Heme is a vital molecule for all life forms with heme being capable of assisting in catalysis, binding ligands, and undergoing redox changes. Heme-related dysfunction can lead to cardiovascular diseases with the oxidation of the heme of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) critically implicated in some of these cardiovascular diseases. sGC, the main nitric oxide (NO) receptor, stimulates second messenger cGMP production, whereas reactive oxygen species are known to scavenge NO and oxidize/inactivate the heme leading to sGC degradation. This vulnerability of NO-heme signaling to oxidative stress led to the discovery of an NO-independent activator of sGC, cinaciguat (BAY 58 -2667), which is a candidate drug in clinical trials to treat acute decompensated heart failure. Here, we present crystallographic and mutagenesis data that reveal the mode of action of BAY 58 -2667. The 2.3-Å resolution structure of BAY 58 -2667 bound to a heme NO and oxygen binding domain (H-NOX) from Nostoc homologous to that of sGC reveals that the trifurcated BAY 58 -2667 molecule has displaced the heme and acts as a heme mimetic. Carboxylate groups of BAY 58 -2667 make interactions similar to the heme-propionate groups, whereas its hydrophobic phenyl ring linker folds up within the heme cavity in a planar-like fashion. BAY 58 -2667 binding causes a rotation of the ␣F helix away from the heme pocket, as this helix is normally held in place via the inhibitory His 105 -heme covalent bond. The structure provides insights into how BAY 58 -2667 binds and activates sGC to rescue heme-NO dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases.

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The longest part of the sperm flagellum, the principal piece, contains the fibrous sheath, a cytoskeletal element unique to spermiogenesis. We performed mass spectrometry proteomics on isolated human fibrous sheaths identifying a unique ADP/ATP carrier protein, SFEC [AAC4], seven glycolytic enzymes previously unreported in the human sperm fibrous sheath, and sorbitol dehydrogenase. SFEC, pyruvate kinase and aldolase were co-localized by immunofluorescence to the principal piece. A homology model constructed for SFEC predicted unique residues at the entrance to the nucleotide binding pocket of SFEC that are absent in other human ADP/ATP carriers, suggesting opportunities for selective drug targeting. This study provides the first evidence of a role for an ADP/ATP carrier family member in glycolysis. The co-localization of SFEC and glycolytic enzymes in the fibrous sheath supports a growing literature that the principal piece of the flagellum is capable of generating and regulating ATP independently from mitochondrial oxidation in the mid-piece. A model is proposed that the fibrous sheath represents a highly ordered complex, analogous to the electron transport chain, in which adjacent enzymes in the glycolytic pathway are assembled to permit efficient flux of energy substrates and products with SFEC serving to mediate energy generating and energy consuming processes in the distal flagellum, possibly as a nucleotide shuttle between flagellar glycolysis, protein phosphorylation and mechanisms of motility.

The soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is an important receptor for nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide activates sGC several hundred fold to generate cGMP from GTP. Because of sGC’s salutary roles in cardiovascular physiology, it has received substantial attention as a drug target. The heme domain of sGC is key to its regulation as it not only contains the NO activation site but also harbors sites for NO-independent sGC activators as well an S-nitrosylation site (β1 C122) involved in desensitization. Here we report the crystal structure of the activator BAY 60-2770 bound to the Nostoc H-NOX domain that is homologous to sGC. The structure reveals that BAY 60-2770 has displaced the heme and acts as a heme mimetic via carboxylate-mediated interactions with the conserved YxSxR motif as well as hydrophobic interactions. Comparisons with the previously determined BAY 58-2667 bound structure reveals that BAY 60-2770 is more ordered in its hydrophobic tail region. sGC activity assays demonstrate that BAY 60-2770 has about 10% higher fold maximal stimulation compared to BAY 58-2667. S-nitrosylation of the BAY 60-2770 substituted Nostoc H-NOX domain causes subtle changes in the vicinity of the S-nitrosylated C122 residue. These shifts could impact the adjacent YxSxR motif and αF helix and as such potentially inhibit either heme incorporation or NO-activation of sGC and thus provide a structural basis for desensitization.

The phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway is aberrantly activated in many disease states, including tumor cells, either by growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases or by the genetic mutation and amplification of key pathway components. A variety of PI3K isoforms play differential roles in cancers. As such, the development of PI3K inhibitors from novel compound classes should lead to differential pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles and allow exploration in various indications, combinations, and dosing regimens. A screening effort aimed at the identification of PI3Kγ inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases led to the discovery of the novel 2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐c]quinazoline class of PI3K inhibitors. A subsequent lead optimization program targeting cancer therapy focused on inhibition of PI3Kα and PI3Kβ. Herein, initial structure–activity relationship findings for this class and the optimization that led to the identification of copanlisib (BAY 80‐6946) as a clinical candidate for the treatment of solid and hematological tumors are described.