1
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Tarchi SM, Salvatore M, Lichtenstein P, Sekar T, Capaccione K, Luk L, Shaish H, Makkar J, Desperito E, Leb J, Navot B, Goldstein J, Laifer S, Beylergil V, Ma H, Jambawalikar S, Aberle D, D'Souza B, Bentley-Hibbert S, Marin MP. Radiology of fibrosis part III: genitourinary system. J Transl Med 2024; 22:616. [PMID: 38961396 PMCID: PMC11223291 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05333-1] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological process involving the abnormal deposition of connective tissue, resulting from improper tissue repair in response to sustained injury caused by hypoxia, infection, or physical damage. It can impact any organ, leading to their dysfunction and eventual failure. Additionally, tissue fibrosis plays an important role in carcinogenesis and the progression of cancer.Early and accurate diagnosis of organ fibrosis, coupled with regular surveillance, is essential for timely disease-modifying interventions, ultimately reducing mortality and enhancing quality of life. While extensive research has already been carried out on the topics of aberrant wound healing and fibrogenesis, we lack a thorough understanding of how their relationship reveals itself through modern imaging techniques.This paper focuses on fibrosis of the genito-urinary system, detailing relevant imaging technologies used for its detection and exploring future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Maria Tarchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Mary Salvatore
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Philip Lichtenstein
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Thillai Sekar
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Kathleen Capaccione
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Lyndon Luk
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Hiram Shaish
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jasnit Makkar
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Elise Desperito
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jay Leb
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Benjamin Navot
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jonathan Goldstein
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Sherelle Laifer
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Volkan Beylergil
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Hong Ma
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Sachin Jambawalikar
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Dwight Aberle
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Belinda D'Souza
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Stuart Bentley-Hibbert
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Monica Pernia Marin
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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2
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Koehbach J, Muratspahić E, Ahmed ZM, White AM, Tomašević N, Durek T, Clark RJ, Gruber CW, Craik DJ. Chemical synthesis of grafted cyclotides using a "plug and play" approach. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:567-571. [PMID: 38846076 PMCID: PMC11151825 DOI: 10.1039/d4cb00008k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides are a diverse class of plant-derived cyclic, disulfide-rich peptides with a unique cyclic cystine knot topology. Their remarkable structural stability and resistance to proteolytic degradation can lead to improved pharmacokinetics and oral activity as well as selectivity and high enzymatic stability. Thus, cyclotides have emerged as powerful scaffold molecules for designing peptide-based therapeutics. The chemical engineering of cyclotides has generated novel peptide ligands of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), today's most exploited drug targets. However key challenges potentially limit the widespread use of cyclotides in molecular grafting applications. Folding of cyclotides containing bioactive epitopes remains a major bottleneck in cyclotide synthesis. Here we present a modular 'plug and play' approach that effectively bypasses problems associated with the oxidative folding of cyclotides. By grafting onto a pre-formed acyclic cyclotide-like scaffold we show that difficult-to-graft sequences can be easily obtained and can target GPCRs with nanomolar affinities and potencies. We further show the suitability of this new method to graft other complex epitopes including structures with additional disulfide bonds that are not readily available via currently employed chemical methods, thus fully unlocking cyclotides to be used in drug design applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Koehbach
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Edin Muratspahić
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Zakaria M Ahmed
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Andrew M White
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Australian National University Australia
| | - Nataša Tomašević
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Richard J Clark
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
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3
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Mourenza A, Ganesan R, Camarero JA. Resistance is futile: targeting multidrug-resistant bacteria with de novo Cys-rich cyclic polypeptides. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:722-735. [PMID: 37799576 PMCID: PMC10549238 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00015j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The search for novel antimicrobial agents to combat microbial pathogens is intensifying in response to rapid drug resistance development to current antibiotic therapeutics. The use of disulfide-rich head-to-tail cyclized polypeptides as molecular frameworks for designing a new type of peptide antibiotics is gaining increasing attention among the scientific community and the pharmaceutical industry. The use of macrocyclic peptides, further constrained by the presence of several disulfide bonds, makes these peptide frameworks remarkably more stable to thermal, biological, and chemical degradation showing better activities when compared to their linear analogs. Many of these novel peptide scaffolds have been shown to have a high tolerance to sequence variability in those residues not involved in disulfide bonds, able to cross biological membranes, and efficiently target complex biomolecular interactions. Hence, these unique properties make the use of these scaffolds ideal for many biotechnological applications, including the design of novel peptide antibiotics. This article provides an overview of the new developments in the use of several disulfide-rich cyclic polypeptides, including cyclotides, θ-defensins, and sunflower trypsin inhibitor peptides, among others, in the development of novel antimicrobial peptides against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Mourenza
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy Los Angeles CA90033 USA +1-(323) 442-1417
| | - Rajasekaran Ganesan
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy Los Angeles CA90033 USA +1-(323) 442-1417
| | - Julio A Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy Los Angeles CA90033 USA +1-(323) 442-1417
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California Los Angeles CA90033 USA
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4
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Chaudhuri D, Lu T, Jacob B, Abraham S, Shankar P, Poss MA, Neamati N, Camarero JA. Lipidation of a bioactive cyclotide-based CXCR4 antagonist greatly improves its pharmacokinetic profile in vivo. J Control Release 2023; 359:26-32. [PMID: 37236320 PMCID: PMC10527528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The CXCR4 chemokine is a key molecular regulator of many biological functions controlling leukocyte functions during inflammation and immunity, and during embryonic development. Overexpression of CXCR4 is also associated with many types of cancer where its activation promotes angiogenesis, tumor growth/survival, and metastasis. In addition, CXCR4 is involved in HIV replication, working as a co-receptor for viral entry, making CXCR4 a very attractive target for developing novel therapeutic agents. Here we report the pharmacokinetic profile in rats of a potent CXCR4 antagonist cyclotide, MCo-CVX-5c, previously developed in our group that displayed a remarkable in vivo resistance to biological degradation in serum. This bioactive cyclotide, however, was rapidly eliminated through renal clearance. Several lipidated versions of cyclotide MCo-CVX-5c showed a significant increase in the half-life when compared to the unlipidated form. The palmitoylated version of cyclotide MCo-CVX-5c displayed similar CXCR4 antagonistic activity as the unlipidated cyclotide, while the cyclotide modified with octadecanedioic (18-oxo-octadecanoic) acid exhibited a remarkable decrease in its ability to antagonize CXCR4. Similar results were also obtained when tested for its ability to inhibit growth in two cancer cell lines and HIV infection in cells. These results show that the half-life of cyclotides can be improved by lipidation although it can also affect their biological activity depending on the lipid employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipankar Chaudhuri
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Tiangong Lu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800, USA
| | - Binu Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sojan Abraham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center of Excellence in Infectious Disease, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79430, USA
| | - Premlata Shankar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center of Excellence in Infectious Disease, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79430, USA
| | - Michael A Poss
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ 08543, USA
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800, USA
| | - Julio A Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA9033, USA.
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5
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Venkatesan J, Roy D. Cyclic cystine knot and its strong implication on the structure and dynamics of cyclotides. Proteins 2023; 91:256-267. [PMID: 36107799 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The archetypal Viola odorata cyclotide cycloviolacin-O1 and its seven analogs, created by partial or total reduction of the three native S-S linkages belonging to the "cyclic cystine knot" (CCK) motif are studied for their structural and dynamical diversities using molecular dynamics simulations. The results indicate interesting interplay between the constraints imposed by the S-S bonds on the dynamical modes and the corresponding structure of the model peptide. Principal component analysis brings out the variation in the extent of dynamical freedom along the peptide backbone for each model. The motions are characterized by low amplitude diffusive modes in the peptides retaining most of the native S-S linkages in contrast to the large amplitude discrete jumps where at least two or all of the three S-S linkages are reduced. Simulation results further indicate that the disulfide bond between Cys1-18 is formed at a much faster pace compared with its two other peers Cys5-20 and Cys10-25 as found in the native peptide. This gives insight as to why the S-S linkages appear in the native peptide in a particular combination. Model therapeutics and drug delivery engines can potentially utilize this information to customize the engineered S-S bonds and gauge its impact on the dynamic flexibility of a model macrocyclic peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayapriya Venkatesan
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Durba Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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6
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Rajendran S, Slazak B, Mohotti S, Muhammad T, Strömstedt AA, Kapusta M, Wilmowicz E, Göransson U, Hettiarachchi CM, Gunasekera S. Screening for Cyclotides in Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants: Discovery, Characterization, and Bioactivity Screening of Cyclotides from Geophila repens. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:52-65. [PMID: 36525646 PMCID: PMC9887600 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are an intriguing class of structurally stable circular miniproteins of plant origin with numerous potential pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. To investigate the occurrence of cyclotides in Sri Lankan flora, 50 medicinal plants were screened, leading to the identification of a suite of new cyclotides from Geophila repens of the family Rubiaceae. Cycloviolacin O2-like (cyO2-like) gere 1 and the known cyclotide kalata B7 (kB7) were among the cyclotides characterized at the peptide and/or transcript level together with several putative enzymes, likely involved in cyclotide biosynthesis. Five of the most abundant cyclotides were isolated, sequenced, structurally characterized, and screened in antimicrobial and cytotoxicity assays. All gere cyclotides showed cytotoxicity (IC50 of 2.0-10.2 μM), but only gere 1 inhibited standard microbial strains at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 4-16 μM. As shown by immunohistochemistry, large quantities of the cyclotides were localized in the epidermis of the leaves and petioles of G. repens. Taken together with the cytotoxicity and membrane permeabilizing activities, this implicates gere cyclotides as potential plant defense molecules. The presence of cyO2-like gere 1 in a plant in the Rubiaceae supports the notion that phylogenetically distant plants may have coevolved to express similar cytotoxic cyclotides for a specific functional role, most likely involving host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeevan Rajendran
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University
of Colombo, Thurstan Road, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Blazej Slazak
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
- W.
Szafer Institute of Botany of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 46 Lubicz, 31-512 Cracow, Poland
| | - Supun Mohotti
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University
of Colombo, Thurstan Road, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Taj Muhammad
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adam A. Strömstedt
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Department
of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Emilia Wilmowicz
- Faculty
of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus
Copernicus University, 1 Lwowska Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chamari M. Hettiarachchi
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University
of Colombo, Thurstan Road, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Sunithi Gunasekera
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
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7
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Jacob B, Vogelaar A, Cadenas E, Camarero JA. Using the Cyclotide Scaffold for Targeting Biomolecular Interactions in Drug Development. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196430. [PMID: 36234971 PMCID: PMC9570680 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the properties of cyclotides and their potential for developing novel peptide-based therapeutics. The selective disruption of protein–protein interactions remains challenging, as the interacting surfaces are relatively large and flat. However, highly constrained polypeptide-based molecular frameworks with cell-permeability properties, such as the cyclotide scaffold, have shown great promise for targeting those biomolecular interactions. The use of molecular techniques, such as epitope grafting and molecular evolution employing the cyclotide scaffold, has shown to be highly effective for selecting bioactive cyclotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binu Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA
| | - Alicia Vogelaar
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA
| | - Enrique Cadenas
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA
| | - Julio A. Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA
- Correspondence:
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8
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Taghizadeh MS, Retzl B, Muratspahić E, Trenk C, Casanova E, Moghadam A, Afsharifar A, Niazi A, Gruber CW. Discovery of the cyclotide caripe 11 as a ligand of the cholecystokinin-2 receptor. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9215. [PMID: 35654807 PMCID: PMC9163038 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13142-z] [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: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is expressed in peripheral tissues and the central nervous system and constitutes a promising target for drug development in several diseases, such as gastrointestinal cancer. The search for ligands of this receptor over the past years mainly resulted in the discovery of a set of distinct synthetic small molecule chemicals. Here, we carried out a pharmacological screening of cyclotide-containing plant extracts using HEK293 cells transiently-expressing mouse CCK2R, and inositol phosphate (IP1) production as a readout. Our data demonstrated that cyclotide-enriched plant extracts from Oldenlandia affinis, Viola tricolor and Carapichea ipecacuanha activate the CCK2R as measured by the production of IP1. These findings prompted the isolation of a representative cyclotide, namely caripe 11 from C. ipecacuanha for detailed pharmacological analysis. Caripe 11 is a partial agonist of the CCK2R (Emax = 71%) with a moderate potency of 8.5 µM, in comparison to the endogenous full agonist cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8; EC50 = 11.5 nM). The partial agonism of caripe 11 is further characterized by an increase on basal activity (at low concentrations) and a dextral-shift of the potency of CCK-8 (at higher concentrations) following its co-incubation with the cyclotide. Therefore, cyclotides such as caripe 11 may be explored in the future for the design and development of cyclotide-based ligands or imaging probes targeting the CCK2R and related peptide GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sadegh Taghizadeh
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bernhard Retzl
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Edin Muratspahić
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Trenk
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ali Moghadam
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Ali Niazi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Li CY, Rehm FBH, Yap K, Zdenek CN, Harding MD, Fry BG, Durek T, Craik DJ, de Veer SJ. Cystine Knot Peptides with Tuneable Activity and Mechanism. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202200951. [PMID: 35224831 PMCID: PMC9539897 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202200951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Knottins are topologically complex peptides that are stabilised by a cystine knot and have exceptionally diverse functions, including protease inhibition. However, approaches for tuning their activity in situ are limited. Here, we demonstrate separate approaches for tuning the activity of knottin protease inhibitors using light or streptavidin. We show that the inhibitory activity and selectivity of an engineered knottin can be controlled with light by activating a second mode of action that switches the inhibitor ON against new targets. Guided by a knottin library screen, we also identify a position in the inhibitor's binding loop that permits insertion of a biotin tag without impairing activity. Using streptavidin, biotinylated knottins with nanomolar affinity can be switched OFF in activity assays, and the anticoagulant activity of a factor XIIa inhibitor can be rapidly switched OFF in human plasma. Our findings expand the scope of engineered knottins for precisely controlling protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choi Yi Li
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Fabian B H Rehm
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kuok Yap
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Christina N Zdenek
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Maxim D Harding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Simon J de Veer
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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10
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Gupta S, Azadvari N, Hosseinzadeh P. Design of Protein Segments and Peptides for Binding to Protein Targets. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9783197. [PMID: 37850124 PMCID: PMC10521657 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9783197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a rise in methods for accurate prediction of structure and design of novel functional proteins. Design of functional protein fragments and peptides occupy a small, albeit unique, space within the general field of protein design. While the smaller size of these peptides allows for more exhaustive computational methods, flexibility in their structure and sparsity of data compared to proteins, as well as presence of noncanonical building blocks, add additional challenges to their design. This review summarizes the current advances in the design of protein fragments and peptides for binding to targets and discusses the challenges in the field, with an eye toward future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchetana Gupta
- Knight Campus Center for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
| | - Noora Azadvari
- Knight Campus Center for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
| | - Parisa Hosseinzadeh
- Knight Campus Center for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
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11
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Li CY, Rehm FBH, Yap K, Zdenek CN, Harding MD, Fry BG, Durek T, Craik DJ, Veer SJ. Cystine Knot Peptides with Tuneable Activity and Mechanism. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202200951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Choi Yi Li
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Fabian B. H. Rehm
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Kuok Yap
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Christina N. Zdenek
- Venom Evolution Lab School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Maxim D. Harding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Bryan G. Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Simon J. Veer
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
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12
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Schottelius M, Herrmann K, Lapa C. In Vivo Targeting of CXCR4-New Horizons. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5920. [PMID: 34885030 PMCID: PMC8656854 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Given its pre-eminent role in the context of tumor cell growth as well as metastasis, the C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has attracted a lot of interest in the field of nuclear oncology, and clinical evidence on the high potential of CXCR4-targeted theranostics is constantly accumulating. Additionally, since CXCR4 also represents a key player in the orchestration of inflammatory responses to inflammatory stimuli, based on its expression on a variety of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cells (e.g., macrophages and T-cells), CXCR4-targeted inflammation imaging has recently gained considerable attention. Therefore, after briefly summarizing the current clinical status quo of CXCR4-targeted theranostics in cancer, this review primarily focuses on imaging of a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases via the quantification of tissue infiltration with CXCR4-expressing immune cells. An up-to-date overview of the ongoing preclinical and clinical efforts to visualize inflammation and its resolution over time is provided, and the predictive value of the CXCR4-associated imaging signal for disease outcome is discussed. Since the sensitivity and specificity of CXCR4-targeted immune cell imaging greatly relies on the availability of suitable, tailored imaging probes, recent developments in the field of CXCR4-targeted imaging agents for various applications are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margret Schottelius
- Translational Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Medicine and of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ken Herrmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Constantin Lapa
- Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
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13
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Chaudhuri D, Ganesan R, Vogelaar A, Dughbaj MA, Beringer PM, Camarero JA. Chemical Synthesis of a Potent Antimicrobial Peptide Murepavadin Using a Tandem Native Chemical Ligation/Desulfurization Reaction. J Org Chem 2021; 86:15242-15246. [PMID: 34641669 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c01858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Classical approaches for the backbone cyclization of polypeptides require conditions that may compromise the chirality of the C-terminal residue during the activation step of the cyclization reaction. Here, we describe an efficient epimerization-free approach for the Fmoc-based synthesis of murepavadin using intramolecular native chemical ligation in combination with a concomitant desulfurization reaction. Using this approach, bioactive murepavadin was produced in a good yield in two steps. The synthetic peptide antibiotic showed potent activity against different clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. This approach can be easily adapted for the production of murepavadin analogues and other backbone-cyclized peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipankar Chaudhuri
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Rajasekaran Ganesan
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Alicia Vogelaar
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Mansour A Dughbaj
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Paul M Beringer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Julio A Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
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14
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Ganesan R, Dughbaj MA, Ramirez L, Beringer S, Aboye TL, Shekhtman A, Beringer PM, Camarero JA. Engineered Cyclotides with Potent Broad in Vitro and in Vivo Antimicrobial Activity. Chemistry 2021; 27:12702-12708. [PMID: 34159664 PMCID: PMC8410672 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202101438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The search for novel antimicrobial agents to combat microbial pathogens is intensifying in response to the rapid development of drug resistance to current antibiotic therapeutics. Respiratory failure and septicemia are the leading causes of mortality among hospitalized patients. Here, the development of a novel engineered cyclotide with effective broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against several ESKAPE bacterial strains and clinical isolates is reported. The most active antibacterial cyclotide was extremely stable in serum, showed little hemolytic activity, and provided protection in vivo in a murine model of P. aeruginosa peritonitis. These results highlight the potential of the cyclotide scaffold for the development of novel antimicrobial therapeutic leads for the treatment of bacteremia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajasekaran Ganesan
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Mansour A. Dughbaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Lisa Ramirez
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Steven Beringer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Teshome L. Aboye
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Alexander Shekhtman
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Paul M. Beringer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Julio A. Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033, USA
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15
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Abstract
Although the majority of proteins used for biomedical research are produced using living systems such as bacteria, biological means for producing proteins can be advantageously complemented by protein semisynthesis or total chemical synthesis. The latter approach is particularly useful when the proteins to be produced are toxic for the expression system or show unusual features that cannot be easily programmed in living organisms. The aim of this review is to provide a wide overview of the use of chemical protein synthesis in medicinal chemistry with a special focus on the production of post-translationally modified proteins and backbone cyclized proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vangelis Agouridas
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019, UMR 9017, CIIL, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.,Centrale Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Ouafâa El Mahdi
- Faculté Polydisciplinaire de Taza, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, BP 1223 Taza gare, Morocco
| | - Oleg Melnyk
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019, UMR 9017, CIIL, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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16
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Muratspahić E, Koehbach J, Gruber CW, Craik DJ. Harnessing cyclotides to design and develop novel peptide GPCR ligands. RSC Chem Biol 2020; 1:177-191. [PMID: 34458757 PMCID: PMC8341132 DOI: 10.1039/d0cb00062k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant-derived cyclic, disulfide-rich peptides with a unique cyclic cystine knot topology that confers them with remarkable structural stability and resistance to proteolytic degradation. Recently, cyclotides have emerged as promising scaffold molecules for designing peptide-based therapeutics. Here, we provide examples of how engineering cyclotides using molecular grafting may lead to the development of novel peptide ligands of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), today's most exploited drug targets. Integrating bioactive epitopes into stable cyclotide scaffolds can lead to improved pharmacokinetics and oral activity as well as selectivity and high enzymatic stability. We also discuss and highlight the importance of engineered cyclotides as novel tools to study GPCR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edin Muratspahić
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Austria
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Johannes Koehbach
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Austria
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
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17
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Mehta L, Dhankhar R, Gulati P, Kapoor RK, Mohanty A, Kumar S. Natural and grafted cyclotides in cancer therapy: An insight. J Pept Sci 2020; 26:e3246. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.3246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lovekesh Mehta
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
| | - Rakhi Dhankhar
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
| | - Pooja Gulati
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
| | - Rajeev Kumar Kapoor
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
| | - Aparajita Mohanty
- Department of Botany, Gargi CollegeUniversity of Delhi New Delhi India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
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18
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Owens A, Iannuzzelli JA, Gu Y, Fasan R. MOrPH-PhD: An Integrated Phage Display Platform for the Discovery of Functional Genetically Encoded Peptide Macrocycles. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2020; 6:368-381. [PMID: 32232137 PMCID: PMC7099587 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.9b00927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Macrocyclic peptides represent attractive scaffolds for targeting protein-protein interactions, making methods for the diversification and functional selection of these molecules highly valuable for molecular discovery purposes. Here, we report the development of a novel strategy for the generation and high-throughput screening of combinatorial libraries of macrocyclic peptides constrained by a nonreducible thioether bridge. In this system, spontaneous, posttranslational peptide cyclization by means of a cysteine-reactive noncanonical amino acid was integrated with M13 bacteriophage display, enabling the creation of genetically encoded macrocyclic peptide libraries displayed on phage particles. This platform, named MOrPH-PhD, was successfully applied to produce and screen 105- to 108-member libraries of peptide macrocycles against three different protein targets, resulting in the discovery of a high-affinity binder for streptavidin (K D: 20 nM) and potent inhibitors of the therapeutically relevant proteins Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (K D: 40 nM) and Sonic Hedgehog (K D: 550 nM). This work introduces and validates an efficient and general platform for the discovery and evolution of functional, conformationally constrained macrocyclic peptides useful for targeting proteins and protein-mediated interactions.
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19
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Abstract
This Review explores the class of plant-derived macrocyclic peptides called cyclotides. We include an account of their discovery, characterization, and distribution in the plant kingdom as well as a detailed analysis of their sequences and structures, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis, biological functions, and applications. These macrocyclic peptides are around 30 amino acids in size and are characterized by their head-to-tail cyclic backbone and cystine knot motif, which render them to be exceptionally stable, with resistance to thermal or enzymatic degradation. Routes to their chemical synthesis have been developed over the past two decades, and this capability has facilitated a wide range of mutagenesis and structure-activity relationship studies. In turn, these studies have both led to an increased understanding of their mechanisms of action as well as facilitated a range of applications in agriculture and medicine, as ecofriendly crop protection agents, and as drug leads or scaffolds for pharmaceutical design. Our overall objective in this Review is to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of cyclotides that we hope will stimulate further work on this fascinating family of peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J de Veer
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Meng-Wei Kan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
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20
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Ojeda PG, Cardoso MH, Franco OL. Pharmaceutical applications of cyclotides. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:2152-2161. [PMID: 31541712 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are cyclic peptides, present in several plant families, that show diverse biological properties. Structurally, cyclotides share a distinctive head-to-tail circular knotted topology of three disulfide bonds. This framework provides cyclotides with extraordinary resistance to thermal and chemical denaturation. There is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of cyclotides, which combine several promising pharmaceutical properties, including binding affinity, target selectivity, and low toxicity towards healthy mammalian cells. Recently, cyclotides have been reported to be orally bioavailable and have proved to be amenable to modifications. Here, we provide an overview of the structure, properties, and pharmaceutical applications of cyclotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola G Ojeda
- Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av. San Miguel 3605, Talca 3480112, Chile
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; 3S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; 3S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.
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21
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Camarero JA, Campbell MJ. The Potential of the Cyclotide Scaffold for Drug Development. Biomedicines 2019; 7:biomedicines7020031. [PMID: 31010257 PMCID: PMC6631875 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines7020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides are a novel class of micro-proteins (≈30-40 residues long) with a unique topology containing a head-to-tail cyclized backbone structure further stabilized by three disulfide bonds that form a cystine knot. This unique molecular framework makes them exceptionally stable to physical, chemical, and biological degradation compared to linear peptides of similar size. The cyclotides are also highly tolerant to sequence variability, aside from the conserved residues forming the cystine knot, and are orally bioavailable and able to cross cellular membranes to modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs), both in vitro and in vivo. These unique properties make them ideal scaffolds for many biotechnological applications, including drug discovery. This review provides an overview of the properties of cyclotides and their potential for the development of novel peptide-based therapeutics. The selective disruption of PPIs still remains a very challenging task, as the interacting surfaces are relatively large and flat. The use of the cell-permeable highly constrained polypeptide molecular frameworks, such as the cyclotide scaffold, has shown great promise, as it provides unique pharmacological properties. The use of molecular techniques, such as epitope grafting, and molecular evolution have shown to be highly effective for the selection of bioactive cyclotides. However, despite successes in employing cyclotides to target PPIs, some of the challenges to move them into the clinic still remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio A Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA.
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA.
| | - Maria Jose Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA.
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22
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Using backbone-cyclized Cys-rich polypeptides as molecular scaffolds to target protein-protein interactions. Biochem J 2019; 476:67-83. [PMID: 30635453 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The use of disulfide-rich backbone-cyclized polypeptides, as molecular scaffolds to design a new generation of bioimaging tools and drugs that are potent and specific, and thus might have fewer side effects than traditional small-molecule drugs, is gaining increasing interest among the scientific and in the pharmaceutical industries. Highly constrained macrocyclic polypeptides are exceptionally more stable to chemical, thermal and biological degradation and show better biological activity when compared with their linear counterparts. Many of these relatively new scaffolds have been also found to be highly tolerant to sequence variability, aside from the conserved residues forming the disulfide bonds, able to cross cellular membranes and modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions both in vitro and in vivo These properties make them ideal tools for many biotechnological applications. The present study provides an overview of the new developments on the use of several disulfide-rich backbone-cyclized polypeptides, including cyclotides, θ-defensins and sunflower trypsin inhibitor peptides, in the development of novel bioimaging reagents and therapeutic leads.
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23
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Camarero JA. Cyclotides, a versatile ultrastable micro-protein scaffold for biotechnological applications. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:5089-5099. [PMID: 29110985 PMCID: PMC5812341 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are fascinating microproteins (≈30-40 residues long) with a unique head-to-tail cyclized backbone, stabilized by three disulfide bonds forming a cystine knot. This unique topology makes them exceptionally stable to chemical, thermal and biological degradation compared to other peptides of similar size. Cyclotides have been also found to be highly tolerant to sequence variability, aside from the conserved residues forming the cystine knot, able to cross cellular membranes and modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions both in vitro and in vivo. These properties make them ideal scaffolds for many biotechnological applications. This article provides and overview of the properties of cyclotides and their applications as molecular imaging agents and peptide-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio A Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121, USA.
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