Small molecule inhibition of the KRAS-PDEδ interaction impairs oncogenic KRAS signalling

The KRAS oncogene product is considered a major target in anticancer drug discovery(1-3). However, direct interference with KRAS signalling has not yet led to clinically useful drugs(3-8). Correct localization and signalling by farnesylated KRAS is regulated by the prenyl-binding protein PDE delta, which sustains the spatial organization of KRAS by facilitating its diffusion in the cytoplasm(9-11). Here we report that interfering with binding of mammalian PDEd to KRAS by means of small molecules provides a novel opportunity to suppress oncogenic RAS signalling by altering its localization to endomembranes. Biochemical screening and subsequent structure-based hit optimization yielded inhibitors of the KRAS-PDE delta interaction that selectively bind to the prenyl-binding pocket of PDE delta with nanomolar affinity, inhibit oncogenic RAS signalling and suppress in vitro and in vivo proliferation of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells that are dependent on oncogenic KRAS. Our findings may inspire novel drug discovery efforts aimed at the development of drugs targeting oncogenic RAS.