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Harrison K, Mackay AS, Kambanis L, Maxwell JWC, Payne RJ. Synthesis and applications of mirror-image proteins. Nat Rev Chem 2023; 7:383-404. [PMID: 37173596 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00493-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The homochirality of biomolecules in nature, such as DNA, RNA, peptides and proteins, has played a critical role in establishing and sustaining life on Earth. This chiral bias has also given synthetic chemists the opportunity to generate molecules with inverted chirality, unlocking valuable new properties and applications. Advances in the field of chemical protein synthesis have underpinned the generation of numerous 'mirror-image' proteins (those comprised entirely of D-amino acids instead of canonical L-amino acids), which cannot be accessed using recombinant expression technologies. This Review seeks to highlight recent work on synthetic mirror-image proteins, with a focus on modern synthetic strategies that have been leveraged to access these complex biomolecules as well as their applications in protein crystallography, drug discovery and the creation of mirror-image life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katriona Harrison
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angus S Mackay
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lucas Kambanis
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joshua W C Maxwell
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Lander AJ, Jin Y, Luk LYP. D-Peptide and D-Protein Technology: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200537. [PMID: 36278392 PMCID: PMC10805118 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Total chemical protein synthesis provides access to entire D-protein enantiomers enabling unique applications in molecular biology, structural biology, and bioactive compound discovery. Key enzymes involved in the central dogma of molecular biology have been prepared in their D-enantiomeric forms facilitating the development of mirror-image life. Crystallization of a racemic mixture of L- and D-protein enantiomers provides access to high-resolution X-ray structures of polypeptides. Additionally, D-enantiomers of protein drug targets can be used in mirror-image phage display allowing discovery of non-proteolytic D-peptide ligands as lead candidates. This review discusses the unique applications of D-proteins including the synthetic challenges and opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Lander
- School of ChemistryCardiff UniversityMain Building, Park PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | - Yi Jin
- Manchester Institute of BiotechnologyThe University of ManchesterManchesterM1 7DNUK
| | - Louis Y. P. Luk
- School of ChemistryCardiff UniversityMain Building, Park PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
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Molecular determinants of inhibition of the human proton channel hHv1 by the designer peptide C6 and a bivalent derivative. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2120750119. [PMID: 35648818 PMCID: PMC9191634 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120750119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We designed C6 peptide to address the absence of specific inhibitors of human voltage-gated proton channels (hHv1). Two C6 bind to the two hHv1 voltage sensors at the resting state, inhibiting activation on depolarization. Here, we identify the C6–hHv1 binding interface using tethered-toxin variants and channel mutants, unveil an important role for negatively charged lipids, and present a model of the C6–hHv1 complex. Inspired by nature, we create a peptide with two C6 epitopes (C62) that binds to both channel subunits simultaneously, yielding picomolar affinity and significantly improved inhibition at high potentials. C6 and C62 are peptides designed to regulate hHv1, a channel involved in innate immune-system inflammatory pathophysiology, sperm capacitation, cancer-cell proliferation, and tissue damage in ischemic stroke. The human voltage-gated proton channel (hHv1) is important for control of intracellular pH. We designed C6, a specific peptide inhibitor of hHv1, to evaluate the roles of the channel in sperm capacitation and in the inflammatory immune response of neutrophils [R. Zhao et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 115, E11847–E11856 (2018)]. One C6 binds with nanomolar affinity to each of the two S3–S4 voltage-sensor loops in hHv1 in cooperative fashion so that C6-bound channels require greater depolarization to open and do so more slowly. As depolarization drives hHv1 sensors outwardly, C6 affinity decreases, and inhibition is partial. Here, we identified residues essential to C6–hHv1 binding by scanning mutagenesis, five in the hHv1 S3–S4 loops and seven on C6. A structural model of the C6–hHv1 complex was then generated by molecular dynamics simulations and validated by mutant-cycle analysis. Guided by this model, we created a bivalent C6 peptide (C62) that binds simultaneously to both hHv1 subunits and fully inhibits current with picomolar affinity. The results help delineate the structural basis for C6 state-dependent inhibition, support an anionic lipid-mediated binding mechanism, and offer molecular insight into the effectiveness of engineered C6 as a therapeutic agent or lead.
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Zhao R, Dai H, Mendelman N, Chill JH, Goldstein SAN. Tethered peptide neurotoxins display two blocking mechanisms in the K + channel pore as do their untethered analogs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz3439. [PMID: 32181366 PMCID: PMC7056315 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz3439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We show here that membrane-tethered toxins facilitate the biophysical study of the roles of toxin residues in K+ channel blockade to reveal two blocking mechanisms in the K+ channel pore. The structure of the sea anemone type I (SAK1) toxin HmK is determined by NMR. T-HmK residues are scanned by point mutation to map the toxin surface, and seven residues are identified to be critical to occlusion of the KcsA channel pore. T-HmK-Lys22 is shown to interact with K+ ions traversing the KcsA pore from the cytoplasm conferring voltage dependence on the toxin off rate, a classic mechanism that we observe as well with HmK in solution and for Kv1.3 channels. In contrast, two related SAK1 toxins, Hui1 and ShK, block KcsA and Kv1.3, respectively, via an arginine rather than the canonical lysine, when tethered and as free peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiming Zhao
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Hui Dai
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Netanel Mendelman
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Jordan H. Chill
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Steve A. N. Goldstein
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Oberheide A, Pflanze S, Stallforth P, Arndt HD. Solid-Phase-Based Total Synthesis and Stereochemical Assignment of the Cryptic Natural Product Aurantizolicin. Org Lett 2019; 21:729-732. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b03940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ansgar Oberheide
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie, Humboldtstr. 10, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Pflanze
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Chemistry of Microbial Communication, Beutenbergstr. 11A, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Pierre Stallforth
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Chemistry of Microbial Communication, Beutenbergstr. 11A, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Arndt
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie, Humboldtstr. 10, D-07743 Jena, Germany
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Kent SBH. Novel protein science enabled by total chemical synthesis. Protein Sci 2018; 28:313-328. [PMID: 30345579 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chemical synthesis is a well-established method for the preparation in the research laboratory of multiple-tens-of-milligram amounts of correctly folded, high purity protein molecules. Chemically synthesized proteins enable a broad spectrum of novel protein science. Racemic mixtures consisting of d-protein and l-protein enantiomers facilitate crystallization and determination of protein structures by X-ray diffraction. d-Proteins enable the systematic development of unnatural mirror image protein molecules that bind with high affinity to natural protein targets. The d-protein form of a therapeutic target can also be used to screen natural product libraries to identify novel small molecule leads for drug development. Proteins with novel polypeptide chain topologies including branched, circular, linear-loop, and interpenetrating polypeptide chains can be constructed by chemical synthesis. Medicinal chemistry can be applied to optimize the properties of therapeutic protein molecules. Chemical synthesis has been used to redesign glycoproteins and for the a priori design and construction of covalently constrained novel protein scaffolds not found in nature. Versatile and precise labeling of protein molecules by chemical synthesis facilitates effective application of advanced physical methods including multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and time-resolved FTIR for the elucidation of protein structure-activity relationships. The chemistries used for total synthesis of proteins have been adapted to making artificial molecular devices and protein-inspired nanomolecular constructs. Research to develop mirror image life in the laboratory is in its very earliest stages, based on the total chemical synthesis of d-protein forms of polymerase enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen B H Kent
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637
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Kent SBH. Racemic & quasi-racemic protein crystallography enabled by chemical protein synthesis. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 46:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Anderson ZJ, Hobson C, Needley R, Song L, Perryman MS, Kerby P, Fox DJ. NMR-based assignment of isoleucine vs. allo-isoleucine stereochemistry. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 15:9372-9378. [PMID: 29090723 DOI: 10.1039/c7ob01995e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A simple 1H and 13C NMR spectrometric analysis is demonstrated that permits differentiation of isoleucine and allo-isoleucine residues by inspection of the chemical shift and coupling constants of the signals associated with the proton and carbon at the α-stereocentre. This is applied to the estimation of epimerisation during metal-free N-arylation and peptide coupling reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe J Anderson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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Racemic X-ray structure of L-type calcium channel antagonist Calciseptine prepared by total chemical synthesis. Sci China Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-017-9198-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Nagoya‐Goldmedaille: E. W. Meijer / Nagoya‐Silbermedaille: H. Suga / Prelog‐Medaille und ‐Vorlesung: S. B. H. Kent / Tajima‐Preis: X. Hu. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201711956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Nagoya Gold Medal: E. W. Meijer / Nagoya Silver Medal: H. Suga / Prelog Medal and Lectureship: S. B. H. Kent / Tajima Prize: X. Hu. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 57:619. [PMID: 29240279 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201711956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Yan B, Ye L, Xu W, Liu L. Recent advances in racemic protein crystallography. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:4953-4965. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Dang B, Chhabra S, Pennington MW, Norton RS, Kent SBH. Reinvestigation of the biological activity of d-allo-ShK protein. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:12599-12605. [PMID: 28596383 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.793943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
ShK toxin from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus is a 35-residue protein that binds to the Kv1.3 ion channel with high affinity. Recently we determined the X-ray structure of ShK toxin by racemic crystallography, in the course of which we discovered that d-ShK has a near-background IC50 value ∼50,000 times lower than that of the l-ShK toxin. This lack of activity was at odds with previously reported results for an ShK diastereomer designated d-allo-ShK, for which significant biological activity had been observed in a similar receptor-blocking assay. As reported, d-allo-ShK was made up of d-amino acids, but with retention of the natural stereochemistry of the chiral side chains of the Ile and Thr residues, i.e. containing d-allo-Ile and d-allo-Thr along with d-amino acids and glycine. To understand its apparent biological activity, we set out to chemically synthesize d-allo-ShK and determine its X-ray structure by racemic crystallography. Using validated allo-Thr and allo-Ile, both l-allo-ShK and d-allo-ShK polypeptide chains were prepared by total chemical synthesis. Neither the l-allo-ShK nor the d-allo-ShK polypeptides folded, whereas both l-ShK and d-ShK folded smoothly under the same conditions. Re-examination of NMR spectra of the previously reported d-allo-ShK protein revealed that diagnostic Thr and Ile signals were the same as for authentic d-ShK. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the previously reported d-allo-ShK was in fact d-ShK, the true enantiomer of natural l-ShK toxin, and that the apparent biological activity may have arisen from inadvertent contamination with trace amounts of l-ShK toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobo Dang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637.
| | - Sandeep Chhabra
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | | | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen B H Kent
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
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