1
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Schaefer S, Corrigan N, Brunke S, Lenardon MD, Boyer C. Combatting Fungal Infections: Advances in Antifungal Polymeric Nanomaterials. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5670-5701. [PMID: 39177507 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens cause over 6.5 million life-threatening systemic infections annually, with mortality rates ranging from 20 to 95%, even with medical intervention. The World Health Organization has recently emphasized the urgent need for new antifungal drugs. However, the range of effective antifungal agents remains limited and resistance is increasing. This Review explores the current landscape of fungal infections and antifungal drugs, focusing on synthetic polymeric nanomaterials like nanoparticles that enhance the physicochemical properties of existing drugs. Additionally, we examine intrinsically antifungal polymers that mimic naturally occurring peptides. Advances in polymer characterization and synthesis now allow precise design and screening for antifungal activity, biocompatibility, and drug interactions. These antifungal polymers represent a promising new class of drugs for combating fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schaefer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nathaniel Corrigan
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Megan D Lenardon
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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2
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Ahmed N, Razzaq F, Arfan M, Gatasheh MK, Nasir H, Ali JS, Hafeez H. A Convenient Synthesis of Short α-/β-Mixed Peptides as Potential α-Amylase Inhibitors. Molecules 2024; 29:4028. [PMID: 39274877 PMCID: PMC11396456 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29174028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, the increased incidence of metabolic disorders, such as type two diabetes and obesity, has motivated researchers to investigate new enzyme inhibitors. Inhibition of the α-amylase enzyme is one therapeutic approach in lowering glucose levels in the blood to manage diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to synthesize short α-/β-mixed peptides in the solution phase. The Boc-protected α-L-leucine was converted to β-analogue by using Arndt-Eistert synthesis with the advantage of no racemization and retention of configuration. Three novel short peptides were successfully synthesized: N(Boc)-Gly-β-Leu-OCH3(14), N(Boc)-O(Bz)α-Ser-β-Leu-OCH3(16), and N(Boc)-O(Bz)-α-Tyr-α-Gly-β-Leu-OCH3(17), characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR analysis. The synthesized peptide 16 showed highest inhibitory activity (45.22%) followed by peptide 14 (18.51%) and peptide 17 (17.05%), respectively. Intriguingly, peptide 16 showed higher inhibition on α-amylase compared with other α-/β-mixed peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naeem Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Fakhira Razzaq
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931, USA
| | - Muhammad Arfan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Mansour K Gatasheh
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hammad Nasir
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Joham Sarfraz Ali
- The Department of Biological Sciences (DBS), National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
| | - Hamna Hafeez
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
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3
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Coulter S, Pentlavalli S, An Y, Vora LK, Cross ER, Moore JV, Sun H, Schweins R, McCarthy HO, Laverty G. In Situ Forming, Enzyme-Responsive Peptoid-Peptide Hydrogels: An Advanced Long-Acting Injectable Drug Delivery System. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:21401-21416. [PMID: 38922296 PMCID: PMC11311241 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Long-acting drug delivery systems are promising platforms to improve patient adherence to medication by delivering drugs over sustained periods and removing the need for patients to comply with oral regimens. This research paper provides a proof-of-concept for the development of a new optimized in situ forming injectable depot based on a tetrabenzylamine-tetraglycine-d-lysine-O-phospho-d-tyrosine peptoid-D-peptide formulation ((NPhe)4GGGGk(AZT)y(p)-OH). The chemical versatility of the peptoid-peptide motif allows low-molecular-weight drugs to be precisely and covalently conjugated. After subcutaneous injection, a hydrogel depot forms from the solubilized peptoid-peptide-drug formulation in response to phosphatase enzymes present within the skin space. This system is able to deliver clinically relevant concentrations of a model drug, the antiretroviral zidovudine (AZT), for 35 days in Sprague-Dawley rats. Oscillatory rheology demonstrated that hydrogel formation began within ∼30 s, an important characteristic of in situ systems for reducing initial drug bursts. Gel formation continued for up to ∼90 min. Small-angle neutron scattering data reveal narrow-radius fibers (∼0.78-1.8 nm) that closely fit formation via a flexible cylinder elliptical model. The inclusion of non-native peptoid monomers and D-variant amino acids confers protease resistance, enabling enhanced biostability to be demonstrated in vitro. Drug release proceeds via hydrolysis of an ester linkage under physiological conditions, releasing the drug in an unmodified form and further reducing the initial drug burst. Subcutaneous administration of (NPhe)4GGGGk(AZT)y(p)-OH to Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in zidovudine blood plasma concentrations within the 90% maximal inhibitory concentration (IC90) range (30-130 ng mL-1) for 35 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie
M. Coulter
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
| | - Sreekanth Pentlavalli
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
| | - Yuming An
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
| | - Lalitkumar K. Vora
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
| | - Emily R. Cross
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
| | - Jessica V. Moore
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
| | - Han Sun
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
| | - Ralf Schweins
- Large
Scale Structures Group, Institut Laue −
Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, Grenoble
Cedex 9, 38042, France
| | - Helen O. McCarthy
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
| | - Garry Laverty
- Biofunctional
Nanomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT9 7BL, N. Ireland
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4
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Miura T, Lee KJ, Katoh T, Suga H. In Vitro Selection of Macrocyclic l-α/d-α/β/γ-Hybrid Peptides Targeting IFN-γ/IFNGR1 Protein-Protein Interaction. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:17691-17699. [PMID: 38888290 PMCID: PMC11229689 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Nonproteinogenic amino acids, including d-α-, β-, and γ-amino acids, present in bioactive peptides play pivotal roles in their biochemical activities and proteolytic stabilities. d-α-Amino acids (dαAA) are widely used building blocks that can enhance the proteolytic stability. Cyclic β2,3-amino acids (cβAA), for instance, can fold peptides into rigid secondary structures, improving the binding affinity and proteolytic stability. Cyclic γ2,4-amino acids (cγAA) are recently highlighted as rigid residues capable of preventing the proteolysis of flanking residues. Simultaneous incorporation of all dαAA, cβAA, and cγAA into a peptide is expected to yield l-α/d-α/β/γ-hybrid peptides with improved stability and potency. Despite challenges in the ribosomal incorporation of multiple nonproteinogenic amino acids, our engineered tRNAPro1E2 successfully reaches such a difficulty. Here, we report the ribosomal synthesis of macrocyclic l-α/d-α/β/γ-hybrid peptide libraries and their application to in vitro selection against interferon gamma receptor 1 (IFNGR1). One of the resulting l-α/d-α/β/γ-hybrid peptides, IB1, exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against the IFN-γ/IFNGR1 protein-protein interaction (PPI) (IC50 = 12 nM), primarily attributed to the presence of a cβAA in the sequence. Additionally, cγAAs and dαAAs in the resulting peptides contributed to their serum stability. Furthermore, our peptides effectively inhibit IFN-γ/IFNGR1 PPI at the cellular level (best IC50 = 0.75 μM). Altogether, our platform expands the chemical space available for exploring peptides with high activity and stability, thereby enhancing their potential for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Miura
- Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kang Ju Lee
- Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takayuki Katoh
- Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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5
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Katoh T, Suga H. Fine-tuning the tRNA anticodon arm for multiple/consecutive incorporations of β-amino acids and analogs. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6586-6595. [PMID: 38572748 PMCID: PMC11194099 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal incorporation of β-amino acids into nascent peptides is much less efficient than that of the canonical α-amino acids. To overcome this, we have engineered a tRNA chimera bearing T-stem of tRNAGlu and D-arm of tRNAPro1, referred to as tRNAPro1E2, which efficiently recruits EF-Tu and EF-P. Using tRNAPro1E2 indeed improved β-amino acid incorporation. However, multiple/consecutive incorporations of β-amino acids are still detrimentally poor. Here, we attempted fine-tuning of the anticodon arm of tRNAPro1E2 aiming at further enhancement of β-amino acid incorporation. By screening various mutations introduced into tRNAPro1E2, C31G39/C28G42 mutation showed an approximately 3-fold enhancement of two consecutive incorporation of β-homophenylglycine (βPhg) at CCG codons. The use of this tRNA made it possible for the first time to elongate up to ten consecutive βPhg's. Since the enhancement effect of anticodon arm mutations differs depending on the codon used for β-amino acid incorporation, we optimized anticodon arm sequences for five codons (CCG, CAU, CAG, ACU and UGG). Combination of the five optimal tRNAs for these codons made it possible to introduce five different kinds of β-amino acids and analogs simultaneously into model peptides, including a macrocyclic scaffold. This strategy would enable ribosomal synthesis of libraries of macrocyclic peptides containing multiple β-amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Katoh
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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6
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Dasgupta S, Sen S, Sathe RY, Pophali S, Kadu A, Jain R, Bera S, Roy S, Misra R. Conformation Controlled Hydrogelation of Minimalistic α, γ Hybrid Peptide. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:3715-3723. [PMID: 38723225 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
A majority of short peptide (≤7 amino acids) hydrogels are primarily assembled via cross β-structure formation. In contrast to the natural trend, herein, we report the formation of supramolecular hydrogel from the ultrashort hybrid folded peptide composed of canonical α-amino acid and noncanonical γ-amino acid, Fmoc-γPhe-Phe-OH. The designed hybrid peptide hydrogel is composed of entangled fibers, has viscoelastic properties, exhibits proteolytic stability, and exhibits cytocompatibility with L929 fibroblast cells. Mutating the peptide sequence by altering the position of γPhe from the N-termini to C-termini transforms the self-assembly into crystalline aggregates. Combining FTIR, 2D NMR, and DFT calculations revealed that the hydrogel-forming peptide adopts a C9 H-bonded conformation, resembling the well-known γ-turn. However, the isomeric hybrid peptide adopts an extended structure. The present study highlights the importance of secondary structure in the higher order assembly of minimalist hybrid peptides and broadens the range of secondary structures to design short peptide-based hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Dasgupta
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Mohali, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) 160062, India
| | - Sourav Sen
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector 81, Knowledge City, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Rohit Y Sathe
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019, India
| | - Salil Pophali
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Mohali, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) 160062, India
| | - Archit Kadu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Mohali, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) 160062, India
| | - Rahul Jain
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Mohali, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) 160062, India
| | - Santu Bera
- Department of Chemistry, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India
| | - Sangita Roy
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector 81, Knowledge City, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Rajkumar Misra
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Mohali, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) 160062, India
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7
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Hamlish NX, Abramyan AM, Shah B, Zhang Z, Schepartz A. Incorporation of Multiple β 2-Hydroxy Acids into a Protein In Vivo Using an Orthogonal Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:1044-1053. [PMID: 38799653 PMCID: PMC11117724 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c01366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The programmed synthesis of sequence-defined biomaterials whose monomer backbones diverge from those of canonical α-amino acids represents the next frontier in protein and biomaterial evolution. Such next-generation molecules provide otherwise nonexistent opportunities to develop improved biologic therapies, bioremediation tools, and biodegradable plastic-like materials. One monomer family of particular interest for biomaterials includes β-hydroxy acids. Many natural products contain isolated β-hydroxy acid monomers, and polymers of β-hydroxy acids (β-esters) are found in polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polyesters under development as bioplastics and drug encapsulation/delivery systems. Here we report that β2-hydroxy acids possessing both (R) and (S) absolute configuration are substrates for pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) enzymes in vitro and that (S)-β2-hydroxy acids are substrates in cellulo. Using the orthogonal MaPylRS/MatRNAPyl synthetase/tRNA pair, in conjunction with wild-type E. coli ribosomes and EF-Tu, we report the cellular synthesis of model proteins containing two (S)-β2-hydroxy acid residues at internal positions. Metadynamics simulations provide a rationale for the observed preference for the (S)-β2-hydroxy acid and provide mechanistic insights that inform future engineering efforts. As far as we know, this finding represents the first example of an orthogonal synthetase that acylates tRNA with a β2-hydroxy acid substrate and the first example of a protein hetero-oligomer containing multiple expanded-backbone monomers produced in cellulo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah X. Hamlish
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University
of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ara M. Abramyan
- Schrödinger,
Inc., San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Bhavana Shah
- Process
Development, Attribute Sciences, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United
States
| | - Zhongqi Zhang
- Process
Development, Attribute Sciences, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United
States
| | - Alanna Schepartz
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University
of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Calfornia 94720, United States
- California
Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg
Biohub, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
- ARC
Institute, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
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8
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Miura T, Malla TR, Brewitz L, Tumber A, Salah E, Lee KJ, Terasaka N, Owen CD, Strain-Damerell C, Lukacik P, Walsh MA, Kawamura A, Schofield CJ, Katoh T, Suga H. Cyclic β 2,3-amino acids improve the serum stability of macrocyclic peptide inhibitors targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2024; 97:uoae018. [PMID: 38828441 PMCID: PMC11141402 DOI: 10.1093/bulcsj/uoae018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Due to their constrained conformations, cyclic β2,3-amino acids (cβAA) are key building blocks that can fold peptides into compact and rigid structures, improving peptidase resistance and binding affinity to target proteins, due to their constrained conformations. Although the translation efficiency of cβAAs is generally low, our engineered tRNA, referred to as tRNAPro1E2, enabled efficient incorporation of cβAAs into peptide libraries using the flexible in vitro translation (FIT) system. Here we report on the design and application of a macrocyclic peptide library incorporating 3 kinds of cβAAs: (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (β1), (1S,2S)-2-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (β2), and (1R,2R)-2-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid. This library was applied to an in vitro selection against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). The resultant peptides, BM3 and BM7, bearing one β2 and two β1, exhibited potent inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 40 and 20 nM, respectively. BM3 and BM7 also showed remarkable serum stability with half-lives of 48 and >168 h, respectively. Notably, BM3A and BM7A, wherein the cβAAs were substituted with alanine, lost their inhibitory activities against Mpro and displayed substantially shorter serum half-lives. This observation underscores the significant contribution of cβAA to the activity and stability of peptides. Overall, our results highlight the potential of cβAA in generating potent and highly stable macrocyclic peptides with drug-like properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Miura
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tika R Malla
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Lennart Brewitz
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Tumber
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Eidarus Salah
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Kang Ju Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Naohiro Terasaka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - C David Owen
- Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Diamond Light Source, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
- Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Strain-Damerell
- Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Diamond Light Source, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
- Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Petra Lukacik
- Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Diamond Light Source, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
- Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Martin A Walsh
- Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Diamond Light Source, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
- Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Akane Kawamura
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Schofield
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Takayuki Katoh
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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9
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Reza D, Balo R, Otero JM, Fletcher AM, García-Fandino R, Sánchez-Pedregal VM, Davies SG, Estévez RJ, Estévez JC. β-Peptides incorporating polyhydroxylated cyclohexane β-amino acid: synthesis and conformational study. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:8535-8547. [PMID: 37840474 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob00906h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
We describe the synthesis of trihydroxylated cyclohexane β-amino acids from (-)-shikimic acid, in their cis and trans configuration, and the incorporation of the trans isomer into a trans-2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid peptide chain. Subsequently, the hydroxyl groups were partially or totally deprotected. The structural study of the new peptides by FTIR, CD, solution NMR and DFT calculations revealed that they all fold into a 14-helix secondary structure, similarly to the homooligomer of trans-2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid. This means that the high degree of substitution of the cyclohexane ring of the new residue is compatible with the adoption of a stable helical secondary structure and opens opportunities for the design of more elaborate peptidic foldamers with oriented polar substituents at selected positions of the cycloalkane residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Reza
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, c/Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Rosalino Balo
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, c/Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - José M Otero
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, c/Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Ai M Fletcher
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Rebeca García-Fandino
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, c/Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Avda. das Ciencias s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Víctor M Sánchez-Pedregal
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Avda. das Ciencias s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Ramón J Estévez
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, c/Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Avda. das Ciencias s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan C Estévez
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, c/Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Avda. das Ciencias s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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10
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Wegner U, Matthes F, von Wirén N, Lemke I, Bode R, Vorbrodt HM, Rauter M, Kunze G. Enhancing a Sphaerobacter thermophilus ω-transaminase for kinetic resolution of β- and γ-amino acids. AMB Express 2023; 13:117. [PMID: 37864072 PMCID: PMC10589169 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-023-01623-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphaerobacter thermophilus synthesizes an ω-transaminase (ω-TA) that allows the production of enantiomerically pure β-amino acids. To obtain ω-TA variants with a higher activity and more favorable properties for industrial use, we modified critical amino acid residues either in the catalytic center or in a previously proposed signature motif critical for aromatic β-amino acid ω-TAs. Seventeen different variants of this enzyme were generated and their activity was examined with four β-amino acids and one γ-amino acid, and compared with the wildtype's activity. Among all variants, seven showed up to ninefold higher activity with at least one of the tested substrates. For most of these seven variants, the temperature optimum was even lower as in the wild type enzyme, with keeping a high temperature stability, making them more valuable for industrial purposes. Our results indicate that for the production of enantiomerically pure β-amino acids replacement of critical amino acid residues in the proposed signature motif of ω-TAs is a more effective strategy than modifying their catalytic center. Another finding was, that the proposed motif is not only suitable for aromatic amino acid ω-TAs, because some of the variants have a higher activity with β-alanine or β-leucine than with aromatic β-amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Wegner
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466, Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Falko Matthes
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466, Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Nicolaus von Wirén
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466, Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Ina Lemke
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466, Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Bode
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Jahnstr. 15, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - H-Matthias Vorbrodt
- Orgentis Chemicals GmbH, Bahnhofstr. 3-5, 06466, Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Marion Rauter
- Orgentis Chemicals GmbH, Bahnhofstr. 3-5, 06466, Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Gotthard Kunze
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466, Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany.
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11
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Hymel HC, Anderson JC, Liu D, Gauthier TJ, Melvin AT. Incorporating a β-hairpin sequence motif to increase intracellular stability of a peptide-based PROTAC. Biochem Eng J 2023; 199:109063. [PMID: 37637833 PMCID: PMC10455042 DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2023.109063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a new class of therapeutics that utilize the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to facilitate proteasomal degradation of "undruggable" targets. Peptide-based PROTACs contain three essential components: a binding motif for the target protein, a short amino acid sequence recognized by an E3 ligase called a degron, and a cell penetrating peptide to facilitate uptake into intact cells. While peptide-based PROTACs have been shown to successfully degrade numerous targets, they have often been found to exhibit low cell permeability and high protease susceptibility. Prior work identified peptides containing a β-hairpin sequence motif that function not only as protecting elements, but also as CPPs and degrons. The goal of this study was to investigate if a β-hairpin sequence could replace commonly used unstructured peptides sequences as the degron and the CPP needed for PROTAC uptake and function. The degradation of the protein Tau was selected as a model system as several published works have identified a Tau binding element that could easily be conjugated to the β-hairpin sequence. A series of time- and concentration-dependent studies confirmed that the βhairpin sequence was an adequate alternative CPP and degron to facilitate the proteasomemediated degradation of Tau. Microscopy studies confirmed the time-dependent uptake of the PROTAC and a degradation assay confirmed that the β-hairpin conjugated PROTAC had a greater lifetime in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah C Hymel
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803
| | - Jeffery C Anderson
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803
| | - Dong Liu
- LSU AgCenter Biotechnology Lab, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Ted J Gauthier
- LSU AgCenter Biotechnology Lab, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Adam T Melvin
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803
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12
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Katoh T, Suga H. Translation initiation with exotic amino acids using EF-P-responsive artificial initiator tRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8169-8180. [PMID: 37334856 PMCID: PMC10450175 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Translation initiation using noncanonical initiator substrates with poor peptidyl donor activities, such as N-acetyl-l-proline (AcPro), induces the N-terminal drop-off-reinitiation event. Thereby, the initiator tRNA drops-off from the ribosome and the translation reinitiates from the second amino acid to yield a truncated peptide lacking the N-terminal initiator substrate. In order to suppress this event for the synthesis of full-length peptides, here we have devised a chimeric initiator tRNA, referred to as tRNAiniP, whose D-arm comprises a recognition motif for EF-P, an elongation factor that accelerates peptide bond formation. We have shown that the use of tRNAiniP and EF-P enhances the incorporation of not only AcPro but also d-amino, β-amino and γ-amino acids at the N-terminus. By optimizing the translation conditions, e.g. concentrations of translation factors, codon sequence and Shine-Dalgarno sequence, we could achieve complete suppression of the N-terminal drop-off-reinitiation for the exotic amino acids and enhance the expression level of full-length peptide up to 1000-fold compared with the use of the ordinary translation conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Katoh
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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13
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Lensmire JM, Wischer MR, Kraemer-Zimpel C, Kies PJ, Sosinski L, Ensink E, Dodson JP, Shook JC, Delekta PC, Cooper CC, Havlichek DH, Mulks MH, Lunt SY, Ravi J, Hammer ND. The glutathione import system satisfies the Staphylococcus aureus nutrient sulfur requirement and promotes interspecies competition. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010834. [PMID: 37418503 PMCID: PMC10355420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur is an indispensable element for bacterial proliferation. Prior studies demonstrated that the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus utilizes glutathione (GSH) as a source of nutrient sulfur; however, mechanisms of GSH acquisition are not defined. Here, we identify a five-gene locus comprising a putative ABC-transporter and predicted γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (ggt) that promotes S. aureus proliferation in medium supplemented with either reduced or oxidized GSH (GSSG) as the sole source of nutrient sulfur. Based on these phenotypes, we name this transporter operon the glutathione import system (gisABCD). Ggt is encoded within the gisBCD operon, and we show that the enzyme is capable of liberating glutamate using either GSH or GSSG as substrates, demonstrating it is a bona fide γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. We also determine that Ggt is expressed in the cytoplasm, representing only the second example of cytoplasmic Ggt localization, the other being Neisseria meningitidis. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that Staphylococcus species closely related to S. aureus encode GisABCD-Ggt homologs. However, homologous systems were not detected in Staphylococcus epidermidis. Consequently, we establish that GisABCD-Ggt provides a competitive advantage for S. aureus over S. epidermidis in a GSH- and GSSG-dependent manner. Overall, this study describes the discovery of a nutrient sulfur acquisition system in S. aureus that targets GSSG in addition to GSH and promotes competition against other staphylococci commonly associated with the human microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Lensmire
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Michael R Wischer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Cristina Kraemer-Zimpel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Paige J Kies
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Lo Sosinski
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Elliot Ensink
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jack P Dodson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - John C Shook
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Phillip C Delekta
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Christopher C Cooper
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Daniel H Havlichek
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Martha H Mulks
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sophia Y Lunt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Janani Ravi
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Health Artificial Intelligence, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Neal D Hammer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
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14
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Zhao S, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Wang H, Xu L, Wu Y, Zeng X, Luo X. A low-fouling electrochemical biosensor for biomarker detection in serum based on designed α/β-peptides with anti-enzymolysis and antifouling capabilities. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1263:341244. [PMID: 37225330 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The zwitterionic peptides, especially those composed of glutamic (E) and lysine (K) groups have drawn enormous attention as antifouling biomaterials owing to their strong hydration capability and biocompatibility. However, the susceptibility of α-amino acid K to the proteolytic enzymes in human serum limited the broad application of such peptides in biological media. Herein, a new multifunctional peptide with favorable stability in human serum was designed, and it was composed of three sections with immobilizing, recognizing and antifouling capabilities, respectively. The antifouling section was composed of alternating E and K amino acids, but the enzymolysis-susceptive amino acid α-K was replaced by the unnatural β-K. Compared with the conventional peptide composed of all α-amino acids, the α/β-peptide exhibited significantly enhanced stability and longer antifouling performance in human serum and blood. The electrochemical biosensor based on the α/β-peptide showed a favorable sensitivity to its target IgG, with a quite wide linear range from 100 pg mL-1 to 10 μg mL-1 and a low detection limit (33.7 pg mL-1, S/N = 3), and it was promising for the detection of IgG in complex human serum. The tactic of designing antifouling α/β-peptides offered an efficient way to develop low-fouling biosensors with robust operation in complex body fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuju Zhao
- State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Yuxi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Zhenying Xu
- State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Hao Wang
- State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Liang Xu
- State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Yumin Wu
- State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Xianghua Zeng
- State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China.
| | - Xiliang Luo
- State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China.
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15
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Coulter SM, Pentlavalli S, Vora LK, An Y, Cross ER, Peng K, McAulay K, Schweins R, Donnelly RF, McCarthy HO, Laverty G. Enzyme-Triggered l-α/d-Peptide Hydrogels as a Long-Acting Injectable Platform for Systemic Delivery of HIV/AIDS Drugs. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2203198. [PMID: 36880399 PMCID: PMC11469249 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030 is a central goal of the World Health Organization. Patient adherence to complicated dosage regimens remains a key barrier. There is a need for convenient long-acting formulations that deliver drugs over sustained periods. This paper presents an alternative platform, an injectable in situ forming hydrogel implant to deliver a model antiretroviral drug (zidovudine [AZT]) over 28 days. The formulation is a self-assembling ultrashort d or l-α peptide hydrogelator, namely phosphorylated (naphthalene-2-ly)-acetyl-diphenylalanine-lysine-tyrosine-OH (NapFFKY[p]-OH), covalently conjugated to zidovudine via an ester linkage. Rheological analysis demonstrates phosphatase enzyme instructed self-assembly, with hydrogels forming within minutes. Small angle neutron scattering data suggest hydrogels form narrow radius (≈2 nm), large length fibers closely fitting the flexible cylinder elliptical model. d-Peptides are particularly promising for long-acting delivery, displaying protease resistance for 28 days. Drug release, via hydrolysis of the ester linkage, progress under physiological conditions (37 °C, pH 7.4, H2 O). Subcutaneous administration of Napffk(AZT)Y[p]G-OH in Sprague Dawley rats demonstrate zidovudine blood plasma concentrations within the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) range (30-130 ng mL-1 ) for 35 days. This work is a proof-of-concept for the development of a long-acting combined injectable in situ forming peptide hydrogel implant. These products are imperative given their potential impact on society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie M. Coulter
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
| | - Sreekanth Pentlavalli
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
| | - Lalitkumar K. Vora
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
| | - Yuming An
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
| | - Emily R. Cross
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
| | - Ke Peng
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
| | - Kate McAulay
- School of ChemistryUniversity of GlasgowJoseph Black BuildingGlasgowScotlandG12 8QQUK
- School of Computing, Engineering and Built EnvironmentGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowScotlandG4 0BAUK
| | - Ralf Schweins
- Large Scale Structures GroupInstitut Laue – Langevin71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156Grenoble Cedex 938042France
| | - Ryan F. Donnelly
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
| | - Helen O. McCarthy
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
| | - Garry Laverty
- School of PharmacyQueen's University BelfastMedical Biology Centre97 Lisburn RoadBelfast, Co. AntrimNorthern IrelandBT9 7BLUK
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16
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Miura T, Malla TR, Owen CD, Tumber A, Brewitz L, McDonough MA, Salah E, Terasaka N, Katoh T, Lukacik P, Strain-Damerell C, Mikolajek H, Walsh MA, Kawamura A, Schofield CJ, Suga H. In vitro selection of macrocyclic peptide inhibitors containing cyclic γ 2,4-amino acids targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Nat Chem 2023; 15:998-1005. [PMID: 37217786 PMCID: PMC10322702 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01205-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
γ-Amino acids can play important roles in the biological activities of natural products; however, the ribosomal incorporation of γ-amino acids into peptides is challenging. Here we report how a selection campaign employing a non-canonical peptide library containing cyclic γ2,4-amino acids resulted in the discovery of very potent inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). Two kinds of cyclic γ2,4-amino acids, cis-3-aminocyclobutane carboxylic acid (γ1) and (1R,3S)-3-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (γ2), were ribosomally introduced into a library of thioether-macrocyclic peptides. One resultant potent Mpro inhibitor (half-maximal inhibitory concentration = 50 nM), GM4, comprising 13 residues with γ1 at the fourth position, manifests a 5.2 nM dissociation constant. An Mpro:GM4 complex crystal structure reveals the intact inhibitor spans the substrate binding cleft. The γ1 interacts with the S1' catalytic subsite and contributes to a 12-fold increase in proteolytic stability compared to its alanine-substituted variant. Knowledge of interactions between GM4 and Mpro enabled production of a variant with a 5-fold increase in potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Miura
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tika R Malla
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - C David Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Anthony Tumber
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lennart Brewitz
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael A McDonough
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eidarus Salah
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Naohiro Terasaka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Katoh
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Petra Lukacik
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Claire Strain-Damerell
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Halina Mikolajek
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Martin A Walsh
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Akane Kawamura
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Chemistry - School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Christopher J Schofield
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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17
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Lee MF, Poh CL. Strategies to improve the physicochemical properties of peptide-based drugs. Pharm Res 2023; 40:617-632. [PMID: 36869247 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03486-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Peptides are a rapid-growing class of therapeutics with unique and desirable physicochemical properties. Due to disadvantages such as low membrane permeability and susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, peptide-based drugs have limited bioavailability, a short half-life, and rapid in vivo elimination. Various strategies can be applied to improve the physicochemical properties of peptide-based drugs to overcome limitations such as limited tissue residence time, metabolic instability, and low permeability. Applied strategies including backbone modifications, side chain modifications, conjugation with polymers, modification of peptide termini, fusion to albumin, conjugation with the Fc portion of antibodies, cyclization, stapled peptides, pseudopeptides, cell-penetrating peptide conjugates, conjugation with lipids, and encapsulation in nanocarriers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Felicia Lee
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
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18
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Li W, Xiao X, Qi Y, Lin X, Hu H, Shi M, Zhou M, Jiang W, Liu L, Chen K, Wang K, Liu R, Zhou M. Host-Defense-Peptide-Mimicking β-Peptide Polymer Acting as a Dual-Modal Antibacterial Agent by Interfering Quorum Sensing and Killing Individual Bacteria Simultaneously. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0051. [PMID: 36930779 PMCID: PMC10014070 DOI: 10.34133/research.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are one of the potentially promising agents for infection diseases due to their broad spectrum and low resistance rate, but their clinical applications are limited by proteolytic instability, high-cost, and complicated synthesis process. Here, we report a host-defense-peptide-mimicking β-peptide polymer that resists proteolysis to have enhanced the activity under physiological conditions, excellent antimicrobial efficiency even at high density of bacteria, and low cost for preparation. The β-peptide polymer demonstrated quorum sensing (QS) interference and bactericidal effect against both bacterial communities and individual bacterium to simultaneously block bacterial communication and disrupt bacterial membranes. The hierarchical QS network was suppressed, and main QS signaling systems showed considerably down-regulated gene expression, resulting in excellent biofilm eradication and virulence reduction effects. The dual-modal antibacterial ability possessed excellent therapeutic effects in Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, which could inhibit biofilm formation and exhibit better antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficiency than clinically used antibiotics, levofloxacin. Furthermore, the β-peptide polymer also showed excellent therapeutic effect Escherichia coli pyogenic liver abscess. Together, we believed that the β-peptide polymer had a feasible clinical potential to treat bacterial infection diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanlin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 223300, China.,University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Ximian Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuchen Qi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Xiuhui Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huiqun Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Minqi Shi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weinan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Longqiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kai Wang
- University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Runhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 223300, China.,University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.,State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentations, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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19
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Wegner U, Matthes F, von Wirén N, Hajirezaei MR, Bode R, Kunze G, Rauter M. A transaminase with β-activity from Variovorax boronicumulans for the production of enantiopure β-amino acids. Heliyon 2022; 9:e12729. [PMID: 36685366 PMCID: PMC9850050 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Enantioselective transamination of amino acids is a great challenge in biotechnology as suitable enzymes with wide substrate spectrum are rare. Here, we present a new transaminase from Variovorax boronicumulans (VboTA, Variovorax boronicumulansω-transaminase) which is specific for β-amino acids. The amino acid sequence of VboTA is similar to an ω-transaminase from Variovorax paradoxus, for which a crystal-structure is available. This similarity is allowing us to classify VboTA as a fold type 1 ω-transaminase (ω-TA). Although both enzymes have a high sequence similarity (86% identities, 92% positives), there are differences in the active center, which allow VboTA to accept a broader substrate spectrum. Both enzymes have also a different temperature stability and temperature optimum. VboTA deaminates the D-form of aromatic β-amino acids, such as β-homophenylalanine and β-phenylalanine as well as aliphatic β-amino acids, such as β-homoalanine and β-leucine. The optimal reaction conditions turned out to be 32 °C and pH 9. Kinetic resolution lead to high enantiomeric excess of 86.6% to >99.9%, depending on the amino donor/acceptor pair. In contrast to many other ω-TAs, VboTA has a broad substrate spectrum and uses both aromatic or aliphatic amino acids. With γ-amino acids as substrates, VboTA showed no activity at all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Wegner
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, OT Gatersleben, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Falko Matthes
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, OT Gatersleben, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Nicolaus von Wirén
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, OT Gatersleben, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Mohammad-Reza Hajirezaei
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, OT Gatersleben, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Bode
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 8, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gotthard Kunze
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, OT Gatersleben, D-06466 Seeland, Germany,Corresponding author.
| | - Marion Rauter
- Orgentis Chemicals GmbH, Bahnhofstr. 3-5, OT Gatersleben, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
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20
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Wakabayashi R, Kawai M, Katoh T, Suga H. In Vitro Selection of Macrocyclic α/β 3-Peptides against Human EGFR. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:18504-18510. [PMID: 36173923 PMCID: PMC9563295 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Here, we report ribosomal construction of thioether-macrocyclic α/β3-peptide libraries in which β-homoglycine, β-homoalanine, β-homophenylglycine, and β-homoglutamine are introduced by genetic code reprogramming. The libraries were applied to the RaPID (Random nonstandard Peptides Integrated Discovery) selection against human EGFR to obtain PPI (protein-protein interaction) inhibitors. The resulting peptides contained up to five β3-amino acid (β3AA) residues and exhibited outstanding binding affinity, PPI inhibitory activity, and proteolytic stability, which were attributed to the β3AAs included in the peptides. This showcase work has demonstrated that the use of such β3AAs enhances the drug-like properties of peptides, providing a unique platform for the discovery of de novo macrocycles against a protein of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Wakabayashi
- Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Marina Kawai
- Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takayuki Katoh
- Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University
of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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21
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Scott TA, Verest M, Farnung J, Forneris CC, Robinson SL, Ji X, Hubrich F, Chepkirui C, Richter DU, Huber S, Rust P, Streiff AB, Zhang Q, Bode JW, Piel J. Widespread microbial utilization of ribosomal β-amino acid-containing peptides and proteins. Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2022.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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22
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Parrasia S, Szabò I, Zoratti M, Biasutto L. Peptides as Pharmacological Carriers to the Brain: Promises, Shortcomings and Challenges. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:3700-3729. [PMID: 36174227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are among the most difficult to treat, mainly because the vast majority of the drugs fail to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or to reach the brain at concentrations adequate to exert a pharmacological activity. The obstacle posed by the BBB has led to the in-depth study of strategies allowing the brain delivery of CNS-active drugs. Among the most promising strategies is the use of peptides addressed to the BBB. Peptides are versatile molecules that can be used to decorate nanoparticles or can be conjugated to drugs, with either a stable link or as pro-drugs. They have been used to deliver to the brain both small molecules and proteins, with applications in diverse therapeutic areas such as brain cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and imaging. Peptides can be generally classified as receptor-targeted, recognizing membrane proteins expressed by the BBB microvessels (e.g., Angiopep2, CDX, and iRGD), "cell-penetrating peptides" (CPPs; e.g. TAT47-57, SynB1/3, and Penetratin), undergoing transcytosis through unspecific mechanisms, or those exploiting a mixed approach. The advantages of peptides have been extensively pointed out, but so far few studies have focused on the potential negative aspects. Indeed, despite having a generally good safety profile, some peptide conjugates may display toxicological characteristics distinct from those of the peptide itself, causing for instance antigenicity, cardiovascular alterations or hemolysis. Other shortcomings are the often brief lifetime in vivo, caused by the presence of peptidases, the vulnerability to endosomal/lysosomal degradation, and the frequently still insufficient attainable increase of brain drug levels, which remain below the therapeutically useful concentrations. The aim of this review is to analyze not only the successful and promising aspects of the use of peptides in brain targeting but also the problems posed by this strategy for drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Parrasia
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ildikò Szabò
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Mario Zoratti
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lucia Biasutto
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
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23
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Zhang ZC, Hales DA, Clemmer DE. Influence of N Terminus Amino Acid on Peptide Cleavage in Solution through Diketopiperazine Formation. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2022; 33:1368-1376. [PMID: 35576623 PMCID: PMC10161955 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.2c00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Diketopiperazine (DKP) formation is an important degradation pathway for peptides and proteins. It can occur during synthesis and storage in either solution or the solid state. The kinetics of peptide cleavage through DKP formation have been analyzed for the model peptides Xaa1-Pro2-Gly4-Lys7 [Xaa = Gln, Glu, Lys, Ser, Phe, Trp, Tyr, Cha (β-cyclohexylalanine), Aib (α-aminoisobutyric acid), Gly, and Val] at multiple elevated temperatures in ethanol with ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS). When Xaa is an amino acid with a charged or polar side chain, degradation is relatively fast. When Xaa is an amino acid with a nonpolar alkyl side chain, the peptide is relatively stable. For these peptides, a bulky group on the α carbon speeds up dissociation, but the kinetic effects vary in a complicated manner for bulky groups on the β or γ carbon. Peptides where Xaa has a nonpolar aromatic side chain show moderate dissociation rates. The stability of these peptides is a result of multiple factors. The reaction rate is enhanced by (1) the stabilization of the late transition state through the interaction of an aromatic ring with the nascent DKP ring or lowering the activation energy of nucleophilic attack intermediate state through polar or charged residues and (2) the preference of the cis proline bond favored by the aromatic N-terminus. The number of unseen intermediates and transition state thermodynamic values are derived for each peptide by modeling the kinetics data. Most of the transition states are entropically favored (ΔS⧧ ∼ -5 to +31 J·mol-1·K-1), and all are enthalpically disfavored (ΔH⧧ ∼ 93 to 109 kJ·mol-1). The Gibbs free energy of activation is similar for all of the peptides studied here (ΔG⧧ ∼ 90-99 kJ·mol-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Chao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - David A Hales
- Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas 72032, United States
| | - David E Clemmer
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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24
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Bellotti D, Remelli M. Lights and Shadows on the Therapeutic Use of Antimicrobial Peptides. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144584. [PMID: 35889455 PMCID: PMC9317528 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant infections is still a major concern for public health worldwide. The number of pathogenic microorganisms capable of resisting common therapeutic treatments are constantly increasing, highlighting the need of innovative and more effective drugs. This phenomenon is strictly connected to the rapid metabolism of microorganisms: due to the huge number of mutations that can occur in a relatively short time, a colony can “adapt” to the pharmacological treatment with the evolution of new resistant species. However, the shortage of available antimicrobial drugs in clinical use is also caused by the high costs involved in developing and marketing new drugs without an adequate guarantee of an economic return; therefore, the pharmaceutical companies have reduced their investments in this area. The use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represents a promising strategy for the design of new therapeutic agents. AMPs act as immune defense mediators of the host organism and show a poor ability to induce antimicrobial resistance, coupled with other advantages such as a broad spectrum of activity, not excessive synthetic costs and low toxicity of both the peptide itself and its own metabolites. It is also important to underline that many antimicrobial peptides, due to their inclination to attack cell membranes, have additional biological activities, such as, for example, as anti-cancer drugs. Unfortunately, they usually undergo rapid degradation by proteolytic enzymes and are characterized by poor bioavailability, preventing their extensive clinical use and landing on the pharmaceutical market. This review is focused on the strength and weak points of antimicrobial peptides as therapeutic agents. We give an overview on the AMPs already employed in clinical practice, which are examples of successful strategies aimed at overcoming the main drawbacks of peptide-based drugs. The review deepens the most promising strategies to design modified antimicrobial peptides with higher proteolytic stability with the purpose of giving a comprehensive summary of the commonly employed approaches to evaluate and optimize the peptide potentialities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Bellotti
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Maurizio Remelli
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence:
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25
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Lakis E, Magyari S, Piel J. In Vivo Production of Diverse β‐Amino Acid‐Containing Proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202202695. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202202695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Edgars Lakis
- Institute of Microbiology Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Sarolt Magyari
- Institute of Microbiology Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jörn Piel
- Institute of Microbiology Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 8093 Zürich Switzerland
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26
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Abstract
Peptides have traditionally been perceived as poor drug candidates due to unfavorable characteristics mainly regarding their pharmacokinetic behavior, including plasma stability, membrane permeability and circulation half-life. Nonetheless, in recent years, general strategies to tackle those shortcomings have been established, and peptides are subsequently gaining increasing interest as drugs due to their unique ability to combine the advantages of antibodies and small molecules. Macrocyclic peptides are a special focus of drug development efforts due to their ability to address so called ‘undruggable’ targets characterized by large and flat protein surfaces lacking binding pockets. Here, the main strategies developed to date for adapting peptides for clinical use are summarized, which may soon help usher in an age highly shaped by peptide-based therapeutics. Nonetheless, limited membrane permeability is still to overcome before peptide therapeutics will be broadly accepted.
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27
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Hecht SM. Expansion of the Genetic Code Through the Use of Modified Bacterial Ribosomes. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167211. [PMID: 34419431 PMCID: PMC9990327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Biological protein synthesis is mediated by the ribosome, and employs ~20 proteinogenic amino acids as building blocks. Through the use of misacylated tRNAs, presently accessible by any of several strategies, it is now possible to employ in vitro and in vivo protein biosynthesis to elaborate proteins containing a much larger variety of amino acid building blocks. However, the incorporation of this broader variety of amino acids is limited to those species utilized by the ribosome. As a consequence, virtually all of the substrates utilized over time have been L-α-amino acids. In recent years, a variety of structural and biochemical studies have provided important insights into those regions of the 23S ribosomal RNA that are involved in peptide bond formation. Subsequent experiments, involving the randomization of key regions of 23S rRNA required for peptide bond formation, have afforded libraries of E. coli harboring plasmids with the rrnB gene modified in the key regions. Selections based on the use of modified puromycin derivatives with altered amino acids then identified clones uniquely sensitive to individual puromycin derivatives. These clones often recognized misacylated tRNAs containing altered amino acids similar to those in the modified puromycins, and incorporated the amino acid analogues into proteins. In this fashion, it has been possible to realize the synthesis of proteins containing D-amino acids, β-amino acids, phosphorylated amino acids, as well as long chain and cyclic amino acids in which the nucleophilic amino group is not in the α-position. Of special interest have been dipeptides and dipeptidomimetics of diverse utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidney M Hecht
- Center for BioEnergetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
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28
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Kim BR, Yoon JW, Choi H, Kim D, Kang S, Kim JH. Application of periostin peptide-decorated self-assembled protein cage nanoparticles for therapeutic angiogenesis. BMB Rep 2022. [PMID: 34814976 PMCID: PMC9058470 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022.55.4.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides are gaining substantial attention as therapeutics for human diseases. However, they have limitations such as low bioavailability and poor pharmacokinetics. Periostin, a matricellular protein, can stimulate the repair of ischemic tissues by promoting angiogenesis. We have previously reported that a novel angiogenic peptide (amino acids 142-151) is responsible for the pro-angiogenic activity of periostin. To improve the in vivo delivery efficiency of periostin peptide (PP), we used proteins self-assembled into a hollow cage-like structure as a drug delivery nanoplatform in the present study. The periostin peptide was genetically inserted into lumazine synthase (isolated from Aquifex aeolicus) consisting of 60 identical subunits with an icosahedral capsid architecture. The periostin peptide-bearing lumazine synthase protein cage nanoparticle with 60 periostin peptides multivalently displayed was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Next, we examined angiogenic activities of this periostin peptide-bearing lumazine synthase protein cage nanoparticle. AaLS-periostin peptide (AaLS-PP), but not AaLS, promoted migration, proliferation, and tube formation of human endothelial colony-forming cells in vitro. Intramuscular injection of PP and AaLS-PP increased blood perfusion and attenuated severe limb loss in the ischemic hindlimb. However, AaLS did not increase blood perfusion or alleviate tissue necrosis. Moreover, in vivo administration of AaLS-PP, but not AaLS, stimulated angiogenesis in the ischemic hindlimb. These results suggest that AaLS is a highly useful nanoplatform for delivering pro-angiogenic peptides such as PP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ba Reun Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75390-9071, TX, USA
| | - Jung Won Yoon
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Hyukjun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
| | - Dasol Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Sebyung Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
| | - Jae Ho Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
- Research Institute of Convergence Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
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29
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Piel J, Lakis E, Magyari S. In‐vivo production of diverse β‐amino acid‐containing proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202202695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jörn Piel
- ETH Zürich Department of Biology Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND
| | - Edgars Lakis
- ETH Zurich: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich Institute of Microbiology SWITZERLAND
| | - Sarolt Magyari
- ETH Zurich: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich Institute of Microbiology SWITZERLAND
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30
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Kremsmayr T, Aljnabi A, Blanco-Canosa JB, Tran HNT, Emidio NB, Muttenthaler M. On the Utility of Chemical Strategies to Improve Peptide Gut Stability. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6191-6206. [PMID: 35420805 PMCID: PMC9059125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Inherent susceptibility
of peptides to enzymatic degradation in
the gastrointestinal tract is a key bottleneck in oral peptide drug
development. Here, we present a systematic analysis of (i) the gut
stability of disulfide-rich peptide scaffolds, orally administered
peptide therapeutics, and well-known neuropeptides and (ii) medicinal
chemistry strategies to improve peptide gut stability. Among a broad
range of studied peptides, cyclotides were the only scaffold class
to resist gastrointestinal degradation, even when grafted with non-native
sequences. Backbone cyclization, a frequently applied strategy, failed
to improve stability in intestinal fluid, but several site-specific
alterations proved efficient. This work furthermore highlights the
importance of standardized gut stability test conditions and suggests
defined protocols to facilitate cross-study comparison. Together,
our results provide a comparative overview and framework for the chemical
engineering of gut-stable peptides, which should be valuable for the
development of orally administered peptide therapeutics and molecular
probes targeting receptors within the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kremsmayr
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Aws Aljnabi
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Juan B Blanco-Canosa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, Vienna 1090, Austria.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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31
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Kuroki A, Tay J, Lee GH, Yang YY. Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Peptides and Polymers. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2101113. [PMID: 34599850 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
As the human cost of the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still being witnessed worldwide, the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents against emerging and re-emerging viruses is seen as a necessity to hamper the spread of infections. Various targets during the viral life-cycle can be considered to inhibit viral infection, from viral attachment to viral fusion or replication. Macromolecules represent a particularly attractive class of therapeutics due to their multivalency and versatility. Although several antiviral macromolecules hold great promise in clinical applications, the emergence of resistance after prolonged exposure urges the need for improved solutions. In the present article, the recent advancement in the discovery of antiviral peptides and polymers with diverse structural features and antiviral mechanisms is reviewed. Future perspectives, such as, the development of virucidal peptides/polymers and their coatings against SARS-CoV-2 infection, standardization of antiviral testing protocols, and use of artificial intelligence or machine learning as a tool to accelerate the discovery of antiviral macromolecules, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnès Kuroki
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine National University of Singapore Singapore 117597 Singapore
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging 31 Biopolis Ways, The Nanos Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Joyce Tay
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging 31 Biopolis Ways, The Nanos Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Guan Huei Lee
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine National University of Singapore Singapore 117597 Singapore
| | - Yi Yan Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging 31 Biopolis Ways, The Nanos Singapore 138669 Singapore
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32
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Koneru JK, Prakashchand DD, Dube N, Ghosh P, Mondal J. Spontaneous transmembrane pore formation by short-chain synthetic peptide. Biophys J 2021; 120:4557-4574. [PMID: 34478698 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphiphilic β-peptides, which are synthetically designed short-chain helical foldamers of β-amino acids, are established potent biomimetic alternatives of natural antimicrobial peptides. An intriguing question is how the distinct molecular architecture of these short-chain and rigid synthetic peptides translates to its potent membrane-disruption ability. Here, we address this question via a combination of all-atom and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of the interaction of mixed phospholipid bilayer with an antimicrobial 10-residue globally amphiphilic helical β-peptide at a wide range of concentrations. The simulation demonstrates that multiple copies of this synthetic peptide, initially placed in aqueous solution, readily self-assemble and adsorb at membrane interface. Subsequently, beyond a threshold peptide/lipid ratio, the surface-adsorbed oligomeric aggregate moves inside the membrane and spontaneously forms stable water-filled transmembrane pores via a cooperative mechanism. The defects induced by these pores lead to the dislocation of interfacial lipid headgroups, membrane thinning, and substantial water leakage inside the hydrophobic core of the membrane. A molecular analysis reveals that despite having a short architecture, these synthetic peptides, once inside the membrane, would stretch themselves toward the distal leaflet in favor of potential contact with polar headgroups and interfacial water layer. The pore formed in coarse-grained simulation was found to be resilient upon structural refinement. Interestingly, the pore-inducing ability was found to be elusive in a non-globally amphiphilic sequence isomer of the same β-peptide, indicating strong sequence dependence. Taken together, this work puts forward key perspectives of membrane activity of minimally designed synthetic biomimetic oligomers relative to the natural antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Krishna Koneru
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Dube Dheeraj Prakashchand
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Namita Dube
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Pushpita Ghosh
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Jagannath Mondal
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
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Adaligil E, Song A, Cunningham CN, Fairbrother WJ. Ribosomal Synthesis of Macrocyclic Peptides with Linear γ 4- and β-Hydroxy-γ 4-amino Acids. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1325-1331. [PMID: 34270222 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report the ribosomal elongation of linear γ4- and β-hydroxy-γ4-amino acids (statines) to expand the nonproteinogenic amino acid repertoire of natural product-like combinatorial peptide libraries. First, we demonstrated the successful ribosomal incorporation of four linear γ4-amino acids (γ4Gly, (S)-γ4Ala, (S)-γ4Nva, and (R)-γ4Leu) into a 10-mer macrocyclic peptide scaffold. Given the promising effects reported for statines on the cell permeability of macrocyclic peptides, we also designed and tested the ribosomal incorporation of six statines derived from Ala and d-val. Four Ala-derived statines were successfully incorporated into peptides, and γ4SAla3R-OH (GP2) showed a similar efficiency of incorporation to that of (S)-β2hAla and l-Ala. These new building blocks might confer the important pharmacological properties of protease resistance and membrane permeability to macrocyclic peptides and expand the diversity of future combinatorial peptide libraries that can be translated by the ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Adaligil
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, 94080 California, United States
| | - Aimin Song
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, 94080 California, United States
| | - Christian N. Cunningham
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, 94080 California, United States
| | - Wayne J. Fairbrother
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, 94080 California, United States
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34
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Michael addition of ethyl anthranilate and phenyl monothioanthranilate to acetylenic esters: experimental and theoretical results. Struct Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11224-021-01735-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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35
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Zhang Z, Conant CR, El-Baba TJ, Raab SA, Fuller DR, Hales DA, Clemmer DE. Diketopiperazine Formation from FPG nK ( n = 1-9) Peptides: Rates of Structural Rearrangements and Mechanisms. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:8107-8116. [PMID: 34270248 PMCID: PMC10661757 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c03515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Peptides with penultimate proline residues undergo trans → cis isomerization of the Phe1-Pro2 peptide bond followed by spontaneous bond cleavage at the Pro2-Xxx3 bond (where Xxx is another amino acid residue), leading to cleavage of the Pro2-Xxx3 bond and formation of a diketopiperazine (DKP). In this paper, ion mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry techniques were used to study the dissociation kinetics of nine peptides [Phe1-Pro2-Glyn-Lysn+3 (n = 1-9)] in ethanol. Shorter (n = 1-3) peptides are found to be more stable than longer (n = 4-9) peptides. Alanine substitution studies indicate that, when experiments are initiated, the Phe1-Pro2 bond of the n = 9 peptide exists exclusively in the cis configuration, while the n = 1-8 peptides appear to exist initially with both cis- and trans-Phe1-Pro2 configured bonds. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions stabilize conformations of shorter peptides, thus inhibiting DKP formation. Similar stabilizing interactions appear less frequently in longer peptides. In addition, in smaller peptides, the N-terminal amino group is more likely to be charged compared to the same group in longer peptides, which would inhibit the dissociation through the DKP formation mechanism. Analysis of temperature-dependent kinetics measurements provides insight about the mechanism of bond cleavage. The analysis gives the following transition state thermochemistry: ΔG⧧ values range from 94.6 ± 0.9 to 101.5 ± 1.9 kJ·mol-1, values of ΔH⧧ range from 89.1 ± 0.9 to 116.7 ± 1.5 kJ·mol-1, and ΔS⧧ values range from -25.4 ± 2.6 to 50.8 ± 4.2 J·mol-1·K-1. Proposed mechanisms and thermochemistry are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Christopher R Conant
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Tarick J El-Baba
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Shannon A Raab
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Daniel R Fuller
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - David A Hales
- Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas, United States
| | - David E Clemmer
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
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36
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Adaligil E, Song A, Hallenbeck KK, Cunningham CN, Fairbrother WJ. Ribosomal Synthesis of Macrocyclic Peptides with β 2- and β 2,3-Homo-Amino Acids for the Development of Natural Product-Like Combinatorial Libraries. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1011-1018. [PMID: 34008946 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The development of large, natural-product-like, combinatorial macrocyclic peptide libraries is essential in the quest to develop therapeutics for "undruggable" cellular targets. Herein we report the ribosomal synthesis of macrocyclic peptides containing one or more β2-homo-amino acids (β2haa) to enable their incorporation into mRNA display-based selection libraries. We confirmed the compatibility of 14 β2-homo-amino acids, (S)- and (R)-stereochemistry, for single incorporation into a macrocyclic peptide with low to high translation efficiency. Interestingly, N-methylation of the backbone amide of β2haa prevented the incorporation of this amino acid subclass by the ribosome. Additionally, we designed and incorporated several α,β-disubstituted β2,3-homo-amino acids (β2,3haa) with different R-groups on the α- and β-carbons of the same amino acid. Incorporation of these β2,3haa enables increased diversity in a single position of a macrocyclic peptide without significantly increasing the overall molecular weight, which is an important consideration for passive cell permeability. We also successfully incorporated multiple (S)-β2hAla into a single macrocycle with other non-proteinogenic amino acids, confirming that this class of β-amino acid is suitable for development of large scale macrocyclic peptide libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Adaligil
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Aimin Song
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Kenneth K. Hallenbeck
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Christian N. Cunningham
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Wayne J. Fairbrother
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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Misra R, Rudnick-Glick S, Adler-Abramovich L. From Folding to Assembly: Functional Supramolecular Architectures of Peptides Comprised of Non-Canonical Amino Acids. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100090. [PMID: 34142442 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The engineering of biological molecules is the fundamental concept behind the design of complex materials with desirable functions. Over the last few decades, peptides and proteins have emerged as useful building blocks for well-defined nanostructures with controlled size and dimensions. Short peptides in particular have received much attention due to their inherent biocompatibility, lower synthetic cost, and ease of tunability. In addition to the diverse self-assembling properties of short peptides comprising coded amino acids and their emerging applications in nanotechnology, there is now growing interest in the properties of peptides composed of non-canonical amino acids. Such non-natural oligomers have been shown in recent years to form well-defined secondary structures similar to natural proteins, with the ability to self-assemble to generate a wide variety of nanostructures with excellent biostability. This review describes recent events in the development of supramolecular assemblies of peptides composed completely of non-coded amino acids and their hybrid analogues. Special attention is paid to understanding the supramolecular assemblies at the atomic level and to considering their potential applications in nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajkumar Misra
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Safra Rudnick-Glick
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Lihi Adler-Abramovich
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
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38
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Kloos M, Sharma A, Enderlein J, Diederichsen U. Transmembrane β-peptide helices as molecular rulers at the membrane surface. J Pept Sci 2021; 27:e3355. [PMID: 34077994 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
β-Peptides are known to form 14-helices with high conformational rigidity, helical persistence length, and well-defined spacing and orientation regularity of amino acid side chains. Therefore, β-peptides are well suited to serve as backbone structures for molecular rulers. On the one hand, they can be functionalized in a site-specific manner with molecular probes or fluorophores, and on the other hand, the β-peptide helices can be recognized and anchored in a biological environment of interest. In this study, the β-peptide helices were anchored in lipid bilayer membranes, and the helices were elongated in the outer membrane environment. The distances of the covalently bound probes to the membrane surface were determined using graphene-induced energy transfer (GIET) spectroscopy, a method based on the distance-dependent quenching of a fluorescent molecule by a nearby single graphene sheet. As a proof of principle, the predicted distances were determined for two fluorophores bound to the membrane-anchored β-peptide molecular ruler.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kloos
- Institut für Organische und Biomolekulare Chemie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Akshita Sharma
- III. Physikalisches Institut-Biophysik, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Enderlein
- III. Physikalisches Institut-Biophysik, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ulf Diederichsen
- Institut für Organische und Biomolekulare Chemie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Jones JB, Liu L, Rank LA, Wetzel D, Woods EC, Biok N, Anderson SE, Lee MR, Liu R, Huth S, Sandhu BK, Gellman SH, McBride SM. Cationic Homopolymers Inhibit Spore and Vegetative Cell Growth of Clostridioides difficile. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1236-1247. [PMID: 33739823 PMCID: PMC8130196 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A wide range of synthetic polymers have been explored for antimicrobial activity. These materials usually contain both cationic and hydrophobic subunits because these two characteristics are prominent among host-defense peptides. Here, we describe a series of nylon-3 polymers containing only cationic subunits and their evaluation against the gastrointestinal, spore-forming pathogen Clostridioides difficile. Despite their highly hydrophilic nature, these homopolymers showed efficacy against both the vegetative and spore forms of the bacterium, including an impact on C. difficile spore germination. The polymer designated P34 demonstrated the greatest efficacy against C. difficile strains, along with low propensities to lyse human red blood cells or intestinal epithelial cells. To gain insight into the mechanism of P34 action, we evaluated several cell-surface mutant strains of C. difficile to determine the impacts on growth, viability, and cell morphology. The results suggest that P34 interacts with the cell wall, resulting in severe cell bending and death in a concentration-dependent manner. The unexpected finding that nylon-3 polymers composed entirely of cationic subunits display significant activities toward C. difficile should expand the range of other polymers considered for antibacterial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B. Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Daniela Wetzel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily C. Woods
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Naomi Biok
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Myung-ryul Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Runhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Sean Huth
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Brindar K. Sandhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Samuel H. Gellman
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Shonna M. McBride
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
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40
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Mbianda J, Bakail M, André C, Moal G, Perrin ME, Pinna G, Guerois R, Becher F, Legrand P, Traoré S, Douat C, Guichard G, Ochsenbein F. Optimal anchoring of a foldamer inhibitor of ASF1 histone chaperone through backbone plasticity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/12/eabd9153. [PMID: 33741589 PMCID: PMC7978421 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd9153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Sequence-specific oligomers with predictable folding patterns, i.e., foldamers, provide new opportunities to mimic α-helical peptides and design inhibitors of protein-protein interactions. One major hurdle of this strategy is to retain the correct orientation of key side chains involved in protein surface recognition. Here, we show that the structural plasticity of a foldamer backbone may notably contribute to the required spatial adjustment for optimal interaction with the protein surface. By using oligoureas as α helix mimics, we designed a foldamer/peptide hybrid inhibitor of histone chaperone ASF1, a key regulator of chromatin dynamics. The crystal structure of its complex with ASF1 reveals a notable plasticity of the urea backbone, which adapts to the ASF1 surface to maintain the same binding interface. One additional benefit of generating ASF1 ligands with nonpeptide oligourea segments is the resistance to proteolysis in human plasma, which was highly improved compared to the cognate α-helical peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Mbianda
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France
| | - May Bakail
- Institute Joliot, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), CEA Saclay, F91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Christophe André
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France
| | - Gwenaëlle Moal
- Institute Joliot, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), CEA Saclay, F91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Marie E Perrin
- Institute Joliot, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), CEA Saclay, F91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Guillaume Pinna
- Institute Joliot, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), CEA Saclay, F91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Raphaël Guerois
- Institute Joliot, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), CEA Saclay, F91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Francois Becher
- Institute Joliot, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), CEA Saclay, F91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pierre Legrand
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, F91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Seydou Traoré
- Institute Joliot, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), CEA Saclay, F91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Céline Douat
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France
| | - Gilles Guichard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France.
| | - Françoise Ochsenbein
- Institute Joliot, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), CEA Saclay, F91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
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Aksakal R, Mertens C, Soete M, Badi N, Du Prez F. Applications of Discrete Synthetic Macromolecules in Life and Materials Science: Recent and Future Trends. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004038. [PMID: 33747749 PMCID: PMC7967060 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, the field of sequence-defined polymers and related ultraprecise, monodisperse synthetic macromolecules has grown exponentially. In the early stage, mainly articles or reviews dedicated to the development of synthetic routes toward their preparation have been published. Nowadays, those synthetic methodologies, combined with the elucidation of the structure-property relationships, allow envisioning many promising applications. Consequently, in the past 3 years, application-oriented papers based on discrete synthetic macromolecules emerged. Hence, material science applications such as macromolecular data storage and encryption, self-assembly of discrete structures and foldamers have been the object of many fascinating studies. Moreover, in the area of life sciences, such structures have also been the focus of numerous research studies. Here, it is aimed to highlight these recent applications and to give the reader a critical overview of the future trends in this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Resat Aksakal
- Polymer Chemistry Research GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent UniversityKrijgslaan 281 S4‐bisGhentB‐9000Belgium
| | - Chiel Mertens
- Polymer Chemistry Research GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent UniversityKrijgslaan 281 S4‐bisGhentB‐9000Belgium
| | - Matthieu Soete
- Polymer Chemistry Research GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent UniversityKrijgslaan 281 S4‐bisGhentB‐9000Belgium
| | - Nezha Badi
- Polymer Chemistry Research GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent UniversityKrijgslaan 281 S4‐bisGhentB‐9000Belgium
| | - Filip Du Prez
- Polymer Chemistry Research GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent UniversityKrijgslaan 281 S4‐bisGhentB‐9000Belgium
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42
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Lawer A, Hunter L. Controlling γ‐Peptide Helicity with Stereoselective Fluorination. European J Org Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202001619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aggie Lawer
- School of Chemistry The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney 2052 Australia
| | - Luke Hunter
- School of Chemistry The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney 2052 Australia
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43
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Wątły J, Miller A, Kozłowski H, Rowińska-Żyrek M. Peptidomimetics - An infinite reservoir of metal binding motifs in metabolically stable and biologically active molecules. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 217:111386. [PMID: 33610030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of metal ions in interactions with therapeutic peptides is inevitable. They are one of the factors able to fine-tune the biological properties of antimicrobial peptides, a promising group of drugs with one large drawback - a problematic metabolic stability. Appropriately chosen, proteolytically stable peptidomimetics seem to be a reasonable solution of the problem, and the use of D-, β-, γ-amino acids, unnatural amino acids, azapeptides, peptoids, cyclopeptides and dehydropeptides is an infinite reservoir of metal binding motifs in metabolically stable, well-designed, biologically active molecules. Below, their specific structural features, metal-chelating abilities and antimicrobial potential are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Wątły
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland.
| | - Adriana Miller
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Henryk Kozłowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland; Department of Health Sciences, University of Opole, Katowicka 68, Opole 45-060, Poland
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González-Muñiz R, Bonache MÁ, Pérez de Vega MJ. Modulating Protein-Protein Interactions by Cyclic and Macrocyclic Peptides. Prominent Strategies and Examples. Molecules 2021; 26:445. [PMID: 33467010 PMCID: PMC7830901 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic and macrocyclic peptides constitute advanced molecules for modulating protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Although still peptide derivatives, they are metabolically more stable than linear counterparts, and should have a lower degree of flexibility, with more defined secondary structure conformations that can be adapted to imitate protein interfaces. In this review, we analyze recent progress on the main methods to access cyclic/macrocyclic peptide derivatives, with emphasis in a few selected examples designed to interfere within PPIs. These types of peptides can be from natural origin, or prepared by biochemical or synthetic methodologies, and their design could be aided by computational approaches. Some advances to facilitate the permeability of these quite big molecules by conjugation with cell penetrating peptides, and the incorporation of β-amino acid and peptoid structures to improve metabolic stability, are also commented. It is predicted that this field of research could have an important future mission, running in parallel to the discovery of new, relevant PPIs involved in pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario González-Muñiz
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.Á.B.); (M.J.P.d.V.)
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45
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Wang K, Yu J, Shao Y, Tang S, Sun J. Forming All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters by Organocatalytic Aminomethylation: Concise Access to β
2,2
‐Amino Acids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202009892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology School of Petrochemical Engineering Changzhou University 1 Gehu Road 213164 Changzhou China
| | - Jianliang Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology School of Petrochemical Engineering Changzhou University 1 Gehu Road 213164 Changzhou China
| | - Ying Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology School of Petrochemical Engineering Changzhou University 1 Gehu Road 213164 Changzhou China
| | - Shengbiao Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology School of Petrochemical Engineering Changzhou University 1 Gehu Road 213164 Changzhou China
| | - Jiangtao Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology School of Petrochemical Engineering Changzhou University 1 Gehu Road 213164 Changzhou China
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Novel Antioxidant Therapy with the Immediate Precursor to Glutathione, γ-Glutamylcysteine (GGC), Ameliorates LPS-Induced Cellular Stress in In Vitro 3D-Differentiated Airway Model from Primary Cystic Fibrosis Human Bronchial Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9121204. [PMID: 33266084 PMCID: PMC7760366 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9121204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic glutathione deficiency, inflammation, and oxidative stress are hallmarks of cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disease that causes persistent lung infections and severe damage to the respiratory system and many of the body organs. Improvements to current antioxidant therapeutic strategies are needed. The dietary supplement, γ-glutamylcysteine (GGC), which is the immediate precursor to glutathione, rapidly boosts cellular glutathione levels following a single dose in healthy individuals. Efficacy of GGC against oxidative stress induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is a common and chronic pathogen infecting lungs of CF patients, remains unassessed. Primary mucocilliary differentiated airway (bronchial and/or nasal) epithelial cells were created from four individuals with CF. Airway oxidative stress and inflammation was induced by P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Parameters including global proteomics alterations, cell redox state (glutathione, oxidative stress), pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-8, IDO-1), and cellular health (membrane integrity, stress granule formation, cell metabolic viability) were assayed under six experimental conditions: (1) Mock, (2) LPS-challenged (3) therapeutic, (4) prophylactic (5) therapeutic and prophylactic and (6) GGC alone. Proteomic analysis identified perturbation of several pathways related to cellular respiration and stress responses upon LPS challenge. Most of these were resolved when cells were treated with GGC. While GGC did not resolve LPS-induced IL-8 and IDO-1 activity, it effectively attenuated LPS-induced oxidative stress and stress granule formation, while significantly increasing total intracellular glutathione levels, metabolic viability and improving epithelial cell barrier integrity. Both therapeutic and prophylactic treatments were successful. Together, these findings indicate that GGC has therapeutic potential for treatment and prevention of oxidative stress-related damage to airways in cystic fibrosis.
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47
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Cyclo(DAA-DAA) dipeptide as a peptide linker and β-sheet inducer. Chem Phys Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2020.137914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Wang K, Yu J, Shao Y, Tang S, Sun J. Forming All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters by Organocatalytic Aminomethylation: Concise Access to β 2,2 -Amino Acids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:23516-23520. [PMID: 32902091 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202009892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The asymmetric synthesis of β2,2 -amino acids remains a formidable challenge in organic synthesis. Here a novel organocatalytic enantioselective aminomethylation of ketenes with stable and readily available N,O-acetals is reported, providing β2,2 -amino esters bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center in high enantiomeric ratios with a catalytic amount of chiral phosphoric acid. Typically, this transformation probably proceeds through an asymmetric counter-anion-directed catalysis. As a result, a concise, practical, and atom-economic protocol toward rapidly access to β2,2 -amino acids has been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, 1 Gehu Road, 213164, Changzhou, China
| | - Jianliang Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, 1 Gehu Road, 213164, Changzhou, China
| | - Ying Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, 1 Gehu Road, 213164, Changzhou, China
| | - Shengbiao Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, 1 Gehu Road, 213164, Changzhou, China
| | - Jiangtao Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, 1 Gehu Road, 213164, Changzhou, China
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Lachowicz JI, Szczepski K, Scano A, Casu C, Fais S, Orrù G, Pisano B, Piras M, Jaremko M. The Best Peptidomimetic Strategies to Undercover Antibacterial Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7349. [PMID: 33027928 PMCID: PMC7583890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Health-care systems that develop rapidly and efficiently may increase the lifespan of humans. Nevertheless, the older population is more fragile, and is at an increased risk of disease development. A concurrently growing number of surgeries and transplantations have caused antibiotics to be used much more frequently, and for much longer periods of time, which in turn increases microbial resistance. In 1945, Fleming warned against the abuse of antibiotics in his Nobel lecture: "The time may come when penicillin can be bought by anyone in the shops. Then there is the danger that the ignorant man may easily underdose himself and by exposing his microbes to non-lethal quantities of the drug make them resistant". After 70 years, we are witnessing the fulfilment of Fleming's prophecy, as more than 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases. Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides protect all living matter against bacteria, and now different peptidomimetic strategies to engineer innovative antibiotics are being developed to defend humans against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Izabela Lachowicz
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (B.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Kacper Szczepski
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Alessandra Scano
- Department of Surgical Science, OBL Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (C.C.); (S.F.); (G.O.)
| | - Cinzia Casu
- Department of Surgical Science, OBL Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (C.C.); (S.F.); (G.O.)
| | - Sara Fais
- Department of Surgical Science, OBL Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (C.C.); (S.F.); (G.O.)
| | - Germano Orrù
- Department of Surgical Science, OBL Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (C.C.); (S.F.); (G.O.)
| | - Barbara Pisano
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (B.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Monica Piras
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (B.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia;
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50
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Turalić A, Đeđibegović J, Hegedüs Z, Martinek TA. DPP-4 Cleaves α/β-Peptide Bonds: Substrate Specificity and Half-Lives. Chembiochem 2020; 21:2060-2066. [PMID: 32180303 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The incorporation of β-amino acids into a peptide sequence has gained particular attention as β- and α/β-peptides have shown remarkable proteolytic stability, even after a single homologation at the scissile bond. Several peptidases have been shown to cleave such bonds with high specificity but at a much slower rate compared to α-peptide bonds. In this study, a series of analogs of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) substrate inhibitors were synthesized in order to investigate whether β-amino acid homologation at the scissile bond could be a valid approach to improving peptide stability towards DPP-4 degradation. DPP-4 cleaved the α/β-peptide bond after the N-terminal penultimate Pro with a broad specificity and retained full activity regardless of the β3 -amino acid side chain and peptide length. Significantly improved half-lives were observed for β3 Ile-containing peptides. Replacing the penultimate Pro with a conformationally constrained Pro mimetic led to proteolytic resistance. DPP-4 cleavage of α/β-peptide bonds with a broad promiscuity represents a new insight into the stability of peptide analogs containing β-amino acids as such analogs were thought to be stable towards enzymatic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amila Turalić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71 000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Jasmina Đeđibegović
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71 000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Zsófia Hegedüs
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, 8 Dóm tér, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás A Martinek
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, 8 Dóm tér, 6720, Szeged, Hungary.,MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
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