Abstract

Caspases are a highly conserved family of cysteine-aspartyl proteases known for their essential roles in regulating apoptosis, inflammation, cell differentiation, and proliferation. Complementary to genetic approaches, small-molecule probes have emerged as useful tools for modulating caspase activity. However, due to the high sequence and structure homology of all 12 human caspases, achieving selectivity remains a central challenge for caspase-directed small-molecule inhibitor development efforts. Here, using mass spectrometry-based chemoproteomics, we first identify a highly reactive noncatalytic cysteine that is unique to caspase-2. By combining both gel-based activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) and a tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease activation assay, we then identify covalent lead compounds that react preferentially with this cysteine and afford a complete blockade of caspase-2 activity. Inhibitory activity is restricted to the zymogen or precursor form of monomeric caspase-2. Focused analogue synthesis combined with chemoproteomic target engagement analysis in cellular lysates and in cells yielded both pan-caspase-reactive molecules and caspase-2 selective lead compounds together with a structurally matched inactive control. Application of this focused set of tool compounds to stratify the functions of the zymogen and partially processed (p32) forms of caspase-2 provide evidence to support that caspase-2-mediated response to DNA damage is largely driven by the partially processed p32 form of the enzyme. More broadly, our study highlights future opportunities for the development of proteoform-selective caspase inhibitors that target nonconserved and noncatalytic cysteine residues.