1
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Nguyen SV, Levintov L, Planalp RP, Vashisth H. Interactions and Transport of a Bioconjugated Peptide Targeting the Mitomembrane. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:371-380. [PMID: 38404183 PMCID: PMC10961729 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00561] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The Szeto-Schiller (SS) peptides are a subclass of cell-penetrating peptides that can specifically target mitochondria and mediate conditions caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. In this work, we constructed an iron-chelating SS peptide and studied its interaction with a mitochondrial-mimicking membrane using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We report that the peptide/membrane interaction is thermodynamically favorable, and the localization of the peptide to the membrane is driven by electrostatic interactions between the cationic residues and the anionic phospholipid headgroups. The insertion of the peptide into the membrane is driven by hydrophobic interactions between the aromatic side chains in the peptide and the lipid acyl tails. We also probed the translocation of the peptide across the membrane by applying nonequilibrium steered MD simulations and resolved the translocation pathway, free energy profile, and metastable states. We explored four distinct orientations of the peptide along the translocation pathway and found that one orientation was energetically more favorable than the other orientations. We tested a significantly slower pulling velocity on the most thermodynamically favorable system and compared metastable states during peptide translocation. We found that the peptide can optimize hydrophobic interactions with the membrane by having aromatic side chains interacting with the lipid acyl tails instead of forming π-π interactions with each other. The mechanistic insights emerging from our work will potentially facilitate improved peptide design with enhanced activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son V. Nguyen
- Department
of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Lev Levintov
- Department
of Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Roy P. Planalp
- Department
of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Harish Vashisth
- Department
of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
- Department
of Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
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2
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Lozada C, Gonzalez S, Agniel R, Hindie M, Manciocchi L, Mazzanti L, Ha-Duong T, Santoro F, Carotenuto A, Ballet S, Lubin-Germain N. Introduction of constrained Trp analogs in RW9 modulates structure and partition in membrane models. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106731. [PMID: 37480815 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, many cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) have been studied for their capacity to cross cellular membranes, mostly in order to improve cellular uptake of therapeutic agents. Even though hydrophobic and anionic CPPs have been described, many of them are polycationic, due to the presence of several arginine (Arg) residues. Noteworthy, however, the presence of aromatic amino acids such as tryptophan (Trp) within CPPs seems to play an important role to reach high membranotropic activity. RW9 (RRWWRRWRR) is a designed CPP derived from the polyarginine R9 presenting both features. In general, when interacting with membranes, CPPs adopt an optimal conformation for membrane interactions - an amphipathic helical secondary structure in the case of RW9. Herein, we assumed that the incorporation of a locally constrained amino acid in the peptide sequence could improve the membranotropic activity of RW9, by facilitating its structuration upon contact with a membrane, while leaving a certain plasticity. Therefore, two cyclized Trp derivatives (Tcc and Aia) were synthesized to be incorporated in RW9 as surrogates of Trp residues. Thus, a series of peptides containing these building blocks has been synthesized by varying the type, position, and number of modifications. The membranotropic activity of the RW9 analogs was studied by spectrofluorescence titration of the peptides in presence of liposomes (DMPG), allowing to calculate partition coefficients (Kp). Our results indicate that the partitioning of the modified peptides depends on the type, the number and the position of the modification, with the best sequence being [Aia4]RW9. Interestingly, both NMR analysis and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations indicate that this analog presents an extended conformation similar to the native RW9, but with a much-reduced structural flexibility. Finally, cell internalization properties were also confirmed by confocal microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lozada
- CNRS, BioCIS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France; CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simon Gonzalez
- CNRS, BioCIS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France; CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Rémy Agniel
- ERRMECe, Institut des Matériaux I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Mathilde Hindie
- ERRMECe, Institut des Matériaux I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Luca Manciocchi
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Liuba Mazzanti
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Tap Ha-Duong
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Federica Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Nadège Lubin-Germain
- CNRS, BioCIS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France; CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
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3
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Ivánczi M, Balogh B, Kis L, Mándity I. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Drug-Conjugated Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1251. [PMID: 37765059 PMCID: PMC10535489 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091251] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are small peptides capable of translocating through biological membranes carrying various attached cargo into cells and even into the nucleus. They may also participate in transcellular transport. Our in silico study intends to model several peptides and their conjugates. We have selected three CPPs with a linear backbone, including penetratin, a naturally occurring oligopeptide; two of its modified sequence analogues (6,14-Phe-penetratin and dodeca-penetratin); and three natural CPPs with a cyclic backbone: Kalata B1, the Sunflower trypsin inhibitor 1 (SFT1), and Momordica cochinchinensis trypsin inhibitor II (MCoTI-II). We have also built conjugates with the small-molecule drug compounds doxorubicin, zidovudine, and rasagiline for each peptide. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out with explicit membrane models. The analysis of the trajectories showed that the interaction of penetratin with the membrane led to spectacular rearrangements in the secondary structure of the peptide, while cyclic peptides remained unchanged due to their high conformational stability. Membrane-peptide and membrane-conjugate interactions have been identified and compared. Taking into account well-known examples from the literature, our simulations demonstrated the utility of computational methods for CPP complexes, and they may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of penetration, which could serve as the basis for delivering conjugated drug molecules to their intracellular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Ivánczi
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - Balázs Balogh
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - Loretta Kis
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - István Mándity
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
- Artificial Transporters Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2., H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
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4
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Asrorov AM, Wang H, Zhang M, Wang Y, He Y, Sharipov M, Yili A, Huang Y. Cell penetrating peptides: Highlighting points in cancer therapy. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:1037-1071. [PMID: 37195405 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), first identified in HIV a few decades ago, deserved great attention in the last two decades; especially to support the penetration of anticancer drug means. In the drug delivery discipline, they have been involved in various approaches from mixing with hydrophobic drugs to the use of genetically conjugated proteins. The early classification as cationic and amphipathic CPPs has been extended to a few more classes such as hydrophobic and cyclic CPPs so far. Developing potential sequences utilized almost all methods of modern science: choosing high-efficiency peptides from natural protein sequences, sequence-based comparison, amino acid substitution, obtaining chemical and/or genetic conjugations, in silico approaches, in vitro analysis, animal experiments, etc. The bottleneck effect in this discipline reveals the complications that modern science faces in drug delivery research. Most CPP-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) efficiently inhibited tumor volume and weight in mice, but only in rare cases reduced their levels and continued further processes. The integration of chemical synthesis into the development of CPPs made a significant contribution and even reached the clinical stage as a diagnostic tool. But constrained efforts still face serious problems in overcoming biobarriers to reach further achievements. In this work, we reviewed the roles of CPPs in anticancer drug delivery, focusing on their amino acid composition and sequences. As the most suitable point, we relied on significant changes in tumor volume in mice resulting from CPPs. We provide a review of individual CPPs and/or their derivatives in a separate subsection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akmal M Asrorov
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, AS of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Department of Natural Substances Chemistry, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Huiyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang He
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mirkomil Sharipov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, AS of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Abulimiti Yili
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Institutes of Drug Discovery and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients, Shanghai, China
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5
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Povilaitis SC, Webb LJ. Leaflet-Dependent Effect of Anionic Lipids on Membrane Insertion by Cationic Cell-Penetrating Peptides. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:5841-5849. [PMID: 37339513 PMCID: PMC10478718 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00725] [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] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Cationic membrane-permeating peptides can cross membranes unassisted by transmembrane protein machinery, and there is consensus that anionic lipids facilitate this process. Although membranes are asymmetric in lipid composition, investigations of the impact of anionic lipids on peptide-membrane insertion in model vesicles primarily use symmetric anionic lipid distributions between bilayer leaflets. Here, we investigate the leaflet-specific influence of three anionic lipid headgroups [phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG)] on insertion into model membranes by three cationic membrane-permeating peptides (NAF-144-67, R6W3, and WWWK). We report that outer leaflet anionic lipids enhanced peptide-membrane insertion for all peptides while inner leaflet anionic lipids did not have a significant effect except in the case of NAF-144-67 incubated with PA-containing vesicles. The insertion enhancement was headgroup-dependent for arginine-containing peptides but not WWWK. These results provide significant new insight into the potential role of membrane asymmetry in insertion of peptides into model membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney C Povilaitis
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Lauren J Webb
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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6
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Debreczeni D, Baukál D, Pergel E, Veres I, Czirják G. Critical contribution of the intracellular C-terminal region to TRESK channel activity is revealed by the epithelial Na + current ratio (ENaR) method. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104737. [PMID: 37084812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104737] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
TRESK (K2P18.1) possesses unique structural proportions within the K2P background potassium channel family. The previously described TRESK regulatory mechanisms are based on the long intracellular loop between the second and third transmembrane segments (TMS). However, the functional significance of the exceptionally short intracellular C-terminal region (iCtr) following the fourth TMS has not yet been examined. In the present study, we investigated TRESK constructs modified at the iCtr by two-electrode voltage clamp and the newly developed epithelial sodium current ratio (ENaR) method in Xenopus oocytes. The ENaR method allowed the evaluation of channel activity by exclusively using electrophysiology, and provided data that are otherwise not readily available under whole-cell conditions. TRESK homodimer was connected with two ENaC (epithelial Na+ channel) heterotrimers and the Na+ current was measured as an internal reference, proportional to the number of channels in the plasma membrane. Modifications of TRESK iCtr resulted in diverse functional effects, indicating a complex contribution of this region to K+ channel activity. Mutations of positive residues in proximal iCtr locked TRESK in a low activity, calcineurin-insensitive state, although this phosphatase binds to distant motifs in the loop region. Accordingly, mutations in proximal iCtr may prevent the transmission of modulation to the gating machinery. Replacing distal iCtr with a sequence designed to interact with the inner surface of the plasma membrane increased the activity of the channel to unprecedented levels, as indicated by ENaR and single channel measurements. In conclusion, the distal iCtr is a major positive determinant of TRESK function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dóra Baukál
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Enikő Pergel
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Irén Veres
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Czirják
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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7
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Guo Y, Li C, Zhao H, Gao M, Wang Q. The Performance of Microfiltration Process for Purifying Lactic Acid in the Fermented Broth of Kitchen Waste. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:280. [PMID: 36984667 PMCID: PMC10054447 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13030280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fermentation broth is plentiful with lactic acid, an important chemical applied in many fields, such as food processing, the chemical industry, and cosmetics. However, the purification of the lactic acid from the broth is still troublesome, when considering the economy. This study first investigated the purification performance of microfiltration (MF) membrane technology for a fermentation broth from kitchen waste. The effect of operation pressure, broth pH, and membrane flushing mode on the membrane filtration performance were investigated. In addition, the change in filtration performance over the increase in cycle time was also investigated. The results showed that under the optimum pressure of 100 KPa, pH of 6.0, and a backflushing mode with deionized water for 3 min, the best performance was achieved, with chroma removal, turbidity removal, protein removal and total sugar removal efficiencies of 60, 92.8, 57.64 and 32.93%, respectively. The results indicated that the MF process could be a desirable broth purification process to some extent, and it is promising in actual application. The MF process combined with other post-purification processes will form the ideal process system, which should be explored in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chenglong Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hongjun Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qunhui Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Tianjin College, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Tianjin 301830, China
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8
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Choe S. Translocation of a single Arg[Formula: see text] peptide across a DOPC/DOPG(4:1) model membrane using the weighted ensemble method. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1168. [PMID: 36670187 PMCID: PMC9860060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28493-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
It is difficult to observe a spontaneous translocation of cell-penetrating peptides(CPPs) within a short time scale (e.g., a few hundred ns) in all-atom molecular dynamics(MD) simulations because the time required for the translocation of usual CPPs is on the order of minutes or so. In this work, we report a spontaneous translocation of a single Arg[Formula: see text](R9) across a DOPC/DOPG(4:1) model membrane within an order of a few tens ns scale by using the weighted ensemble(WE) method. We identify how water molecules and the orientation of Arg[Formula: see text] play a role in translocation. We also show how lipid molecules are transported along with Arg[Formula: see text]. In addition, we present free energy profiles of the translocation across the membrane using umbrella sampling and show that a single Arg[Formula: see text] translocation is energetically unfavorable. We expect that the WE method can help study interactions of CPPs with various model membranes within MD simulation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Choe
- Department of Energy Science & Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988 South Korea
- Energy Science & Engineering Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988 South Korea
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9
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Ouyang J, Sheng Y, Wang W. Recent Advances of Studies on Cell-Penetrating Peptides Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244016. [PMID: 36552778 PMCID: PMC9776715 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
With the ability to transport cargo molecules across cell membranes with low toxicity, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have become promising candidates for next generation peptide-based drug delivery vectors. Over the past three decades since the first CPP was discovered, a great deal of work has been done on the cellular uptake mechanisms and the applications for the delivery of therapeutic molecules, and significant advances have been made. But so far, we still do not have a precise and unified understanding of the structure-activity relationship of the CPPs. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a method to reveal peptide-membrane interactions at the atomistic level and have become an effective complement to experiments. In this paper, we review the progress of the MD simulations on CPP-membrane interactions, including the computational methods and technical improvements in the MD simulations, the research achievements in the CPP internalization mechanism, CPP decoration and coupling, and the peptide-induced membrane reactions during the penetration process, as well as the comparison of simulated and experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ouyang
- School of Public Courses, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yuebiao Sheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- High Performance Computing Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (W.W.)
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10
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Varzandeh M, Labbaf S, Varshosaz J, Laurent S. An overview of the intracellular localization of high-Z nanoradiosensitizers. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 175:14-30. [PMID: 36029849 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is a method commonly used for cancer treatment worldwide. Commonly, RT utilizes two routes for combating cancers: 1) high-energy radiation to generate toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) (through the dissociation of water molecules) for damaging the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) inside the nucleus 2) direct degradation of the DNA. However, cancer cells have mechanisms to survive under intense RT, which can considerably decrease its therapeutic efficacy. Excessive radiation energy damages healthy tissues, and hence, low doses are applied for cancer treatment. Additionally, different radiosensitizers were used to sensitize cancer cells towards RT through individual mechanisms. Following this route, nanoparticle-based radiosensitizers (herein called nanoradiosensitizers) have recently gained attention owing to their ability to produce massive electrons which leads to the production of a huge amount of ROS. The success of the nanoradiosensitizer effect is closely correlated to its interaction with cells and its localization within the cells. In other words, tumor treatment is affected from the chain of events which is started from cell-nanoparticle interaction followed by the nanoparticles direction and homing inside the cell. Therefore, passive or active targeting of the nanoradiosensitizers in the subcellular level and the cell-nano interaction would determine the efficacy of the radiation therapy. The importance of the nanoradiosensitizer's targeting is increased while the organelles beyond nucleus are recently recognized as the mediators of the cancer cell death or resistance under RT. In this review, the principals of cell-nanomaterial interactions and which dominate nanoradiosensitizer efficiency in cancer therapy, are thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Varzandeh
- Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
| | - Sheyda Labbaf
- Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
| | - Jaleh Varshosaz
- Novel Drug Delivery Systems Research Center and Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Sophie Laurent
- Laboratory of NMR and Molecular Imaging, Department of General, Organic Chemistry and Biomedical, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium.
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11
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Tryptophan, more than just an interfacial amino acid in the membrane activity of cationic cell-penetrating and antimicrobial peptides. Q Rev Biophys 2022; 55:e10. [PMID: 35979810 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583522000105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Trp is unique among the amino acids since it is involved in many different types of noncovalent interactions such as electrostatic and hydrophobic ones, but also in π-π, π-cation, π-anion and π-ion pair interactions. In membranotropic peptides and proteins, Trp locates preferentially at the water-membrane interface. In antimicrobial or cell-penetrating peptides (AMPs and CPPs respectively), Trp is well-known for its strong role in the capacity of these peptides to interact and affect the membrane organisation of both bacteria and animal cells at the level of the lipid bilayer. This essential amino acid can however be involved in other types of interactions, not only with lipids, but also with other membrane partners, that are crucial to understand the functional roles of membranotropic peptides. This review is focused on this latter less known role of Trp and describes in details, both in qualitative and quantitative ways: (i) the physico-chemical properties of Trp; (ii) its effect in CPP internalisation; (iii) its importance in AMP activity; (iv) its role in the interaction of AMPs with glycoconjugates or lipids in bacteria membranes and the consequences on the activity of the peptides; (v) its role in the interaction of CPPs with negatively charged polysaccharides or lipids of animal membranes and the consequences on the activity of the peptides. We intend to bring highlights of the physico-chemical properties of Trp and describe its extensive possibilities of interactions, not only at the well-known level of the lipid bilayer, but with other less considered cell membrane components, such as carbohydrates and the extracellular matrix. The focus on these interactions will allow the reader to reevaluate reported studies. Altogether, our review gathers dedicated studies to show how unique are Trp properties, which should be taken into account to design future membranotropic peptides with expected antimicrobial or cell-penetrating activity.
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12
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Bechtella L, Chalouhi E, Milán Rodríguez P, Cosset M, Ravault D, Illien F, Sagan S, Carlier L, Lequin O, Fuchs PFJ, Sachon E, Walrant A. Structural Bases for the Involvement of Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate in the Internalization of the Cell-Penetrating Peptide Penetratin. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:1427-1439. [PMID: 35608167 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides cross cell membranes through various parallel internalization pathways. Herein, we analyze the role of the negatively charged lipid phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) in the internalization of Penetratin. Contributions of both inner leaflet and outer leaflet pools of PI(4,5)P2 were revealed by quantifying the internalization of Penetratin in cells treated with PI(4,5)P2 binders. Studies on model systems showed that Penetratin has a strong affinity for PI(4,5)P2 and interacts selectively with this lipid, even in the presence of other negatively charged lipids, as demonstrated by affinity photo-crosslinking experiments. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that Penetratin induces lateral segregation in PI(4,5)P2-containing liposomes, which was confirmed by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. NMR experiments indicated that Penetratin adopts a stabilized helical conformation in the presence of PI(4,5)P2-containing membranes, with an orientation parallel to the bilayer plane, which was also confirmed by all-atom simulations. NMR and photo-crosslinking experiments also suggest a rather shallow insertion of the peptide in the membrane. Put together, our findings suggest that PI(4,5)P2 is a privileged interaction partner for Penetratin and that it plays an important role in Penetratin internalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leïla Bechtella
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Edward Chalouhi
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Paula Milán Rodríguez
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Marine Cosset
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Delphine Ravault
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Françoise Illien
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Sagan
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Carlier
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Lequin
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Patrick F. J. Fuchs
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, UFR Sciences du Vivant, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Sachon
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Mass Spectrometry Sciences Sorbonne Université, MS3U platform, UFR 926, UFR 927, Paris 75005, France
| | - Astrid Walrant
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
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13
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Choe S. Free Energy Analyses of Cell-Penetrating Peptides Using the Weighted Ensemble Method. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11120974. [PMID: 34940475 PMCID: PMC8706838 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11120974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely used for drug-delivery agents; however, it has not been fully understood how they translocate across cell membranes. The Weighted Ensemble (WE) method, one of the most powerful and flexible path sampling techniques, can be helpful to reveal translocation paths and free energy barriers along those paths. Within the WE approach we show how Arg9 (nona-arginine) and Tat interact with a DOPC/DOPG(4:1) model membrane, and we present free energy (or potential mean of forces, PMFs) profiles of penetration, although a translocation across the membrane has not been observed in the current simulations. Two different compositions of lipid molecules were also tried and compared. Our approach can be applied to any CPPs interacting with various model membranes, and it will provide useful information regarding the transport mechanisms of CPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Choe
- Department of Energy Science & Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea;
- Energy Science & Engineering Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
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14
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Weber F, Casalini T, Valentino G, Brülisauer L, Andreas N, Koeberle A, Kamradt T, Contini A, Luciani P. Targeting transdifferentiated hepatic stellate cells and monitoring the hepatic fibrogenic process by means of IGF2R-specific peptides designed in silico. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:2092-2106. [PMID: 33595041 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb02372h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The lack of accurate and easily applicable methods for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, a disease characterized by an accumulation of the extracellular matrix released by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), has been a major limitation for the clinical management of liver diseases. The identification of biomarkers specific to liver microstructure alterations, combined with a non-invasive optical imaging modality, could guide clinicians towards a therapeutic strategy. In this study, structural information of the insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R), an overexpressed protein on activated HSCs, was used for in silico screening of novel IGF2R-specific peptide ligands. Molecular dynamics simulations, followed by computational alanine scanning of the IGF2R/IGF2 complex, led to the identification of a putative peptide sequence containing the most relevant amino acids for the receptor-ligand interaction (IGF2 E12-C21). The Residue Scan tool, implemented in the MOE software, was then used to optimize the binding affinity of this sequence by amino acid mutations. The designed peptides and their associated scrambled sequences were fluorescently labelled and their binding affinity to LX-2 cells (model for activated human HSCs) was tested using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. In vitro binding was verified for all sequences (KD ≤ 13.2 μM). With respect to the putative binding sequence, most mutations led to an increased affinity. All sequences have shown superior binding compared to their associated scrambled sequences. Using HPLC, all peptides were tested in vitro for their proteolytic resistance and showed a stability of ≥60% intact after 24 h at 37 °C in 50% v/v FBS. In view of their prospective diagnostic application, a comparison of binding affinity was performed in perpetuated and quiescent-like LX-2 cells. Furthermore, the IGF2R expression for different cell phenotypes was analysed by a quantitative mass spectrometric approach. Our peptides showed increased binding to the perpetuated cell state, indicating their good selectivity for the diagnostically relevant phenotype. In summary, the increased binding affinity of our peptides towards perpetuated LX-2 cells, as well as the satisfactory proteolytic stability, proves that the in silico designed sequences offer a new potential strategy for the targeting of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Weber
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Tommaso Casalini
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Material Technology, Department of Innovative Technology, SUPSI, Manno, Switzerland and Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gina Valentino
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Lorine Brülisauer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Nico Andreas
- Institute of Immunology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Koeberle
- Michael Popp Institute and Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria and Chair of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Kamradt
- Institute of Immunology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Alessandro Contini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche-Sezione di Chimica Generale e Organica "A. Marchesini", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Luciani
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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15
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Pirtskhalava M, Vishnepolsky B, Grigolava M, Managadze G. Physicochemical Features and Peculiarities of Interaction of AMP with the Membrane. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:471. [PMID: 34067510 PMCID: PMC8156082 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are anti-infectives that have the potential to be used as a novel and untapped class of biotherapeutics. Modes of action of antimicrobial peptides include interaction with the cell envelope (cell wall, outer- and inner-membrane). A comprehensive understanding of the peculiarities of interaction of antimicrobial peptides with the cell envelope is necessary to perform a rational design of new biotherapeutics, against which working out resistance is hard for microbes. In order to enable de novo design with low cost and high throughput, in silico predictive models have to be invoked. To develop an efficient predictive model, a comprehensive understanding of the sequence-to-function relationship is required. This knowledge will allow us to encode amino acid sequences expressively and to adequately choose the accurate AMP classifier. A shared protective layer of microbial cells is the inner, plasmatic membrane. The interaction of AMP with a biological membrane (native and/or artificial) has been comprehensively studied. We provide a review of mechanisms and results of interactions of AMP with the cell membrane, relying on the survey of physicochemical, aggregative, and structural features of AMPs. The potency and mechanism of AMP action are presented in terms of amino acid compositions and distributions of the polar and apolar residues along the chain, that is, in terms of the physicochemical features of peptides such as hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and amphiphilicity. The survey of current data highlights topics that should be taken into account to come up with a comprehensive explanation of the mechanisms of action of AMP and to uncover the physicochemical faces of peptides, essential to perform their function. Many different approaches have been used to classify AMPs, including machine learning. The survey of knowledge on sequences, structures, and modes of actions of AMP allows concluding that only possessing comprehensive information on physicochemical features of AMPs enables us to develop accurate classifiers and create effective methods of prediction. Consequently, this knowledge is necessary for the development of design tools for peptide-based antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Pirtskhalava
- Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia; (B.V.); (M.G.); (G.M.)
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16
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Mitchell W, Ng EA, Tamucci JD, Boyd KJ, Sathappa M, Coscia A, Pan M, Han X, Eddy NA, May ER, Szeto HH, Alder NN. The mitochondria-targeted peptide SS-31 binds lipid bilayers and modulates surface electrostatics as a key component of its mechanism of action. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:7452-7469. [PMID: 32273339 PMCID: PMC7247319 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction underlies many heritable diseases, acquired pathologies, and aging-related declines in health. Szeto-Schiller (SS) peptides comprise a class of amphipathic tetrapeptides that are efficacious toward a wide array of mitochondrial disorders and are believed to target mitochondrial membranes because they are enriched in the anionic phospholipid cardiolipin (CL). However, little is known regarding how SS peptides interact with or alter the physical properties of lipid bilayers. In this study, using biophysical and computational approaches, we have analyzed the interactions of the lead compound SS-31 (elamipretide) with model and mitochondrial membranes. Our results show that this polybasic peptide partitions into the membrane interfacial region with an affinity and a lipid binding density that are directly related to surface charge. We found that SS-31 binding does not destabilize lamellar bilayers even at the highest binding concentrations; however, it did cause saturable alterations in lipid packing. Most notably, SS-31 modulated the surface electrostatics of both model and mitochondrial membranes. We propose nonexclusive mechanisms by which the tuning of surface charge could underpin the mitoprotective properties of SS-31, including alteration of the distribution of ions and basic proteins at the interface, and/or modulation of bilayer physical properties. As a proof of concept, we show that SS-31 alters divalent cation (calcium) distribution within the interfacial region and reduces the energetic burden of calcium stress in mitochondria. The mechanistic details of SS-31 revealed in this study will help inform the development of future compound variants with enhanced efficacy and bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Mitchell
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Emily A Ng
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Jeffrey D Tamucci
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Kevin J Boyd
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Murugappan Sathappa
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Adrian Coscia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Meixia Pan
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Xianlin Han
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229; Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Nicholas A Eddy
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Eric R May
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Hazel H Szeto
- Social Profit Network Research Lab, Alexandria LaunchLabs, New York, New York 10016
| | - Nathan N Alder
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269.
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17
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Qiu Y, Lo JCK, Kwok KCW, Mason AJ, Lam JKW. Modification of KL4 Peptide Revealed the Importance of Alpha-Helical Structure for Efficient siRNA Delivery. Nucleic Acid Ther 2020; 31:220-228. [PMID: 32352853 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2020.0855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A safe and effective delivery system is considered a key to the success of nucleic acid therapeutics. It has been reported that pulmonary surfactants or their components could facilitate the uptake of small interfering RNA (siRNA) into the lung epithelial cells. Previously, our group investigated the use of KL4 peptide, a synthetic cationic peptide that simulates the structural properties of surfactant protein B (SP-B), as siRNA delivery vector. Although KL4 peptide exhibits good in vitro siRNA transfection efficiency on lung epithelial cells, its therapeutic potential is limited by its poor aqueous solubility due to the presence of a high proportion of hydrophobic leucine residues. In this study, we aim to address the solubility issue, designing five different modified peptides by replacing the hydrophobic leucine with alanine or valine, and assess their potential as siRNA delivery vectors. While the modified peptides retain the overall cationic property, their siRNA binding is also affected and their transfection efficiency is inferior to the parent KL4 peptide. A closer examination of the conformation of these peptides by circular dichroism shows that substitution of leucine residues leads to the change of the secondary structure from α-helical content to either β-sheet or more disordered, β-turn conformations. Relatively conservative amino acid substitutions, in terms of hydrophobicity bulk, lead to substantial conformational alteration, heavily impacting siRNA binding and release, cellular uptake, and transfection efficiency. Although the peptide modification strategy employed in this study was unsuccessful in developing an improved version of KL4 peptide for siRNA delivery, it highlights the importance of the α-helical conformation for efficient siRNA transfection, providing useful insights for future development of peptide-based RNA delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingshan Qiu
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jason C K Lo
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kerry C W Kwok
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - A James Mason
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny K W Lam
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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18
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Meloni BP, Mastaglia FL, Knuckey NW. Cationic Arginine-Rich Peptides (CARPs): A Novel Class of Neuroprotective Agents With a Multimodal Mechanism of Action. Front Neurol 2020; 11:108. [PMID: 32158425 PMCID: PMC7052017 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There are virtually no clinically available neuroprotective drugs for the treatment of acute and chronic neurological disorders, hence there is an urgent need for the development of new neuroprotective molecules. Cationic arginine-rich peptides (CARPs) are an expanding and relatively novel class of compounds, which possess intrinsic neuroprotective properties. Intriguingly, CARPs possess a combination of biological properties unprecedented for a neuroprotective agent including the ability to traverse cell membranes and enter the CNS, antagonize calcium influx, target mitochondria, stabilize proteins, inhibit proteolytic enzymes, induce pro-survival signaling, scavenge toxic molecules, and reduce oxidative stress as well as, having a range of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer actions. CARPs have also been used as carrier molecules for the delivery of other putative neuroprotective agents across the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier. However, there is increasing evidence that the neuroprotective efficacy of many, if not all these other agents delivered using a cationic arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptide (CCPPs) carrier (e.g., TAT) may actually be mediated largely by the properties of the carrier molecule, with overall efficacy further enhanced according to the amino acid composition of the cargo peptide, in particular its arginine content. Therefore, in reviewing the neuroprotective mechanisms of action of CARPs we also consider studies using CCPPs fused to a putative neuroprotective peptide. We review the history of CARPs in neuroprotection and discuss in detail the intrinsic biological properties that may contribute to their cytoprotective effects and their usefulness as a broad-acting class of neuroprotective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno P Meloni
- Department of Neurosurgery, QEII Medical Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Frank L Mastaglia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Neville W Knuckey
- Department of Neurosurgery, QEII Medical Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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19
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Pariary R, Ghosh B, Bednarikova Z, Varnava KG, Ratha BN, Raha S, Bhattacharyya D, Gazova Z, Sarojini V, Mandal AK, Bhunia A. Targeted inhibition of amyloidogenesis using a non-toxic, serum stable strategically designed cyclic peptide with therapeutic implications. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140378. [PMID: 32032759 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Amyloidogenic disorders are currently rising as a global health issue, prompting more and more studies dedicated to the development of effective targeted therapeutics. The innate affinity of these amyloidogenic proteins towards the biomembranes adds further complexities to the systems. Our previous studies have shown that biologically active peptides can effectively target amyloidogenesis serving as an efficient therapeutic alternative in several amyloidogenic disorders. The structural uniqueness of the PWWP motif in the de novo designed heptapeptide, KR7 (KPWWPRR-NH2) was demonstrated to target insulin fiber elongation specifically. By working on insulin, an important model system in amyloidogenic studies, we gained several mechanistic insights into the inhibitory actions at the protein-peptide interface. Here, we report a second-generation non-toxic and serum stable cyclic peptide, based primarily on the PWWP motif that resulted in complete inhibition of insulin fibrillation both in the presence and absence of the model membranes. Using both low- and high-resolution spectroscopic techniques, we could delineate the specific mechanism of inhibition, at atomistic resolution. Our studies put forward an effective therapeutic intervention that redirects the default aggregation kinetics towards off-pathway fibrillation. Based on the promising results, this novel cyclic peptide can be considered an excellent lead to design pharmaceutical molecules against amyloidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranit Pariary
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Baijayanti Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Zuzana Bednarikova
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Kyriakos Gabriel Varnava
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bhisma N Ratha
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Sreyan Raha
- Department of Physics, Bose Institute, 93/1 APC Road, Kolkata 700009, India
| | - Dipita Bhattacharyya
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Zuzana Gazova
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Vijayalekshmi Sarojini
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Atin K Mandal
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Anirban Bhunia
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata, 700054, India.
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20
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Ionpair-π interactions favor cell penetration of arginine/tryptophan-rich cell-penetrating peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183098. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.183098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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21
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Abstract
Approximately 75% of all disease-relevant human proteins, including those involved in intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs), are undruggable with the current drug modalities (i.e., small molecules and biologics). Macrocyclic peptides provide a potential solution to these undruggable targets because their larger sizes (relative to conventional small molecules) endow them the capability of binding to flat PPI interfaces with antibody-like affinity and specificity. Powerful combinatorial library technologies have been developed to routinely identify cyclic peptides as potent, specific inhibitors against proteins including PPI targets. However, with the exception of a very small set of sequences, the vast majority of cyclic peptides are impermeable to the cell membrane, preventing their application against intracellular targets. This Review examines common structural features that render most cyclic peptides membrane impermeable, as well as the unique features that allow the minority of sequences to enter the cell interior by passive diffusion, endocytosis/endosomal escape, or other mechanisms. We also present the current state of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of cell penetration, the various strategies for designing cell-permeable, biologically active cyclic peptides against intracellular targets, and the assay methods available to quantify their cell-permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick G. Dougherty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Ashweta Sahni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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22
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Biophysical Insight on the Membrane Insertion of an Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184441. [PMID: 31505894 PMCID: PMC6769507 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptides that can translocate and transport cargoes into the intracellular milieu by crossing biological membranes. The mode of interaction and internalization of cell-penetrating peptides has long been controversial. While their interaction with anionic membranes is quite well understood, the insertion and behavior of CPPs in zwitterionic membranes, a major lipid component of eukaryotic cell membranes, is poorly studied. Herein, we investigated the membrane insertion of RW16 into zwitterionic membranes, a versatile CPP that also presents antibacterial and antitumor activities. Using complementary approaches, including NMR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and molecular dynamic simulations, we determined the high-resolution structure of RW16 and measured its membrane insertion and orientation properties into zwitterionic membranes. Altogether, these results contribute to explaining the versatile properties of this peptide toward zwitterionic lipids.
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23
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Novel machine learning application for prediction of membrane insertion potential of cell-penetrating peptides. Int J Pharm 2019; 567:118453. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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24
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Díaz‐Montes E, Castro‐Muñoz R. Metabolites recovery from fermentation broths via pressure‐driven membrane processes. ASIA-PAC J CHEM ENG 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/apj.2332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Díaz‐Montes
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología AlimentariaUnidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (UPIBI‐IPN) Av. Acueducto s/n Col. Barrio La Laguna, Ticomán CP 07340 México City México
| | - Roberto Castro‐Muñoz
- Department of Inorganic TechnologyUniversity of Chemistry and Technology Prague Technická 5 166 28 Prague 6 Czech Republic
- Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Toluca Avenida Eduardo Monroy Cárdenas 2000 San Antonio Buenavista 50110 Toluca de Lerdo México
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25
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Almeida C, Maniti O, Di Pisa M, Swiecicki JM, Ayala-Sanmartin J. Cholesterol re-organisation and lipid de-packing by arginine-rich cell penetrating peptides: Role in membrane translocation. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210985. [PMID: 30673771 PMCID: PMC6343925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are able to transport hydrophilic molecules inside cells. To reach the cytosol, the peptide associated with a cargo must cross the plasma or the endosomal membrane. Different molecular mechanisms for peptide internalisation into cells have been proposed and it is becoming clear that the cellular internalisation mechanisms are different depending on the peptide sequence and structure and the target membrane. Herein, the penetration of three peptides into large unilamellar vesicles were studied: the homeodomain derived 16-residues penetratin, nona-arginine (R9), and a small peptide containing 6 arginine and 3 tryptophan residues (RW9). The membrane models were composed of phospholipids from natural sources containing different molecular species. We observed that among the three peptides, only the amphipathic peptide RW9 was able to cross the membrane vesicles in the liquid disordered state. The changes in the distribution of the previously characterized cholesterol-pyrene probe show that cholesterol-pyrene molecules dissociate from clusters upon membrane interaction with the three peptides and that the cholesterol environment becomes more disordered in the presence of RW9. Finally, we studied the effect of the peptides on lipid ordering on giant plasma membrane vesicles. The amphipathic peptides RW9 and its longer homologue RW16 induced lipid de-packing in plasma membrane vesicles. Overall, the data suggest that a disordered membrane favours the translocation of RW9, that the membrane cholesterol is redistributed during peptide interaction, and that the peptide amphipathic character is important to increase membrane fluidity and peptide membrane translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Almeida
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, Paris, France
| | - Ofelia Maniti
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, Paris, France
| | - Margherita Di Pisa
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Marie Swiecicki
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, Paris, France
| | - Jesus Ayala-Sanmartin
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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26
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Pescina S, Ostacolo C, Gomez-Monterrey IM, Sala M, Bertamino A, Sonvico F, Padula C, Santi P, Bianchera A, Nicoli S. Cell penetrating peptides in ocular drug delivery: State of the art. J Control Release 2018; 284:84-102. [PMID: 29913221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the increasing number of effective therapeutics for eye diseases, their treatment is still challenging due to the presence of effective barriers protecting eye tissues. Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPPs), synthetic and natural short amino acid sequences able to cross cellular membrane thanks to a transduction domain, have been proposed as possible enhancing strategies for ophthalmic delivery. In this review, a general description of CPPs classes, design approaches and proposed cellular uptake mechanisms will be provided to the reader as an introduction to ocular CPPs application, together with an overview of the main problems related to ocular administration. The results obtained with CPPs for the treatment of anterior and posterior segment eye diseases will be then introduced, with a focus on non-invasive or minimally invasive administration, shifting from CPPs capability to obtain intracellular delivery to their ability to cross biological barriers. The problems related to in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models used to investigate CPPs mediated ocular delivery will be also addressed together with potential ocular toxicity issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pescina
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - C Ostacolo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - I M Gomez-Monterrey
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - M Sala
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - A Bertamino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - F Sonvico
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - C Padula
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - P Santi
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - A Bianchera
- BiopharmanetTEC, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - S Nicoli
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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27
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Via MA, Del Pópolo MG, Wilke N. Negative Dipole Potentials and Carboxylic Polar Head Groups Foster the Insertion of Cell-Penetrating Peptides into Lipid Monolayers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:3102-3111. [PMID: 29394073 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b04038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are polycationic sequences of amino acids recognized as some of the most effective vehicles for delivering membrane-impermeable cargos into cells. CPPs can traverse cell membranes by direct translocation, and assessing the role of lipids on the membrane permeation process is important to convene a complete model of the CPP translocation. In this work, we focus on the biophysical basis of peptide-fatty acid interactions, analyzing how the acid-base and electrostatic properties of the lipids determine the CPP adsorption and incorporation into a Langmuir monolayer, focusing thus on the first two stages of the direct translocation mechanism. We sense the binding and insertion of the peptide into the lipid structure by measuring the changes in the surface pressure, the surface potential, and the reflectivity of the interface. We show that, beyond the presence of anionic moieties, negative dipole potentials and carboxylic polar head groups significantly promote the insertion of the peptide into the monolayer. On the basis of our results, we propose the appearance of stable CPP-lipid complexes whose kinetics of formation depends on the length of the lipids' hydrocarbon chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías A Via
- CONICET & Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza , Argentina
- Instituto de Histologı́a y Embriologı́a de Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET) & Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina
| | - Mario G Del Pópolo
- CONICET & Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza , Argentina
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28
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Walrant A, Cardon S, Burlina F, Sagan S. Membrane Crossing and Membranotropic Activity of Cell-Penetrating Peptides: Dangerous Liaisons? Acc Chem Res 2017; 50:2968-2975. [PMID: 29172443 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms have to maintain a stable balance in molecules and ions in the changing environment in which they are living, a process known as homeostasis. At the level of cells, the plasma membrane has a major role in homeostasis, since this hydrophobic film prevents passive diffusion of large and hydrophilic molecules between the extracellular and intracellular milieu. Living organisms have evolved with highly sophisticated transport systems to control exchanges across this barrier: import of nutrients and fuel essential for their survival; recognition of chemical or physical messengers allowing information interchanges with surrounding cells. Besides specialized proteins, endocytosis mechanisms at the level of the lipid bilayer can transport molecules from the outside across the cell membrane, in an energy-dependent manner. The cell membrane is highly heterogeneous in its molecular composition (tens of different lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, and combinations of these) and dynamic with bending, deformation, and elastic properties that depend on the local composition of membrane domains. Many viruses, microorganisms, and toxins exploit the plasma membrane to enter into cells. Chemists develop strategies to target the plasma membrane with molecules capable of circumventing this hydrophobic barrier, in particular to transport and deliver nonpermeable drugs in cells for biotechnological or pharmaceutical purposes. Drug delivery systems are numerous and include lipid-, sugar-, protein-, and peptide-based delivery systems, since these biomolecules generally have good biocompatibility, biodegradability, environmental sustainability, cost effectiveness, and availability. Among those, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), reported for the first time in the early 1990s, are attracting major interest not only as potential drug delivery systems but also at the level of fundamental research. It was indeed demonstrated very early that these peptides, which generally correspond to highly cationic sequences, can still cross the cell membrane at 4 °C, a temperature at which all active transport and endocytosis pathways are totally inhibited. Therefore, how these charged hydrophilic peptides cross the hydrophobic membrane barrier is of utmost interest as a pure basic and physicochemical question. In this Account, we focus on cationic cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and the way they cross cell membranes. We summarize the history of this field that emerged around 20 years ago. CPPs were indeed first identified as protein-transduction domains from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT protein and the Antennapedia homeoprotein, a transcription factor from Drosophila. We highlight our contribution to the elucidation of CPP internalization pathways, in particular translocation, which implies perturbation and reorganization of the lipid bilayer, and endocytosis depending on sulfated glycosaminoglycans. We show a particular role of Trp (indole side chain) and Arg (guanidinium side chain), which are essential amino acids for CPP internalization. Interactions with the cell-surface are not only Coulombic; H-bonds and hydrophobic interactions contribute also significantly to CPP entry. The capacity of CPPs to cross cell membrane is not related to their strength of membrane binding. Finally, we present optimized methods based on mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy that allow unequivocal quantification of CPPs inside cells or bound to the outer leaflet of the membrane, and discuss some limitations of the technique of flow cytometry that we have recently highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Walrant
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, École normale
supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules
(LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Cardon
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, École normale
supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules
(LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Burlina
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, École normale
supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules
(LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Sagan
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, École normale
supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules
(LBM), 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
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29
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Meloni BP, Milani D, Cross JL, Clark VW, Edwards AB, Anderton RS, Blacker DJ, Knuckey NW. Assessment of the Neuroprotective Effects of Arginine-Rich Protamine Peptides, Poly-Arginine Peptides (R12-Cyclic, R22) and Arginine-Tryptophan-Containing Peptides Following In Vitro Excitotoxicity and/or Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats. Neuromolecular Med 2017; 19:271-285. [PMID: 28523591 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-017-8441-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We have demonstrated that arginine-rich and poly-arginine peptides possess potent neuroprotective properties with arginine content and peptide positive charge being particularly critical for neuroprotective efficacy. In addition, the presence of other amino acids within arginine-rich peptides, as well as chemical modifications, peptide length and cell-penetrating properties also influence the level of neuroprotection. Against this background, we have examined the neuroprotective efficacy of arginine-rich protamine peptides, a cyclic (R12-c) poly-arginine peptide and a R22 poly-arginine peptide, as well as arginine peptides containing tryptophan or other amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, glycine or leucine) in in vitro glutamic acid excitotoxicity and in vivo rat permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion models of stroke. In vitro studies demonstrated that protamine and poly-arginine peptides (R12-c, R22) were neuroprotective. Arginine-tryptophan-containing peptides were highly neuroprotective, with R12W8a being the most potent arginine-rich peptide identified in our laboratory. Peptides containing phenylalanine or tyrosine substituted in place of tryptophan in R12W8a were also highly neuroprotective, whereas leucine, and in particular glycine substitutions, decreased peptide efficacy. In vivo studies with protamine administered intravenously at 1000 nmol/kg 30 min after MCAO significantly reduced infarct volume and cerebral oedema by 22.5 and 38.6%, respectively. The R12W8a peptide was highly toxic when administered intravenously at 300 or 100 nmol/kg and ineffective at reducing infarct volume when administered at 30 nmol/kg 30 min after MCAO, unlike R18 (30 nmol/kg), which significantly reduced infarct volume by 20.4%. However, both R12W8a and R18 significantly reduced cerebral oedema by 19.8 and 42.2%, respectively. Protamine, R12W8a and R18 also reduced neuronal glutamic acid-induced calcium influx. These findings further highlight the neuroprotective properties of arginine-rich peptides and support the view that they represent a new class of neuroprotective agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno P Meloni
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia. .,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
| | - Diego Milani
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Heath Sciences, The University Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - Jane L Cross
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Vince W Clark
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Adam B Edwards
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Heath Sciences, The University Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - Ryan S Anderton
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Heath Sciences, The University Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - David J Blacker
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Neville W Knuckey
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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30
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Lee MW, Han M, Bossa GV, Snell C, Song Z, Tang H, Yin L, Cheng J, May S, Luijten E, Wong GCL. Interactions between Membranes and "Metaphilic" Polypeptide Architectures with Diverse Side-Chain Populations. ACS NANO 2017; 11:2858-2871. [PMID: 28212487 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b07981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
At physiological conditions, most proteins or peptides can fold into relatively stable structures that present on their molecular surfaces specific chemical patterns partially smeared out by thermal fluctuations. These nanoscopically defined patterns of charge, hydrogen bonding, and/or hydrophobicity, along with their elasticity and shape stability (folded proteins have Young's moduli of ∼1 × 108 Pa), largely determine and limit the interactions of these molecules, such as molecular recognition and allosteric regulation. In this work, we show that the membrane-permeating activity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can be significantly enhanced using prototypical peptides with "molten" surfaces: metaphilic peptides with quasi-liquid surfaces and adaptable shapes. These metaphilic peptides have a bottlebrush-like architecture consisting of a rigid helical core decorated with mobile side chains that are terminated by cationic or hydrophobic groups. Computer simulations show that these flexible side chains can undergo significant rearrangement in response to different environments, giving rise to adaptable surface chemistry of the peptide. This quality makes it possible to control their hydrophobicity over a broad range while maintaining water solubility, unlike many AMPs and CPPs. Thus, we are able to show how the activity of these peptides is amplified by hydrophobicity and cationic charge, and rationalize these results using a quantitative mean-field theory. Computer simulations show that the shape-changing properties of the peptides and the resultant adaptive presentation of chemistry play a key enabling role in their interactions with membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Guilherme Volpe Bossa
- Department of Physics, North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Carly Snell
- Department of Physics, North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Ziyuan Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Haoyu Tang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Lichen Yin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jianjun Cheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Sylvio May
- Department of Physics, North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
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31
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Ansari AS, Santerre PJ, Uludağ H. Biomaterials for polynucleotide delivery to anchorage-independent cells. J Mater Chem B 2017; 5:7238-7261. [DOI: 10.1039/c7tb01833a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Comparison of various chemical vectors used for polynucleotide delivery to mammalian anchorage-independent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysha S. Ansari
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering
- Faculty of Engineering
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton
- Canada
| | - Paul J. Santerre
- Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering
- University of Toronto
- Toronto
- Canada
| | - Hasan Uludağ
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering
- Faculty of Engineering
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton
- Canada
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32
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Chen S, Chen R. A Virus-Mimicking, Endosomolytic Liposomal System for Efficient, pH-Triggered Intracellular Drug Delivery. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:22457-22467. [PMID: 27512894 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b05041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A novel multifunctional liposomal delivery platform has been developed to resemble the structural and functional traits of an influenza virus. Novel pseudopeptides were prepared to mimic the pH-responsive endosomolytic behavior of influenza viral peptides through grafting a hydrophobic amino acid, l-phenylalanine, onto the backbone of a polyamide, poly(l-lysine isophthalamide), at various degrees of substitution. These pseudopeptidic polymers were employed to functionalize the surface of cholesterol-containing liposomes that mimic the viral envelope. By controlling the cholesterol proportion as well as the concentration and amphiphilicity of the pseudopeptides, the entire payload was rapidly released at endosomal pHs, while there was no release at pH 7.4. A pH-triggered, reversible change in liposomal size was observed, and the release mechanism was elucidated. In addition, the virus-mimicking nanostructures efficiently disrupted the erythrocyte membrane at pH 6.5 characteristic of early endosomes, while they showed negligible cytotoxic effects at physiological pH. The efficient intracellular delivery of the widely used anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) by the multifunctional liposomes was demonstrated, leading to significantly increased potency against HeLa cancer cells over the DOX-loaded bare liposomes. This novel virus-mimicking liposomal system, with the incorporated synergy of efficient liposomal drug release and efficient endosomal escape, is favorable for efficient intracellular drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London , South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Rongjun Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London , South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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33
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Kauffman WB, Fuselier T, He J, Wimley WC. Mechanism Matters: A Taxonomy of Cell Penetrating Peptides. Trends Biochem Sci 2015; 40:749-764. [PMID: 26545486 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The permeability barrier imposed by cellular membranes limits the access of exogenous compounds to the interior of cells. Researchers and patients alike would benefit from efficient methods for intracellular delivery of a wide range of membrane-impermeant molecules, including biochemically active small molecules, imaging agents, peptides, peptide nucleic acids, proteins, RNA, DNA, and nanoparticles. There has been a sustained effort to exploit cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) for the delivery of such useful cargoes in vitro and in vivo because of their biocompatibility, ease of synthesis, and controllable physical chemistry. Here, we discuss the many mechanisms by which CPPs can function, and describe a taxonomy of mechanisms that could be help organize future efforts in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Berkeley Kauffman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Taylor Fuselier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jing He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - William C Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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34
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Cationic amphipathic peptides KT2 and RT2 are taken up into bacterial cells and kill planktonic and biofilm bacteria. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1848:1352-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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35
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Bello I, Salerno M. Evidence against a role of P-glycoprotein in the clearance of the Alzheimer's disease Aβ1-42 peptides. Cell Stress Chaperones 2015; 20:421-30. [PMID: 25591827 PMCID: PMC4406933 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-014-0566-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been proposed that the amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) cause the neuronal degeneration in the Alzheimer's disease brain. An imbalance between peptide production at the neuronal level and their elimination across the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) results in peptide accumulation inside the brain. The identification and functional characterization of the transport systems in the BBB with the capacity to transport Aβ is crucial for the understanding of Aβ peptide traffic from the brain to the blood. In this context, it has been suggested that the P-glycoprotein (P-gp), expressed in endothelial cells of the BBB, plays a role in the elimination of Aβ. However, there is little, if any, experimental evidence to support this; therefore, the aim of this investigation was to determine whether P-gp is capable of transporting Aβ peptides. Our results show that ATPase activity measured in plasma membrane vesicles of K562 cells overexpressing P-gp is not increased by the presence of Aβ42, suggesting that Aβ42 is not a P-gp substrate. Similarly, P-gp of pirarubicin was unaffected by Aβ42. Moreover, the overexpression of P-gp does not protect cells against Aβ42 toxicity. Taken together, our results support the conclusion that Aβ42 is not transported by P-gp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Bello
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratoire CSPBAT, CNRS (UMR 7244), UFR-SMBH, Université Paris 13, 74 rue Marcel Cachin, 93017 Bobigny, France
| | - Milena Salerno
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratoire CSPBAT, CNRS (UMR 7244), UFR-SMBH, Université Paris 13, 74 rue Marcel Cachin, 93017 Bobigny, France
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36
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Alhakamy NA, Elandaloussi I, Ghazvini S, Berkland CJ, Dhar P. Effect of lipid headgroup charge and pH on the stability and membrane insertion potential of calcium condensed gene complexes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:4232-45. [PMID: 25768428 PMCID: PMC5704962 DOI: 10.1021/la504970n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Noncovalently condensed complexes of genetic material, cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), and calcium chloride present a nonviral route to improve transfection efficiency of nucleic acids (e.g., pDNA and siRNA). However, the exact mechanisms of membrane insertion and delivery of macromolecule complexes to intracellular locations as well as their stability in the intracellular environment are not understood. We show that calcium condensed gene complexes containing different hydrophilic (i.e., dTAT, K9, R9, and RH9) and amphiphilic (i.e., RA9, RL9, and RW9) CPPs formed stable cationic complexes of hydrodynamic radii 100 nm at neutral pH. However, increasing the acidity caused the complexes to become neutral or anionic and increase in size. Using zwitterionic and anionic phospholipid monolayers as models that mimic the membrane composition of the outer leaflet of cell membranes and intracellular vesicles and pHs that mimic the intracellular environment, we study the membrane insertion potential of these seven gene complexes (CPP/pDNA/Ca(2+) complexes) into model membranes. At neutral pH, all gene complexes demonstrated the highest insertion potential into anionic phospholipid membranes, with complexes containing amphiphilic peptides showing the maximum insertion. However, at acidic pH, the gene complexes demonstrated maximum monolayer insertion into zwitterionic lipids, irrespective of the chemical composition of the CPP in the complexes. Our results suggest that in the neutral environment the complexes are unable to penetrate the zwitterionic lipid membranes but can penetrate through the anionic lipid membranes. However, the acidic pH mimicking the local environment in the late endosomes leads to a significant increase in adsorption of the complexes to zwitterionic lipid headgroups and decreases for anionic headgroups. These membrane-gene complex interactions may be responsible for the ability of the complexes to efficiently enter the intracellular environment through endocytosis and escape from the endosomes to effectively deliver their genetic payload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil A. Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Ibrahim Elandaloussi
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
| | - Saba Ghazvini
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
| | - Cory J. Berkland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
| | - Prajnaparamita Dhar
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
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Carlier L, Joanne P, Khemtémourian L, Lacombe C, Nicolas P, El Amri C, Lequin O. Investigating the role of GXXXG motifs in helical folding and self-association of plasticins, Gly/Leu-rich antimicrobial peptides. Biophys Chem 2015; 196:40-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Di Pisa M, Chassaing G, Swiecicki JM. Translocation Mechanism(s) of Cell-Penetrating Peptides: Biophysical Studies Using Artificial Membrane Bilayers. Biochemistry 2014; 54:194-207. [DOI: 10.1021/bi501392n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Di Pisa
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, F-75005 Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, F-75005 Paris, France
- ENS, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules,
Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24 Rue Lhomond, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Gérard Chassaing
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, F-75005 Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, F-75005 Paris, France
- ENS, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules,
Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24 Rue Lhomond, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Marie Swiecicki
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, F-75005 Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, F-75005 Paris, France
- ENS, UMR 7203, Laboratoire des Biomolécules,
Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24 Rue Lhomond, F-75005 Paris, France
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Jobin ML, Alves ID. On the importance of electrostatic interactions between cell penetrating peptides and membranes: A pathway toward tumor cell selectivity? Biochimie 2014; 107 Pt A:154-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2014.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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The role of tryptophans on the cellular uptake and membrane interaction of arginine-rich cell penetrating peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1848:593-602. [PMID: 25445669 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are able to efficiently transport cargos across cell membranes without being cytotoxic to cells, thus present a great potential in drug delivery and diagnosis. While the role of cationic residues in CPPs has been well studied, that of Trp is still not clear. Herein 7 peptide analogs of RW9 (RRWWRRWRR, an efficient CPP) were synthesized in which Trp were systematically replaced by Phe residues. Quantification of cellular uptake reveals that substitution of Trp by Phe strongly reduces the internalization of all peptides despite the fact that they strongly accumulate in the cell membrane. Cellular internalization and biophysical studies show that not only the number of Trp residues but also their positioning in the helix and the size of the hydrophobic face they form are important for their internalization efficacy, the highest uptake occurring for the analog with 3 Trp residues. Using CD and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy we observe that all peptides became structured in contact with lipids, mainly in α-helix. Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence studies indicate that all peptides partition in the membrane in about the same manner (Kp~10(5)) and that they are located just below the lipid headgroups (~10 Å) with slightly different insertion depths for the different analogs. Plasmon Waveguide Resonance studies reveal a direct correlation between the number of Trp residues and the reversibility of the interaction following membrane washing. Thus a more interfacial location of the CPP renders the interaction with the membrane more adjustable and transitory enhancing its internalization ability.
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41
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Zamaleeva AI, Collot M, Bahembera E, Tisseyre C, Rostaing P, Yakovlev AV, Oheim M, de Waard M, Mallet JM, Feltz A. Cell-penetrating nanobiosensors for pointillistic intracellular Ca2+-transient detection. NANO LETTERS 2014; 14:2994-3001. [PMID: 24754795 DOI: 10.1021/nl500733g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule chemical calcium (Ca(2+)) indicators are invaluable tools for studying intracellular signaling pathways but have severe shortcomings for detecting local Ca(2+) entry. Nanobiosensors incorporating functionalized quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as promising alternatives but their intracellular use remains a major challenge. We designed cell-penetrating FRET-based Ca(2+) nanobiosensors for the detection of local Ca(2+) concentration transients, using commercially available CANdot565QD as a donor and CaRuby, a custom red-emitting Ca(2+) indicator, as an acceptor. With Ca(2+)-binding affinities covering the range of 3-20 μM, our CaRubies allow building sensors with a scalable affinity for detecting intracellular Ca(2+) transients at various concentrations. To facilitate their cytoplasmic delivery, QDs were further functionalized with a small cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) derived from hadrucalcin (HadUF1-11: H11), a ryanodine receptor-directed scorpion toxin identified within the venom of Hadrurus gertschi. Efficient internalization of QDs doubly functionalized with PEG5-CaRuby and H11 (in a molar ratio of 1:10:10, respectively) is demonstrated. In BHK cells expressing a N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) construct, these nanobiosensors report rapid intracellular near-membrane Ca(2+) transients following agonist application when imaged by TIRF microscopy. Our work presents the elaboration of cell-penetrating FRET-based nanobiosensors and validates their function for detection of intracellular Ca(2+) transients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alsu I Zamaleeva
- Ecole Normale Supérieure, Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS) , Paris F-75005, France
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42
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Amphiphilic macromolecules on cell membranes: from protective layers to controlled permeabilization. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:861-81. [PMID: 24903487 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9679-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial and cell-penetrating peptides have inspired developments of abiotic membrane-active polymers that can coat, penetrate, or break lipid bilayers in model systems. Application to cell cultures is more recent, but remarkable bioactivities are already reported. Synthetic polymer chains were tailored to achieve (i) high biocide efficiencies, and selectivity for bacteria (Gram-positive/Gram-negative or bacterial/mammalian membranes), (ii) stable and mild encapsulation of viable isolated cells to escape immune systems, (iii) pH-, temperature-, or light-triggered interaction with cells. This review illustrates these recent achievements highlighting the use of abiotic polymers, and compares the major structural determinants that control efficiency of polymers and peptides. Charge density, sp. of cationic and guanidinium side groups, and hydrophobicity (including polarity of stimuli-responsive moieties) guide the design of new copolymers for the handling of cell membranes. While polycationic chains are generally used as biocidal or hemolytic agents, anionic amphiphilic polymers, including Amphipols, are particularly prone to mild permeabilization and/or intracell delivery.
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43
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Maniti O, Piao HR, Ayala-Sanmartin J. Basic cell penetrating peptides induce plasma membrane positive curvature, lipid domain separation and protein redistribution. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 50:73-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Lhor M, Bernier SC, Horchani H, Bussières S, Cantin L, Desbat B, Salesse C. Comparison between the behavior of different hydrophobic peptides allowing membrane anchoring of proteins. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2014; 207:223-39. [PMID: 24560216 PMCID: PMC4028306 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2014.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Revised: 01/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Membrane binding of proteins such as short chain dehydrogenase reductases or tail-anchored proteins relies on their N- and/or C-terminal hydrophobic transmembrane segment. In this review, we propose guidelines to characterize such hydrophobic peptide segments using spectroscopic and biophysical measurements. The secondary structure content of the C-terminal peptides of retinol dehydrogenase 8, RGS9-1 anchor protein, lecithin retinol acyl transferase, and of the N-terminal peptide of retinol dehydrogenase 11 has been deduced by prediction tools from their primary sequence as well as by using infrared or circular dichroism analyses. Depending on the solvent and the solubilization method, significant structural differences were observed, often involving α-helices. The helical structure of these peptides was found to be consistent with their presumed membrane binding. Langmuir monolayers have been used as membrane models to study lipid-peptide interactions. The values of maximum insertion pressure obtained for all peptides using a monolayer of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine (DOPE) are larger than the estimated lateral pressure of membranes, thus suggesting that they bind membranes. Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy has been used to determine the structure and orientation of these peptides in the absence and in the presence of a DOPE monolayer. This lipid induced an increase or a decrease in the organization of the peptide secondary structure. Further measurements are necessary using other lipids to better understand the membrane interactions of these peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha Lhor
- CUO-Recherche, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Département d'ophtalmologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada; Regroupement stratégique PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sarah C Bernier
- CUO-Recherche, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Département d'ophtalmologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada; Regroupement stratégique PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Habib Horchani
- CUO-Recherche, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Département d'ophtalmologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada; Regroupement stratégique PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sylvain Bussières
- CUO-Recherche, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Département d'ophtalmologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada; Regroupement stratégique PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Line Cantin
- CUO-Recherche, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Département d'ophtalmologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada; Regroupement stratégique PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Bernard Desbat
- CBMN-UMR 5248 CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, IPB, Allée Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Christian Salesse
- CUO-Recherche, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Département d'ophtalmologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada; Regroupement stratégique PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.
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Alhakamy NA, Kaviratna A, Berkland CJ, Dhar P. Dynamic measurements of membrane insertion potential of synthetic cell penetrating peptides. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2013; 29:15336-49. [PMID: 24294979 PMCID: PMC3918496 DOI: 10.1021/la403370p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been established as excellent candidates for mediating drug delivery into cells. When designing synthetic CPPs for drug delivery applications, it is important to understand their ability to penetrate the cell membrane. In this paper, anionic or zwitterionic phospholipid monolayers at the air-water interface are used as model cell membranes to monitor the membrane insertion potential of synthetic CPPs. The insertion potential of CPPs having different cationic and hydrophobic amino acids were recorded using a Langmuir monolayer approach that records peptide adsorption to model membranes. Fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize alterations in phospholipid packing due to peptide insertion. All CPPs had the highest penetration potential in the presence of anionic phospholipids. In addition, two of three amphiphilic CPPs inserted into zwitterionic phospholipids, but none of the hydrophilic CPPs did. All the CPPs studied induced disruptions in phospholipid packing and domain morphology, which were most pronounced for amphiphilic CPPs. Overall, small changes to amino acids and peptide sequences resulted in dramatically different insertion potentials and membrane reorganization. Designers of synthetic CPPs for efficient intracellular drug delivery should consider small nuances in CPP electrostatic and hydrophobic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil A. Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA 66047
| | - Anubhav Kaviratna
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA 66047
| | - Cory J. Berkland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA 66047
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA 66047
| | - Prajnaparamita Dhar
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA 66047
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Bacterial killing mechanism of sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide-18 (SMAP-18) and its Trp-substituted analog with improved cell selectivity and reduced mammalian cell toxicity. Amino Acids 2013; 46:187-98. [PMID: 24221355 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1616-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
To develop short antimicrobial peptide with improved cell selectivity and reduced mammalian cell toxicity compared to sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide-29 (SMAP-29) and elucidate the possible mechanisms responsible for their antimicrobial action, we synthesized a N-terminal 18-residue peptide amide (SMAP-18) from SMAP-29 and its Trp-substituted analog (SMAP-18-W). Due to their reduced hemolytic activity and retained antimicrobial activity, SMAP-18 and SMAP-18-W showed higher cell selectivity than SMAP-29. In addition, SMAP-18 and SMAP-18-W had no cytotoxicity against three different mammalian cells such as RAW 264.7, NIH-3T3 and HeLa cells even at 100 μM. These results suggest that SMAP-18 and SMAP-18-W have potential for future development as novel therapeutic antimicrobial agent. Unlike SMAP-29, SMAP-18 and SMAP-18-W showed relatively weak ability to induce dye leakage from bacterial membrane-mimicking liposomes, N-phenyl-1-napthylamine (NPN) uptake and o-nitrophenyl-β-galactoside (ONPG) hydrolysis. Similar to SMAP-29, SMAP-18-W led to a significant membrane depolarization (> 80%) against Staphylococcus aureus at 2 × MIC. In contrast, SMAP-18 did not cause any membrane depolarization even at 4 × MIC. In confocal laser scanning microscopy, we observed translocation of SMAP-18 across the membrane in a non-membrane disruptive manner. SMAP-29 and SMAP-18-W were unable to translocate the bacterial membrane. Collectively, we propose here that SMAP-29 and SMAP-18-W kill microorganisms by disrupting/perturbing the lipid bilayer and forming pore/ion channels on bacterial cell membranes, respectively. In contrast, SMAP-18 may kill bacteria via intracellular-targeting mechanism.
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47
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Bechara C, Sagan S. Cell-penetrating peptides: 20 years later, where do we stand? FEBS Lett 2013; 587:1693-702. [PMID: 23669356 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 635] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Twenty years ago, the discovery of peptides able to cross cellular membranes launched a novel field in molecular delivery based on these non-invasive vectors, most commonly called cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) or protein transduction domains (PTDs). These peptides were shown to efficiently transport various biologically active molecules inside living cells, and thus are considered promising devices for medical and biotechnological developments. Moreover, CPPs emerged as potential tools to study the prime mechanisms of cellular entry across the plasma membrane. This review is dedicated to CPP fundamentals, with an emphasis on the molecular requirements and mechanism of their entry into eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chérine Bechara
- UPMC-Univ Paris 6, Laboratoire des BioMolecules, cc 182, UMR 7203 CNRS, ENS, Paris, France.
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48
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Senille V, Lelievre D, Paquet F, Garnier N, Lamb N, Legrand A, Delmas AF, Landon C. The addressing fragment of mitogaligin: first insights into functional and structural properties. Chembiochem 2013; 14:711-20. [PMID: 23532929 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201200715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Mitogaligin is a mitochondrion-targeting protein involved in cell death. The sequence of the protein is unrelated to that of any known pro- or antiapoptotic protein. Mitochondrial targeting is controlled by an internal sequence from residues 31 to 53, and although this sequence is essential and sufficient to provoke cell death, the precise mechanism of action at the mitochondrial membrane remains to be elucidated. Here, by focusing on the [31-53] fragment, we first assessed and confirmed its cell cytotoxicity by microinjection. Subsequently, with the aid of membrane models, we evaluated the impact of the membrane environment on the 3D structure of the peptide and on how the peptide is embedded and oriented within membranes. The fragment is well organized, even though it does not contain a canonical secondary structure, and adopts an interfacial location. Structural comparison with other membrane-interacting Trp-rich peptides demonstrated similarities with the antimicrobial peptide tritrpcidin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violette Senille
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301 affiliated to the University of Orléans, Rue Charles Sadron, 45071 Orléans cedex 2, France
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Jobin ML, Bonnafous P, Temsamani H, Dole F, Grélard A, Dufourc EJ, Alves ID. The enhanced membrane interaction and perturbation of a cell penetrating peptide in the presence of anionic lipids: toward an understanding of its selectivity for cancer cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2013; 1828:1457-70. [PMID: 23462641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are usually short, highly cationic peptides that are capable of crossing the cell membrane and transport cargos of varied size and nature in cells by energy- and receptor-independent mechanisms. An additional potential is the newly discovered anti-tumor activity of certain CPPs, including RW16 (RRWRRWWRRWWRRWRR) which is derived from penetratin and is investigated here. The use of CPPs in therapeutics, diagnosis and potential application as anti-tumor agents increases the necessity of understanding their mode of action, a subject yet not totally understood. With this in mind, the membrane interaction and perturbation mechanisms of RW16 with both zwitterionic and anionic lipid model systems (used as representative models of healthy vs tumor cells) were investigated using a large panoply of biophysical techniques. It was shown that RW16 autoassociates and that its oligomerization state highly influences its membrane interaction. Overall a stronger association and perturbation of anionic membranes was observed, especially in the presence of oligomeric peptide, when compared to zwitterionic ones. This might explain, at least in part, the anti-tumor activity and so the selective interaction with cancer cells whose membranes have been shown to be especially anionic. Hydrophobic contacts between the peptide and lipids were also shown to play an important role in the interaction. That probably results from the tryptophan insertion into the fatty acid lipid area following a peptide flip after the first electrostatic recognition. A model is presented that reflects the ensemble of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lise Jobin
- Université de Bordeaux, IPB, Allée Geoffroy St. Hilaire, Pessac, France
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Structure and dynamics of the two amphipathic arginine-rich peptides RW9 and RL9 in a lipid environment investigated by solid-state NMR and MD simulations. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2013; 1828:824-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2012.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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