1
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Kage M, Hayashi R, Matsuo A, Tamiya M, Kuramoto S, Ohara K, Irie M, Chiyoda A, Takano K, Ito T, Kotake T, Takeyama R, Ishikawa S, Nomura K, Furuichi N, Morita Y, Hashimoto S, Kawada H, Nishimura Y, Nii K, Sase H, Ohta A, Kojima T, Iikura H, Tanada M, Shiraishi T. Structure-activity relationships of middle-size cyclic peptides, KRAS inhibitors derived from an mRNA display. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 110:117830. [PMID: 38981216 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides are attracting attention as therapeutic agents due to their potential for oral absorption and easy access to tough intracellular targets. LUNA18, a clinical KRAS inhibitor, was transformed-without scaffold hopping-from the initial hit by using an mRNA display library that met our criteria for drug-likeness. In drug discovery using mRNA display libraries, hit compounds always possess a site linked to an mRNA tag. Here, we describe our examination of the Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) using X-ray structures for chemical optimization near the site linked to the mRNA tag, equivalent to the C-terminus. Structural modifications near the C-terminus demonstrated a relatively wide range of tolerance for side chains. Furthermore, we show that a single atom modification is enough to change the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile. Since there are four positions where side chain modification is permissible in terms of activity, it is possible to flexibly adjust the pharmacokinetic profile by structurally optimizing the side chain. The side chain transformation findings demonstrated here may be generally applicable to hits obtained from mRNA display libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirai Kage
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Ryuji Hayashi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Matsuo
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Minoru Tamiya
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Shino Kuramoto
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ohara
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Machiko Irie
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Aya Chiyoda
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Koji Takano
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Toshiya Ito
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kotake
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Ryuuichi Takeyama
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Shiho Ishikawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Kenichi Nomura
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Furuichi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Yuya Morita
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hashimoto
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Hatsuo Kawada
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Nishimura
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Keiji Nii
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Sase
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ohta
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kojima
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Iikura
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan
| | - Mikimasa Tanada
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan.
| | - Takuya Shiraishi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8602, Japan.
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2
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Yao C, Zuo J, Wu P, Liu J, Pan J, Zhu E, Feng H, Zhang K, Qian Z. Molecular engineering of fluorescent dyes for long-term specific visualization of the plasma membrane based on alkyl-chain-regulated cell permeability. Talanta 2024; 275:126105. [PMID: 38640520 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Long-term visualization of changes in plasma membrane dynamics during important physiological processes can provide intuitive and reliable information in a 4D mode. However, molecular tools that can visualize plasma membranes over extended periods are lacking due to the absence of effective design rules that can specifically track plasma membrane fluorescent dye molecules over time. Using plant plasma membranes as a model, we systematically investigated the effects of different alkyl chain lengths of FMR dye molecules on their performance in imaging plasma membranes. Our findings indicate that alkyl chain length can effectively regulate the permeability of dye molecules across plasma membranes. The study confirms that introducing medium-length alkyl chains improves the ability of dye molecules to target and anchor to plasma membranes, allowing for long-term imaging of plasma membranes. This provides useful design rules for creating dye molecules that enable long-term visualization of plasma membranes. Using the amphiphilic amino-styryl-pyridine fluorescent skeleton, we discovered that the inclusion of short alkyl chains facilitated rapid crossing of the plasma membrane by the dye molecules, resulting in staining of the cell nucleus and indicating improved cell permeability. Conversely, the inclusion of long alkyl chains hindered the crossing of the cell wall by the dye molecules, preventing staining of the cell membrane and demonstrating membrane impermeability to plant cells. The FMR dyes with medium-length alkyl chains rapidly crossed the cell wall, uniformly stained the cell membrane, and anchored to it for a long period without being transmembrane. This allowed for visualization and tracking of the morphological dynamics of the cell plasma membrane during water loss in a 4D mode. This suggests that the introduction of medium-length alkyl chains into amphiphilic fluorescent dyes can transform them from membrane-permeable fluorescent dyes to membrane-staining fluorescent dyes suitable for long-term imaging of the plasma membrane. In addition, we have successfully converted a membrane-impermeable fluorescent dye molecule into a membrane-staining fluorescent dye by introducing medium-length alkyl chains into the molecule. This molecular engineering of dye molecules with alkyl chains to regulate cell permeability provides a simple and effective design rule for long-term visualization of the plasma membrane, and a convenient and feasible means of chemical modification for efficient transmembrane transport of small molecule drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuangye Yao
- Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaqi Zuo
- Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China
| | - Penglei Wu
- Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjun Pan
- Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China
| | - Engao Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Feng
- Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China
| | - Kewei Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhaosheng Qian
- Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Dai B, Chen JN, Zeng Q, Geng H, Wu YD. Accurate Structure Prediction for Cyclic Peptides Containing Proline Residues with High-Temperature Molecular Dynamics. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:7322-7331. [PMID: 39028892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c02004] [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: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides (CPs) are emerging as promising drug candidates. Numerous natural CPs and their analogs are effective therapeutics against various diseases. Notably, many of them contain peptidyl cis-prolyl bonds. Due to the high rotational barrier of peptide bonds, conventional molecular dynamics simulations struggle to effectively sample the cis/trans-isomerization of peptide bonds. Previous studies have highlighted the high accuracy of the residue-specific force field (RSFF) and the high sampling efficiency of high-temperature molecular dynamics (high-T MD). Herein, we propose a protocol that combines high-T MD with RSFF2C and a recently developed reweighting method based on probability densities for accurate structure prediction of proline-containing CPs. Our method successfully predicted 19 out of 23 CPs with the backbone rmsd < 1.0 Å compared to X-ray structures. Furthermore, we performed high-T MD and density reweighting on the sunflower trypsin inhibitor (SFTI-1)/trypsin complex to demonstrate its applicability in studying CP-complexes containing cis-prolines. Our results show that the conformation of SFTI-1 in aqueous solution is consistent with its bound conformation, potentially facilitating its binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botao Dai
- Lab of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jia-Nan Chen
- Lab of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qing Zeng
- Lab of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hao Geng
- Lab of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Yun-Dong Wu
- Lab of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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4
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Wang J, Zheng P, Yu J, Yang X, Zhang J. Rational design of small-sized peptidomimetic inhibitors disrupting protein-protein interaction. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:2212-2225. [PMID: 39026653 PMCID: PMC11253864 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00202d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions are fundamental to nearly all biological processes. Due to their structural flexibility, peptides have emerged as promising candidates for developing inhibitors targeting large and planar PPI interfaces. However, their limited drug-like properties pose challenges. Hence, rational modifications based on peptide structures are anticipated to expedite the innovation of peptide-based therapeutics. This review comprehensively examines the design strategies for developing small-sized peptidomimetic inhibitors targeting PPI interfaces, which predominantly encompass two primary categories: peptidomimetics with abbreviated sequences and low molecular weights and peptidomimetics mimicking secondary structural conformations. We have also meticulously detailed several instances of designing and optimizing small-sized peptidomimetics targeting PPIs, including MLL1-WDR5, PD-1/PD-L1, and Bak/Bcl-xL, among others, to elucidate the potential application prospects of these design strategies. Hopefully, this review will provide valuable insights and inspiration for the future development of PPI small-sized peptidomimetic inhibitors in pharmaceutical research endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyuan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan 750004 China
| | - Ping Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan 750004 China
| | - Jianqiang Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan 750004 China
| | - Xiuyan Yang
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200025 China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, Peptide & Protein Drug Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan 750004 China
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5
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Darlami O, Pun R, Ahn SH, Kim SH, Shin D. Macrocyclization strategy for improving candidate profiles in medicinal chemistry. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116501. [PMID: 38754142 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Macrocycles are defined as cyclic compounds with 12 or more members. In medicinal chemistry, they are categorized based on their core chemistry into cyclic peptides and macrocycles. Macrocycles are advantageous because of their structural diversity and ability to achieve high affinity and selectivity towards challenging targets that are often not addressable by conventional small molecules. The potential of macrocyclization to optimize drug-like properties while maintaining adequate bioavailability and permeability has been emphasized as a key innovation in medicinal chemistry. This review provides a detailed case study of the application of macrocyclization over the past 5 years, starting from the initial analysis of acyclic active compounds to optimization of the resulting macrocycles for improved efficacy and drug-like properties. Additionally, it illustrates the strategic value of macrocyclization in contemporary drug discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Om Darlami
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Hambakmoe-ro 191, Yeunsu-gu, Incheon, 21935, Republic of Korea
| | - Rabin Pun
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Hambakmoe-ro 191, Yeunsu-gu, Incheon, 21935, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Ahn
- College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Gangwondaehak-gil 1, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Ho Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Gangwondaehak-gil 1, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dongyun Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Hambakmoe-ro 191, Yeunsu-gu, Incheon, 21935, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Faris J, Adaligil E, Popovych N, Ono S, Takahashi M, Nguyen H, Plise E, Taechalertpaisarn J, Lee HW, Koehler MFT, Cunningham CN, Lokey RS. Membrane Permeability in a Large Macrocyclic Peptide Driven by a Saddle-Shaped Conformation. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4582-4591. [PMID: 38330910 PMCID: PMC10885153 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10949] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The effort to modulate challenging protein targets has stimulated interest in ligands that are larger and more complex than typical small-molecule drugs. While combinatorial techniques such as mRNA display routinely produce high-affinity macrocyclic peptides against classically undruggable targets, poor membrane permeability has limited their use toward primarily extracellular targets. Understanding the passive membrane permeability of macrocyclic peptides would, in principle, improve our ability to design libraries whose leads can be more readily optimized against intracellular targets. Here, we investigate the permeabilities of over 200 macrocyclic 10-mers using the thioether cyclization motif commonly found in mRNA display macrocycle libraries. We identified the optimal lipophilicity range for achieving permeability in thioether-cyclized 10-mer cyclic peptide-peptoid hybrid scaffolds and showed that permeability could be maintained upon extensive permutation in the backbone. In one case, changing a single amino acid from d-Pro to d-NMe-Ala, representing the loss of a single methylene group in the side chain, resulted in a highly permeable scaffold in which the low-dielectric conformation shifted from the canonical cross-beta geometry of the parent compounds into a novel saddle-shaped fold in which all four backbone NH groups were sequestered from the solvent. This work provides an example by which pre-existing physicochemical knowledge of a scaffold can benefit the design of macrocyclic peptide mRNA display libraries, pointing toward an approach for biasing libraries toward permeability by design. Moreover, the compounds described herein are a further demonstration that geometrically diverse, highly permeable scaffolds exist well beyond conventional drug-like chemical space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin
H. Faris
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Santa
Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Emel Adaligil
- Department
of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Nataliya Popovych
- Department
of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Satoshi Ono
- Innovative
Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma
Corporation, Kanagawa 227-0033, Japan
| | - Mifune Takahashi
- Department
of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, South
San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Huy Nguyen
- Department
of Analytical Research, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Emile Plise
- Department
of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, South
San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jaru Taechalertpaisarn
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Santa
Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Hsiau-Wei Lee
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Santa
Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Michael F. T. Koehler
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Christian N. Cunningham
- Department
of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - R. Scott Lokey
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Santa
Cruz, California 95064, United States
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7
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Poongavanam V, Wieske LHE, Peintner S, Erdélyi M, Kihlberg J. Molecular chameleons in drug discovery. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:45-60. [PMID: 38123688 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00563-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Molecular chameleons possess a flexibility that allows them to dynamically shield or expose polar functionalities in response to the properties of the environment. Although the concept of molecular chameleons was introduced already in 1970, interest in them has grown considerably since the 2010s, when drug discovery has focused to an increased extent on new chemical modalities. Such modalities include cyclic peptides, macrocycles and proteolysis-targeting chimeras, all of which reside in a chemical space far from that of traditional small-molecule drugs. Both cell permeability and aqueous solubility are required for the oral absorption of drugs. Engineering these properties, and potent target binding, into the larger new modalities is a more daunting task than for traditional small-molecule drugs. The ability of chameleons to adapt to different environments may be essential for success. In this Review, we provide both general and theoretical insights into the realm of molecular chameleons. We discuss why chameleons have come into fashion and provide a do-it-yourself toolbox for their design; we then provide a glimpse of how advanced in silico methods can support molecular chameleon design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Peintner
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Máté Erdélyi
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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8
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Li X, Wang N, Liu Y, Li W, Bai X, Liu P, He CY. Backbone N-methylation of peptides: Advances in synthesis and applications in pharmaceutical drug development. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106892. [PMID: 37776681 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Peptide-based drugs have garnered considerable attention in recent years owing to their increasingly crucial role in the treatment of diverse diseases. However, the limited pharmacokinetic properties of peptides have hindered their full potential. One prominent strategy for enhancing the druggability of peptides is N-methylation, which involves the addition of a methyl group to the nitrogen atom of the peptide backbone. This modification significantly improves the stability, bioavailability, receptor binding affinity and selectivity of peptide drug candidates. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the advancements in synthetic methods for N-methylated peptide synthesis, as well as the associated limitations. Moreover, we explore the versatile effects of N-methylation on various aspects of peptide properties. Furthermore, we emphasize the efforts dedicated to N-methylated peptide pharmaceuticals that have successfully obtained marketing approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefei Li
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Central Research Institute, United-Imaging Healthcare Group Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningchao Wang
- Central Research Institute, United-Imaging Healthcare Group Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhang Liu
- Central Research Institute, United-Imaging Healthcare Group Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Weipiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Xinyu Bai
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Chun-Yang He
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
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9
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Ohta A, Tanada M, Shinohara S, Morita Y, Nakano K, Yamagishi Y, Takano R, Kariyuki S, Iida T, Matsuo A, Ozeki K, Emura T, Sakurai Y, Takano K, Higashida A, Kojima M, Muraoka T, Takeyama R, Kato T, Kimura K, Ogawa K, Ohara K, Tanaka S, Kikuchi Y, Hisada N, Hayashi R, Nishimura Y, Nomura K, Tachibana T, Irie M, Kawada H, Torizawa T, Murao N, Kotake T, Tanaka M, Ishikawa S, Miyake T, Tamiya M, Arai M, Chiyoda A, Akai S, Sase H, Kuramoto S, Ito T, Shiraishi T, Kojima T, Iikura H. Validation of a New Methodology to Create Oral Drugs beyond the Rule of 5 for Intracellular Tough Targets. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:24035-24051. [PMID: 37874670 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Establishing a technological platform for creating clinical compounds inhibiting intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs) can open the door to many valuable drugs. Although small molecules and antibodies are mainstream modalities, they are not suitable for a target protein that lacks a deep cavity for a small molecule to bind or a protein found in intracellular space out of an antibody's reach. One possible approach to access these targets is to utilize so-called middle-size cyclic peptides (defined here as those with a molecular weight of 1000-2000 g/mol). In this study, we validated a new methodology to create oral drugs beyond the rule of 5 for intracellular tough targets by elucidating structural features and physicochemical properties for drug-like cyclic peptides and developing library technologies to afford highly N-alkylated cyclic peptide hits. We discovered a KRAS inhibitory clinical compound (LUNA18) as the first example of our platform technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Ohta
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mikimasa Tanada
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shojiro Shinohara
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuya Morita
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakano
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yamagishi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Takano
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shiori Kariyuki
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takeo Iida
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Atsushi Matsuo
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Ozeki
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Emura
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuuji Sakurai
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Koji Takano
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Atsuko Higashida
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Miki Kojima
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Terushige Muraoka
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryuuichi Takeyama
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kato
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kaori Kimura
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kotaro Ogawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ohara
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shota Tanaka
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasufumi Kikuchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Nozomi Hisada
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryuji Hayashi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Nishimura
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kenichi Nomura
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Tachibana
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Machiko Irie
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hatsuo Kawada
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Torizawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Naoaki Murao
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kotake
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masahiko Tanaka
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shiho Ishikawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Taiji Miyake
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Minoru Tamiya
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masako Arai
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Aya Chiyoda
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sho Akai
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Sase
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shino Kuramoto
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Toshiya Ito
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Shiraishi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kojima
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Iikura
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 216, Totsuka-cho,Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-8602, Kanagawa, Japan
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10
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Patterson-Gardner C, Pavelich GM, Cannon AT, Menke AJ, Simanek EE. Adaptation of Empirical Methods to Predict the LogD of Triazine Macrocycles. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1378-1382. [PMID: 37849549 PMCID: PMC10577694 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Octanol/water partition coefficients guide drug design, but algorithms do not always accurately predict these values. For cationic triazine macrocycles that adopt a conserved folded shape in solution, common algorithms fall short. Here, the logD values for 12 macrocycles differing in amino acid choice were predicted and then measured experimentally. On average, AlogP, XlogP, and ChemAxon predictions deviate by 0.9, 2.8, and 3.9 log units, with XlogP overestimating lipophilicity and AlogP and ChemAxon underestimating lipophilicity. Importantly, however, a linear relationship (R2 > 0.98) exists between the values predicted by AlogP and the experimentally determined logD values, thus enabling more accurate predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey
J. Patterson-Gardner
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Gretchen M. Pavelich
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - April T. Cannon
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Alexander J. Menke
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Eric E. Simanek
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
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11
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Lee D, Choi J, Yang MJ, Park CJ, Seo J. Controlling the Chameleonic Behavior and Membrane Permeability of Cyclosporine Derivatives via Backbone and Side Chain Modifications. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13189-13204. [PMID: 37718494 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01140] [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: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Some macrocycles exhibit enhanced membrane permeability through conformational switching in different environmental polarities, a trait known as chameleonic behavior. In this study, we demonstrate specific backbone and side chain modifications that can control chameleonic behavior and passive membrane permeability using a cyclosporin O (CsO) scaffold. To quantify chameleonic behavior, we used a ratio of the population of the closed conformation obtained in polar solvent and nonpolar solvent for each CsO derivative. We found that β-hydroxylation at position 1 (1 and 3) can encode chameleonicity and improve permeability. However, the conformational stabilization induced by adding an additional transannular H-bond (2 and 5) leads to a much slower rate of membrane permeation. Our CsO scaffold provides a platform for the systematic study of the relationship among conformation, membrane permeability, solubility, and protein binding. This knowledge contributes to the discovery of potent beyond the rule of five (bRo5) macrocycles capable of targeting undruggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjae Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Min June Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chin-Ju Park
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
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12
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Petersen ME, Brant MG, Lasalle M, Fung VKC, Rojas AH, Wong J, Das S, Barnscher SD, Rich JR, Winters GC. Structure-Activity Relationships of Bis-Intercalating Peptides and Their Application as Antibody-Drug Conjugate Payloads. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37307297 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic analogs based on the DNA bis-intercalating natural product peptides sandramycin and quinaldopeptin were investigated as antibody drug conjugate (ADC) payloads. Synthesis, biophysical characterization, and in vitro potency of 34 new analogs are described. Conjugation of an initial drug-linker derived from a novel bis-intercalating peptide produced an ADC that was hydrophobic and prone to aggregation. Two strategies were employed to improve ADC physiochemical properties: addition of a solubilizing group in the linker and the use of an enzymatically cleavable hydrophilic mask on the payload itself. All ADCs showed potent in vitro cytotoxicity in high antigen expressing cells; however, masked ADCs were less potent than payload matched unmasked ADCs in lower antigen expressing cell lines. Two pilot in vivo studies were conducted using stochastically conjugated DAR4 anti-FRα ADCs, which showed toxicity even at low doses, and site-specific conjugated (THIOMAB) DAR2 anti-cMet ADCs that were well tolerated and highly efficacious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Petersen
- ADC Therapeutic Development, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
| | - Michael G Brant
- ADC Therapeutic Development, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
| | - Manuel Lasalle
- ADC Therapeutic Development, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
| | - Vincent K C Fung
- ADC Therapeutic Development, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
| | | | - Jodi Wong
- ADC Therapeutic Development, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
| | - Samir Das
- ADC Therapeutic Development, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
| | - Stuart D Barnscher
- ADC Therapeutic Development, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
| | - Jamie R Rich
- ADC Therapeutic Development, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
| | - Geoffrey C Winters
- Technical and Manufacturing Operations, Zymeworks Inc., Vancouver, BC V5T 1G4, Canada
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13
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Ramelot TA, Palmer J, Montelione GT, Bhardwaj G. Cell-permeable chameleonic peptides: Exploiting conformational dynamics in de novo cyclic peptide design. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 80:102603. [PMID: 37178478 PMCID: PMC10923192 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Membrane-traversing peptides offer opportunities for targeting intracellular proteins and oral delivery. Despite progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying membrane traversal in natural cell-permeable peptides, there are still several challenges to designing membrane-traversing peptides with diverse shapes and sizes. Conformational flexibility appears to be a key determinant of membrane permeability of large macrocycles. We review recent developments in the design and validation of chameleonic cyclic peptides, which can switch between alternative conformations to enable improved permeability through cell membranes, while still maintaining reasonable solubility and exposed polar functional groups for target protein binding. Finally, we discuss the principles, strategies, and practical considerations for rational design, discovery, and validation of permeable chameleonic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa A Ramelot
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Jonathan Palmer
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Gaetano T Montelione
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
| | - Gaurav Bhardwaj
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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14
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Menke AJ, Gloor CJ, Claton LE, Mekhail MA, Pan H, Stewart MD, Green KN, Reibenspies JH, Pavan GM, Capelli R, Simanek EE. A Model for the Rapid Assessment of Solution Structures for 24-Atom Macrocycles: The Impact of β-Branched Amino Acids on Conformation. J Org Chem 2023; 88:2692-2702. [PMID: 36780253 PMCID: PMC10903118 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c01984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Experiment and computation are used to develop a model to rapidly predict solution structures of macrocycles sharing the same Murcko framework. These 24-atom triazine macrocycles result from the quantitative dimerization of identical monomers presenting a hydrazine group and an acetal tethered to an amino acid linker. Monomers comprising glycine and the β-branched amino acids threonine, valine, and isoleucine yield macrocycles G-G, T-T, V-V, and I-I, respectively. Elements common to all members of the framework include the efficiency of macrocyclization (quantitative), the solution- and solid-state structures (folded), the site of protonation (opposite the auxiliary dimethylamine group), the geometry of the hydrazone (E), the C2 symmetry of the subunits (conserved), and the rotamer state adopted. In aggregate, the data reveal metrics predictive of the three-dimensional solution structure that derive from the fingerprint region of the 1D 1H spectrum and a network of rOes from a single resonance. The metrics also afford delineation of more nuanced structural features that allow subpopulations to be identified among the members of the framework. Well-tempered metadynamics provides free energy surfaces and population distributions of these macrocycles. The areas of the free energy surface decrease with increasing steric bulk (G-G > V-V ∼ T-T > I-I). In addition, the surfaces are increasingly isoenergetic with decreasing steric bulk (G-G > V-V ∼ T-T > I-I).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Menke
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Camryn J Gloor
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Liam E Claton
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Magy A Mekhail
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Hongjun Pan
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76203, United States
| | - Mikaela D Stewart
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Kayla N Green
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Joseph H Reibenspies
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, United States
| | - Giovanni M Pavan
- Department of Innovative Technologies, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Polo Universitario Lugano, Viganello, 6962 Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Riccardo Capelli
- Department of Biosciences, Université degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Eric E Simanek
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
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15
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Linker S, Schellhaas C, Kamenik AS, Veldhuizen MM, Waibl F, Roth HJ, Fouché M, Rodde S, Riniker S. Lessons for Oral Bioavailability: How Conformationally Flexible Cyclic Peptides Enter and Cross Lipid Membranes. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2773-2788. [PMID: 36762908 PMCID: PMC9969412 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides extend the druggable target space due to their size, flexibility, and hydrogen-bonding capacity. However, these properties impact also their passive membrane permeability. As the "journey" through membranes cannot be monitored experimentally, little is known about the underlying process, which hinders rational design. Here, we use molecular simulations to uncover how cyclic peptides permeate a membrane. We show that side chains can act as "molecular anchors", establishing the first contact with the membrane and enabling insertion. Once inside, the peptides are positioned between headgroups and lipid tails─a unique polar/apolar interface. Only one of two distinct orientations at this interface allows for the formation of the permeable "closed" conformation. In the closed conformation, the peptide crosses to the lower leaflet via another "anchoring" and flipping mechanism. Our findings provide atomistic insights into the permeation process of flexible cyclic peptides and reveal design considerations for each step of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie
M. Linker
- Department
of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH
Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Schellhaas
- Department
of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH
Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anna S. Kamenik
- Department
of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH
Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mac M. Veldhuizen
- Department
of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH
Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Franz Waibl
- Department
of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH
Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Jörg Roth
- Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis
Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Fouché
- Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis
Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephane Rodde
- Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis
Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sereina Riniker
- Department
of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH
Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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16
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Identification of a Family of Glycoside Derivatives Biologically Active against Acinetobacter baumannii and Other MDR Bacteria Using a QSPR Model. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/ph16020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
As the rate of discovery of new antibacterial compounds for multidrug-resistant bacteria is declining, there is an urge for the search for molecules that could revert this tendency. Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a highly virulent Gram-negative bacterium that has acquired multiple resistance mechanisms against antibiotics and is considered of critical priority. In this work, we developed a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model with 592 compounds for the identification of structural parameters related to their property as antibacterial agents against A. baumannii. QSPR mathematical validation (R2 = 70.27, RN = −0.008, a(R2) = 0.014, and δK = 0.021) and its prediction ability (Q2LMO = 67.89, Q2EXT = 67.75, a(Q2) = −0.068, δQ = 0.0, rm2¯ = 0.229, and Δrm2 = 0.522) were obtained with different statistical parameters; additional validation was done using three sets of external molecules (R2 = 72.89, 71.64 and 71.56). We used the QSPR model to perform a virtual screening on the BIOFACQUIM natural product database. From this screening, our model showed that molecules 32 to 35 and 54 to 68, isolated from different extracts of plants of the Ipomoea sp., are potential antibacterials against A. baumannii. Furthermore, biological assays showed that molecules 56 and 60 to 64 have a wide antibacterial activity against clinically isolated strains of A. baumannii, as well as other multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Finally, we propose 60 as a potential lead compound due to its broad-spectrum activity and its structural simplicity. Therefore, our QSPR model can be used as a tool for the investigation and search for new antibacterial compounds against A. baumannii.
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17
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Lee K, Willi JA, Cho N, Kim I, Jewett MC, Lee J. Cell-free Biosynthesis of Peptidomimetics. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2023; 28:1-17. [PMID: 36778039 PMCID: PMC9896473 DOI: 10.1007/s12257-022-0268-5] [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: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A wide variety of peptidomimetics (peptide analogs) possessing innovative biological functions have been brought forth as therapeutic candidates through cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems. A key feature of these peptidomimetic drugs is the use of non-canonical amino acid building blocks with diverse biochemical properties that expand functional diversity. Here, we summarize recent technologies leveraging CFPS platforms to expand the reach of peptidomimetics drugs. We also offer perspectives on engineering the translational machinery that may open new opportunities for expanding genetically encoded chemistry to transform drug discovery practice beyond traditional boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanghun Lee
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
| | - Jessica A. Willi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 USA
| | - Namjin Cho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
| | - Inseon Kim
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 USA
| | - Joongoo Lee
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
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18
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Harada R, Morita R, Shigeta Y. Free-Energy Profiles for Membrane Permeation of Compounds Calculated Using Rare-Event Sampling Methods. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:259-269. [PMID: 36574612 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The free-energy profile of a compound is an essential measurement in evaluating the membrane permeation process by means of theoretical methods. Computationally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation allows the free-energy profile calculation. However, MD simulations frequently fail to sample membrane permeation because they are rare events induced in longer timescales than the accessible timescale of MD, leading to an insufficient conformational search to calculate an incorrect free-energy profile. To achieve a sufficient conformational search, several enhanced sampling methods have been developed and elucidated the membrane permeation process. In addition to these enhanced sampling methods, we proposed a simple yet powerful free-energy calculation of a compound for the membrane permeation process based on originally rare-event sampling methods developed by us. Our methods have a weak dependency on external biases and their optimizations to promote the membrane permeation process. Based on distributed computing, our methods only require the selection of initial structures and their conformational resampling, whereas the enhanced sampling methods may be required to adjust external biases. Furthermore, our methods efficiently search membrane permeation processes with simple scripts without modifying any MD program. As demonstrations, we calculated the free-energy profiles of seven linear compounds for their membrane permeation based on a hybrid conformational search using two rare-event sampling methods, that is, (1) parallel cascade selection MD (PaCS-MD) and (2) outlier flooding method (OFLOOD), combined with a Markov state model (MSM) construction. In the first step, PaCS-MD generated initial membrane permeation paths of a compound. In the second step, OFLOOD expanded the unsearched conformational area around the initial paths, allowing for a broad conformational search. Finally, the trajectories were employed to construct reliable MSMs, enabling correct free-energy profile calculations. Furthermore, we estimated the membrane permeability coefficients of all compounds by constructing the reliable MSMs for their membrane permeation. In conclusion, the calculated coefficients were qualitatively correlated with the experimental measurements (correlation coefficient (R2) = 0.8689), indicating that the hybrid conformational search successfully calculated the free-energy profiles and membrane permeability coefficients of the seven compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuhei Harada
- Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-8577, Japan
| | - Rikuri Morita
- Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-8577, Japan
| | - Yasuteru Shigeta
- Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-8577, Japan
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19
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Asano D, Nakamura K, Nishiya Y, Shiozawa H, Takakusa H, Shibayama T, Inoue SI, Shinozuka T, Hamada T, Yahara C, Watanabe N, Yoshinari K. Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling for Quantitative Prediction of Exposure to a Human Disproportionate Metabolite of the Selective Na V1.7 Inhibitor DS-1971a, a Mixed Substrate of Cytochrome P450 and Aldehyde Oxidase, Using Chimeric Mice With Humanized Liver. Drug Metab Dispos 2023; 51:67-80. [PMID: 36273823 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.122.001000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous study on the human mass balance of DS-1971a, a selective NaV1.7 inhibitor, its CYP2C8-dependent metabolite M1 was identified as a human disproportionate metabolite. The present study assessed the usefulness of pharmacokinetic evaluation in chimeric mice grafted with human hepatocytes (PXB-mice) and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) simulation of M1. After oral administration of radiolabeled DS-1971a, the most abundant metabolite in the plasma, urine, and feces of PXB-mice was M1, while those of control SCID mice were aldehyde oxidase-related metabolites including M4, suggesting a drastic difference in the metabolism between these mouse strains. From a qualitative perspective, the metabolite profile observed in PXB-mice was remarkably similar to that in humans, but the quantitative evaluation indicated that the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) ratio of M1 to DS-1971a (M1/P ratio) was approximately only half of that in humans. A PXB-mouse-derived PBPK model was then constructed to achieve a more accurate prediction, giving an M1/P ratio (1.3) closer to that in humans (1.6) than the observed value in PXB-mice (0.69). In addition, simulated maximum plasma concentration and AUC values of M1 (3429 ng/ml and 17,116 ng·h/ml, respectively) were similar to those in humans (3180 ng/ml and 18,400 ng·h/ml, respectively). These results suggest that PBPK modeling incorporating pharmacokinetic parameters obtained with PXB-mice is useful for quantitatively predicting exposure to human disproportionate metabolites. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The quantitative prediction of human disproportionate metabolites remains challenging. This paper reports on a successful case study on the practical estimation of exposure (C max and AUC) to DS-1971a and its CYP2C8-dependent, human disproportionate metabolite M1, by PBPK simulation utilizing pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from PXB-mice and in vitro kinetics in human liver fractions. This work adds to the growing knowledge regarding metabolite exposure estimation by static and dynamic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daigo Asano
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Koichi Nakamura
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Yumi Nishiya
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Hideyuki Shiozawa
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Hideo Takakusa
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Takahiro Shibayama
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Shin-Ichi Inoue
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Tsuyoshi Shinozuka
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Takakazu Hamada
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Chizuko Yahara
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Nobuaki Watanabe
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
| | - Kouichi Yoshinari
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (D.A., K.N., N.Y., H.S., H.T., T. Shibayama, S.-i.I., C.Y., N.W.), R&D Planning & Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T. Shinozuka), Research Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (T.H.), Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan (K.Y.)
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20
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Calabretta LO, Yang J, Raines RT. N α -Methylation of arginine: Implications for cell-penetrating peptides. J Pept Sci 2022; 29:e3468. [PMID: 36494904 PMCID: PMC10073267 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3468] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The field of cell-penetrating peptides is dominated by the use of oligomers of arginine residues. Octanol-water partitioning in the presence of an anionic lipid is a validated proxy for cell-penetrative efficacy. Here, we add one, two, or three N-methyl groups to Ac-Arg-NH2 and examine the effects on octanol-water partitioning. In the absence of an anionic lipid, none of these arginine derivatives can be detected in the octanol layer. In the presence of sodium dodecanoate, however, increasing N-methylation correlates with increasing partitioning into octanol, which is predictive of higher cell-penetrative ability. We then evaluated fully Nα -methylated oligoarginine peptides and observed an increase in their cellular penetration compared with canonical oligoarginine peptides in some contexts. These findings indicate that a simple modification, Nα -methylation, can enhance the performance of cell-penetrating peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey O Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jinyi Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ronald T Raines
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Sugita M, Fujie T, Yanagisawa K, Ohue M, Akiyama Y. Lipid Composition Is Critical for Accurate Membrane Permeability Prediction of Cyclic Peptides by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:4549-4560. [PMID: 36053061 PMCID: PMC9516681 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides have attracted attention as a promising pharmaceutical modality due to their potential to selectively inhibit previously undruggable targets, such as intracellular protein-protein interactions. Poor membrane permeability is the biggest bottleneck hindering successful drug discovery based on cyclic peptides. Therefore, the development of computational methods that can predict membrane permeability and support elucidation of the membrane permeation mechanism of drug candidate peptides is much sought after. In this study, we developed a protocol to simulate the behavior in membrane permeation steps and estimate the membrane permeability of large cyclic peptides with more than or equal to 10 residues. This protocol requires the use of a more realistic membrane model than a single-lipid phospholipid bilayer. To select a membrane model, we first analyzed the effect of cholesterol concentration in the model membrane on the potential of mean force and hydrogen bonding networks along the direction perpendicular to the membrane surface as predicted by molecular dynamics simulations using cyclosporine A. These results suggest that a membrane model with 40 or 50 mol % cholesterol was suitable for predicting the permeation process. Subsequently, two types of membrane models containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 40 and 50 mol % cholesterol were used. To validate the efficiency of our protocol, the membrane permeability of 18 ten-residue peptides was predicted. Correlation coefficients of R > 0.8 between the experimental and calculated permeability values were obtained with both model membranes. The results of this study demonstrate that the lipid membrane is not just a medium but also among the main factors determining the membrane permeability of molecules. The computational protocol proposed in this study and the findings obtained on the effect of membrane model composition will contribute to building a schematic view of the membrane permeation process. Furthermore, the results of this study will eventually aid the elucidation of design rules for peptide drugs with high membrane permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatake Sugita
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Takuya Fujie
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yanagisawa
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Masahito Ohue
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yutaka Akiyama
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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22
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Farrell BM, Gerth F, Yang CHR, Yeh JTH. A synthetic KLHL20 ligand to validate CUL3 KLHL20 as a potent E3 ligase for targeted protein degradation. Genes Dev 2022; 36:1031-1042. [PMID: 36328355 PMCID: PMC9732910 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349717.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has risen as a promising therapeutic modality. Leveraging the catalytic nature of the ubiquitin-proteasome enzymatic machinery, TPD exhibits higher potency to eliminate disease-causing target proteins such as oncogenic transcription factors that may otherwise be difficult to abrogate by conventional inhibitors. However, there are challenges that remain. Currently, nearly all degraders engage CUL4CRBN or CUL2VHL as the E3 ligase for target ubiquitination. While their immediate efficacies are evident, the narrowed E3 ligase options make TPD vulnerable to potential drug resistance. In addition, E3 ligases show differential tissue expression and have intrinsic limitations in accessing varying types of disease-relevant targets. As the success of TPD is closely associated with the ability of E3 ligases to efficiently polyubiquitinate the target of interest, the long-term outlook of TPD drug development will depend on whether E3 ligases such as CUL4CRBN and CUL2VHL are accessible to the targets of interest. To overcome these potential caveats, a broad collection of actionable E3 ligases is required. Here, we designed a macrocyclic degrader engaging CUL3KLHL20 for targeting BET proteins and validated CUL3KLHL20 as an E3 ligase system suitable for TPD. This work thus contributes to the expansion of usable E3 ligases for potential drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Farrell
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Fabian Gerth
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Cheng-Hao R Yang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Johannes T-H Yeh
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
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23
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Capelli R, Menke AJ, Pan H, Janesko BG, Simanek EE, Pavan GM. Well-Tempered Metadynamics Simulations Predict the Structural and Dynamic Properties of a Chiral 24-Atom Macrocycle in Solution. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:30291-30296. [PMID: 36061685 PMCID: PMC9434777 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by therapeutic potential, the molecular engineering of macrocycles is garnering increased interest. Exercising control with design, however, is challenging due to the dynamic behavior that these molecules must demonstrate in order to be bioactive. Herein, the value of metadynamics simulations is demonstrated: the free-energy surfaces calculated reveal folded and flattened accessible conformations of a 24-atom macrocycle separated by barriers of ∼6 kT under experimentally relevant conditions. Simulations reveal that the dominant conformer is folded-an observation consistent with a solid-state structure determined by X-ray crystallography and a network of rOes established by 1H NMR. Simulations suggest that the macrocycle exists as a rapidly interconverting pair of enantiomeric, folded structures. Experimentally, 1H NMR shows a single species at room temperature. However, at lower temperature, the interconversion rate between these enantiomers becomes markedly slower, resulting in the decoalescence of enantiotopic methylene protons into diastereotopic, distinguishable resonances due to the persistence of conformational chirality. The emergence of conformational chirality provides critical experimental support for the simulations, revealing the dynamic nature of the scaffold-a trait deemed critical for oral bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Capelli
- Department
of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico
di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Alexander J. Menke
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian
University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Hongjun Pan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Benjamin G. Janesko
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian
University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Eric E. Simanek
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Christian
University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Giovanni M. Pavan
- Department
of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico
di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
- Department
of Innovative Technologies, University of
Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Polo Universitario Lugano, 6962 Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland
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24
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van Neer RHP, Dranchak PK, Liu L, Aitha M, Queme B, Kimura H, Katoh T, Battaile KP, Lovell S, Inglese J, Suga H. Serum-Stable and Selective Backbone-N-Methylated Cyclic Peptides That Inhibit Prokaryotic Glycolytic Mutases. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2284-2295. [PMID: 35904259 PMCID: PMC9900472 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
N-Methylated amino acids (N-MeAAs) are privileged residues of naturally occurring peptides critical to bioactivity. However, de novo discovery from ribosome display is limited by poor incorporation of N-methylated amino acids into the nascent peptide chain attributed to a poor EF-Tu affinity for the N-methyl-aminoacyl-tRNA. By reconfiguring the tRNA's T-stem region to compensate and tune the EF-Tu affinity, we conducted Random nonstandard Peptides Integrated Discovery (RaPID) display of a macrocyclic peptide (MCP) library containing six different N-MeAAs. We have here devised a "pool-and-split" enrichment strategy using the RaPID display and identified N-methylated MCPs against three species of prokaryotic metal-ion-dependent phosphoglycerate mutases. The enriched MCPs reached 57% N-methylation with up to three consecutively incorporated N-MeAAs, rivaling natural products. Potent nanomolar inhibitors ranging in ortholog selectivity, strongly mediated by N-methylation, were identified. Co-crystal structures reveal an architecturally related Ce-2 Ipglycermide active-site metal-ion-coordinating Cys lariat MCP, functionally dependent on two cis N-MeAAs with broadened iPGM species selectivity over the original nematode-selective MCPs. Furthermore, the isolation of a novel metal-ion-independent Staphylococcus aureus iPGM inhibitor utilizing a phosphoglycerate mimetic mechanism illustrates the diversity of possible chemotypes encoded by the N-MeAA MCP library.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H P van Neer
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - P K Dranchak
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - L Liu
- Protein Structure and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, Structural Biology Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
| | - M Aitha
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - B Queme
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - H Kimura
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - T Katoh
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - K P Battaile
- New York Structural Biology Center, NSLS-II, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - S Lovell
- Protein Structure and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, Structural Biology Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
| | - J Inglese
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - H Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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25
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Saunders GJ, Yudin AK. Property‐Driven Development of Passively Permeable Macrocyclic Scaffolds Using Heterocycles**. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202206866. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202206866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George J. Saunders
- Davenport Research Laboratories University of Toronto 80 St. George St Toronto Ontario, M5S 3H6 Canada
| | - Andrei K. Yudin
- Davenport Research Laboratories University of Toronto 80 St. George St Toronto Ontario, M5S 3H6 Canada
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26
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Saunders GJ, Yudin AK. Property‐Driven Development of Passively Permeable Macrocyclic Scaffolds using Heterocycles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202206866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George J. Saunders
- University of Toronto - St George Campus: University of Toronto Chemistry 80 St George St M5S3H6 Toronto CANADA
| | - Andrei K. Yudin
- University of Toronto Department of Chemistry 80 St. George Street M5S 3H6 Toronto CANADA
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27
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Optimization of cyclic peptide property using chromatographic capacity factor on permeability of passive cell membrane and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived intestinal membrane. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:1879-1886. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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28
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Buyanova M, Pei D. Targeting intracellular protein-protein interactions with macrocyclic peptides. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:234-248. [PMID: 34911657 PMCID: PMC8840965 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are challenging targets for traditional drug modalities. Macrocyclic peptides (MPs) prove highly effective PPI inhibitors in vitro and can be rapidly discovered against PPI targets by rational design or screening combinatorial libraries but are generally impermeable to the cell membrane. Recent advances in MP science and technology are allowing for the development of 'drug-like' MPs that potently and specifically modulate intracellular PPI targets in cell culture and animal models. In this review, we highlight recent progress in generating cell-permeable MPs that enter the mammalian cell by passive diffusion, endocytosis followed by endosomal escape, or as-yet unknown mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Buyanova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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29
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Tamura T, Inoue M, Yoshimitsu Y, Hashimoto I, Ohashi N, Tsumura K, Suzuki K, Watanabe T, Hohsaka T. Chemical Synthesis and Cell-Free Expression of Thiazoline Ring-Bridged Cyclic Peptides and Their Properties on Biomembrane Permeability. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2022. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20210409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Tamura
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1211, Japan
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, 577 Ushijima, Kaisei-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 258-8577, Japan
| | - Masaaki Inoue
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, 577 Ushijima, Kaisei-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 258-8577, Japan
| | - Yuji Yoshimitsu
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, 577 Ushijima, Kaisei-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 258-8577, Japan
| | - Ichihiko Hashimoto
- Analysis Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa 258-0123, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Ohashi
- Analysis Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa 258-0123, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Tsumura
- Analysis Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa 258-0123, Japan
| | - Koo Suzuki
- Analysis Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa 258-0123, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Watanabe
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1211, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hohsaka
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1211, Japan
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30
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Dard C, Leforestier B, Francisco Hilário F, Traoré MDM, Lespinasse MA, Pérès B, Molina MC, Pereira de Freitas R, Milet A, Maubon D, Wong YS. Crossing of the Cystic Barriers of Toxoplasma gondii by the Fluorescent Coumarin Tetra-Cyclopeptide. Molecules 2021; 26:7506. [PMID: 34946588 PMCID: PMC8708940 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
FR235222 is a natural tetra-cyclopeptide with a strong inhibition effect on histone deacetylases, effective on mammalian cells as well as on intracellular apicomplexan parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, in the tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages. This molecule is characterized by two parts: the zinc-binding group, responsible for the binding to the histone deacetylase, and the cyclic tetrapeptide moiety, which plays a crucial role in cell permeability. Recently, we have shown that the cyclic tetrapeptide coupled with a fluorescent diethyl-amino-coumarin was able to maintain properties of cellular penetration on human cells. Here, we show that this property can be extended to the crossing of the Toxoplasma gondii cystic cell wall and the cell membrane of the parasite in its bradyzoite form, while maintaining a high efficacy as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. The investigation by molecular modeling allows a better understanding of the penetration mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Dard
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRSINSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France; (C.D.); (D.M.)
| | - Baptiste Leforestier
- Team SITH, CNRS UMR 5250, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DCM, 38000 Grenoble, France; (B.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Flaviane Francisco Hilário
- Team COMET, CNRS UMR 5063, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DPM, 38000 Grenoble, France; (F.F.H.); (M.D.M.T.); (M.-A.L.); (B.P.); (M.-C.M.)
| | - Mohamed Dit Mady Traoré
- Team COMET, CNRS UMR 5063, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DPM, 38000 Grenoble, France; (F.F.H.); (M.D.M.T.); (M.-A.L.); (B.P.); (M.-C.M.)
| | - Marie-Ange Lespinasse
- Team COMET, CNRS UMR 5063, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DPM, 38000 Grenoble, France; (F.F.H.); (M.D.M.T.); (M.-A.L.); (B.P.); (M.-C.M.)
| | - Basile Pérès
- Team COMET, CNRS UMR 5063, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DPM, 38000 Grenoble, France; (F.F.H.); (M.D.M.T.); (M.-A.L.); (B.P.); (M.-C.M.)
| | - Marie-Carmen Molina
- Team COMET, CNRS UMR 5063, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DPM, 38000 Grenoble, France; (F.F.H.); (M.D.M.T.); (M.-A.L.); (B.P.); (M.-C.M.)
| | - Rossimiriam Pereira de Freitas
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av Pres Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil;
| | - Anne Milet
- Team SITH, CNRS UMR 5250, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DCM, 38000 Grenoble, France; (B.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Danièle Maubon
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRSINSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France; (C.D.); (D.M.)
| | - Yung-Sing Wong
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av Pres Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil;
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31
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Ono S, Naylor MR, Townsend CE, Okumura C, Okada O, Lee HW, Lokey RS. Cyclosporin A: Conformational Complexity and Chameleonicity. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:5601-5613. [PMID: 34672629 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The chameleonic behavior of cyclosporin A (CsA) was investigated through conformational ensembles employing multicanonical molecular dynamics simulations that could sample the cis and trans isomers of N-methylated amino acids; these assessments were conducted in explicit water, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, methanol, chloroform, cyclohexane (CHX), and n-hexane (HEX) using AMBER ff03, AMBER10:EHT, AMBER12:EHT, and AMBER14:EHT force fields. The conformational details were discussed employing the free-energy landscapes (FELs) at T = 300 K; it was observed that the experimentally determined structures of CsA were only a part of the conformational space. Comparing the ROESY measurements in CHX-d12 and HEX-d14, the major conformations in those apolar solvents were essentially the same as that in CDCl3 except for the observation of some sidechain rotamers. The effects of the metal ions on the conformations, including the cis/trans isomerization, were also investigated. Based on the analysis of FELs, it was concluded that the AMBER ff03 force field best described the experimentally derived conformations, indicating that CsA intrinsically formed membrane-permeable conformations and that the metal ions might be the key to the cis/trans isomerization of N-methylated amino acids before binding a partner protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Ono
- Modality Laboratories, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 1000 Kamoshida-cho, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 227-0033, Japan
| | - Matthew R Naylor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Chad E Townsend
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Chieko Okumura
- Modality Laboratories, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 1000 Kamoshida-cho, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 227-0033, Japan
| | - Okimasa Okada
- Modality Laboratories, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 1000 Kamoshida-cho, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 227-0033, Japan
| | - Hsiau-Wei Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - R Scott Lokey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
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32
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Corbett KM, Ford L, Warren DB, Pouton CW, Chalmers DK. Cyclosporin Structure and Permeability: From A to Z and Beyond. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13131-13151. [PMID: 34478303 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyclosporins are natural or synthetic undecapeptides with a wide range of actual and potential pharmaceutical applications. Several members of the cyclosporin compound family have remarkably high passive membrane permeabilities that are not well-described by simple structural metrics. Here we review experimental studies of cyclosporin structure and permeability, including cyclosporin-metal complexes. We also discuss models for the conformation-dependent permeability of cyclosporins and similar compounds. Finally, we identify current knowledge gaps in the literature and provide recommendations regarding future avenues of exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Corbett
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Leigh Ford
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dallas B Warren
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - David K Chalmers
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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33
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Sugita M, Sugiyama S, Fujie T, Yoshikawa Y, Yanagisawa K, Ohue M, Akiyama Y. Large-Scale Membrane Permeability Prediction of Cyclic Peptides Crossing a Lipid Bilayer Based on Enhanced Sampling Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3681-3695. [PMID: 34236179 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Membrane permeability is a significant obstacle facing the development of cyclic peptide drugs. However, membrane permeation mechanisms are poorly understood. To investigate common features of permeable (and nonpermeable) designs, it is necessary to reproduce the membrane permeation process of cyclic peptides through the lipid bilayer. We simulated the membrane permeation process of 100 six-residue cyclic peptides across the lipid bilayer based on steered molecular dynamics (MD) and replica-exchange umbrella sampling simulations and predicted membrane permeability using the inhomogeneous solubility-diffusion model and a modified version of it. Furthermore, we confirmed the effectiveness of this protocol by predicting the membrane permeability of 56 eight-residue cyclic peptides with diverse chemical structures, including some confidential designs from a pharmaceutical company. As a result, a reasonable correlation between experimentally assessed and calculated membrane permeability of cyclic peptides was observed for the peptide libraries, except for strongly hydrophobic peptides. Our analysis of the MD trajectory demonstrated that most peptides were stabilized in the boundary region between bulk water and membrane and that for most peptides, the process of crossing the center of the membrane is the main obstacle to membrane permeation. The height of this barrier is well correlated with the electrostatic interaction between the peptide and the surrounding media. The structural and energetic features of the representative peptide at each vertical position within the membrane were also analyzed, revealing that peptides permeate the membrane by changing their orientation and conformation according to the surrounding environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatake Sugita
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, RGBT2-A-1C, 3-25-10 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
| | - Satoshi Sugiyama
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,AIST-TokyoTech Real World Big-Data Computation Open Innovation Laboratory (RWBC-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8560, Japan
| | - Takuya Fujie
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, RGBT2-A-1C, 3-25-10 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yoshikawa
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, RGBT2-A-1C, 3-25-10 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yanagisawa
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, RGBT2-A-1C, 3-25-10 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
| | - Masahito Ohue
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, RGBT2-A-1C, 3-25-10 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
| | - Yutaka Akiyama
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W8-76, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Middle-Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, RGBT2-A-1C, 3-25-10 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
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34
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Lee D, Lee S, Choi J, Song YK, Kim MJ, Shin DS, Bae MA, Kim YC, Park CJ, Lee KR, Choi JH, Seo J. Interplay among Conformation, Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds, and Chameleonicity in the Membrane Permeability and Cyclophilin A Binding of Macrocyclic Peptide Cyclosporin O Derivatives. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8272-8286. [PMID: 34096287 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A macrocyclic peptide scaffold with well-established structure-property relationship is desirable for tackling undruggable targets. Here, we adopted a natural macrocycle, cyclosporin O (CsO) and its derivatives (CP1-3), and evaluated the impact of conformation on membrane permeability, cyclophilin A (CypA) binding, and the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile. In nonpolar media, CsO showed a similar conformation to cyclosporin A (CsA), a well-known chameleonic macrocycle, but less chameleonic behavior in a polar environment. The weak chameleonicity of CsO resulted in decreased membrane permeability; however, the more rigid conformation of CsO was not detrimental to its PK profile. CsO exhibited a higher plasma concentration than CsA, which resulted from minimal CypA binding and lower accumulation in red blood cells and moderate oral bioavailability (F = 12%). Our study aids understanding of CsO, a macrocyclic peptide that is less explored than CsA but with greater potential for diversity generation and rational design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjae Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungjin Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo-Kyung Song
- Laboratory of Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ju Kim
- Laboratory of Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Seop Shin
- Bio Platform Technology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Ae Bae
- Bio Platform Technology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Chul Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chin-Ju Park
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Ryoon Lee
- Laboratory of Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Ho Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
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35
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Improvement on Permeability of Cyclic Peptide/Peptidomimetic: Backbone N-Methylation as A Useful Tool. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19060311. [PMID: 34072121 PMCID: PMC8229464 DOI: 10.3390/md19060311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides have a three-dimensional configuration that can adopt particular conformations for binding to proteins, which are well suited to interact with larger contact surface areas on target proteins. However, low cell permeability is a major challenge in the development of peptide-related drugs. In recent years, backbone N-methylation has been a useful tool for manipulating the permeability of cyclic peptides/peptidomimetics. Backbone N-methylation permits the adjustment of molecule’s conformational space. Several pathways are involved in the drug absorption pathway; the relative importance of each N-methylation to total permeation is likely to differ with intrinsic properties of cyclic peptide/peptidomimetic. Recent studies on the permeability of cyclic peptides/peptidomimetics using the backbone N-methylation strategy and synthetic methodologies will be presented in this review.
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36
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Surur AS, Sun D. Macrocycle-Antibiotic Hybrids: A Path to Clinical Candidates. Front Chem 2021; 9:659845. [PMID: 33996753 PMCID: PMC8120311 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.659845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The tale of abate in antibiotics continued defense mechanisms that chaperone the rise of drug-defying superbugs—on the other hand, the astray in antibacterial drug discovery and development. Our salvation lies in circumventing the genesis of resistance. Considering the competitive advantages of antibacterial chemotherapeutic agents equipped with multiple warheads against resistance, the development of hybrids has rejuvenated. The adoption of antibiotic hybrid paradigm to macrocycles has advanced novel chemical entities to clinical trials. The multi-targeted TD-1792, for instance, retained potent antibacterial activities against multiple strains that are resistant to its constituent, vancomycin. Moreover, the antibiotic conjugation of rifamycins has provided hybrid clinical candidates with desirable efficacy and safety profiles. In 2020, the U.S. FDA has granted an orphan drug designation to TNP-2092, a conjugate of rifamycin and fluoroquinolone, for the treatment of prosthetic joint infections. DSTA4637S is a pioneer antibacterial agent under clinical development and represents a novel class of bacterial therapy, that is, antibody–antibiotic conjugates. DSTA4637S is effective against the notorious persistent S. aureus bacteremia, a revelation of the abracadabra potential of antibiotic hybrid approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdrrahman Shemsu Surur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, HI, United States
| | - Dianqing Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, HI, United States
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37
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Wang H, Dawber RS, Zhang P, Walko M, Wilson AJ, Wang X. Peptide-based inhibitors of protein-protein interactions: biophysical, structural and cellular consequences of introducing a constraint. Chem Sci 2021; 12:5977-5993. [PMID: 33995995 PMCID: PMC8098664 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00165e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are implicated in the majority of cellular processes by enabling and regulating the function of individual proteins. Thus, PPIs represent high-value, but challenging targets for therapeutic intervention. The development of constrained peptides represents an emerging strategy to generate peptide-based PPI inhibitors, typically mediated by α-helices. The approach can confer significant benefits including enhanced affinity, stability and cellular penetration and is ingrained in the premise that pre-organization simultaneously pays the entropic cost of binding, prevents a peptide from adopting a protease compliant β-strand conformation and shields the hydrophilic amides from the hydrophobic membrane. This conceptual blueprint for the empirical design of peptide-based PPI inhibitors is an exciting and potentially lucrative way to effect successful PPI inhibitor drug-discovery. However, a plethora of more subtle effects may arise from the introduction of a constraint that include changes to binding dynamics, the mode of recognition and molecular properties. In this review, we summarise the influence of inserting constraints on biophysical, conformational, structural and cellular behaviour across a range of constraining chemistries and targets, to highlight the tremendous success that has been achieved with constrained peptides alongside emerging design opportunities and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongshuang Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences 5625 Renmin St. Changchun 130022 Jilin China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 Jiangsu China
| | - Robert S Dawber
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Peiyu Zhang
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Martin Walko
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Andrew J Wilson
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences 5625 Renmin St. Changchun 130022 Jilin China
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
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38
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Protti ÍF, Rodrigues DR, Fonseca SK, Alves RJ, de Oliveira RB, Maltarollo VG. Do Drug-likeness Rules Apply to Oral Prodrugs? ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1446-1456. [PMID: 33471444 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes a comparative analysis of the physicochemical and structural properties of prodrugs and their corresponding drugs with regard to drug-likeness rules. The dataset used in this work was obtained from the DrugBank. Sixty-five pairs of prodrugs/drugs were retrieved and divided into the following categories: carrier-linked to increase hydrophilic character, carrier-linked to increase absorption, and bioprecursors. We compared the physicochemical properties related to drug-likeness between prodrugs and drugs. Our results show that prodrugs do not always follow Lipinski's Rule of 5, especially as we observed 15 prodrugs with more than 10 hydrogen bond acceptors and 18 with a molecular weight greater than 500 Da. This fact highlights the importance of extending Lipinski's rules to encompass other parameters as both strategies (filtering of drug-like chemical libraries and prodrug design) aim to improve the bioavailability of compounds. Therefore, critical reasoning is fundamental to determine whether a structure has drug-like properties or could be considered a potential orally active compound in the drug-design pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ícaro F Protti
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, BR 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel R Rodrigues
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, BR 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Sofia K Fonseca
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, BR 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ricardo J Alves
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, BR 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Renata B de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, BR 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Vinícius G Maltarollo
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, BR 31270-901, Brazil
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39
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Damjanovic J, Miao J, Huang H, Lin YS. Elucidating Solution Structures of Cyclic Peptides Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Chem Rev 2021; 121:2292-2324. [PMID: 33426882 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions are vital to biological processes, but the shape and size of their interfaces make them hard to target using small molecules. Cyclic peptides have shown promise as protein-protein interaction modulators, as they can bind protein surfaces with high affinity and specificity. Dozens of cyclic peptides are already FDA approved, and many more are in various stages of development as immunosuppressants, antibiotics, antivirals, or anticancer drugs. However, most cyclic peptide drugs so far have been natural products or derivatives thereof, with de novo design having proven challenging. A key obstacle is structural characterization: cyclic peptides frequently adopt multiple conformations in solution, which are difficult to resolve using techniques like NMR spectroscopy. The lack of solution structural information prevents a thorough understanding of cyclic peptides' sequence-structure-function relationship. Here we review recent development and application of molecular dynamics simulations with enhanced sampling to studying the solution structures of cyclic peptides. We describe novel computational methods capable of sampling cyclic peptides' conformational space and provide examples of computational studies that relate peptides' sequence and structure to biological activity. We demonstrate that molecular dynamics simulations have grown from an explanatory technique to a full-fledged tool for systematic studies at the forefront of cyclic peptide therapeutic design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovan Damjanovic
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Jiayuan Miao
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - He Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Yu-Shan Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
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