1
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Mravic M, He L, Kratochvil HT, Hu H, Nick SE, Bai W, Edwards A, Jo H, Wu Y, DiMaio D, DeGrado WF. De novo-designed transmembrane proteins bind and regulate a cytokine receptor. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:751-760. [PMID: 38480980 PMCID: PMC11142920 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01562-z] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Transmembrane (TM) domains as simple as a single span can perform complex biological functions using entirely lipid-embedded chemical features. Computational design has the potential to generate custom tool molecules directly targeting membrane proteins at their functional TM regions. Thus far, designed TM domain-targeting agents have been limited to mimicking the binding modes and motifs of natural TM interaction partners. Here, we demonstrate the design of de novo TM proteins targeting the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) TM domain in a custom binding topology competitive with receptor homodimerization. The TM proteins expressed in mammalian cells complex with EpoR and inhibit erythropoietin-induced cell proliferation. In vitro, the synthetic TM domain complex outcompetes EpoR homodimerization. Structural characterization reveals that the complex involves the intended amino acids and agrees with our designed molecular model of antiparallel TM helices at 1:1 stoichiometry. Thus, membrane protein TM regions can now be targeted in custom-designed topologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mravic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Li He
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Huong T Kratochvil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hailin Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Sarah E Nick
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Weiya Bai
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anne Edwards
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hyunil Jo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yibing Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel DiMaio
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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2
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Guhe V, Singh S. Targeting peptide based therapeutics: Integrated computational and experimental studies of autophagic regulation in host-parasite interaction. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300679. [PMID: 38317307 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by the intracellular parasite Leishmania major, exhibits significant public health challenge worldwide. With limited treatment options available, the identification of novel therapeutic targets is of paramount importance. Present study manifested the crucial role of ATG8 protein as a potential target in combating L. major infection. Using machine learning algorithms, we identified non-conserved motifs within the ATG8 in L. major. Subsequently, a peptide library was generated based on these motifs, and three peptides were selected for further investigation through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) experiments confirmed the direct interaction between ATG8 and the identified peptides. Remarkably, these peptides demonstrated the ability to cross the parasite membrane and exert profound effects on L. major. Peptide treatment significantly impacted parasite survival, inducing alterations in the cell cycle and morphology. Furthermore, the peptides were found to modulate autophagosome formation, particularly under starved conditions, indicating their involvement in autophagy regulation within L. major. In vitro studies revealed that the selected peptides effectively decreased the parasite load within the infected host cells. Encouragingly, in vivo experiments corroborated these findings, demonstrating a reduction in parasite burden upon peptide administration. Additionally, the peptides were observed to affect the levels of LC3II, a known autophagy marker within the host cells. Collectively, our findings highlight the efficacy of these novel peptides in targeting L. major ATG8 and disrupting parasite survival, wherein P2 is showing prominent effect on L. major as compared to P1. These results provide valuable insights into the development of innovative therapeutic strategies against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vrushali Guhe
- Systems Medicine Lab, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, 411007, India Phone
| | - Shailza Singh
- Systems Medicine Lab, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, 411007, India Phone
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3
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Johnson TS, Bourdine AA, Deber CM. Hydrophobic moment drives penetration of bacterial membranes by transmembrane peptides. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105266. [PMID: 37734555 PMCID: PMC10585379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
With antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remaining a persistent and growing threat to human health worldwide, membrane-active peptides are gaining traction as an alternative strategy to overcome the issue. Membrane-embedded multi-drug resistant (MDR) efflux pumps are a prime target for membrane-active peptides, as they are a well-established contributor to clinically relevant AMR infections. Here, we describe a series of transmembrane peptides (TMs) to target the oligomerization motif of the AcrB component of the AcrAB-TolC MDR efflux pump from Escherichia coli. These peptides contain an N-terminal acetyl-A-(Sar)3 (sarcosine; N-methylglycine) tag and a C-terminal lysine tag-a design strategy our lab has utilized to improve the solubility and specificity of targeting for TMs previously. While these peptides have proven useful in preventing AcrB-mediated substrate efflux, the mechanisms by which these peptides associate with and penetrate the bacterial membrane remained unknown. In this study, we have shown peptide hydrophobic moment (μH)-the measure of concentrated hydrophobicity on one face of a lipopathic α-helix-drives bacterial membrane permeabilization and depolarization, likely through lateral-phase separation of negatively-charged POPG lipids and the disruption of lipid packing. Our results show peptide μH is an important consideration when designing membrane-active peptides and may be the determining factor in whether a TM will function in a permeabilizing or non-permeabilizing manner when embedded in the bacterial membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S Johnson
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aleksandra A Bourdine
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles M Deber
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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4
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Lay CS, Kilpatrick LE, Craggs PD, Hill SJ. Use of NanoBiT and NanoBRET to characterise interleukin-23 receptor dimer formation in living cells. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:1444-1459. [PMID: 36560872 PMCID: PMC10953408 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Interleukin-23 (IL-23) and its receptor are important drug targets for the treatment of auto-inflammatory diseases. IL-23 binds to a receptor complex composed of two single transmembrane spanning proteins IL23R and IL12Rβ1. In this study, we aimed to gain further understanding of how ligand binding induces signalling of IL-23 receptor complexes using the proximity-based techniques of NanoLuc Binary Technology (NanoBiT) and Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To monitor the formation of IL-23 receptor complexes, we developed a split luciferase (NanoBiT) assay whereby heteromerisation of receptor subunits can be measured through luminescence. The affinity of NanoBiT complemented complexes for IL-23 was measured using NanoBRET, and cytokine-induced signal transduction was measured using a phospho-STAT3 AlphaLISA assay. KEY RESULTS NanoBiT measurements demonstrated that IL-23 receptor complexes formed to an equal degree in the presence and absence of ligand. NanoBRET measurements confirmed that these complexes bound IL-23 with a picomolar binding affinity. Measurement of STAT3 phosphorylation demonstrated that pre-formed IL-23 receptor complexes induced signalling following ligand binding. It was also demonstrated that synthetic ligand-independent signalling could be induced by high affinity (HiBit) but not low affinity (SmBit) NanoBiT crosslinking of the receptor N-terminal domains. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results indicate that receptor complexes form prior to ligand binding and are not sufficient to induce signalling alone. Our findings indicate that IL-23 induces a conformational change in heteromeric receptor complexes, to enable signal transduction. These observations have direct implications for drug discovery efforts to target the IL-23 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S. Lay
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and ReceptorsUniversity of Birmingham and NottinghamThe MidlandsUK
- Medicine Design, Medicinal Science and TechnologyGlaxoSmithKlineStevenageUK
| | - Laura E. Kilpatrick
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and ReceptorsUniversity of Birmingham and NottinghamThe MidlandsUK
- Division of Bimolecular Science and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery InstituteUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Peter D. Craggs
- Medicine Design, Medicinal Science and TechnologyGlaxoSmithKlineStevenageUK
- Crick‐GSK Biomedical LinklabsGlaxoSmithKlineStevenageUK
| | - Stephen J. Hill
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and ReceptorsUniversity of Birmingham and NottinghamThe MidlandsUK
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5
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Kuntzel T, Spenlé C, Pham-Van LD, Birmpili D, Riou A, Loeuillet A, Charmarke-Askar I, Bagnard D. Implication of the Transmembrane Domain in the Interleukin 10 Receptor Platform Oligomerisation. Cells 2023; 12:1361. [PMID: 37408195 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101361] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 10 (IL-10) exerts anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory roles through its fixation to the IL-10 receptor (IL-10R). The two subunits (IL-10Rα and IL-10Rβ) organise themselves to form a hetero-tetramer to induce the activation of the transcription factor STAT3. We analysed the activation patterns of the IL-10R, especially the contribution of the transmembrane (TM) domain of the IL-10Rα and IL-10Rβ subunits, as evidence accumulates that this short domain has tremendous implications in receptor oligomerisation and activation. We also addressed whether targeting the TM domain of IL-10R with peptides mimicking the TM sequences of the subunits translates into biological consequences. The results illustrate the involvement of the TM domains from both subunits in receptor activation and feature a distinctive amino acid crucial for the interaction. The TM peptide targeting approach also appears to be suitable for modulating the activation of the receptor through its action on the dimerization capabilities of the TM domains and thereby constitutes a potential new strategy for the modulation of the inflammation in pathologic contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kuntzel
- UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), University of Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Caroline Spenlé
- UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), University of Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Lucas D Pham-Van
- UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), University of Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Dafni Birmpili
- UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), University of Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Aurélien Riou
- UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), University of Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Aurore Loeuillet
- UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), University of Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Imane Charmarke-Askar
- UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), University of Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Dominique Bagnard
- UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), University of Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
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6
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Zakrzewicz D, Geyer J. Interactions of Na +/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide with host cellular proteins upon hepatitis B and D virus infection: novel potential targets for antiviral therapy. Biol Chem 2023:hsz-2022-0345. [PMID: 37103224 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2022-0345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a member of the solute carrier (SLC) family 10 transporters (gene symbol SLC10A1) and is responsible for the sodium-dependent uptake of bile salts across the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes. In addition to its primary transporter function, NTCP is the high-affinity hepatic receptor for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis D (HDV) viruses and, therefore, is a prerequisite for HBV/HDV virus entry into hepatocytes. The inhibition of HBV/HDV binding to NTCP and internalization of the virus/NTCP receptor complex has become a major concept in the development of new antiviral drugs called HBV/HDV entry inhibitors. Hence, NTCP has emerged as a promising target for therapeutic interventions against HBV/HDV infections in the last decade. In this review, recent findings on protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between NTCP and cofactors relevant for entry of the virus/NTCP receptor complex are summarized. In addition, strategies aiming to block PPIs with NTCP to dampen virus tropism and HBV/HDV infection rates are discussed. Finally, this article suggests novel directions for future investigations evaluating the functional contribution of NTCP-mediated PPIs in the development and progression of HBV/HDV infection and subsequent chronic liver disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Zakrzewicz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
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7
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Krishna Sunkari Y, Kumar Siripuram V, Flajolet M. Diversity-Oriented Synthesis (DOS) of On-DNA Peptidomimetics from Acid-Derived Phosphonium Ylides. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202203037. [PMID: 36653313 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology represents a revolutionary drug-discovery tool with unprecedented screening power originating from the association of combinatorial chemistry and DNA barcoding. The chemical diversity of DELs and its chemical space will be further expanded as new DNA-compatible reactions are introduced. This work introduces the use of DOS in the context of on-DNA peptidomimetics. Wittig olefination of aspartic acid-derived on-DNA Wittig ylide, combined with a broad substrate scope of aldehydes, led to formation of on-DNA α ${\alpha }$ , β ${\beta }$ -unsaturated ketones. The synthesis of on-DNA multi-peptidyl-ylides was performed by incorporating sequential amino acids onto a monomeric ylide. Di-, tri- and tetrameric peptidyl-ylides were validated for Wittig olefination and led to on-DNA α ${\alpha }$ , β ${\beta }$ -unsaturated-based peptidomimetics, an important class of intermediates. One on-DNA aryl Wittig ylide was also developed and applied to Wittig olefination for synthesis of on-DNA chalcone-based molecules. Furthermore, DOS was used successfully with electron-deficient peptidomimetics and led to the development of different heterocyclic cores containing on-DNA peptidomimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashoda Krishna Sunkari
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Vijay Kumar Siripuram
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Marc Flajolet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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8
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Mravic M, He L, Kratochvil H, Hu H, Nick SE, Bai W, Edwards A, Jo H, Wu Y, DiMaio D, DeGrado WF. Designed Transmembrane Proteins Inhibit the Erythropoietin Receptor in a Custom Binding Topology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.13.526773. [PMID: 36824741 PMCID: PMC9949092 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.13.526773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane (TM) domains as simple as a single span can perform complex biological functions using entirely lipid-embedded chemical features. Computational design has potential to generate custom tool molecules directly targeting membrane proteins at their functional TM regions. Thus far, designed TM domain-targeting agents have been limited to mimicking binding modes and motifs of natural TM interaction partners. Here, we demonstrate the design of de novo TM proteins targeting the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) TM domain in a custom binding topology competitive with receptor homodimerization. The TM proteins expressed in mammalian cells complex with EpoR and inhibit erythropoietin-induced cell proliferation. In vitro, the synthetic TM domain complex outcompetes EpoR homodimerization. Structural characterization reveals that the complex involves the intended amino acids and agrees with our designed molecular model of antiparallel TM helices at 1:1 stoichiometry. Thus, membrane protein TM regions can now be targeted in custom designed topologies.
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9
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Sun J, Kulandaisamy A, Liu J, Hu K, Gromiha MM, Zhang Y. Machine learning in computational modelling of membrane protein sequences and structures: From methodologies to applications. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1205-1226. [PMID: 36817959 PMCID: PMC9932300 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins mediate a wide spectrum of biological processes, such as signal transduction and cell communication. Due to the arduous and costly nature inherent to the experimental process, membrane proteins have long been devoid of well-resolved atomic-level tertiary structures and, consequently, the understanding of their functional roles underlying a multitude of life activities has been hampered. Currently, computational tools dedicated to furthering the structure-function understanding are primarily focused on utilizing intelligent algorithms to address a variety of site-wise prediction problems (e.g., topology and interaction sites), but are scattered across different computing sources. Moreover, the recent advent of deep learning techniques has immensely expedited the development of computational tools for membrane protein-related prediction problems. Given the growing number of applications optimized particularly by manifold deep neural networks, we herein provide a review on the current status of computational strategies mainly in membrane protein type classification, topology identification, interaction site detection, and pathogenic effect prediction. Meanwhile, we provide an overview of how the entire prediction process proceeds, including database collection, data pre-processing, feature extraction, and method selection. This review is expected to be useful for developing more extendable computational tools specific to membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Sun
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Arulsamy Kulandaisamy
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of BioSciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Jacklyn Liu
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Kai Hu
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Computing and Information Processing of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - M. Michael Gromiha
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of BioSciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, Tamilnadu, India,Corresponding authors.
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Computing and Information Processing of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China,Corresponding authors.
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10
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An Acid-Sensitive Bone Targeting Delivery System Carrying Acacetin Prevents Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Mice. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010002. [PMID: 36678499 PMCID: PMC9867347 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
One effective treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis is to inhibit osteoclasts and subsequent bone resorption. In our study, we demonstrated that acacetin, a flavone with potential therapeutic effects in infections, cancers, and several metabolic disorders, inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro. For improving the efficacy of acacetin in vivo, we developed an acid-sensitive bone-targeting delivery system composed of an acid-sensitive linker (N-ε-maleimidocaproic acid hydrazide, EMCH) for ensuring an effective release of acacetin at the site of action and a hydrophilic aspartic acid hexapeptide ((Asp)6, D6) as the effective bone targeting agent. Our results revealed that Acacetin-EMCH-D6 specifically bound to the bone surface once administrated in vivo, prolonged the retention time in bone and released acacetin at the osteoclastic bone resorption sites where the acidity is higher. We further demonstrated that, in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis mice, treatment with Acacetin-EMCH-D6 inhibited osteoclast formation and increased trabecular bone mass. On the contrary, neither acacetin nor EMCH-D6 with the same dosage alone showed significant anti-osteoporosis effects in vivo. Mechanistically, targeted delivery of acacetin to the bone resorption sites by Acacetin-EMCH-D6 inhibited autophagy through activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in osteoclasts, while the activation of autophagy by rapamycin partially reversed the inhibitory effects of acacetin in vitro and in vivo. In summary, our study, for the first time, showed that the acid-sensitive bone-targeting delivery system carrying acacetin was effective for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thus, targeted delivery of acacetin using Acacetin-EMCH-D6 to bone resorption sites is a promising therapy for osteoporosis.
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11
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Issmail L, Möser C, Jäger C, Altattan B, Ramsbeck D, Kleinschmidt M, Buchholz M, Smith D, Grunwald T. Prefusion-specific antibody-derived peptides trivalently presented on DNA-nanoscaffolds as an innovative strategy against RSV entry. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2022.994843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the primary cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children and the elderly worldwide, for which neither a vaccine nor an effective therapy is approved. The entry of RSV into the host cell is mediated by stepwise structural changes in the surface RSV fusion (RSV-F) glycoprotein. Recent progress in structural and functional studies of RSV-F glycoprotein revealed conformation-dependent neutralizing epitopes which have become attractive targets for vaccine and therapeutic development. As RSV-F is present on viral surface in a trimeric form, a trivalent binding interaction between a candidate fusion inhibitor and the respective epitopes on each of the three monomers is expected to prevent viral infection at higher potency than a monovalent or bivalent inhibitor. Here we demonstrate a novel RSV entry inhibitory approach by implementing a trimeric DNA nanostructure as a template to display up to three linear peptide moieties that simultaneously target an epitope on the surface of the prefusion RSV-F protein. In order to design synthetic binding peptides that can be coupled to the DNA nanostructure, the prefusion RSV-F-specific monoclonal antibody (D25) was selected. Complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) derived peptides underwent truncation and alanine-scanning mutagenesis analysis, followed by systematic sequence modifications using non-canonical amino acids. The most effective peptide candidate was used as a binding moiety to functionalize the DNA nanostructure. The designed DNA-peptide construct was able to block RSV infection on cells more efficiently than the monomeric peptides, however a more moderate reduction of viral load was observed in the lungs of infected mice upon intranasal application, likely due to dissociation or absorption of the underlying DNA structure by cells in the lungs. Taken together, our results point towards the inhibitory potential of a novel trimeric DNA-peptide based approach against RSV and open the possibility to apply this platform to target other viral infections.
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12
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Sequeira P, Rothkegel M, Domingos P, Martins I, Leclercq CC, Renaut J, Goldman GH, Silva Pereira C. Untargeted Metabolomics Sheds Light on the Secondary Metabolism of Fungi Triggered by Choline-Based Ionic Liquids. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:946286. [PMID: 35958129 PMCID: PMC9361774 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.946286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal secondary metabolites constitute a rich source of yet undiscovered bioactive compounds. Their production is often silent under standard laboratory conditions, but the production of some compounds can be triggered simply by altering the cultivation conditions. The usage of an organic salt – ionic liquid – as growth medium supplement can greatly impact the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, leading to higher diversity of compounds accumulating extracellularly. This study examines if such supplements, specifically cholinium-based ionic liquids, can support the discovery of bioactive secondary metabolites across three model species: Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Enriched organic extracts obtained from medium supernatant revealed high diversity in metabolites. The supplementation led apparently to increased levels of either 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate or α-aminoisobutyric acid. The extracts where bioactive against two major foodborne bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In particular, those retrieved from N. crassa cultures showed greater bactericidal potential compared to control extracts derived from non-supplemented cultures. An untargeted mass spectrometry analysis using the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking tool enabled to capture the chemical diversity driven by the ionic liquid stimuli. Diverse macrolides, among other compounds, were putatively associated with A. fumigatus; whereas an unexpected richness of cyclic (depsi)peptides with N. crassa. Further studies are required to understand if the identified peptides are the major players of the bioactivity of N. crassa extracts, and to decode their biosynthesis pathways as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Sequeira
- Applied and Environmental Mycology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-NOVA), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Maika Rothkegel
- Applied and Environmental Mycology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-NOVA), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Domingos
- Applied and Environmental Mycology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-NOVA), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Isabel Martins
- Applied and Environmental Mycology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-NOVA), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Céline C. Leclercq
- Integrative Biology Platform, Environmental Research and Technology Platform, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Jenny Renaut
- Integrative Biology Platform, Environmental Research and Technology Platform, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Applied and Environmental Mycology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-NOVA), Oeiras, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Cristina Silva Pereira
- Applied and Environmental Mycology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-NOVA), Oeiras, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Cristina Silva Pereira,
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13
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Deciphering the conformational landscape of few selected aromatic noncoded amino acids (NCAAs) for applications in rational design of peptide therapeutics. Amino Acids 2022; 54:1183-1202. [PMID: 35723743 PMCID: PMC9207436 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-022-03175-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Amino acids are the essential building blocks of both synthetic and natural peptides, which are crucial for biological functions and also important as biological probes for mapping the complex protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Mapping the PPIs through the chemical biology approach provides pharmacologically relevant peptides, which can have agonistic or antagonistic effects on the targeted biological systems. It is evidenced that ≥ 60 peptide-based drugs have been approved by the US-FDA so far, and the number will improve further in the foreseeable future, as ≥ 140 peptides are currently in clinical trials. However, natural peptides often require fine-tuning of their pharmacological properties by strategically replacing the αL-amino acids of the peptides with non-coded amino acids (NCAA), for which codons are absent in the genetic code for biosynthesis of proteins, prior to their applications as therapeutics. Considering the diverse repertoire of the NCAAs, the conformational space of many NCAAs is yet to be explored systematically in the context of the rational design of therapeutic peptides. The current study deciphers the conformational landscape of a few such Cα-substituted aromatic NCAAs (Ing: 2-indanyl-L-Glycine; Bpa: 4-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine; Aic: 2-aminoindane-2-carboxylic acid) both in the context of tripeptides and model synthetic peptide sequences, using alanine (Ala) and proline (Pro) as the reference. The combined data obtained from the computational and biophysical studies indicate the general success of this approach, which can be exploited further to rationally design optimized peptide sequences of unusual architecture with potent antimicrobial, antiviral, gluco-regulatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities.
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14
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Su J, Liu C, Bai H, Cong W, Tang H, Hu H, Su L, He S, Wang Y. Development of novel bone targeting peptide-drug conjugate of 13-aminomethyl-15-thiomatrine for osteoporosis therapy. RSC Adv 2021; 12:221-227. [PMID: 35424502 PMCID: PMC8978659 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra08136e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
13-Aminomethyl-15-thiomatrine (M19) previously developed by our research group was a promising candidate for novel anti-osteoporosis drug development. However, the application of M19 was limited by its unsatisfactory druggability including poor chemical stability, excessively broad pharmacological activity and some degree of cytotoxicity. To solve these problems, M19-based bone targeting and cathepsin K sensitive peptide–drug conjugates (BTM19-1, BTM19-2 and BTM19-3) were developed to realize precise drug release in the bone tissue. Subsequent studies showed a rapid drug release process via cathepsin K digestion but sufficient stability over several hours in chymotrypsin. Besides, greatly improved chemical stability and strong hydroxyapatite binding affinity were also demonstrated. In biological evaluation studies, these PDCs showed less cytotoxicity and similar osteoclast inhibitory activity compared with the prototype drug. The optimal BTM19-2 could serve as a suitable candidate for further osteoporosis therapy research. 13-Aminomethyl-15-thiomatrine (M19) previously developed by our research group was a promising candidate for novel anti-osteoporosis drug development.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Su
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Zhejiang China
| | - Chao Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Haohao Bai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Wei Cong
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Hua Tang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Honggang Hu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Li Su
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Shipeng He
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Zhejiang China
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15
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Hashemi ZS, Zarei M, Fath MK, Ganji M, Farahani MS, Afsharnouri F, Pourzardosht N, Khalesi B, Jahangiri A, Rahbar MR, Khalili S. In silico Approaches for the Design and Optimization of Interfering Peptides Against Protein-Protein Interactions. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:669431. [PMID: 33996914 PMCID: PMC8113820 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.669431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Large contact surfaces of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) remain to be an ongoing issue in the discovery and design of small molecule modulators. Peptides are intrinsically capable of exploring larger surfaces, stable, and bioavailable, and therefore bear a high therapeutic value in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Given these promising properties, a long way has been covered in the field of targeting PPIs via peptide design strategies. In silico tools have recently become an inevitable approach for the design and optimization of these interfering peptides. Various algorithms have been developed to scrutinize the PPI interfaces. Moreover, different databases and software tools have been created to predict the peptide structures and their interactions with target protein complexes. High-throughput screening of large peptide libraries against PPIs; "hotspot" identification; structure-based and off-structure approaches of peptide design; 3D peptide modeling; peptide optimization strategies like cyclization; and peptide binding energy evaluation are among the capabilities of in silico tools. In the present study, the most recent advances in the field of in silico approaches for the design of interfering peptides against PPIs will be reviewed. The future perspective of the field and its advantages and limitations will also be pinpointed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Sadat Hashemi
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Zarei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Karami Fath
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Ganji
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboube Shahrabi Farahani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Afsharnouri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Pourzardosht
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Bahman Khalesi
- Department of Research and Production of Poultry Viral Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Jahangiri
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rahbar
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeed Khalili
- Department of Biology Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Synthesis of Poly(Malic Acid) Derivatives End-Functionalized with Peptides and Preparation of Biocompatible Nanoparticles to Target Hepatoma Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11040958. [PMID: 33918663 PMCID: PMC8070460 DOI: 10.3390/nano11040958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently, short synthetic peptides have gained interest as targeting agents in the design of site-specific nanomedicines. In this context, our work aimed at developing new tools for the diagnosis and/or therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by grafting the hepatotropic George Baker (GB) virus A (GBVA10-9) and Plasmodium circumsporozoite protein (CPB)-derived peptides to the biocompatible poly(benzyl malate), PMLABe. We successfully synthesized PMLABe derivatives end-functionalized with peptides GBVA10-9, CPB, and their corresponding scrambled peptides through a thiol/maleimide reaction. The corresponding nanoparticles (NPs), varying by the nature of the peptide (GBVA10-9, CPB, and their scrambled peptides) and the absence or presence of poly(ethylene glycol) were also successfully formulated using nanoprecipitation technique. NPs were further characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), highlighting a diameter lower than 150 nm, a negative surface charge, and a more or less spherical shape. Moreover, a fluorescent probe (DiD Oil) has been encapsulated during the nanoprecipitation process. Finally, preliminary in vitro internalisation assays using HepaRG hepatoma cells demonstrated that CPB peptide-functionalized PMLABe NPs were efficiently internalized by endocytosis, and that such nanoobjects may be promising drug delivery systems for the theranostics of HCC.
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17
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Wątły J, Miller A, Kozłowski H, Rowińska-Żyrek M. Peptidomimetics - An infinite reservoir of metal binding motifs in metabolically stable and biologically active molecules. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 217:111386. [PMID: 33610030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of metal ions in interactions with therapeutic peptides is inevitable. They are one of the factors able to fine-tune the biological properties of antimicrobial peptides, a promising group of drugs with one large drawback - a problematic metabolic stability. Appropriately chosen, proteolytically stable peptidomimetics seem to be a reasonable solution of the problem, and the use of D-, β-, γ-amino acids, unnatural amino acids, azapeptides, peptoids, cyclopeptides and dehydropeptides is an infinite reservoir of metal binding motifs in metabolically stable, well-designed, biologically active molecules. Below, their specific structural features, metal-chelating abilities and antimicrobial potential are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Wątły
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland.
| | - Adriana Miller
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Henryk Kozłowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland; Department of Health Sciences, University of Opole, Katowicka 68, Opole 45-060, Poland
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18
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Targeting the transmembrane domain 5 of latent membrane protein 1 using small molecule modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113210. [PMID: 33550183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a critical role in living cells and represent promising targets for the drug discovery and life sciences communities. However, lateral transmembrane PPIs are difficult targets for small-molecule inhibitor development given less structural information is known and fewer ligand discovery methods have been explored compared to soluble proteins. In this study, the interactions of the transmembrane domain 5 (TMD-5) of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were disrupted by pentamidine derivatives to curb the committed step of EBV infection. A pentamidine derivative 2 with a 7-atom di-amide linker had the best activity whilst switching the amide regiochemistry in the linker influenced membrane permeability and abolished anti TMD-5 activity. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to understand the interaction between pentamidine derivatives and TMD-5, and to rationalise the observed structure-activity relationships. This study explicitly demonstrated that the interaction of small molecule with lipid should be considered alongside interaction with the protein target when designing small molecules targeting the PPIs of TMDs. In all, this study provides proof of concept for the rational design of small molecules targeting transmembrane PPIs.
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19
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González-Muñiz R, Bonache MÁ, Pérez de Vega MJ. Modulating Protein-Protein Interactions by Cyclic and Macrocyclic Peptides. Prominent Strategies and Examples. Molecules 2021; 26:445. [PMID: 33467010 PMCID: PMC7830901 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic and macrocyclic peptides constitute advanced molecules for modulating protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Although still peptide derivatives, they are metabolically more stable than linear counterparts, and should have a lower degree of flexibility, with more defined secondary structure conformations that can be adapted to imitate protein interfaces. In this review, we analyze recent progress on the main methods to access cyclic/macrocyclic peptide derivatives, with emphasis in a few selected examples designed to interfere within PPIs. These types of peptides can be from natural origin, or prepared by biochemical or synthetic methodologies, and their design could be aided by computational approaches. Some advances to facilitate the permeability of these quite big molecules by conjugation with cell penetrating peptides, and the incorporation of β-amino acid and peptoid structures to improve metabolic stability, are also commented. It is predicted that this field of research could have an important future mission, running in parallel to the discovery of new, relevant PPIs involved in pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario González-Muñiz
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.Á.B.); (M.J.P.d.V.)
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20
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Luo K, Zhang L, Liao Y, Zhou H, Yang H, Luo M, Qing C. Effects and mechanisms of Eps8 on the biological behaviour of malignant tumours (Review). Oncol Rep 2021; 45:824-834. [PMID: 33432368 PMCID: PMC7859916 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.7927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8) was initially identified as the substrate for the kinase activity of EGFR, improving the responsiveness of EGF, which is involved in cell mitosis, differentiation and other physiological functions. Numerous studies over the last decade have demonstrated that Eps8 is overexpressed in most ubiquitous malignant tumours and subsequently binds with its receptor to activate multiple signalling pathways. Eps8 not only participates in the regulation of malignant phenotypes, such as tumour proliferation, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance, but is also related to the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients. Therefore, Eps8 is a potential tumour diagnosis and prognostic biomarker and even a therapeutic target. This review aimed to describe the structural characteristics, role and related molecular mechanism of Eps8 in malignant tumours. In addition, the prospect of Eps8 as a target for cancer therapy is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Yunnan Tumor Hospital and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University; Kunming, Yunnan 650118, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Liao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Hongyu Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Hongying Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Yunnan Tumor Hospital and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University; Kunming, Yunnan 650118, P.R. China
| | - Min Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Chen Qing
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
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21
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Sugawara K, Ishizaki S, Kikuchi S, Kuramitz H, Kadoya T. Construction of Protein Probe with a His‐tag and an Electron‐transfer Peptide for a Target Protein Sensing. ELECTROANAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.202060338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sora Ishizaki
- Maebashi Institute of Technology Gunma 371-0816 Japan
| | - Soya Kikuchi
- Maebashi Institute of Technology Gunma 371-0816 Japan
| | - Hideki Kuramitz
- Department of Environmental Biology and Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering for Research University of Toyama Toyama 930-8555 Japan
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22
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Jesin JA, Stone TA, Mitchell CJ, Reading E, Deber CM. Peptide-Based Approach to Inhibition of the Multidrug Resistance Efflux Pump AcrB. Biochemistry 2020; 59:3973-3981. [PMID: 33026802 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Clinically relevant multidrug-resistant bacteria often arise due to overproduction of membrane-embedded efflux proteins that are capable of pumping antibiotics out of the bacterial cell before the drugs can exert their intended toxic effect. The Escherichia coli membrane protein AcrB is the archetypal protein utilized for bacterial efflux study because it can extrude a diverse range of antibiotic substrates and has close homologues in many Gram-negative pathogens. Three AcrB subunits, each of which contains 12 transmembrane (TM) helices, are known to trimerize to form the minimal functional unit, stabilized noncovalently by helix-helix interactions between TM1 and TM8. To inhibit the efflux activity of AcrB, we have rationally designed synthetic peptides aimed at destabilizing the AcrB trimerization interface by outcompeting the subunit interaction sites within the membrane. Here we report that peptides mimicking TM1 or TM8, with flanking N-terminal peptoid tags, and C-terminal lysine tags that aid in directing the peptides to their membrane-embedded target, decrease the AcrB-mediated efflux of the fluorescent substrate Nile red and potentiate the effect of the antimicrobials chloramphenicol and ethidium bromide. To further characterize the motif encompassing the interaction between TM1 and TM8, we used Förster resonance energy transfer to demonstrate dimerization. Using the TM1 and TM8 peptides, in conjunction with several selected mutant peptides, we highlight residues that may increase the potency and specificity of the peptide drug candidates. In targeting membrane-embedded protein-protein interactions, this work represents a novel approach to AcrB inhibition and, more broadly, a potential route to a new category of efflux pump inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Jesin
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 0A4, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tracy A Stone
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 0A4, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chloe J Mitchell
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 0A4, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eamonn Reading
- Department of Chemistry, Britannia House, King's College London, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
| | - Charles M Deber
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 0A4, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Sindhikara D, Wagner M, Gkeka P, Güssregen S, Tiwari G, Hessler G, Yapici E, Li Z, Evers A. Automated Design of Macrocycles for Therapeutic Applications: From Small Molecules to Peptides and Proteins. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12100-12115. [PMID: 33017535 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Macrocycles and cyclic peptides are increasingly attractive therapeutic modalities as they often have improved affinity, are able to bind to extended protein surfaces, and otherwise have favorable properties. Macrocyclization of a known binder may stabilize its bioactive conformation and improve its metabolic stability, cell permeability, and in certain cases oral bioavailability. Herein, we present implementation and application of an approach that automatically generates, evaluates, and proposes cyclizations utilizing a library of well-established chemical reactions and reagents. Using the three-dimensional (3D) conformation of the linear molecule in complex with a target protein as the starting point, this approach identifies attachment points, generates linkers, evaluates their geometric compatibility, and ranks the resulting molecules with respect to their predicted conformational stability and interactions with the target protein. As we show here with prospective and retrospective case studies, this procedure can be applied for the macrocyclization of small molecules and peptides and even PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Sindhikara
- Schrodinger, Inc., 120 West 45th Street, New York, New York 10036, United States
| | - Michael Wagner
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Paraskevi Gkeka
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 91385 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Stefan Güssregen
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Garima Tiwari
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hessler
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Engin Yapici
- Schrodinger, Inc., 120 West 45th Street, New York, New York 10036, United States
| | - Ziyu Li
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Evers
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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24
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Ding Y, Ting JP, Liu J, Al-Azzam S, Pandya P, Afshar S. Impact of non-proteinogenic amino acids in the discovery and development of peptide therapeutics. Amino Acids 2020; 52:1207-1226. [PMID: 32945974 PMCID: PMC7544725 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02890-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With the development of modern chemistry and biology, non-proteinogenic amino acids (NPAAs) have become a powerful tool for developing peptide-based drug candidates. Drug-like properties of peptidic medicines, due to the smaller size and simpler structure compared to large proteins, can be changed fundamentally by introducing NPAAs in its sequence. While peptides composed of natural amino acids can be used as drug candidates, the majority have shown to be less stable in biological conditions. The impact of NPAA incorporation can be extremely beneficial in improving the stability, potency, permeability, and bioavailability of peptide-based therapies. Conversely, undesired effects such as toxicity or immunogenicity should also be considered. The impact of NPAAs in the development of peptide-based therapeutics is reviewed in this article. Further, numerous examples of peptides containing NPAAs are presented to highlight the ongoing development in peptide-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Ding
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Joey Paolo Ting
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Jinsha Liu
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Shams Al-Azzam
- Professional Scientific Services, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, Lancaster, PA, 17605, USA
| | - Priyanka Pandya
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Sepideh Afshar
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
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25
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Singh P, Szigyártó IC, Ricci M, Zsila F, Juhász T, Mihály J, Bősze S, Bulyáki É, Kardos J, Kitka D, Varga Z, Beke-Somfai T. Membrane Active Peptides Remove Surface Adsorbed Protein Corona From Extracellular Vesicles of Red Blood Cells. Front Chem 2020; 8:703. [PMID: 32850685 PMCID: PMC7432246 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides the outstanding potential in biomedical applications, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are also promising candidates to expand our knowledge on interactions between vesicular surface proteins and small-molecules which exert biomembrane-related functions. Here we provide mechanistic details on interactions between membrane active peptides with antimicrobial effect (MAPs) and red blood cell derived EVs (REVs) and we demonstrate that they have the capacity to remove members of the protein corona from REVs even at lower than 5 μM concentrations. In case of REVs, the Soret-band arising from the membrane associated hemoglobins allowed to follow the detachment process by flow-Linear Dichroism (flow-LD). Further on, the significant change on the vesicle surfaces was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Since membrane active peptides, such as melittin have the affinity to disrupt vesicles, a combination of techniques, fluorescent antibody labeling, microfluidic resistive pulse sensing, and flow-LD were employed to distinguish between membrane destruction and surface protein detachment. The removal of protein corona members is a newly identified role for the investigated peptides, which indicates complexity of their in vivo function, but may also be exploited in synthetic and natural nanoparticle engineering. Furthermore, results also promote that EVs can be used as improved model systems for biophysical studies providing insight to areas with so far limited knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Singh
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Imola Cs Szigyártó
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Maria Ricci
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Zsila
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tünde Juhász
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judith Mihály
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Bősze
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Bulyáki
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - József Kardos
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diána Kitka
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Varga
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Beke-Somfai
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
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26
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Garai P, Blanc‐Potard A. Uncovering small membrane proteins in pathogenic bacteria: Regulatory functions and therapeutic potential. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:710-720. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Garai
- Laboratory of Pathogen‐Host Interactions Université de MontpellierCNRS‐UMR5235 Montpellier France
| | - Anne Blanc‐Potard
- Laboratory of Pathogen‐Host Interactions Université de MontpellierCNRS‐UMR5235 Montpellier France
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27
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Masri E, Ahsanullah, Accorsi M, Rademann J. Side-Chain Modification of Peptides Using a Phosphoranylidene Amino Acid. Org Lett 2020; 22:2976-2980. [PMID: 32223201 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The flexible variation of peptidomimetics is of great interest for the identification of optimized protein ligands. Here we present a general concept for introducing side-chain modifications into peptides using triarylphosphonium amino acids. Building blocks 4a and 4b are activated for amidation and incorporated into stable peptides. The obtained phosphoranylidene peptides undergo Wittig olefinations and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, yielding peptidomimetics with vinyl ketones and 5-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles as non-native peptide side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enaam Masri
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy/Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 2 + 4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ahsanullah
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy/Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 2 + 4, 14195 Berlin, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Matteo Accorsi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy/Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 2 + 4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Rademann
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy/Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 2 + 4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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28
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Wäschenbach L, Gertzen CGW, Keitel V, Gohlke H. Dimerization energetics of the G-protein coupled bile acid receptor TGR5 from all-atom simulations. J Comput Chem 2019; 41:874-884. [PMID: 31880348 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.26135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We describe the first extensive energetic evaluation of GPCR dimerization on the atomistic level by means of potential of mean force (PMF) computations and implicit solvent/implicit membrane end-point free energy calculations (MM-PBSA approach). Free energies of association computed from the PMFs show that the formation of both the 1/8 and 4/5 interface is energetically favorable for TGR5, the first GPCR known to be activated by hydrophobic bile acids and neurosteroids. Furthermore, formation of the 1/8 interface is favored over that of the 4/5 interface. Both results are in line with our previous FRET experiments in live cells. Differences in lipid-protein interactions are identified to contribute to the observed differences in free energies of association. A per-residue decomposition of the MM-PBSA effective binding energy reveals hot spot residues specific for both interfaces that form clusters. This knowledge may be used to guide the design of dimerization inhibitors or perform mutational studies to explore physiological consequences of distorted TGR5 association. Finally, we characterized the role of Y111, located in the conserved (D/E)RY motif, as a facilitator of TGR5 interactions. The types of computations performed here should be transferable to other transmembrane proteins that form dimers or higher oligomers as long as good structural models of the dimeric or oligomeric states are available. Such computations may help to overcome current restrictions due to an imperfect energetic representation of protein association at the coarse-grained level. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Wäschenbach
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph G W Gertzen
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.,John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC), Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), and Institute for Complex Systems-Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Verena Keitel
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Holger Gohlke
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.,John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC), Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), and Institute for Complex Systems-Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
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29
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Westerfield JM, Barrera FN. Membrane receptor activation mechanisms and transmembrane peptide tools to elucidate them. J Biol Chem 2019; 295:1792-1814. [PMID: 31879273 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev119.009457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-pass membrane receptors contain extracellular domains that respond to external stimuli and transmit information to intracellular domains through a single transmembrane (TM) α-helix. Because membrane receptors have various roles in homeostasis, signaling malfunctions of these receptors can cause disease. Despite their importance, there is still much to be understood mechanistically about how single-pass receptors are activated. In general, single-pass receptors respond to extracellular stimuli via alterations in their oligomeric state. The details of this process are still the focus of intense study, and several lines of evidence indicate that the TM domain (TMD) of the receptor plays a central role. We discuss three major mechanistic hypotheses for receptor activation: ligand-induced dimerization, ligand-induced rotation, and receptor clustering. Recent observations suggest that receptors can use a combination of these activation mechanisms and that technical limitations can bias interpretation. Short peptides derived from receptor TMDs, which can be identified by screening or rationally developed on the basis of the structure or sequence of their targets, have provided critical insights into receptor function. Here, we explore recent evidence that, depending on the target receptor, TMD peptides cannot only inhibit but also activate target receptors and can accommodate novel, bifunctional designs. Furthermore, we call for more sharing of negative results to inform the TMD peptide field, which is rapidly transforming into a suite of unique tools with the potential for future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Westerfield
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996.
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30
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Covarrubias-Zambrano O, Yu J, Bossmann SH. Nano-Inspired Technologies for Peptide Delivery. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 21:379-400. [PMID: 31793426 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666191202112429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nano-inspired technologies offer unique opportunities to treat numerous diseases by using therapeutic peptides. Therapeutic peptides have attractive pharmacological profiles and can be manufactured at relatively low costs. The major advantages of using a nanodelivery approach comprises significantly lower required dosages compared to systemic delivery, and thus reduced toxicity and immunogenicity. The combination of therapeutic peptides with delivery peptides and nanoparticles or small molecule drugs offers systemic treatment approaches, instead of aiming for single biological targets or pathways. This review article discusses exemplary state-of-the-art nanosized delivery systems for therapeutic peptides and antibodies, as well as their biochemical and biophysical foundations and emphasizes still remaining challenges. The competition between using different nanoplatforms, such as liposome-, hydrogel-, polymer-, silica nanosphere-, or nanosponge-based delivery systems is still "on" and no clear frontrunner has emerged to date.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, 419 CBC Building, Manhattan, KS 66506-0401, United States.,Johns Hopkins University, Department of Radiology, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stefan H Bossmann
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, 419 CBC Building, Manhattan, KS 66506-0401, United States
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31
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Synthetic hydrophobic peptides derived from MgtR weaken Salmonella pathogenicity and work with a different mode of action than endogenously produced peptides. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15253. [PMID: 31649255 PMCID: PMC6813294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51760-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the antibiotic resistance crisis, novel therapeutic strategies need to be developed against bacterial pathogens. Hydrophobic bacterial peptides (small proteins under 50 amino acids) have emerged as regulatory molecules that can interact with bacterial membrane proteins to modulate their activity and/or stability. Among them, the Salmonella MgtR peptide promotes the degradation of MgtC, a virulence factor involved in Salmonella intramacrophage replication, thus providing the basis for an antivirulence strategy. We demonstrate here that endogenous overproduction of MgtR reduced Salmonella replication inside macrophages and lowered MgtC protein level, whereas a peptide variant of MgtR (MgtR-S17I), which does not interact with MgtC, had no effect. We then used synthetic peptides to evaluate their action upon exogenous addition. Unexpectedly, upon addition of synthetic peptides, both MgtR and its variant MgtR-S17I reduced Salmonella intramacrophage replication and lowered MgtC and MgtB protein levels, suggesting a different mechanism of action of exogenously added peptides versus endogenously produced peptides. The synthetic peptides did not act by reducing bacterial viability. We next tested their effect on various recombinant proteins produced in Escherichia coli and showed that the level of several inner membrane proteins was strongly reduced upon addition of both peptides, whereas cytoplasmic or outer membrane proteins remained unaffected. Moreover, the α-helical structure of synthetic MgtR is important for its biological activity, whereas helix-helix interacting motif is dispensable. Cumulatively, these results provide perspectives for new antivirulence strategies with the use of peptides that act by reducing the level of inner membrane proteins, including virulence factors.
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32
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Yu X, Liang C, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Chen H. Inhibitory short peptides targeting EPS8/ABI1/SOS1 tri-complex suppress invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:878. [PMID: 31488087 PMCID: PMC6727365 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to develop inhibitory short peptides that can prevent protein interactions of SOS1/EPS8/ABI1 tri-complex, a key component essential for ovarian cancer metastasis. Methods Plasmids containing various regions of HA-tagged ABI1 were co-transfected into ovarian cancer cells with Flag-tagged SOS1 or Myc-tagged EPS8. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST-pulldown assay were used to identify the regions of ABI1 responsible for SOS1 and EPS8 binding. Inhibitory short peptides of these binding regions were synthesized and modified with HIV-TAT sequence. The blocking effects of the peptides on ABI1-SOS1 or ABI1-EPS8 interactions in vitro and in vivo were determined by GST-pulldown assay. The capability of these short peptides in inhibiting invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cell was tested by Matrigel invasion assay and peritoneal metastatic colonization assay. Results The formation of endogenous SOS1/EPS8/ABI1 tri-complex was detected in the event of LPA-induced ovarian cancer cell invasion. In the tri-complex, ABI1 acted as a scaffold protein holding together SOS1 and EPS8. The SH3 and poly-proline+PxxDY regions of ABI1 were responsible for SOS1 and EPS8 binding, respectively. Inhibitory short peptides p + p-8 (ppppppppvdyedee) and SH3–3 (ekvvaiydytkdkddelsfmegaii) could block ABI1-SOS1 and ABI1-EPS8 interaction in vitro. TAT-p + p-8 peptide could disrupt ABI1-EPS8 interaction and suppress the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells in vivo. Conclusions TAT-p + p-8 peptide could efficiently disrupt the ABI1-EPS8 interaction, tri-complex formation, and block the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Yu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Chuan Liang
- Department of Cardiothoracic vascular surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yuanzhen Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Huijun Chen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China.
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33
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Wang Y, Peng Y, Zhang B, Zhang X, Li H, Wilson AJ, Mineev KS, Wang X. Targeting trimeric transmembrane domain 5 of oncogenic latent membrane protein 1 using a computationally designed peptide. Chem Sci 2019; 10:7584-7590. [PMID: 31588309 PMCID: PMC6761861 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc02474c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A peptide inhibitor was designed in silico and validated experimentally to disrupt homotrimeric transmembrane helix assembly.
Protein–protein interactions are involved in diverse biological processes. These interactions are therefore vital targets for drug development. However, the design of peptide modulators targeting membrane-based protein–protein interactions is a challenging goal owing to the lack of experimentally-determined structures and efficient protocols to probe their functions. Here we employed rational peptide design and molecular dynamics simulations to design a membrane-insertable peptide that disrupts the strong trimeric self-association of the fifth transmembrane domain (TMD5) of the oncogenic Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1). The designed anti-TMD5 peptide formed 1 : 2 heterotrimers with TMD5 in micelles and inhibited TMD5 oligomerization in bacterial membranes. Moreover, the designed peptide inhibited LMP-1 homotrimerization based on NF-κB activity in EVB positive lymphoma cells. The results indicated that the designed anti-TMD5 peptide may represent a promising starting point for elaboration of anti-EBV therapeutics via inhibition of LMP-1 oligomerization. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first example of disrupting homotrimeric transmembrane helices using a designed peptide inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology , Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Changchun , Jilin 130022 , China . .,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong 510060 , China
| | - Yinghua Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Wild Economic Animals , Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Changchun , Jilin 130112 , China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology , Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Changchun , Jilin 130022 , China .
| | - Xiaozheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology , Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Changchun , Jilin 130022 , China .
| | - Hongyuan Li
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology , Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Changchun , Jilin 130022 , China .
| | - Andrew J Wilson
- School of Chemistry , University of Leeds , Woodhouse Lane , Leeds , LS2 9JT , UK.,Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology , University of Leeds , Woodhouse Lane , Leeds , LS2 9JT , UK
| | - Konstantin S Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry , Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow , 117997 , Russian
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology , Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Changchun , Jilin 130022 , China . .,Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering , University of Science and Technology of China , Hefei , Anhui 230026 , China
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34
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Yan XQ, Wang ZC, Qi PF, Li G, Zhu HL. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-H pyrazole derivatives containing morpholine moieties as highly potent small molecule inhibitors of APC-Asef interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 177:425-447. [PMID: 31158755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Mutated adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) selectively combining with Asef has been reported to be implicated in promoting colon cancer proliferation, invasion and metastasis in several cancer biotherapy studies. However, there were universally resistance and harsh terms in disrupting APC-Asef interaction in biotherapy. Under the circumstances small-molecule inhibitors as the new APC interface could resolve the problems. In this research, a series of novel dihydropyrazole derivatives containing morpholine as high potent interaction inhibitors between APC and Asef were first synthesized after selection by means of docking simulation and virtual screening. Afterwards they were evaluated interaction inhibition of APC-Asef and pharmacological efficiency both in vitro and in vivo utilizing orthotopic transplantation model with multi-angle of view. Among them, compound 7g exhibited most excellent anti-proliferation activities against HCT116 cells with IC50 of 0.10 ± 0.01 μM than Regorafenib (IC50 = 0.16 ± 0.04 μM). The results favored our rational design intention and provides a new class of small-molecule inhibitors available for the development of colon tumor therapeutics targeting APC-Asef interaction inhibitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qiang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Zhong-Chang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
| | - Peng-Fei Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Guigen Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
| | - Hai-Liang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
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35
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Moussouni M, Nogaret P, Garai P, Ize B, Vivès E, Blanc-Potard AB. Activity of a Synthetic Peptide Targeting MgtC on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Intramacrophage Survival and Biofilm Formation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:84. [PMID: 31001488 PMCID: PMC6454036 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antivirulence strategies aim to target pathogenicity factors while bypassing the pressure on the bacterium to develop resistance. The MgtC membrane protein has been proposed as an attractive target that is involved in the ability of several major bacterial pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to survive inside macrophages. In liquid culture, P. aeruginosa MgtC acts negatively on biofilm formation. However, a putative link between these two functions of MgtC in P. aeruginosa has not been experimentally addressed. In the present study, we first investigated the contribution of exopolysaccharides (EPS) in the intramacrophage survival defect and biofilm increase of mgtC mutant. Within infected macrophages, expression of EPS genes psl and alg was increased in a P. aeruginosa mgtC mutant strain comparatively to wild-type strain. However, the intramacrophage survival defect of mgtC mutant was not rescued upon introduction of psl or alg mutation, suggesting that MgtC intramacrophage role is unrelated to EPS production, whereas the increased biofilm formation of mgtC mutant was partially suppressed by introduction of psl mutation. We aimed to develop an antivirulence strategy targeting MgtC, by taking advantage of a natural antagonistic peptide, MgtR. Heterologous expression of mgtR in P. aeruginosa PAO1 was shown to reduce its ability to survive within macrophages. We investigated for the first time the biological effect of a synthetic MgtR peptide on P. aeruginosa. Exogenously added synthetic MgtR peptide lowered the intramacrophage survival of wild-type P. aeruginosa PAO1, thus mimicking the phenotype of an mgtC mutant as well as the effect of endogenously produced MgtR peptide. In correlation with this finding, addition of MgtR peptide to bacterial culture strongly reduced MgtC protein level, without reducing bacterial growth or viability, thus differing from classical antimicrobial peptides. On the other hand, the addition of exogenous MgtR peptide did not affect significantly biofilm formation, indicating an action toward EPS-independent phenotype rather than EPS-related phenotype. Cumulatively, our results show an antivirulence action of synthetic MgtR peptide, which may be more potent against acute infection, and provide a proof of concept for further exploitation of anti-Pseudomonas strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malika Moussouni
- Laboratoire de Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CNRS, UMR5235, Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Nogaret
- Laboratoire de Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CNRS, UMR5235, Montpellier, France
| | - Preeti Garai
- Laboratoire de Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CNRS, UMR5235, Montpellier, France
| | - Bérengère Ize
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS & Aix-Marseille University of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Vivès
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne-Béatrice Blanc-Potard
- Laboratoire de Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CNRS, UMR5235, Montpellier, France
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36
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El Khamlichi C, Reverchon-Assadi F, Hervouet-Coste N, Blot L, Reiter E, Morisset-Lopez S. Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer as a Method to Study Protein-Protein Interactions: Application to G Protein Coupled Receptor Biology. Molecules 2019; 24:E537. [PMID: 30717191 PMCID: PMC6384791 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24030537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) approach involves resonance energy transfer between a light-emitting enzyme and fluorescent acceptors. The major advantage of this technique over biochemical methods is that protein-protein interactions (PPI) can be monitored without disrupting the natural environment, frequently altered by detergents and membrane preparations. Thus, it is considered as one of the most versatile technique for studying molecular interactions in living cells at "physiological" expression levels. BRET analysis has been applied to study many transmembrane receptor classes including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR). It is well established that these receptors may function as dimeric/oligomeric forms and interact with multiple effectors to transduce the signal. Therefore, they are considered as attractive targets to identify PPI modulators. In this review, we present an overview of the different BRET systems developed up to now and their relevance to identify inhibitors/modulators of protein⁻protein interaction. Then, we introduce the different classes of agents that have been recently developed to target PPI, and provide some examples illustrating the use of BRET-based assays to identify and characterize innovative PPI modulators in the field of GPCRs biology. Finally, we discuss the main advantages and the limits of BRET approach to characterize PPI modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayma El Khamlichi
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, UPR 4301, University of Orléans and INSERM, 45071 Orléans, France.
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, Université François Rabelais-Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France.
| | - Flora Reverchon-Assadi
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, UPR 4301, University of Orléans and INSERM, 45071 Orléans, France.
| | - Nadège Hervouet-Coste
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, UPR 4301, University of Orléans and INSERM, 45071 Orléans, France.
| | - Lauren Blot
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, UPR 4301, University of Orléans and INSERM, 45071 Orléans, France.
| | - Eric Reiter
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, Université François Rabelais-Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France.
| | - Séverine Morisset-Lopez
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, UPR 4301, University of Orléans and INSERM, 45071 Orléans, France.
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37
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Tseng WH, Li MC, Horng JC, Wang SK. Strategy and Effects of Polyproline Peptide Stapling by Copper(I)-Catalyzed Alkyne-Azide Cycloaddition Reaction. Chembiochem 2019; 20:153-158. [PMID: 30427573 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Polyproline is a unique type of peptide that has a stable, robust, and well-defined helical structure in an aqueous environment. These features have allowed polyproline to be used as a nanosized scaffold for applications in chemical biology and related fields. To understand its structural properties and to expand the applications, this secondary structure was tested systematically by stapling the peptide at different locations with staples of various lengths. Using the efficient copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC), we successfully prepared stapled polyproline and investigated the impact of this peptide macrocyclization through circular dichroism analysis. Whereas the stapling seems to have no significant effect on polyproline helix II (PPII) conformation in water, the location and the length of the staple affect the transformation of conformation in n-propanol. These results provide valuable information for future research using peptide stapling to manipulate polyproline conformation for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hsiu Tseng
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Sec. 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Che Li
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Sec. 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Cherng Horng
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Sec. 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.,Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Sec. 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Kai Wang
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Sec. 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.,Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Sec. 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
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38
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Beaudoin T, Stone TA, Glibowicka M, Adams C, Yau Y, Ahmadi S, Bear CE, Grasemann H, Waters V, Deber CM. Activity of a novel antimicrobial peptide against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14728. [PMID: 30283025 PMCID: PMC6170476 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33016-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
With the increasing recognition of biofilms in human disease, the development of novel antimicrobial therapies is of critical importance. For example, in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), the acquisition of host-adapted, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is associated with a decline in lung function and increased mortality. Our objective was to test the in vitro efficacy of a membrane-active antimicrobial peptide we designed, termed 6K-F17 (sequence: KKKKKK-AAFAAWAAFAA-NH2), against multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa biofilms. This peptide displays high antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogenic bacteria, yet is non-hemolytic to human erythrocytes and non-toxic to human bronchial epithelial cells. In the present work, P. aeruginosa strain PAO1, and four multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates from chronically infected CF individuals, were grown as 48-hour biofilms in a static biofilm slide chamber model. These biofilms were then exposed to varying concentrations of 6K-F17 alone, or in the presence of tobramycin, prior to confocal imaging. Biofilm biovolume and viability were assessed. 6K-F17 was able to kill biofilms - even in the presence of sputum - and greatly reduce biofilm biovolume in PAO1 and MDR isolates. Strikingly, when used in conjunction with tobramycin, low doses of 6K-F17 significantly potentiated tobramycin killing, leading to biofilm destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Beaudoin
- Division of Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tracy A Stone
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Miroslawa Glibowicka
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christina Adams
- Division of Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yvonne Yau
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saumel Ahmadi
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine E Bear
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hartmut Grasemann
- Division of Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Valerie Waters
- Division of Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Charles M Deber
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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39
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Alves DS, Westerfield JM, Shi X, Nguyen VP, Stefanski KM, Booth KR, Kim S, Morrell-Falvey J, Wang BC, Abel SM, Smith AW, Barrera FN. A novel pH-dependent membrane peptide that binds to EphA2 and inhibits cell migration. eLife 2018; 7:36645. [PMID: 30222105 PMCID: PMC6192698 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Misregulation of the signaling axis formed by the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) EphA2 and its ligand, ephrinA1, causes aberrant cell-cell contacts that contribute to metastasis. Solid tumors are characterized by an acidic extracellular medium. We intend to take advantage of this tumor feature to design new molecules that specifically target tumors. We created a novel pH-dependent transmembrane peptide, TYPE7, by altering the sequence of the transmembrane domain of EphA2. TYPE7 is highly soluble and interacts with the surface of lipid membranes at neutral pH, while acidity triggers transmembrane insertion. TYPE7 binds to endogenous EphA2 and reduces Akt phosphorylation and cell migration as effectively as ephrinA1. Interestingly, we found large differences in juxtamembrane tyrosine phosphorylation and the extent of EphA2 clustering when comparing TYPE7 with activation by ephrinA1. This work shows that it is possible to design new pH-triggered membrane peptides to activate RTK and gain insights on its activation mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiane S Alves
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
| | - Justin M Westerfield
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
| | - Xiaojun Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, United States.,Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, United States.,Rammelkamp Center for Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, United States
| | - Vanessa P Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
| | - Katherine M Stefanski
- Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
| | - Kristen R Booth
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
| | - Soyeon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, United States
| | - Jennifer Morrell-Falvey
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States.,Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, United States
| | - Bing-Cheng Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, United States.,Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, United States.,Rammelkamp Center for Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, United States
| | - Steven M Abel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States.,National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
| | - Adam W Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, United States
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
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40
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Structure of the EmrE multidrug transporter and its use for inhibitor peptide design. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E7932-E7941. [PMID: 30082384 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1802177115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Small multidrug resistance (SMR) pumps represent a minimal paradigm of proton-coupled membrane transport in bacteria, yet no high-resolution structure of an SMR protein is available. Here, atomic-resolution structures of the Escherichia coli efflux-multidrug resistance E (EmrE) multidrug transporter in ligand-bound form are refined using microsecond molecular dynamics simulations biased using low-resolution data from X-ray crystallography. The structures are compatible with existing mutagenesis data as well as NMR and biochemical experiments, including pKas of the catalytic glutamate residues and the dissociation constant ([Formula: see text]) of the tetraphenylphosphonium+ cation. The refined structures show the arrangement of residue side chains in the EmrE active site occupied by two different ligands and in the absence of a ligand, illustrating how EmrE can adopt structurally diverse active site configurations. The structures also show a stable, well-packed binding interface between the helices H4 of the two monomers, which is believed to be crucial for EmrE dimerization. Guided by the atomic details of this interface, we design proteolysis-resistant stapled peptides that bind to helix H4 of an EmrE monomer. The peptides are expected to interfere with the dimerization and thereby inhibit drug transport. Optimal positions of the peptide staple were determined using free-energy simulations of peptide binding to monomeric EmrE Three of the four top-scoring peptides selected for experimental testing resulted in significant inhibition of proton-driven ethidium efflux in live cells without nonspecific toxicity. The approach described here is expected to be of general use for the design of peptide therapeutics.
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41
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Mravic M, Hu H, Lu Z, Bennett JS, Sanders CR, Orr AW, DeGrado WF. De novo designed transmembrane peptides activating the α5β1 integrin. Protein Eng Des Sel 2018; 31:181-190. [PMID: 29992271 PMCID: PMC6151875 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzy014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Computationally designed transmembrane α-helical peptides (CHAMP) have been used to compete for helix-helix interactions within the membrane, enabling the ability to probe the activation of the integrins αIIbβ3 and αvβ3. Here, this method is extended towards the design of CHAMP peptides that inhibit the association of the α5β1 transmembrane (TM) domains, targeting the Ala-X3-Gly motif within α5. Our previous design algorithm was performed alongside a new workflow implemented within the widely used Rosetta molecular modeling suite. Peptides from each computational approach activated integrin α5β1 but not αVβ3 in human endothelial cells. Two CHAMP peptides were shown to directly associate with an α5 TM domain peptide in detergent micelles to a similar degree as a β1 TM peptide does. By solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance, one of these CHAMP peptides was shown to bind primarily the integrin β1 TM domain, which itself has a Gly-X3-Gly motif. The second peptide associated modestly with both α5 and β1 constructs, with slight preference for α5. Although the design goal was not fully realized, this work characterizes novel CHAMP peptides activating α5β1 that can serve as useful reagents for probing integrin biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mravic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hailin Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenwei Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Joel S Bennett
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Charles R Sanders
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - A Wayne Orr
- Departments of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Cell Biology and Anatomy, and Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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42
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Feng T, Chen F, Kang Y, Sun H, Liu H, Li D, Zhu F, Hou T. HawkRank: a new scoring function for protein-protein docking based on weighted energy terms. J Cheminform 2017; 9:66. [PMID: 29282565 PMCID: PMC5745212 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-017-0254-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the structural determinants of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) is essential to gain a deep understanding of many important biological functions in the living cells. Computational approaches for the structural modeling of PPIs, such as protein–protein docking, are quite needed to complement existing experimental techniques. The reliability of a protein–protein docking method is dependent on the ability of the scoring function to accurately distinguish the near-native binding structures from a huge number of decoys. In this study, we developed HawkRank, a novel scoring function designed for the sampling stage of protein–protein docking by summing the contributions from several energy terms, including van der Waals potentials, electrostatic potentials and desolvation potentials. First, based on the solvation free energies predicted by the Generalized Born model for ~ 800 proteins, a SASA (solvent accessible surface area)-based solvation model was developed, which can give the aqueous solvation free energies for proteins by summing the contributions of 21 atom types. Then, the van der Waals potentials and electrostatic potentials based on the Amber ff14SB force field were computed. Finally, the HawkRank scoring function was derived by determining the most optimal weights for five energy terms based on the training set. Here, MSR (modified success rate), a novel protein–protein scoring quality index, was used to assess the performance of HawkRank and three other popular protein–protein scoring functions, including ZRANK, FireDock and dDFIRE. The results show that HawkRank outperformed the other three scoring functions according to the total number of hits and MSR. HawkRank is available at http://cadd.zju.edu.cn/programs/hawkrank.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Feng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fu Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Kang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huiyong Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China. .,State Key Lab of CAD&CG, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.
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43
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Minkiewicz P, Iwaniak A, Darewicz M. Annotation of Peptide Structures Using SMILES and Other Chemical Codes-Practical Solutions. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22122075. [PMID: 29186902 PMCID: PMC6149970 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemporary peptide science exploits methods and tools of bioinformatics, and cheminformatics. These approaches use different languages to describe peptide structures—amino acid sequences and chemical codes (especially SMILES), respectively. The latter may be applied, e.g., in comparative studies involving structures and properties of peptides and peptidomimetics. Progress in peptide science “in silico” may be achieved via better communication between biologists and chemists, involving the translation of peptide representation from amino acid sequence into SMILES code. Recent recommendations concerning good practice in chemical information include careful verification of data and their annotation. This publication discusses the generation of SMILES representations of peptides using existing software. Construction of peptide structures containing unnatural and modified amino acids (with special attention paid on glycosylated peptides) is also included. Special attention is paid to the detection and correction of typical errors occurring in SMILES representations of peptides and their correction using molecular editors. Brief recommendations for training of staff working on peptide annotations, are discussed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Minkiewicz
- Chair of Food Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Science, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Cieszyński 1, 10-726 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
| | - Anna Iwaniak
- Chair of Food Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Science, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Cieszyński 1, 10-726 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Darewicz
- Chair of Food Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Science, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Cieszyński 1, 10-726 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
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44
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Peptidomimetic inhibitors of APC-Asef interaction block colorectal cancer migration. Nat Chem Biol 2017; 13:994-1001. [PMID: 28759015 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The binding of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) to its receptor Asef relieves the negative intramolecular regulation of Asef and leads to aberrant cell migration in human colorectal cancer. Because of its crucial role in metastatic dissemination, the interaction between APC and Asef is an attractive target for anti-colorectal-cancer therapy. We rationally designed a series of peptidomimetics that act as potent inhibitors of the APC interface. Crystal structures and biochemical and cellular assays showed that the peptidomimetics in the APC pocket inhibited the migration of colorectal cells by disrupting APC-Asef interaction. By using the peptidomimetic inhibitor as a chemical probe, we found that CDC42 was the downstream GTPase involved in APC-stimulated Asef activation in colorectal cancer cells. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of exploiting APC-Asef interaction to regulate the migration of colorectal cancer cells, and provides what to our knowledge is the first class of protein-protein interaction inhibitors available for the development of cancer therapeutics targeting APC-Asef signaling.
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45
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Schneider D. Border controls: Lipids control proteins and proteins control lipids. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:507-508. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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