• KAKENHI (21K05589, JP19H03218, and 19K05815) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

Media

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  【Fig.1】EPH1 regulates flower longevity of Japanese morning glory

  The morning glory transcription factor EPH1 binds in the vicinity of genes associated with programmed cell death after a certain time after flowering and activates the expression of these genes. The activation of genes associated with programmed cell death induces the degradation of proteins and nucleic acids in the flower cells, resulting in flower wilting. (Morning glory photo, courtesy of NARO).

  credit : Ehime University
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  【Fig.2】Structure of Everlastin1 and Everlastin2

  Everlastin1 and Everlastin2 share a tetrafluorophthalimide skeleton. The structures of Everlastin1 and Everlastin2 are shown here.

  credit : Ehime University
  Usage Restriction : Please get copyright permission

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  【Fig.3】Effects of Everlastin1 on longevity of flowers of Japanese morning glory

  In morning glory flowers treated with Everlastin1, Everlastin1 inhibits the dimerization of EPH1 and EPH1 is unable to bind to its target DNA sequences. As a result, the activation of the programmed cell death-related genes was suppressed and flower longevity was prolonged: Everlastin1 treatment extended the longevity of morning glory flowers by approximately twofold. (Photograph of Everlastin1-treated morning glory flowers, courtesy of NARO).

  credit : Ehime University
  Usage Restriction : Please get copyright permission