1
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Whittaker MK, Bendzunas GN, Shirani M, LeClair TJ, Shebl B, Dill TC, Coffino P, Simon SM, Kennedy EJ. Targeted Degradation of Protein Kinase A via a Stapled Peptide PROTAC. ACS Chem Biol 2024. [PMID: 39137166 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are bifunctional molecules that bind and recruit an E3 ubiquitin ligase to a targeted protein of interest, often through the utilization of a small molecule inhibitor. To expand the possible range of kinase targets that can be degraded by PROTACs, we sought to develop a PROTAC utilizing a hydrocarbon-stapled peptide as the targeting agent to bind the surface of a target protein of interest. In this study, we describe the development of a proteolysis-targeting chimera, dubbed Stapled Inhibitor Peptide - PROTAC or StIP-TAC, linking a hydrocarbon-stapled peptide with an E3 ligase ligand for targeted degradation of Protein Kinase A (PKA). This StIP-TAC molecule stimulated E3-mediated protein degradation of PKA, and this effect could be reversed by the addition of the proteasomal inhibitor MG-132. Further, StIP-TAC treatment led to a significant reduction in PKA substrate phosphorylation. Since many protein targets of interest lack structural features that make them amenable to small molecule targeting, development of StIP-TACs may broaden the potential range of protein targets using a PROTAC-mediated proteasomal degradation approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Whittaker
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - George N Bendzunas
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Mahsa Shirani
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Timothy J LeClair
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Bassem Shebl
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Taylor C Dill
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Philip Coffino
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Sanford M Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Eileen J Kennedy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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2
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Imai M, Colas K, Suga H. Protein Grafting Techniques: From Peptide Epitopes to Lasso-Grafted Neobiologics. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202400152. [PMID: 38693599 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202400152] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Protein engineering techniques have vastly expanded their domain of impact, notably following the success of antibodies. Likewise, smaller peptide therapeutics have carved an increasingly significant niche for themselves in the pharmaceutical landscape. The concept of grafting such peptides onto larger protein scaffolds, thus harvesting the advantages of both, has given rise to a variety of protein engineering strategies that are reviewed herein. We also describe our own "Lasso-Grafting" approach, which combines traditional grafting concepts with mRNA display to streamline the production of multiple grafted drug candidates for virtually any target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikio Imai
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kilian Colas
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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3
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Appavoo SD, Heller NW, van Campenhout CT, Saunders GJ, Yudin AK. Identification of "Structural Pin" Interactions and their Significance for the Conformational Control of Macrocyclic Scaffolds. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402372. [PMID: 38499461 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402372] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
While peptide macrocycles with rigidified conformations have proven to be useful in the design of chemical probes of protein targets, conformational flexibility and rapid interconversion can be equally vital for biological activity and favorable physicochemical properties. This study introduces the concept of "structural pin", which describes a hydrogen bond that is largely responsible for stabilizing the entire macrocycle backbone conformation. Structural analysis of macrocycles using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), molecular modelling and X-ray diffraction indicates that disruption of the structural pin can drastically influence the conformation of the entire ring, resulting in novel states with increased flexibility. This finding provides a new tool to interrogate dynamic behaviour of macrocycles. Identification of structural pins offers a useful conceptual framework to understand positions that can either be modified to give flexible structures or retained to maintain the rigidity of the scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon D Appavoo
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
| | - Nicholas W Heller
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
| | - Christian T van Campenhout
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
| | - George J Saunders
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
| | - Andrei K Yudin
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
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4
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Chen FJ, Lin W, Chen FE. Non-symmetric stapling of native peptides. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:304-318. [PMID: 38575678 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00591-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Stapling has emerged as a powerful technique in peptide chemistry. It enables precise control over peptide conformation leading to enhanced properties such as improved stability and enhanced binding affinity. Although symmetric stapling methods have been extensively explored, the field of non-symmetric stapling of native peptides has received less attention, largely as a result of the formidable challenges it poses - in particular the complexities involved in achieving the high chemo-selectivity and site-selectivity required to simultaneously modify distinct proteinogenic residues. Over the past 5 years, there have been significant breakthroughs in addressing these challenges. In this Review, we describe the latest strategies for non-symmetric stapling of native peptides, elucidating the protocols, reaction mechanisms and underlying design principles. We also discuss current challenges and opportunities this field offers for future applications, such as ligand discovery and peptide-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa-Jie Chen
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, P. R. China.
| | - Wanzhen Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Fen-Er Chen
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, P. R. China.
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Asymmetric Catalysis of Chiral Drugs, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
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5
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Young R, Huang T, Luo Z, Tan YS, Kaur A, Lau YH. Development of stapled NONO-associated peptides reveals unexpected cell permeability and nuclear localisation. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3562. [PMID: 38148630 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3562] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein (NONO) is a nucleic acid-binding protein with diverse functions that has been identified as a potential cancer target in cell biology studies. Little is known about structural motifs that mediate binding to NONO apart from its ability to form homodimers, as well as heterodimers and oligomers with related homologues. We report a stapling approach to macrocyclise helical peptides derived from the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3) that NONO interacts with, and also from the dimerisation domain of NONO itself. Using a range of chemistries including Pd-catalysed cross-coupling, cysteine arylation and cysteine alkylation, we successfully improved the helicity and observed modest peptide binding to the NONO dimer, although binding could not be saturated at micromolar concentrations. Unexpectedly, we observed cell permeability and preferential nuclear localisation of various dye-labelled peptides in live confocal microscopy, indicating the potential for developing peptide-based tools to study NONO in a cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginald Young
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Tiancheng Huang
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Zijie Luo
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yaw Sing Tan
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Matrix, Singapore
| | - Amandeep Kaur
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yu Heng Lau
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
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6
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Karamifard F, Mazaheri M, Dadbinpour A. Abatement of the binding of human hexokinase II enzyme monomers by in-silico method with the design of inhibitory peptides. In Silico Pharmacol 2024; 12:30. [PMID: 38617709 PMCID: PMC11009198 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-024-00201-8] [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: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The hexokinase II enzyme is bound to the (VDAC1) channel in the form of a dimer and prevents the release of cell death factors from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Studies have shown that blocking the binding of hexokinase II enzyme to (VDAC1) led to the initiation of apoptosis in cancer cells. No peptide has been designed so far to inhibit hexokinase II. The aim of this study was to inhibit the dimerization of enzyme subunits in order to inhibition the formation of (VDAC1) and the hexokinase II complex. In this study, the molecular dynamics simulation of the enzyme in monomer and dimer states was investigated in terms of RMSF, RMSD and radius of gyration. The following process involves extracting and designing variable-length peptides from the interacting segments of enzyme monomers. Using molecular dynamics simulation, the stability of the peptide was determined in terms of RMSD. Molecular docking was used to investigate the interaction between the designed peptides. Finally, the inhibitory effect of peptides on subunit association was measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. Our results showed that the designed peptides, which mimic common amino acids in dimerization, interrupt the bona fide form of the enzyme subunits. The result of this study provides a new way to disrupt the assembly process and thereby decreased the function of the hexokinase II. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-024-00201-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faranak Karamifard
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences of Yazd, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mahta Mazaheri
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mother and Newborn, Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Dadbinpour
- Genetic and Environmental Adventures, Department of Genetics, Medical School, School of Abarkouh Paramedicin, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran
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7
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Galan SRG, Raj R, Mamalis D, Jones LH, Mohammed S, Davis BG. The Minimum Protein Staple? - Towards 'bio'-Baldwin's rules via inter-phosphosite linking in the MEK1 activation loop. Chem Sci 2024; 15:1306-1317. [PMID: 38274071 PMCID: PMC10806838 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04631a] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In small molecule organic chemistry, the heuristic insight into ring-forming processes that was enabled by Baldwin's rules some 50 years ago proved a step-change in the role of mechanistically guided synthesis. It created a lens upon and marker of fundamental stereoelectronic and conformation-guided chemical processes. However, despite the widespread role of stereoelectronics and conformational control in Biology, no equivalent coherent exploitation of trapped, ring-forming processes yet exists in biomolecules. In the development of a minimal ring-closing process in intact proteins that might prove suitable in a coherent rule-set, we have tested endo-trig ring-closing conjugate thioether lanthionine (Lan) -CH2-S-CH2- formation as a limiting cyclization. Spontaneous Lan formation in proteins is rare if not non-existent and when found in natural product cyclic peptides it requires the mediation of corresponding biosynthetic enzymes as well as productive reactive conformations to guide it. Here, we show that within a conformationally flexible and functionally important protein loop - the MAPK kinase phosphorylation-targeted activation loop - Lan ring-closing is possible. Ring-closing proves to be critically dependent on the location of a trig electrophilic site in just one of two regioisomeric potential precursors to allow phosphosite-to-phosphosite 'stapling'. This first example of spontaneous protein thioether ring-closing/'stapling' and its accessibility from just one precursor (despite the potential for both to form an identical 'staple') now reveals the potential for Lan formation not only as an accessible form of minimal stapling in proteins but also as an exquisitely sensitive probe of associated protein geometries. We suggest that the use of this (as well as the development of other such, intramolecular protein traps that are dependent on inherent protein-controlled reactivity rather than forced crosslinking) may allow the broader trapping and mapping of relevant, even minor, protein states. In this way, protein ring formation may enable a form of extended 'bio-Baldwin's rules' that help to delineate relevant protein conformational space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien R G Galan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Ritu Raj
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Dimitrios Mamalis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
- The Rosalind Franklin Institute Oxfordshire OX11 0FA UK
| | - Lyn H Jones
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Shabaz Mohammed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
- The Rosalind Franklin Institute Oxfordshire OX11 0FA UK
| | - Benjamin G Davis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
- The Rosalind Franklin Institute Oxfordshire OX11 0FA UK
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3QT UK
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8
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de Raffele D, Ilie IM. Unlocking novel therapies: cyclic peptide design for amyloidogenic targets through synergies of experiments, simulations, and machine learning. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:632-645. [PMID: 38131333 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04630c] [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: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Existing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's address only their symptoms and do not prevent disease onset. Common therapeutic agents, such as small molecules and antibodies struggle with insufficient selectivity, stability and bioavailability, leading to poor performance in clinical trials. Peptide-based therapeutics are emerging as promising candidates, with successful applications for cardiovascular diseases and cancers due to their high bioavailability, good efficacy and specificity. In particular, cyclic peptides have a long in vivo stability, while maintaining a robust antibody-like binding affinity. However, the de novo design of cyclic peptides is challenging due to the lack of long-lived druggable pockets of the target polypeptide, absence of exhaustive conformational distributions of the target and/or the binder, unknown binding site, methodological limitations, associated constraints (failed trials, time, money) and the vast combinatorial sequence space. Hence, efficient alignment and cooperation between disciplines, and synergies between experiments and simulations complemented by popular techniques like machine-learning can significantly speed up the therapeutic cyclic-peptide development for neurodegenerative diseases. We review the latest advancements in cyclic peptide design against amyloidogenic targets from a computational perspective in light of recent advancements and potential of machine learning to optimize the design process. We discuss the difficulties encountered when designing novel peptide-based inhibitors and we propose new strategies incorporating experiments, simulations and machine learning to design cyclic peptides to inhibit the toxic propagation of amyloidogenic polypeptides. Importantly, these strategies extend beyond the mere design of cyclic peptides and serve as template for the de novo generation of (bio)materials with programmable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria de Raffele
- University of Amsterdam, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Science Park 904, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM), University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ioana M Ilie
- University of Amsterdam, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Science Park 904, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM), University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Li J, Tan YS, Verma CS. Dissecting the geometric and hydrophobic constraints of stapled peptides. Proteins 2024. [PMID: 38196284 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26662] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Stapled peptides are a promising class of molecules with potential as highly specific probes of protein-protein interactions and as therapeutics. Hydrocarbon stapling affects the peptide properties through the interplay of two factors: enhancing the overall hydrophobicity and constraining the conformational flexibility. By constructing a series of virtual peptides, we study the role of each factor in modulating the structural properties of a hydrocarbon-stapled peptide PM2, which has been shown to enter cells, engage its target Mouse Double Minute 2 (MDM2), and activate p53. Hamiltonian replica exchange molecular dynamics (HREMD) simulations suggest that hydrocarbon stapling favors helical populations of PM2 through a combination of the geometric constraints and the enhanced hydrophobicity of the peptide. To further understand the conformational landscape of the stapled peptides along the binding pathway, we performed HREMD simulations by restraining the peptide at different distances from MDM2. When the peptide approaches MDM2, the binding pocket undergoes dehydration which appears to be greater in the presence of the stapled peptide compared with the linear peptide. In the binding pocket, the helicity of the stapled peptide is increased due to the favorable interactions between the peptide residues as well as the staple and the microenvironment of the binding pocket, contributing to enhanced affinity. The dissection of the multifaceted mechanism of hydrocarbon stapling into individual factors not only deepens fundamental understanding of peptide stapling, but also provides guidelines for the design of new stapled peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Li
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yaw Sing Tan
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chandra S Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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10
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Worm D, Grabe GJ, de Castro GV, Rabinovich S, Warm I, Isherwood K, Helaine S, Barnard A. Stapled Phd Peptides Inhibit Doc Toxin Induced Growth Arrest in Salmonella. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2485-2494. [PMID: 38098459 PMCID: PMC10728895 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00411] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial toxin inhibition is a promising approach to overcoming antibiotic failure. InSalmonella, knockout of the toxin Doc has been shown to significantly reduce the formation of antibiotic-tolerant persisters. Doc is a kinase that is inhibited in nontolerant cells by its cognate antitoxin, Phd. In this work, we have developed first-in-class stapled peptide antitoxin mimetics based on the Doc inhibitory sequence of Phd. After making a series of substitutions to improve bacterial uptake, we identified a lead stapled Phd peptide that is able to counteract Doc toxicity in Salmonella. This provides an exciting starting point for the further development of therapeutic peptides capable of reducing antibiotic persistence in pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis
J. Worm
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Grzegorz J. Grabe
- Department
of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, 4 Blackfan Circle, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Guilherme V. de Castro
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Sofya Rabinovich
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Ian Warm
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Kira Isherwood
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Sophie Helaine
- Department
of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, 4 Blackfan Circle, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Anna Barnard
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
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11
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Paquette AR, Boddy CN. Double Stranded DNA Binding Stapled Peptides: An Emerging Tool for Transcriptional Regulation. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300594. [PMID: 37750576 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Stapled peptides have rapidly established themselves as a powerful technique to mimic α-helical interactions with a short peptide sequence. There are many examples of stapled peptides that successfully disrupt α-helix-mediated protein-protein interactions, with an example currently in clinical trials. DNA-protein interactions are also often mediated by α-helices and are involved in all transcriptional regulation processes. Unlike DNA-binding small molecules, which typically lack DNA sequence selectivity, DNA-binding proteins bind with high affinity and high selectivity. These are ideal candidates for the design DNA-binding stapled peptides. Despite the parallel to protein-protein interaction disrupting stapled peptides and the need for sequence specific DNA binders, there are very few DNA-binding stapled peptides. In this review we examine all the known DNA-binding stapled peptides. Their design concepts are compared to stapled peptides that disrupt protein-protein interactions and based on the few examples in the literature, DNA-binding stapled peptide trends are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- André R Paquette
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Christopher N Boddy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
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12
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Jelinska C, Kannan S, Frosi Y, Ramlan SR, Winnerdy F, Lakshminarayanan R, Johannes CW, Brown CJ, Phan AT, Rhodes D, Verma CS. Stitched peptides as potential cell permeable inhibitors of oncogenic DAXX protein. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:1096-1110. [PMID: 38033728 PMCID: PMC10685803 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00149k] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
DAXX (Death Domain Associated Protein 6) is frequently upregulated in various common cancers, and its suppression has been linked to reduced tumor progression. Consequently, DAXX has gained significant interest as a therapeutic target in such cancers. DAXX is known to function in several critical biological pathways including chromatin remodelling, transcription regulation, and DNA repair. Leveraging structural information, we have designed and developed a novel set of stapled/stitched peptides that specifically target a surface on the N-terminal helical bundle domain of DAXX. This surface serves as the anchor point for binding to multiple interaction partners, such as Rassf1C, p53, Mdm2, and ATRX, as well as for the auto-regulation of the DAXX N-terminal SUMO interaction motif (SIM). Our experiments demonstrate that these peptides effectively bind to and inhibit DAXX with a higher affinity than the known interaction partners. Furthermore, these peptides release the auto-inhibited SIM, enabling it to interact with SUMO-1. Importantly, we have developed stitched peptides that can enter cells, maintaining their intracellular concentrations at nanomolar levels even after 24 hours, without causing any membrane perturbation. Collectively, our findings suggest that these stitched peptides not only serve as valuable tools for probing the molecular interactions of DAXX but also hold potential as precursors to the development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Jelinska
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building Level 06-01, 59 Nanyang Drive 636921 Singapore
- NTU School of Biological Sciences, 60 Nanyang Drive 637551 Singapore
- NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive 636921 Singapore
| | | | - Yuri Frosi
- DITL, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology (A*STAR), 8a Biomedical Grove 138648 Singapore
| | - Siti Radhiah Ramlan
- DITL, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology (A*STAR), 8a Biomedical Grove 138648 Singapore
| | - Fernaldo Winnerdy
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building Level 06-01, 59 Nanyang Drive 636921 Singapore
| | - Rajamani Lakshminarayanan
- Ocular Infections and Anti-Microbials Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road Singapore 169856 Singapore
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore Singapore 117543 Singapore
- Academic Clinical Program in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School 169857 Singapore
| | - Charles W Johannes
- DITL, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology (A*STAR), 8a Biomedical Grove 138648 Singapore
| | - Christopher J Brown
- DITL, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology (A*STAR), 8a Biomedical Grove 138648 Singapore
| | - Anh-Tuan Phan
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building Level 06-01, 59 Nanyang Drive 636921 Singapore
- NTU School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. 21 Nanyang link 637371 Singapore
| | - Daniela Rhodes
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building Level 06-01, 59 Nanyang Drive 636921 Singapore
- NTU School of Biological Sciences, 60 Nanyang Drive 637551 Singapore
- NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive 636921 Singapore
| | - Chandra S Verma
- NTU School of Biological Sciences, 60 Nanyang Drive 637551 Singapore
- Bioinformatics institute (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix Level 07-01 138671 Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore Block S3 #05-01 16 Science Drive 4 117558 Singapore
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13
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Lourenço ALP, Rios TB, da Silva ÁP, Franco OL, Ramada MHS. Peptide Stapling Applied to Antimicrobial Peptides. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1400. [PMID: 37760697 PMCID: PMC10525709 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered a promising therapeutic approach against multi-drug resistant microorganisms. Besides their advantages, there are limitations to be overcome so that these molecules can become market competitive. One of the biggest limitations is proteolytic susceptibility, which could be overcome by structural modifications such as cyclization, especially for helix-constraining strategies. Over the years, many helix stabilization techniques have arisen, such as lactam-bridging, triazole-based, N-alkylation and all-hydrocarbon stapling. All-hydrocarbon stapling takes advantage of modified amino acid residues and olefinic cross-linking to constrain peptide helices. Despite being a well-established strategy and presenting efficient stability results, there are different limitations especially related to toxicity. In this review, recent studies on stapled AMPs for antimicrobial usage are explored with the aim of understanding the future of these molecules as putative antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Pereira Lourenço
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília 71966-700, Brazil
| | - Thuanny Borba Rios
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília 71966-700, Brazil
- S-Inova Biotech, Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil
| | - Állan Pires da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília 71966-700, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília 71966-700, Brazil
- S-Inova Biotech, Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Henrique Soller Ramada
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília 71966-700, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília 71966-700, Brazil
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14
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Dewis LI, Rudrakshula M, Williams C, Chiarparin E, Myers EL, Butts CP, Aggarwal VK. Conformationally Controlled sp 3 -Hydrocarbon-Based α-Helix Mimetics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202301209. [PMID: 37017133 PMCID: PMC10953326 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202301209] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
With over 60 % of protein-protein interfaces featuring an α-helix, the use of α-helix mimetics as inhibitors of these interactions is a prevalent therapeutic strategy. However, methods to control the conformation of mimetics, thus enabling maximum efficacy, can be restrictive. Alternatively, conformation can be controlled through the introduction of destabilizing syn-pentane interactions. This tactic, which is often adopted by Nature, is not a common feature of lead optimization owing to the significant synthetic effort required. Through assembly-line synthesis with NMR and computational analysis, we have shown that alternating syn-anti configured contiguously substituted hydrocarbons, by avoiding syn-pentane interactions, adopt well-defined conformations that present functional groups in an arrangement that mimics the α-helix. The design of a p53 mimetic that binds to Mdm2 with moderate to good affinity, demonstrates the therapeutic promise of these scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia I. Dewis
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BristolCantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
| | | | | | | | - Eddie L. Myers
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BristolCantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesUniversity of GalwayUniversity RoadGalwayIreland
| | - Craig P. Butts
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BristolCantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
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15
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Case M, Navaratna T, Vinh J, Thurber G. Rapid Evaluation of Staple Placement in Stabilized α Helices Using Bacterial Surface Display. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:905-914. [PMID: 37039514 PMCID: PMC10773984 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
There are a wealth of proteins involved in disease that cannot be targeted by current therapeutics because they are inside cells, inaccessible to most macromolecules, and lack small-molecule binding pockets. Stapled peptides, where two amino acids are covalently linked, form a class of macrocycles that have the potential to penetrate cell membranes and disrupt intracellular protein-protein interactions. However, their discovery relies on solid-phase synthesis, greatly limiting queries into their complex design space involving amino acid sequence, staple location, and staple chemistry. Here, we use stabilized peptide engineering by Escherichia coli display (SPEED), which utilizes noncanonical amino acids and click chemistry for stabilization, to rapidly screen staple location and linker structure to accelerate peptide design. After using SPEED to confirm hotspots in the mdm2-p53 interaction, we evaluated different staple locations and staple chemistry to identify several novel nanomolar and sub-nanomolar antagonists. Next, we evaluated SPEED in the B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein family, which is responsible for regulating apoptosis. We report that novel staple locations modified in the context of BIM, a high affinity but nonspecific naturally occurring peptide, improve its specificity against the highly homologous proteins in the Bcl-2 family. These compounds demonstrate the importance of screening linker location and chemistry in identifying high affinity and specific peptide antagonists. Therefore, SPEED can be used as a versatile platform to evaluate multiple design criteria for stabilized peptide engineering.
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16
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Tyler TJ, Durek T, Craik DJ. Native and Engineered Cyclic Disulfide-Rich Peptides as Drug Leads. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073189. [PMID: 37049950 PMCID: PMC10096437 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioactive peptides are a highly abundant and diverse group of molecules that exhibit a wide range of structural and functional variation. Despite their immense therapeutic potential, bioactive peptides have been traditionally perceived as poor drug candidates, largely due to intrinsic shortcomings that reflect their endogenous heritage, i.e., short biological half-lives and poor cell permeability. In this review, we examine the utility of molecular engineering to insert bioactive sequences into constrained scaffolds with desired pharmaceutical properties. Applying lessons learnt from nature, we focus on molecular grafting of cyclic disulfide-rich scaffolds (naturally derived or engineered), shown to be intrinsically stable and amenable to sequence modifications, and their utility as privileged frameworks in drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan J. Tyler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- 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, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- 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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17
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Rosa S, Tagliani A, Bertaso C, Tadini L, Visentin C, Gourlay LJ, Pricl S, Feni L, Pellegrino S, Pesaresi P, Masiero S. The cyclic peptide G4CP2 enables the modulation of galactose metabolism in yeast by interfering with GAL4 transcriptional activity. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1017757. [PMID: 36936986 PMCID: PMC10014601 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1017757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetically-encoded combinatorial peptide libraries are convenient tools to identify peptides to be used as therapeutics, antimicrobials and functional synthetic biology modules. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a cyclic peptide, G4CP2, that interferes with the GAL4 protein, a transcription factor responsible for the activation of galactose catabolism in yeast and widely exploited in molecular biology. G4CP2 was identified by screening CYCLIC, a Yeast Two-Hybrid-based combinatorial library of cyclic peptides developed in our laboratory. G4CP2 interferes with GAL4-mediated activation of galactose metabolic enzymes both when expressed intracellularly, as a recombinant peptide, and when provided exogenously, as a chemically-synthesized cyclic peptide. Our results support the application of G4CP2 in microbial biotechnology and, additionally, demonstrate that CYCLIC can be used as a tool for the rapid identification of peptides, virtually without any limitations with respect to the target protein. The possible biotechnological applications of cyclic peptides are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Rosa
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Tagliani
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bertaso
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Tadini
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Visentin
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sabrina Pricl
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@Units), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Department of General Biophysics, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Lucia Feni
- DISFARM-Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Pellegrino
- DISFARM-Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Pesaresi
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Masiero
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Simona Masiero,
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18
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Chen Y, Duan C, Chen K, Sun S, Zhang D, Meng X. Screening technology of cyclic peptide library based on gene encoding. MEDICINE IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medidd.2022.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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19
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Isakova T, Yanucil C, Faul C. A Klotho-Derived Peptide as a Possible Novel Drug to Prevent Kidney Fibrosis. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 80:285-288. [PMID: 35469964 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Isakova
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine and Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Christopher Yanucil
- Section of Mineral Metabolism, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Christian Faul
- Section of Mineral Metabolism, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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20
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Ershov PV, Mezentsev YV, Ivanov AS. Interfacial Peptides as Affinity Modulating Agents of Protein-Protein Interactions. Biomolecules 2022; 12:106. [PMID: 35053254 PMCID: PMC8773757 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of disease-related protein-protein interactions (PPIs) creates objective conditions for their pharmacological modulation. The contact area (interfaces) of the vast majority of PPIs has some features, such as geometrical and biochemical complementarities, "hot spots", as well as an extremely low mutation rate that give us key knowledge to influence these PPIs. Exogenous regulation of PPIs is aimed at both inhibiting the assembly and/or destabilization of protein complexes. Often, the design of such modulators is associated with some specific problems in targeted delivery, cell penetration and proteolytic stability, as well as selective binding to cellular targets. Recent progress in interfacial peptide design has been achieved in solving all these difficulties and has provided a good efficiency in preclinical models (in vitro and in vivo). The most promising peptide-containing therapeutic formulations are under investigation in clinical trials. In this review, we update the current state-of-the-art in the field of interfacial peptides as potent modulators of a number of disease-related PPIs. Over the past years, the scientific interest has been focused on following clinically significant heterodimeric PPIs MDM2/p53, PD-1/PD-L1, HIF/HIF, NRF2/KEAP1, RbAp48/MTA1, HSP90/CDC37, BIRC5/CRM1, BIRC5/XIAP, YAP/TAZ-TEAD, TWEAK/FN14, Bcl-2/Bax, YY1/AKT, CD40/CD40L and MINT2/APP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel V. Ershov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.V.M.); (A.S.I.)
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21
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Sabale PM, Imiołek M, Raia P, Barluenga S, Winssinger N. Suprastapled Peptides: Hybridization-Enhanced Peptide Ligation and Enforced α-Helical Conformation for Affinity Selection of Combinatorial Libraries. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:18932-18940. [PMID: 34739233 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c07013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Stapled peptides with an enforced α-helical conformation have been shown to overcome major limitations in the development of short peptides targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs). While the growing arsenal of methodologies to staple peptides facilitates their preparation, stapling methodologies are not broadly embraced in synthetic library screening. Herein, we report a strategy leveraged on hybridization of short PNA-peptide conjugates wherein nucleobase driven assembly facilitates ligation of peptide fragments and constrains the peptide's conformation into an α-helix. Using native chemical ligation, we show that a mixture of peptide fragments can be combinatorially ligated and used directly in affinity selection against a target of interest. This approach was exemplified with a focused library targeting the p-53/MDM2 interaction. One hundred peptides were obtained in a one-pot ligation reaction, selected by affinity against MDM2 immobilized on beads, and the best binders were identified by mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramod M Sabale
- Faculty of Science, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mateusz Imiołek
- Faculty of Science, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Raia
- Faculty of Science, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sofia Barluenga
- Faculty of Science, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Winssinger
- Faculty of Science, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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22
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King AM, Anderson DA, Glassey E, Segall-Shapiro TH, Zhang Z, Niquille DL, Embree AC, Pratt K, Williams TL, Gordon DB, Voigt CA. Selection for constrained peptides that bind to a single target protein. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6343. [PMID: 34732700 PMCID: PMC8566587 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26350-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide secondary metabolites are common in nature and have diverse pharmacologically-relevant functions, from antibiotics to cross-kingdom signaling. Here, we present a method to design large libraries of modified peptides in Escherichia coli and screen them in vivo to identify those that bind to a single target-of-interest. Constrained peptide scaffolds were produced using modified enzymes gleaned from microbial RiPP (ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide) pathways and diversified to build large libraries. The binding of a RiPP to a protein target leads to the intein-catalyzed release of an RNA polymerase σ factor, which drives the expression of selectable markers. As a proof-of-concept, a selection was performed for binding to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor binding domain. A 1625 Da constrained peptide (AMK-1057) was found that binds with similar affinity (990 ± 5 nM) as an ACE2-derived peptide. This demonstrates a generalizable method to identify constrained peptides that adhere to a single protein target, as a step towards "molecular glues" for therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M King
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel A Anderson
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emerson Glassey
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Thomas H Segall-Shapiro
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zhengan Zhang
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David L Niquille
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Katelin Pratt
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - D Benjamin Gordon
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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23
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Milne K, Henry MC, Jamieson C. Synthesis of an allylic gem-difluoromethylene building block via radical-mediated difluorocyclopropane ring opening. Tetrahedron Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2021.153344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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