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Li X, Nelson CG, Nair RR, Hazlehurst L, Moroni T, Martinez-Acedo P, Nanna AR, Hymel D, Burke TR, Rader C. Stable and Potent Selenomab-Drug Conjugates. Cell Chem Biol 2017; 24:433-442.e6. [PMID: 28330604 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Selenomabs are engineered monoclonal antibodies with one or more translationally incorporated selenocysteine residues. The unique reactivity of the selenol group of selenocysteine permits site-specific conjugation of drugs. Compared with other natural and unnatural amino acid and carbohydrate residues that have been used for the generation of site-specific antibody-drug conjugates, selenocysteine is particularly reactive, permitting fast, single-step, and efficient reactions under near physiological conditions. Using a tailored conjugation chemistry, we generated highly stable selenomab-drug conjugates and demonstrated their potency and selectivity in vitro and in vivo. These site-specific antibody-drug conjugates built on a selenocysteine interface revealed broad therapeutic utility in liquid and solid malignancy models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuling Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Christopher G Nelson
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Rajesh R Nair
- Molecular Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Lori Hazlehurst
- Molecular Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Tina Moroni
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Pablo Martinez-Acedo
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Alex R Nanna
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - David Hymel
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Terrence R Burke
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Christoph Rader
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Molecular Therapeutics, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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Sorkin MR, Walker JA, Brown JS, Alabi CA. Versatile Platform for the Synthesis of Orthogonally Cleavable Heteromultifunctional Cross-Linkers. Bioconjug Chem 2017; 28:907-912. [PMID: 28191937 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cleavable and heteromultifunctional cross-linkers have proven critical in a wide range of biological applications. Traditional approaches for synthesizing these linkers suffer from various synthetic and functional limitations. In this work, an efficient sequence-defined synthetic methodology, developed for the assembly of oligothioetheramides, was used to address many of these limitations. Four heterotrifunctional cross-linkers with up to two orthogonal internal cleavage sites were synthesized. These linkers were conjugated to a pair of fluorophores that undergo Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and a model protein-human transferrin. Orthogonal bond cleavage was validated by mass spectrometry, fluorescent gel electrophoresis, and confocal microscopy. These studies demonstrate the versatility and biological utility of oligothioetheramides as a new class of multifunctional chemical cross-linkers and biologically relevant fluorescent probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R Sorkin
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Joshua A Walker
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Joseph S Brown
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Christopher A Alabi
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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Kantner T, Watts AG. Characterization of Reactions between Water-Soluble Trialkylphosphines and Thiol Alkylating Reagents: Implications for Protein-Conjugation Reactions. Bioconjug Chem 2016; 27:2400-2406. [PMID: 27602944 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Water-soluble trialkylphosphines such as tris(carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) and trishydroxypropyl phosphine (THPP) are effective agents for reducing disulfide bonds in proteins and are increasingly becoming the reagents of choice for bioconjugation strategies that modify cysteine (thiol containing) amino acids. These reducing agents are often considered as being chemically compatible with Michael acceptors such as maleimides and, as such, are often not removed prior to performing protein conjugation reactions. Here, we demonstrate the rapid and irreversible reaction of both TCEP and THPP with derivatives of the commonly employed thiol alkylating groups, maleimide and vinyl sulfone. Mechanistic investigations revealed distinct differences between the reactions of TCEP and THPP with maleimide, leading to the production of either nonproductive ylenes or succidimidyl derivatives, respectively. Importantly, we also demonstrate the incorporation of nonproductive ylenes formed between maleimide and TCEP into the Pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide Pn6b following strategies employed toward the production of conjugate vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrence Kantner
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath , Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew G Watts
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath , Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
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Rader C. Chemically programmed antibodies. Trends Biotechnol 2014; 32:186-97. [PMID: 24630478 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Due to their unlimited chemical diversity, small molecules can rival monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with respect to specificity and affinity for target molecules. However, key pharmacological properties of mAbs remain unmatched by small molecules. Chemical programming strategies have been developed for site-specific and covalent conjugation of small molecules to mAbs with unique reactivity centers. In addition to blending favorable features of small molecules and mAbs, chemically programmed antibodies (cpAbs) are economically attractive because they utilize the same mAb for an almost unlimited number of target molecule specificities, reducing manufacturing costs and shortening drug discovery and development time. Preclinical studies and clinical trials have begun to demonstrate the broad utility of cpAbs for the treatment and prevention of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Rader
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way #2C1, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Molecular Therapeutics, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way #2C1, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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Li X, Yang J, Rader C. Antibody conjugation via one and two C-terminal selenocysteines. Methods 2013; 65:133-8. [PMID: 23756202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional antibody conjugation methods generate antibody-drug conjugates that are heterogeneous mixtures with undefined stoichiometry and variable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. We have previously described a strategy to generate site-specific antibody conjugates by genetic engineering of an antibody with a single C-terminal selenocysteine, the 21st natural amino acid, which displays unique chemical reactivity allowing selective conjugation in the presence of all other natural amino acids. In the present work, we describe a method for expanding this technology to higher drug-to-antibody ratios by genetically engineering an antibody with two C-terminal selenocysteines. Both selenocysteines effectively conjugate to a fluorescent iodoacetamide derivative and the resulting conjugate fully retains its antigen binding capability. Our method provides a platform for creating stoichiometrically defined antibody-drug conjugates for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuling Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jiahui Yang
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Christoph Rader
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Molecular Therapeutics, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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Thomas JD, Cui H, North PJ, Hofer T, Rader C, Burke TR. Application of strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition and tetrazine ligation to targeted Fc-drug conjugates. Bioconjug Chem 2012; 23:2007-13. [PMID: 22988967 PMCID: PMC3474869 DOI: 10.1021/bc300052u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We have previously described an approach whereby antibody Fc fragments harboring a single C-terminal selenocysteine residue (Fc-Sec) are directed against a variety of targets by changing the peptide or small molecule to which they are conjugated. In the present work, we describe methodology for improving the efficacy of these Fc-Sec conjugates by incorporating cytotoxic drugs. The Fc-Sec protein is first programmed to target specific tumor cell types by attachment of a bifunctional linker that contains a "clickable" handle (e.g., cyclobutane or cyclooctyne) in addition to a tumor cell-binding peptide or small molecule. Following Fc-Sec conjugation, a cytotoxic warhead is then attached by cycloaddition reactions of tetrazine or azide-containing linker. To validate this approach, we used a model system in which folic acid (FA) is the targeting moiety and a disulfide-linked biotin moiety serves as a cytotoxic drug surrogate. We demonstrated successful targeting of Fc-Sec proteins to folate-receptor expressing tumor cells. Tetrazine ligation was found to be an efficient method for biotin "arming" of the folate-targeted Fc-Sec proteins. We also report novel bioconjugation methodologies that use [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions between tetrazines and cyclooctynes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Thomas
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, U.S.A
| | - Huiting Cui
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
| | - Patrick J North
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
| | - Thomas Hofer
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
| | - Christoph Rader
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A
| | - Terrence R. Burke
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, U.S.A
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Cui H, Thomas JD, Burke TR, Rader C. Chemically programmed bispecific antibodies that recruit and activate T cells. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:28206-14. [PMID: 22761439 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.384594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (biAbs) that mediate cytotoxicity by recruiting and activating endogenous immune cells are an emerging class of next-generation antibody therapeutics. Of particular interest are biAbs of relatively small size (∼50 kDa) that can redirect cytotoxic T cells through simultaneous binding of tumor cells. Here we describe a conceptually unique class of biAbs in which the tumor cell specificity of a humanized antibody fragment that recognizes CD3 on T cells is chemically programmed through a C-terminal selenocysteine (Sec) residue. We demonstrate that through chemically programmed specificity for integrin α(4)β(1) or folate receptor 1 (FOLR1), and common specificity for CD3, these hybrid molecules exert potent and specific in vitro and ex vivo cytotoxicity toward tumor cell lines and primary tumor cells in the presence of primary T cells. Importantly, the generic nature of chemical programming allows one to apply our approach to virtually any specificity, promising a broad utility of chemically programmed biAbs in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Cui
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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LDV peptidomimetics equipped with biotinylated spacer-arms: Synthesis and biological evaluation on CCRF-CEM cell line. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:586-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.10.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Revised: 10/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Hofer T, Skeffington LR, Chapman CM, Rader C. Molecularly defined antibody conjugation through a selenocysteine interface. Biochemistry 2010; 48:12047-57. [PMID: 19894757 DOI: 10.1021/bi901744t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Antibody conjugates have broad utility in basic, preclinical, and clinical applications. Conventional antibody conjugation through the amine group of lysine or the thiol group of cysteine residues yields heterogeneous products of undefined stoichiometry and considerable batch-to-batch variability. To preserve the two hallmarks of the antibody molecule, precision and predictability, methods that enable site-specific antibody conjugation are in high demand. On the basis of a mammalian cell expression system, we describe the utilization of the 21st natural amino acid selenocysteine for the generation of IgG and Fab molecules with unique nucleophilic reactivity that affords site-specific conjugation to electrophilic derivatives of biotin, fluorescein, and poly(ethylene glycol). The resulting antibody conjugates were found to fully retain their antigen binding capability and, in the case of IgG, the ability to mediate effector functions. Gain of function was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. While these antibody conjugates are relevant for a variety of proteomic, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications, they also constitute a proof of principle for the generation of molecularly defined antibody-drug conjugates and radioimmunoconjugates. Compared to other site-specific antibody conjugation methods, selenocysteine interface technology (i) only involves a minor modification at the C-terminus that does not interfere with disulfide bridges, (ii) does not require activation, and (iii) generates unique 1:1 stoichiometries of biological and chemical components. Collectively, our method affords the generation of highly defined antibody conjugates with broad utility from proteomic applications to therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hofer
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1203, USA
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