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Fleming PJ, Correia JJ, Fleming KG. The molecular basis for hydrodynamic properties of PEGylated human serum albumin. Biophys J 2024; 123:2379-2391. [PMID: 38778541 PMCID: PMC11365107 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugation provides a protective modification that enhances the pharmacokinetics and solubility of proteins for therapeutic use. A knowledge of the structural ensemble of these PEGylated proteins is necessary to understand the molecular details that contribute to their hydrodynamic and colligative properties. Because of the large size and dynamic flexibility of pharmaceutically important PEGylated proteins, the determination of structure is challenging. In addition, the hydration of these conjugates that contain large polymers is difficult to determine with traditional methods that identify only first shell hydration water, which does not account for the complete hydrodynamic volume of a macromolecule. Here, we demonstrate that structural ensembles, generated by coarse-grained simulations, can be analyzed with HullRad and used to predict sedimentation coefficients and concentration-dependent hydrodynamic and diffusion nonideality coefficients of PEGylated proteins. A knowledge of these concentration-dependent properties enhances the ability to design and analyze new modified protein therapeutics. HullRad accomplishes this analysis by effectively accounting for the complete hydration of a macromolecule, including that of flexible polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Fleming
- Thomas C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - John J Correia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Karen G Fleming
- Thomas C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
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2
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Kehrein J, Sotriffer C. Molecular Dynamics Simulations for Rationalizing Polymer Bioconjugation Strategies: Challenges, Recent Developments, and Future Opportunities. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:51-74. [PMID: 37466304 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
The covalent modification of proteins with polymers is a well-established method for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutically valuable biologics. The conjugated polymer chains of the resulting hybrid represent highly flexible macromolecular structures. As the dynamics of such systems remain rather elusive for established experimental techniques from the field of protein structure elucidation, molecular dynamics simulations have proven as a valuable tool for studying such conjugates at an atomistic level, thereby complementing experimental studies. With a focus on new developments, this review aims to provide researchers from the polymer bioconjugation field with a concise and up to date overview of such approaches. After introducing basic principles of molecular dynamics simulations, as well as methods for and potential pitfalls in modeling bioconjugates, the review illustrates how these computational techniques have contributed to the understanding of bioconjugates and bioconjugation strategies in the recent past and how they may lead to a more rational design of novel bioconjugates in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Kehrein
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97074, Germany
| | - Christoph Sotriffer
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97074, Germany
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3
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Bunker A, Róg T. Mechanistic Understanding From Molecular Dynamics Simulation in Pharmaceutical Research 1: Drug Delivery. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:604770. [PMID: 33330633 PMCID: PMC7732618 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.604770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we outline the growing role that molecular dynamics simulation is able to play as a design tool in drug delivery. We cover both the pharmaceutical and computational backgrounds, in a pedagogical fashion, as this review is designed to be equally accessible to pharmaceutical researchers interested in what this new computational tool is capable of and experts in molecular modeling who wish to pursue pharmaceutical applications as a context for their research. The field has become too broad for us to concisely describe all work that has been carried out; many comprehensive reviews on subtopics of this area are cited. We discuss the insight molecular dynamics modeling has provided in dissolution and solubility, however, the majority of the discussion is focused on nanomedicine: the development of nanoscale drug delivery vehicles. Here we focus on three areas where molecular dynamics modeling has had a particularly strong impact: (1) behavior in the bloodstream and protective polymer corona, (2) Drug loading and controlled release, and (3) Nanoparticle interaction with both model and biological membranes. We conclude with some thoughts on the role that molecular dynamics simulation can grow to play in the development of new drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Bunker
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomasz Róg
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Lee H. Molecular Simulations of PEGylated Biomolecules, Liposomes, and Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E533. [PMID: 32531886 PMCID: PMC7355693 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12060533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the first polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated protein was approved by the FDA in 1990, PEGylation has been successfully applied to develop drug delivery systems through experiments, but these experimental results are not always easy to interpret at the atomic level because of the limited resolution of experimental techniques. To determine the optimal size, structure, and density of PEG for drug delivery, the structure and dynamics of PEGylated drug carriers need to be understood close to the atomic scale, as can be done using molecular dynamics simulations, assuming that these simulations can be validated by successful comparisons to experiments. Starting with the development of all-atom and coarse-grained PEG models in 1990s, PEGylated drug carriers have been widely simulated. In particular, recent advances in computer performance and simulation methodologies have allowed for molecular simulations of large complexes of PEGylated drug carriers interacting with other molecules such as anticancer drugs, plasma proteins, membranes, and receptors, which makes it possible to interpret experimental observations at a nearly atomistic resolution, as well as help in the rational design of drug delivery systems for applications in nanomedicine. Here, simulation studies on the following PEGylated drug topics will be reviewed: proteins and peptides, liposomes, and nanoparticles such as dendrimers and carbon nanotubes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwankyu Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
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Taylor PA, Jayaraman A. Molecular Modeling and Simulations of Peptide–Polymer Conjugates. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2020; 11:257-276. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-092319-083243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Peptide–polymer conjugates are a class of soft materials composed of covalently linked blocks of protein/polypeptides and synthetic/natural polymers. These materials are practically useful in biological applications, such as drug delivery, DNA/gene delivery, and antimicrobial coatings, as well as nonbiological applications, such as electronics, separations, optics, and sensing. Given their broad applicability, there is motivation to understand the molecular and macroscale structure, dynamics, and thermodynamic behavior exhibited by such materials. We focus on the past and ongoing molecular simulation studies aimed at obtaining such fundamental understanding and predicting molecular design rules for the target function. We describe briefly the experimental work in this field that validates or motivates these computational studies. We also describe the various models (e.g., atomistic, coarse-grained, or hybrid) and simulation methods (e.g., stochastic versus deterministic, enhanced sampling) that have been used and the types of questions that have been answered using these computational approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip A. Taylor
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA
| | - Arthi Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA
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7
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Ma D, Keten S. Stable micelles based on a mixture of coiled-coils: the role of different oligomeric states. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:7589-7596. [PMID: 29637959 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr09695j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Homomeric micelles with tunable size, shape and stability have been extensively studied for biomedical applications such as drug carriers. However, designing the local valency and self-assembled morphology of nanophase-separated multicomponent micelles with varied ligand binding possibilities remains challenging. Here, we present micelles self-assembled from amphiphilic peptide-PEG-lipid hybrid conjugates, where the peptides can be either a 3-helix or 4-helix coiled-coil. We demonstrate that the micelle size and sphericity can be controlled based on the coiled-coil oligomeric state. Using theory and coarse-grained dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations in an explicit solvent simulation, we studied the distribution of 3-helix and 4-helix conjugates within the mixed micelles and observed self-organization into nanodomains within the mixed micelle. We discovered that the phase separation behavior is dictated by the geometry mismatch in the alkyl chain length from different coiled-coil oligomeric states. Our analyses of the self-assembly tendency and drug delivery potency of mixed micelles with controlled multivalency provide important insights into the assembly and formation of nanophase-separated micelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Ma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
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Ma D, DeBenedictis EP, Lund R, Keten S. Design of polymer conjugated 3-helix micelles as nanocarriers with tunable shapes. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:19334-19342. [PMID: 27841426 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr07125b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Amphiphilic peptide-polymer conjugates have the ability to form stable nanoscale micelles, which show great promise for drug delivery and other applications. A recent design has utilized the end-conjugation of alkyl chains to 3-helix coiled coils to achieve amphiphilicity, combined with the side-chain conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to tune micelle size through entropic confinement forces. Here we investigate this phenomenon in depth, using coarse-grained dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations in an explicit solvent and micelle theory. We analyze the conformations of PEG chains conjugated to three different positions on 3-helix bundle peptides to ascertain the degree of confinement upon assembly, as well as the ordering of the subunits making up the micelle. We discover that the micelle size and stability is dictated by a competition between the entropy of PEG chain conformations in the assembled state, as well as intermolecular cross-interactions among PEG chains that promote cohesion between neighboring conjugates. Our analyses build on the role of PEG molecular weight and conjugation site and lead to computational phase diagrams that can be used to design 3-helix micelles. This work opens pathways for the design of multifunctional micelles with tunable size, shape and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Ma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
| | | | - Reidar Lund
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, N-0315 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sinan Keten
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA. and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
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Ghobadi AF, Jayaraman A. Effects of Polymer Conjugation on Hybridization Thermodynamics of Oligonucleic Acids. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:9788-99. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b06970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmadreza F. Ghobadi
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Colburn Laboratory, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
| | - Arthi Jayaraman
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Colburn Laboratory, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
- Department
of Material Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
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Zhang CY, Chen Q, Wu WS, Guo XD, Cai CZ, Zhang LJ. Synthesis and evaluation of cholesterol-grafted PEGylated peptides with pH-triggered property as novel drug carriers for cancer chemotherapy. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2016; 142:55-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Lucius M, Falatach R, McGlone C, Makaroff K, Danielson A, Williams C, Nix JC, Konkolewicz D, Page RC, Berberich JA. Investigating the Impact of Polymer Functional Groups on the Stability and Activity of Lysozyme–Polymer Conjugates. Biomacromolecules 2016; 17:1123-34. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jay C. Nix
- Molecular
Biology Consortium, Beamline 4.2.2, Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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Zan T, Wu F, Pei X, Jia S, Zhang R, Wu S, Niu Z, Zhang Z. Into the polymer brush regime through the "grafting-to" method: densely polymer-grafted rodlike viruses with an unusual nematic liquid crystal behavior. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:798-805. [PMID: 26531814 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm02015h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The current work reports an intriguing discovery of how the force exerted on protein complexes like filamentous viruses by the strong interchain repulsion of polymer brushes can induce subtle changes of the constituent subunits at the molecular scale. Such changes transform into the macroscopic rearrangement of the chiral ordering of the rodlike virus in three dimensions. For this, a straightforward "grafting-to" PEGylation method has been developed to densely graft a filamentous virus with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The grafting density is so high that PEG is in the polymer brush regime, resulting in straight and thick rodlike particles with a thin viral backbone. Scission of the densely PEGylated viruses into fragments was observed due to the steric repulsion of the PEG brush, as facilitated by adsorption onto a mica surface. The high grafting density of PEG endows the virus with an isotropic-nematic (I-N) liquid crystal (LC) phase transition that is independent of the ionic strength and the densely PEGylated viruses enter into the nematic LC phase at much lower virus concentrations. Most importantly, while the intact virus and the one grafted with PEG of low grafting density can form a chiral nematic LC phase, the densely PEGylated viruses only form a pure nematic LC phase. This can be traced back to the secondary to tertiary structural change of the major coat protein of the virus, driven by the steric repulsion of the PEG brush. Quantitative parameters characterising the conformation of the grafted PEG derived from the grafting density or the I-N LC transition are elegantly consistent with the theoretical prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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