1
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Charalampidou A, Nehls T, Meyners C, Gandhesiri S, Pomplun S, Pentelute BL, Lermyte F, Hausch F. Automated Flow Peptide Synthesis Enables Engineering of Proteins with Stabilized Transient Binding Pockets. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:649-657. [PMID: 38559286 PMCID: PMC10979424 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c01283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Engineering at the amino acid level is key to enhancing the properties of existing proteins in a desired manner. So far, protein engineering has been dominated by genetic approaches, which have been extremely powerful but only allow for minimal variations beyond the canonical amino acids. Chemical peptide synthesis allows the unrestricted incorporation of a vast set of unnatural amino acids with much broader functionalities, including the incorporation of post-translational modifications or labels. Here we demonstrate the potential of chemical synthesis to generate proteins in a specific conformation, which would have been unattainable by recombinant protein expression. We use recently established rapid automated flow peptide synthesis combined with solid-phase late-stage modifications to rapidly generate a set of FK506-binding protein 51 constructs bearing defined intramolecular lactam bridges. This trapped an otherwise rarely populated transient pocket-as confirmed by crystal structures-which led to an up to 39-fold improved binding affinity for conformation-selective ligands and represents a unique system for the development of ligands for this rare conformation. Overall, our results show how rapid automated flow peptide synthesis can be applied to precision protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Charalampidou
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute,
Department of Chemistry, Technical University
of Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thomas Nehls
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute,
Department of Chemistry, Technical University
of Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christian Meyners
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute,
Department of Chemistry, Technical University
of Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Satish Gandhesiri
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sebastian Pomplun
- Leiden
Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Einsteinweg
55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Frederik Lermyte
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute,
Department of Chemistry, Technical University
of Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- Department
of Synthetic Biology, Technical University
of Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Felix Hausch
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute,
Department of Chemistry, Technical University
of Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- Department
of Synthetic Biology, Technical University
of Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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2
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Baischew A, Engel S, Geiger TM, Taubert MC, Hausch F. Structural and biochemical insights into FKBP51 as a Hsp90 co-chaperone. J Cell Biochem 2023. [PMID: 36791213 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30384] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) is a high-molecular-weight immunophilin that emerged as an important drug target for stress-related disorders, chronic pain, and obesity. It has been implicated in a plethora of molecular pathways but remains best characterized as a co-chaperone of Hsp90 in the steroid hormone receptor (SHR) maturation cycle. However, the mechanistic and structural basis for the regulation of SHRs by FKBP51 and the usually antagonistic function compared with its closest homolog FKBP52 remains enigmatic. Here we review recent structural and biochemical studies of FKBPs as regulators in the Hsp90 machinery. These advances provide important insights into the roles of FKBP51 and FKBP52 in SHR regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asat Baischew
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sarah Engel
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thomas M Geiger
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Martha C Taubert
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Felix Hausch
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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3
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Gnatzy MT, Geiger TM, Kuehn A, Gutfreund N, Walz M, Kolos JM, Hausch F. Development of NanoBRET-Binding Assays for FKBP-Ligand Profiling in Living Cells. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2257-2261. [PMID: 33887102 PMCID: PMC8360185 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) are promising targets for a variety of disorders and infectious diseases. High FKBP occupancy is thought to be necessary for ligands to effectively compete with the endogenous intracellular functions of FKBPs. Here, we report the development of NanoBRET assays for the most prominent cytosolic FKBPs, FKBP12, 12.6, 51 and 52. These assays allowed rapid profiling of FKBP ligands for target engagement and selectivity in living cells. These assays confirmed the selectivity of SAFit-type ligands for FKBP51 over FKBP52 but revealed a substantial offset for the intracellular activity of these ligands compared to bicyclic ligands or natural products. Our results stress the importance to control for intracellular FKBP occupancy and provide the assays to guide further FKBP ligand optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika T. Gnatzy
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Straße 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Thomas M. Geiger
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Straße 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Angela Kuehn
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Straße 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Niklas Gutfreund
- Institute of Biophysical ChemistryCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance andCluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes (CEF)Goethe University FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Straße 960438Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Michael Walz
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Straße 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Jürgen M. Kolos
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Straße 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Felix Hausch
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Straße 464287DarmstadtGermany
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4
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Voll AM, Meyners C, Taubert MC, Bajaj T, Heymann T, Merz S, Charalampidou A, Kolos J, Purder PL, Geiger TM, Wessig P, Gassen NC, Bracher A, Hausch F. Makrozyklische FKBP51‐Liganden enthüllen einen transienten Bindungsmodus mit erhöhter Selektivität. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202017352] [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)
- Andreas M. Voll
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Christian Meyners
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Martha C. Taubert
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Thomas Bajaj
- Research Group Neurohomeostasis Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Bonn Venusberg Campus 1 53127 Bonn Deutschland
| | - Tim Heymann
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Stephanie Merz
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Anna Charalampidou
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Jürgen Kolos
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Patrick L. Purder
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Thomas M. Geiger
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Pablo Wessig
- Universität Potsdam Institut für Chemie Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24–25 14476 Potsdam Deutschland
| | - Nils C. Gassen
- Research Group Neurohomeostasis Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Bonn Venusberg Campus 1 53127 Bonn Deutschland
| | - Andreas Bracher
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry Am Klopferspitz 18 82152 Martinsried Deutschland
| | - Felix Hausch
- Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute Technical University Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss Straße 4 64287 Darmstadt Deutschland
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Voll AM, Meyners C, Taubert MC, Bajaj T, Heymann T, Merz S, Charalampidou A, Kolos J, Purder PL, Geiger TM, Wessig P, Gassen NC, Bracher A, Hausch F. Macrocyclic FKBP51 Ligands Define a Transient Binding Mode with Enhanced Selectivity. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:13257-13263. [PMID: 33843131 PMCID: PMC8252719 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202017352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Subtype selectivity represents a challenge in many drug discovery campaigns. A typical example is the FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51), which has emerged as an attractive drug target. The most advanced FKBP51 ligands of the SAFit class are highly selective vs. FKBP52 but poorly discriminate against the homologs and off-targets FKBP12 and FKBP12.6. During a macrocyclization pilot study, we observed that many of these macrocyclic analogs have unanticipated and unprecedented preference for FKBP51 over FKBP12 and FKBP12.6. Structural studies revealed that these macrocycles bind with a new binding mode featuring a transient conformation, which is disfavored for the small FKBPs. Using a conformation-sensitive assay we show that this binding mode occurs in solution and is characteristic for this new class of compounds. The discovered macrocycles are non-immunosuppressive, engage FKBP51 in cells, and block the cellular effect of FKBP51 on IKKα. Our findings provide a new chemical scaffold for improved FKBP51 ligands and the structural basis for enhanced selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas M. Voll
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Christian Meyners
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Martha C. Taubert
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Thomas Bajaj
- Research Group NeurohomeostasisDepartment of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity of BonnVenusberg Campus 153127BonnGermany
| | - Tim Heymann
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Stephanie Merz
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Anna Charalampidou
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Jürgen Kolos
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Patrick L. Purder
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Thomas M. Geiger
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Pablo Wessig
- Universität PotsdamInstitut für ChemieKarl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24–2514476PotsdamGermany
| | - Nils C. Gassen
- Research Group NeurohomeostasisDepartment of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity of BonnVenusberg Campus 153127BonnGermany
| | - Andreas Bracher
- Max-Planck-Institute of BiochemistryAm Klopferspitz 1882152MartinsriedGermany
| | - Felix Hausch
- Department Chemistry and BiochemistryClemens-Schöpf-InstituteTechnical University DarmstadtAlarich-Weiss Strasse 464287DarmstadtGermany
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