Induced folding of protein-sized foldameric β-sandwich models with core β-amino acid residues

A computationally designed β-amino acid-containing miniprotein

A new miniprotein built from three helices, including one structure based on the ααβαααβ sequence pattern was developed. Its crystal structure revealed a compact conformation with a well-packed hydrophobic core of unprecedented structure. The miniprotein formed dimers that were stabilized by the interaction of their hydrophobic surfaces.

Constrained beta-amino acid-containing miniproteins

The impact of constrained beta-amino acid substitutions on the conformational stability of two model miniproteins was evaluated.

Peripheral cyclic β-amino acids balance the stability and edge-protection of β-sandwiches

Engineering water-soluble stand-alone β-sandwich mimetics is a current challenge because of the difficulties associated with tailoring long-range interactions. In this work, single cis-(1R,2S)-2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid mutations were introduced into the edge strands of the eight-stranded β-sandwich mimetic structures from the betabellin family. Temperature-dependent NMR and CD measurements, together with thermodynamic analyses, demonstrated that the modified peripheral strands exhibited an irregular and partially disordered structure but were able to exert sufficient shielding on the hydrophobic core to retain the predominantly β-sandwich structure. Although the frustrated interactions decreased the free energy of unfolding, the temperature of the maximum stabilities increased to or remained at physiologically relevant temperatures. We found that the irregular peripheral strands were able to prevent edge-to-edge association and fibril formation in the aggregation-prone model. These findings establish a β-sandwich stabilization and aggregation inhibition approach, which does not interfere with the pillars of the peptide bond or change the net charge of the peptide.

Helix-loop-helix peptide foldamers and their use in the construction of hydrolase mimetics

De novo designed helix-loop-helix peptide foldamers containing cis-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid residues were evaluated for their conformational stability and possible use in enzyme mimetic development. The correlation between hydrogen bond network size and conformational stability was demonstrated through CD and NMR spectroscopies. Molecules incorporating a Cys/His/Glu triad exhibited enzyme-like hydrolytic activity.

Predictable Conformational Diversity in Foldamers of Sugar Amino Acids

A systematic conformational search was carried out for monomers and homohexamers of furanoid β-amino acids: cis-(S,R) and trans-(S,S) stereoisomers of aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (ACPC), two different aminofuranuronic acids (AFU^α and AFU^β), their isopropylidene derivatives (AFU(ip)), and the key intermediate β-aminotetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid (ATFC). The stereochemistry of the building blocks was chosen to match that of the natural sugar amino acid (xylose and ribose) precursors (XylAFU and RibAFU). The results show that hexamers of cis-furanoid β-amino acids show great variability: while hydrophobic cyclopentane (cis-ACPC)₆ and hydrophilic (XylAFU^α/β)₆ foldamers favor two different zigzagged conformation as hexamers, the backbone fold turns into a helix in the case of (cis-ATFC)₆ (10-helix) and (XylAFU(ip))₆ (14-helix). Trans stereochemistry resulted in hexamers exclusively with the right-handed helix conformation, (H₁₂^P)₆, regardless of their polarity. We found that the preferred oligomeric structure of XylAFU^α/β is conformationally compatible with β-pleated sheets, while that of the trans/(S,S) units matches with α-helices of proteins.

Towards "bionic" proteins: replacement of continuous sequences from HIF-1α with proteomimetics to create functional p300 binding HIF-1α mimics

Using the HIF-1α transcription factor as a model, this manuscript illustrates how an extended sequence of α-amino acids in a polypeptide can be replaced with a non-natural topographical mimic of an α-helix comprised from an aromatic oligoamide. The resultant hybrid is capable of reproducing the molecular recognition profile of the p300 binding sequence of HIF-1α from which it is derived.

Foldameric probes for membrane interactions by induced β-sheet folding

Design strategies were devised for α/β-peptide foldameric analogues of the antiangiogenic anginex with the goal of mimicking the diverse structural features from the unordered conformation to a folded β-sheet in response to membrane interactions. Structure-activity relationships were investigated in the light of different β-sheet folding levels.

An overview of peptide and peptoid foldamers in medicinal chemistry

INTRODUCTION

Foldamers are artificial self-organizing systems with various critical properties: i) a stable and designable secondary structure; ii) a larger molecular surface as compared with ordinary organic drug molecules; iii) appropriate control of the orientation of the side-chain functional groups; iv) resistance against proteolytic degradation, which leads to potentially increased oral bioavailability and a longer serum half-life relative to ordinary α-peptides; and v) the lower conformational freedom may result in increased receptor binding in comparison with the natural analogs.

AREAS COVERED

This article covers the general properties and types of foldamers. This includes highlighted examples of medicinal chemical applications, including antibacterial and cargo molecules, anti-Alzheimer compounds and protein-protein interaction modifiers.

EXPERT OPINION

Various new foldamers have been created with a range of structures and biological applications. Membrane-acting antibacterial foldamers have been introduced. A general property of these structures is their amphiphilic nature. The amphiphilicity can be stationary or induced by the membrane binding. Cell-penetrating foldamers have been described which serve as cargo molecules, and foldamers have been used as autophagy inducers. Anti-Alzheimer compounds too have been created and the greatest breakthrough was attained via the modification of protein-protein interactions. This can serve as the chemical and pharmaceutical basis for the relevance of foldamers in the future.