1
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Ngo K, Lopez Mateos D, Han Y, Rouen KC, Ahn SH, Wulff H, Clancy CE, Yarov-Yarovoy V, Vorobyov I. Elucidating molecular mechanisms of protoxin-II state-specific binding to the human NaV1.7 channel. J Gen Physiol 2024; 156:e202313368. [PMID: 38127314 PMCID: PMC10737443 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202313368] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Human voltage-gated sodium (hNaV) channels are responsible for initiating and propagating action potentials in excitable cells, and mutations have been associated with numerous cardiac and neurological disorders. hNaV1.7 channels are expressed in peripheral neurons and are promising targets for pain therapy. The tarantula venom peptide protoxin-II (PTx2) has high selectivity for hNaV1.7 and is a valuable scaffold for designing novel therapeutics to treat pain. Here, we used computational modeling to study the molecular mechanisms of the state-dependent binding of PTx2 to hNaV1.7 voltage-sensing domains (VSDs). Using Rosetta structural modeling methods, we constructed atomistic models of the hNaV1.7 VSD II and IV in the activated and deactivated states with docked PTx2. We then performed microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the systems in hydrated lipid bilayers. Our simulations revealed that PTx2 binds most favorably to the deactivated VSD II and activated VSD IV. These state-specific interactions are mediated primarily by PTx2's residues R22, K26, K27, K28, and W30 with VSD and the surrounding membrane lipids. Our work revealed important protein-protein and protein-lipid contacts that contribute to high-affinity state-dependent toxin interaction with the channel. The workflow presented will prove useful for designing novel peptides with improved selectivity and potency for more effective and safe treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khoa Ngo
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Diego Lopez Mateos
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yanxiao Han
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kyle C. Rouen
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Surl-Hee Ahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Colleen E. Clancy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Precision Medicine and Data Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Igor Vorobyov
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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2
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Zha J, He J, Wu C, Zhang M, Liu X, Zhang J. Designing drugs and chemical probes with the dualsteric approach. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:8651-8677. [PMID: 37990599 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00650f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, drugs are monovalent, targeting only one site on the protein surface. This includes orthosteric and allosteric drugs, which bind the protein at orthosteric and allosteric sites, respectively. Orthosteric drugs are good in potency, whereas allosteric drugs have better selectivity and are solutions to classically undruggable targets. However, it would be difficult to simultaneously reach high potency and selectivity when targeting only one site. Also, both kinds of monovalent drugs suffer from mutation-caused drug resistance. To overcome these obstacles, dualsteric modulators have been proposed in the past twenty years. Compared to orthosteric or allosteric drugs, dualsteric modulators are bivalent (or bitopic) with two pharmacophores. Each of the two pharmacophores bind the protein at the orthosteric and an allosteric site, which could bring the modulator with special properties beyond monovalent drugs. In this study, we comprehensively review the current development of dualsteric modulators. Our main effort reason and illustrate the aims to apply the dualsteric approach, including a "double win" of potency and selectivity, overcoming mutation-caused drug resistance, developments of function-biased modulators, and design of partial agonists. Moreover, the strengths of the dualsteric technique also led to its application outside pharmacy, including the design of highly sensitive fluorescent tracers and usage as molecular rulers. Besides, we also introduced drug targets, designing strategies, and validation methods of dualsteric modulators. Finally, we detail the conclusions and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyin Zha
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jixiao He
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengwei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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3
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Raisch T, Raunser S. The modes of action of ion-channel-targeting neurotoxic insecticides: lessons from structural biology. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1411-1427. [PMID: 37845413 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Insecticides are indispensable tools for plant protection in modern agriculture. Despite having highly heterogeneous structures, many neurotoxic insecticides use similar principles to inhibit or deregulate neuronal ion channels. Insecticides targeting pentameric ligand-gated channels are structural mimetics of neurotransmitters or manipulate and deregulate the proteins. Those binding to (pseudo-)tetrameric voltage-gated(-like) channels, on the other hand, are natural or synthetic compounds that directly block the ion-conducting pore or prevent conformational changes in the transmembrane domain necessary for opening and closing the pore. The use of a limited number of inhibition mechanisms can be problematic when resistances arise and become more widespread. Therefore, there is a rising interest in the development of insecticides with novel mechanisms that evade resistance and are pest-insect-specific. During the last decade, most known insecticide targets, many with bound compounds, have been structurally characterized, bringing the rational design of novel classes of agrochemicals within closer reach than ever before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Raisch
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
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4
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Tran P, Crawford T, Ragnarsson L, Deuis JR, Mobli M, Sharpe SJ, Schroeder CI, Vetter I. Structural Conformation and Activity of Spider-Derived Inhibitory Cystine Knot Peptide Pn3a Are Modulated by pH. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:26276-26286. [PMID: 37521635 PMCID: PMC10373202 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Numerous spider venom-derived gating modifier toxins exhibit conformational heterogeneity during purification by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). This conformational exchange is especially peculiar for peptides containing an inhibitor cystine knot motif, which confers excellent structural stability under conditions that are not conducive to disulfide shuffling. This phenomenon is often attributed to proline cis/trans isomerization but has also been observed in peptides that do not contain a proline residue. Pn3a is one such peptide forming two chromatographically distinguishable peaks that readily interconvert following the purification of either conformer. The nature of this exchange was previously uncharacterized due to the fast rate of conversion in solution, making isolation of the conformers impossible. In the present study, an N-terminal modification of Pn3a enabled the isolation of the individual conformers, allowing activity assays to be conducted on the individual conformers using electrophysiology. The conformers were analyzed separately by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to study their structural differences. RP-HPLC and NMR were used to study the mechanism of exchange. The later-eluting conformer was the active conformer with a rigid structure that corresponds to the published structure of Pn3a, while NMR analysis revealed the earlier-eluting conformer to be inactive and disordered. The exchange was found to be pH-dependent, arising in acidic solutions, possibly due to reversible disruption and formation of intramolecular salt bridges. This study reveals the nature of non-proline conformational exchange observed in Pn3a and possibly other disulfide-rich peptides, highlighting that the structure and activity of some disulfide-stabilized peptides can be dramatically susceptible to disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poanna Tran
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Theo Crawford
- Centre
for Advanced Imaging, The University of
Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R. Deuis
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mobli
- Centre
for Advanced Imaging, The University of
Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Simon J. Sharpe
- Molecular
Medicine Program, Research Institute, The
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Christina I. Schroeder
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Center
for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School
of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
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5
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Singh Y, Sarkar D, Duari S, G S, Indra Guru PK, M V H, Singh D, Bhardwaj S, Kalia J. Dissecting the contributions of membrane affinity and bivalency of the spider venom protein DkTx to its sustained mode of TRPV1 activation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104903. [PMID: 37302551 PMCID: PMC10404664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104903] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The spider venom protein, double-knot toxin (DkTx), partitions into the cellular membrane and binds bivalently to the pain-sensing ion channel, TRPV1, triggering long-lasting channel activation. In contrast, its monovalent single knots membrane partition poorly and invoke rapidly reversible TRPV1 activation. To discern the contributions of the bivalency and membrane affinity of DkTx to its sustained mode of action, here, we developed diverse toxin variants including those containing truncated linkers between individual knots, precluding bivalent binding. Additionally, by appending the single-knot domains to the Kv2.1 channel-targeting toxin, SGTx, we created monovalent double-knot proteins that demonstrated higher membrane affinity and more sustained TRPV1 activation than the single-knots. We also produced hyper-membrane affinity-possessing tetra-knot proteins, (DkTx)2 and DkTx-(SGTx)2, that demonstrated longer-lasting TRPV1 activation than DkTx, establishing the central role of the membrane affinity of DkTx in endowing it with its sustained TRPV1 activation properties. These results suggest that high membrane affinity-possessing TRPV1 agonists can potentially serve as long-acting analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashaswi Singh
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Debayan Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Subhadeep Duari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Shashaank G
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Pawas Kumar Indra Guru
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Hrishikesh M V
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Dheerendra Singh
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sahil Bhardwaj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Jeet Kalia
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India; Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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6
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Tran HNT, Budusan E, Saez NJ, Norman A, Tucker IJ, King GF, Payne RJ, Rash LD, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. Evaluation of Peptide Ligation Strategies for the Synthesis of the Bivalent Acid-Sensing Ion Channel Inhibitor Hi1a. Org Lett 2023; 25:4439-4444. [PMID: 37306339 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hi1a is a naturally occurring bivalent spider-venom peptide that is being investigated as a promising molecule for limiting ischemic damage in strokes, myocardial infarction, and organ transplantation. However, the challenges associated with the synthesis and production of the peptide in large quantities have slowed the progress in this area; hence, access to synthetic Hi1a is an essential milestone for the development of Hi1a as a pharmacological tool and potential therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Elena Budusan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Natalie J Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Research, https://cipps.org.au/
| | - Alexander Norman
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Isaac J Tucker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Research, https://cipps.org.au/
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Research, https://cipps.org.au/
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Research, https://cipps.org.au/
| | - Lachlan D Rash
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Research, https://cipps.org.au/
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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7
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Ngo K, Mateos DL, Han Y, Rouen KC, Ahn SH, Wulff H, Clancy CE, Yarov-Yarovoy V, Vorobyov I. Elucidating Molecular Mechanisms of Protoxin-2 State-specific Binding to the Human Na V1.7 Channel. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.27.530360. [PMID: 36909474 PMCID: PMC10002706 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.27.530360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Human voltage-gated sodium (hNaV) channels are responsible for initiating and propagating action potentials in excitable cells and mutations have been associated with numerous cardiac and neurological disorders. hNaV1.7 channels are expressed in peripheral neurons and are promising targets for pain therapy. The tarantula venom peptide protoxin-2 (PTx2) has high selectivity for hNaV1.7 and serves as a valuable scaffold to design novel therapeutics to treat pain. Here, we used computational modeling to study the molecular mechanisms of the state-dependent binding of PTx2 to hNaV1.7 voltage-sensing domains (VSDs). Using Rosetta structural modeling methods, we constructed atomistic models of the hNaV1.7 VSD II and IV in the activated and deactivated states with docked PTx2. We then performed microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the systems in hydrated lipid bilayers. Our simulations revealed that PTx2 binds most favorably to the deactivated VSD II and activated VSD IV. These state-specific interactions are mediated primarily by PTx2's residues R22, K26, K27, K28, and W30 with VSD as well as the surrounding membrane lipids. Our work revealed important protein-protein and protein-lipid contacts that contribute to high-affinity state-dependent toxin interaction with the channel. The workflow presented will prove useful for designing novel peptides with improved selectivity and potency for more effective and safe treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khoa Ngo
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Diego Lopez Mateos
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Yanxiao Han
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Kyle C. Rouen
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Surl-Hee Ahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis
| | - Colleen E. Clancy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis
- Center for Precision Medicine and Data Science, University of California, Davis
| | - Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California, Davis
| | - Igor Vorobyov
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis
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8
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Tran P, Tran HNT, McMahon KL, Deuis JR, Ragnarsson L, Norman A, Sharpe SJ, Payne RJ, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. Changes in Potency and Subtype Selectivity of Bivalent Na V Toxins are Knot-Specific. Bioconjug Chem 2023. [PMID: 37262436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptide toxins have long been studied for their ability to inhibit voltage-gated sodium channel subtype NaV1.7, a validated target for the treatment of pain. In this study, we sought to combine the pore blocking activity of conotoxins with the gating modifier activity of spider toxins to design new bivalent inhibitors of NaV1.7 with improved potency and selectivity. To do this, we created an array of heterodimeric toxins designed to target human NaV1.7 by ligating a conotoxin to a spider toxin and assessed the potency and selectivity of the resulting bivalent toxins. A series of spider-derived gating modifier toxins (GpTx-1, ProTx-II, gHwTx-IV, JzTx-V, CcoTx-1, and Pn3a) and two pore-blocker μ-conotoxins, SxIIIC and KIIIA, were used for this study. We employed either enzymatic ligation with sortase A for C- to N-terminal ligation or click chemistry for N- to N-terminal ligation. The bivalent peptide resulting from ligation of ProTx-II and SxIIIC (Pro[LPATG6]Sx) was shown to be the best combination as native ProTx-II potency at hNaV1.7 was conserved following ligation. At hNaV1.4, a synergistic effect between the pore blocker and gating modifier toxin moieties was observed, resulting in altered sodium channel subtype selectivity compared to the parent peptides. Further studies including mutant bivalent peptides and mutant hNaV1.7 channels suggested that gating modifier toxins have a greater contribution to the potency of the bivalent peptides than pore blockers. This study delineated potential benefits and drawbacks of designing pharmacological hybrid peptides targeting hNaV1.7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poanna Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirsten L McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Norman
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Simon J Sharpe
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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9
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A bivalent remipede toxin promotes calcium release via ryanodine receptor activation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1036. [PMID: 36823422 PMCID: PMC9950431 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36579-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Multivalent ligands of ion channels have proven to be both very rare and highly valuable in yielding unique insights into channel structure and pharmacology. Here, we describe a bivalent peptide from the venom of Xibalbanus tulumensis, a troglobitic arthropod from the enigmatic class Remipedia, that causes persistent calcium release by activation of ion channels involved in muscle contraction. The high-resolution solution structure of φ-Xibalbin3-Xt3a reveals a tandem repeat arrangement of inhibitor-cysteine knot (ICK) domains previously only found in spider venoms. The individual repeats of Xt3a share sequence similarity with a family of scorpion toxins that target ryanodine receptors (RyR). Single-channel electrophysiology and quantification of released Ca2+ stores within skinned muscle fibers confirm Xt3a as a bivalent RyR modulator. Our results reveal convergent evolution of RyR targeting toxins in remipede and scorpion venoms, while the tandem-ICK repeat architecture is an evolutionary innovation that is convergent with toxins from spider venoms.
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10
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Liu J, Maxwell M, Cuddihy T, Crawford T, Bassetti M, Hyde C, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Undheim EAB, Mobli M. ScrepYard: An online resource for disulfide-stabilized tandem repeat peptides. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4566. [PMID: 36644825 PMCID: PMC9885460 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4566] [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: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Receptor avidity through multivalency is a highly sought-after property of ligands. While readily available in nature in the form of bivalent antibodies, this property remains challenging to engineer in synthetic molecules. The discovery of several bivalent venom peptides containing two homologous and independently folded domains (in a tandem repeat arrangement) has provided a unique opportunity to better understand the underpinning design of multivalency in multimeric biomolecules, as well as how naturally occurring multivalent ligands can be identified. In previous work, we classified these molecules as a larger class termed secreted cysteine-rich repeat-proteins (SCREPs). Here, we present an online resource; ScrepYard, designed to assist researchers in identification of SCREP sequences of interest and to aid in characterizing this emerging class of biomolecules. Analysis of sequences within the ScrepYard reveals that two-domain tandem repeats constitute the most abundant SCREP domain architecture, while the interdomain "linker" regions connecting the functional domains are found to be abundant in amino acids with short or polar sidechains and contain an unusually high abundance of proline residues. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of ScrepYard as a virtual screening tool for discovery of putatively multivalent peptides, by using it as a resource to identify a previously uncharacterized serine protease inhibitor and confirm its predicted activity using an enzyme assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Liu
- Centre for Advanced ImagingThe University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Michael Maxwell
- Centre for Advanced ImagingThe University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Thom Cuddihy
- Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation Ltd.The University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia,Centre for Clinical ResearchThe University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Theo Crawford
- Centre for Advanced ImagingThe University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Madeline Bassetti
- Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation Ltd.The University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Cameron Hyde
- Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation Ltd.The University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia,University of the Sunshine CoastMaroochydoreQueenslandAustralia
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and PharmacologyUniversity of Leuven (KU Leuven)LeuvenBelgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and PharmacologyUniversity of Leuven (KU Leuven)LeuvenBelgium
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Centre for Advanced ImagingThe University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia,Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Mehdi Mobli
- Centre for Advanced ImagingThe University of QueenslandSt. LuciaQueenslandAustralia
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11
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Cifone MT, He Y, Basu R, Wang N, Davoodi S, Spagnuolo LA, Si Y, Daryaee T, Stivala CE, Walker SG, Tonge PJ. Heterobivalent Inhibitors of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase: Drug Target Residence Time and Time-Dependent Antibacterial Activity. J Med Chem 2022; 65:16510-16525. [PMID: 36459397 PMCID: PMC10303036 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01380] [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] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between drug-target residence time and the post-antibiotic effect (PAE) provides insights into target vulnerability. To probe the vulnerability of bacterial acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a series of heterobivalent inhibitors were synthesized based on pyridopyrimidine 1 and moiramide B (3) which bind to the biotin carboxylase and carboxyltransferase ACC active sites, respectively. The heterobivalent compound 17, which has a linker of 50 Å, was a tight binding inhibitor of Escherichia coli ACC (Kiapp 0.2 nM) and could be displaced from ACC by a combination of both 1 and 3 but not just by 1. In agreement with the prolonged occupancy of ACC resulting from forced proximity binding, the heterobivalent inhibitors produced a PAE in E. coli of 1-4 h in contrast to 1 and 3 in combination or alone, indicating that ACC is a vulnerable target and highlighting the utility of kinetic, time-dependent effects in the drug mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Cifone
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - YongLe He
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Rajeswari Basu
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Nan Wang
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Shabnam Davoodi
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Lauren A Spagnuolo
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Yuanyuan Si
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Taraneh Daryaee
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Craig E Stivala
- Discovery Chemistry, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Stephen G Walker
- Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Peter J Tonge
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Radiology, Stony Brook University, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
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12
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Ho TNT, Abraham N, Lewis RJ. Synthesis of full-length homodimer αD-VxXXB that targets human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:1410-1419. [PMID: 36439982 PMCID: PMC9667780 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00188h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
αD-Conotoxin VxXXB is a pseudo-homodimer that allosterically inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with high potency and selectivity. However, challenges in synthesizing αD-conotoxins have hindered further structure-function studies on this novel class of peptides. To address this gap, we synthesized and characterized its C-terminal domain (CTD) and N-terminal domain (NTD). The CTD inhibited α7 nAChRs (IC50 of 23 nM, measured via FLIPR assays) and bound at the acetylcholine binding protein (Ls-AChBP) through an allosteric binding mode determined from radioligand binding assays. The anti-parallel dimeric NTD synthesised via a regioselective strategy also inhibited α7 nAChRs but with reduced potency (IC50 of 30 μM). The α-ketoacid-hydroxylamine (KAHA) method generated CTD linked to the NTD (VxXXB-NC; α7 IC50 of 27 nM) and full-length synthetic VxXXB variant (α7 IC50 of 11 nM), while the three other native chemical ligation approaches proved unsuccessful. This work underpins further characterisation of the structural components contributing to αD-conotoxin affinity, selectivity and allosteric inhibition of nAChR function that may prove useful in the development of new treatments for nAChR-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao N T Ho
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4067 Australia
| | - Nikita Abraham
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4067 Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4067 Australia
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13
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Venom-derived pain-causing toxins: insights into sensory neuron function and pain mechanisms. Pain 2022; 163:S46-S56. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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14
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McMahon KL, Tran HNT, Deuis JR, Craik DJ, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. µ-Conotoxins Targeting the Human Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Subtype NaV1.7. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090600. [PMID: 36136538 PMCID: PMC9506549 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
µ-Conotoxins are small, potent, peptide voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel inhibitors characterised by a conserved cysteine framework. Despite promising in vivo studies indicating analgesic potential of these compounds, selectivity towards the therapeutically relevant subtype NaV1.7 has so far been limited. We recently identified a novel µ-conotoxin, SxIIIC, which potently inhibits human NaV1.7 (hNaV1.7). SxIIIC has high sequence homology with other µ-conotoxins, including SmIIIA and KIIIA, yet shows different NaV channel selectivity for mammalian subtypes. Here, we evaluated and compared the inhibitory potency of µ-conotoxins SxIIIC, SmIIIA and KIIIA at hNaV channels by whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and discovered that these three closely related µ-conotoxins display unique selectivity profiles with significant variations in inhibitory potency at hNaV1.7. Analysis of other µ-conotoxins at hNaV1.7 shows that only a limited number are capable of inhibition at this subtype and that differences between the number of residues in loop 3 appear to influence the ability of µ-conotoxins to inhibit hNaV1.7. Through mutagenesis studies, we confirmed that charged residues in this region also affect the selectivity for hNaV1.4. Comparison of µ-conotoxin NMR solution structures identified differences that may contribute to the variance in hNaV1.7 inhibition and validated the role of the loop 1 extension in SxIIIC for improving potency at hNaV1.7, when compared to KIIIA. This work could assist in designing µ-conotoxin derivatives specific for hNaV1.7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten L. McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Hue N. T. Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R. Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- The School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (C.I.S.)
| | - Christina I. Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (C.I.S.)
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15
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Tran HNT, McMahon KL, Deuis JR, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. Structural and functional insights into the inhibition of human voltage-gated sodium channels by μ-conotoxin KIIIA disulfide isomers. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101728. [PMID: 35167877 PMCID: PMC8927997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
μ-Conotoxins are components of cone snail venom, well-known for their analgesic activity through potent inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) subtypes, including NaV1.7. These small, disulfide-rich peptides are typically stabilized by three disulfide bonds arranged in a ‘native’ CysI-CysIV, CysII-CysV, CysIII-CysVI pattern of disulfide connectivity. However, μ-conotoxin KIIIA, the smallest and most studied μ-conotoxin with inhibitory activity at NaV1.7, forms two distinct disulfide bond isomers during thermodynamic oxidative folding, including Isomer 1 (CysI-CysV, CysII-CysIV, CysIII-CysVI) and Isomer 2 (CysI-CysVI, CysII-CysIV, CysIII-CysV), but not the native μ-conotoxin arrangement. To date, there has been no study on the structure and activity of KIIIA comprising the native μ-conotoxin disulfide bond arrangement. Here, we evaluated the synthesis, potency, sodium channel subtype selectivity, and 3D structure of the three isomers of KIIIA. Using a regioselective disulfide bond-forming strategy, we synthetically produced the three μ-conotoxin KIIIA isomers displaying distinct bioactivity and NaV subtype selectivity across human NaV channel subtypes 1.2, 1.4, and 1.7. We show that Isomer 1 inhibits NaV subtypes with a rank order of potency of NaV1.4 > 1.2 > 1.7 and Isomer 2 in the order of NaV1.4≈1.2 > 1.7, while the native isomer inhibited NaV1.4 > 1.7≈1.2. The three KIIIA isomers were further evaluated by NMR solution structure analysis and molecular docking with hNaV1.2. Our study highlights the importance of investigating alternate disulfide isomers, as disulfide connectivity affects not only the overall structure of the peptides but also the potency and subtype selectivity of μ-conotoxins targeting therapeutically relevant NaV subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kirsten L McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia; Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
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16
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Tran HNT, Tran P, Deuis JR, McMahon KL, Yap K, Craik DJ, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. Evaluation of Efficient Non-reducing Enzymatic and Chemical Ligation Strategies for Complex Disulfide-Rich Peptides. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:2407-2419. [PMID: 34751572 PMCID: PMC10167913 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Double-knotted peptides identified in venoms and synthetic bivalent peptide constructs targeting ion channels are emerging tools for the study of ion channel pharmacology and physiology. These highly complex and disulfide-rich peptides contain two individual cystine knots, each comprising six cysteines and three disulfide bonds. Until now, native double-knotted peptides, such as Hi1a and DkTx, have only been isolated from venom or produced recombinantly, whereas engineered double-knotted peptides have successfully been produced through enzymatic ligation using sortase A to form a seamless amide bond at the ligation site between two knotted toxins, and by alkyne/azide click chemistry, joining two peptide knots via a triazole linkage. To further pursue these double-knotted peptides as pharmacological tools or probes for therapeutically relevant ion channels, we sought to identify a robust methodology resulting in a high yield product that lends itself to rapid production and facile mutational studies. In this study, we evaluated the ligation efficiency of enzymatic (sortase A5°, butelase 1, wild-type OaAEP 1, C247A-OaAEP 1, and peptiligase) and mild chemical approaches (α-ketoacid-hydroxylamine, KAHA) for forming a native amide bond linking the toxins while maintaining the native disulfide connectivity of each pre-folded peptide. We used two NaV1.7 inhibitors: PaurTx3, a spider-derived gating modifier peptide, and KIIIA, a small cone snail-derived pore blocker peptide, which have previously been shown to increase affinity and inhibitory potency on hNaV1.7 when ligated together. Correctly folded peptides were successfully ligated in varying yields, without disulfide bond shuffling or reduction, with sortase A5° being the most efficient, resulting in 60% ligation conversion within 15 min. In addition, electrophysiology studies demonstrated that for these two peptides, the amino acid composition of the linker did not affect the activity of the double-knotted peptides. This study demonstrates the powerful application of enzymes in efficiently ligating complex disulfide-rich peptides, paving the way for facile production of double-knotted peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Poanna Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirsten L McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kuok Yap
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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17
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Ho TNT, Abraham N, Lewis RJ. Rigidity of loop 1 contributes to equipotency of globular and ribbon isomers of α-conotoxin AusIA. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21928. [PMID: 34753970 PMCID: PMC8578332 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01277-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Conotoxins are small disulfide-rich peptides targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) characterised by a CICII-Xm-CIII-Xn-CIV framework that invariably adopt the native globular conformations which is typically most potent. α-Conotoxins are divided into several structural subgroups based on the number of residues within the two loops braced by the disulfide bonds (m/n), with the 4/7 and 4/3 subgroups dominating. AusIA is a relatively rare α5/5-conotoxin isolated from the venom of Conus australis. Surprisingly, the ribbon isomer displayed equipotency to the wild-type globular AusIA at human α7-containing nAChR. To understand the molecular basis for equipotency, we determined the co-crystal structures of both isomers at Lymnea stagnalis acetylcholine binding protein. The additional residue in the first loop of AusIA was found to be a critical determinant of equipotency, with 11-fold and 86-fold shifts in potency in favour of globular AusIA over ribbon AusIA observed following deletion of Ala4 or Arg5, respectively. This divergence in the potency between globular AusIA and ribbon AusIA was further enhanced upon truncation of the non-conserved Val at the C-termini. Conversely, equipotency could be replicated in LsIA and TxIA [A10L] following insertion of an Ala in the first loop. These findings provide a new understanding of the role the first loop in ribbon and globular α-conotoxins can play in directing α-conotoxin nAChR pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao N T Ho
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4067, Australia
| | - Nikita Abraham
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4067, Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4067, Australia.
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18
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Structural Pharmacology of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166967. [PMID: 33794261 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels initiate and propagate action potentials in excitable tissues to mediate key physiological processes including heart contraction and nervous system function. Accordingly, NaV channels are major targets for drugs, toxins and disease-causing mutations. Recent breakthroughs in cryo-electron microscopy have led to the visualization of human NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.4, NaV1.5 and NaV1.7 channel subtypes at high-resolution. These landmark studies have greatly advanced our structural understanding of channel architecture, ion selectivity, voltage-sensing, electromechanical coupling, fast inactivation, and the molecular basis underlying NaV channelopathies. NaV channel structures have also been increasingly determined in complex with toxin and small molecule modulators that target either the pore module or voltage sensor domains. These structural studies have provided new insights into the mechanisms of pharmacological action and opportunities for subtype-selective NaV channel drug design. This review will highlight the structural pharmacology of human NaV channels as well as the potential use of engineered and chimeric channels in future drug discovery efforts.
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19
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Tran P, Schroeder CI. Enzymatic Ligation of Disulfide-Rich Animal Venom Peptides: Using Sortase A to Form Double-Knotted Peptides. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2355:83-92. [PMID: 34386952 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1617-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sortase A is a thiol transpeptidase expressed by Gram-positive bacteria. This enzyme is capable of site-specifically ligating peptides containing the C-terminal recognition motif LPXTG to peptides containing an N-terminal polyglycine sequence, forming a native peptide bond. Here, we describe the preparation and application of sortase A to the ligation of two individually folded disulfide-rich animal venom peptides in order to form a heterodimeric double-knotted peptide with a native peptide linker. This method is mild enough to preserve the structures and disulfide connectivities of the peptides during ligation. We employed a highly efficient sortase A pentamutant (SrtA5°), which brings the reaction to completion within 15 min with a ~50-80% yield of ligated peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poanna Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA.
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20
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Eagles DA, Chow CY, King GF. Fifteen years of Na
V
1.7 channels as an analgesic target: Why has excellent in vitro pharmacology not translated into in vivo analgesic efficacy? Br J Pharmacol 2020; 179:3592-3611. [DOI: 10.1111/bph.15327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Eagles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Chun Yuen Chow
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
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21
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Peschel A, Cardoso FC, Walker AA, Durek T, Stone MRL, Braga Emidio N, Dawson PE, Muttenthaler M, King GF. Two for the Price of One: Heterobivalent Ligand Design Targeting Two Binding Sites on Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels Slows Ligand Dissociation and Enhances Potency. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12773-12785. [PMID: 33078946 PMCID: PMC7667638 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Voltage-gated
sodium (NaV) channels are pore-forming
transmembrane proteins that play essential roles in excitable cells,
and they are key targets for antiepileptic, antiarrhythmic, and analgesic
drugs. We implemented a heterobivalent design strategy to modulate
the potency, selectivity, and binding kinetics of NaV channel
ligands. We conjugated μ-conotoxin KIIIA, which occludes the
pore of the NaV channels, to an analogue of huwentoxin-IV,
a spider-venom peptide that allosterically modulates channel gating.
Bioorthogonal hydrazide and copper-assisted azide–alkyne cycloaddition
conjugation chemistries were employed to generate heterobivalent ligands
using polyethylene glycol linkers spanning 40–120 Å. The
ligand with an 80 Å linker had the most pronounced bivalent effects,
with a significantly slower dissociation rate and 4–24-fold
higher potency compared to those of the monovalent peptides for the
human NaV1.4 channel. This study highlights the power of
heterobivalent ligand design and expands the repertoire of pharmacological
probes for exploring the function of NaV channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Peschel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Fernanda C Cardoso
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - M Rhia L Stone
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Philip E Dawson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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22
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McMahon KL, Tran HN, Deuis JR, Lewis RJ, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. Discovery, Pharmacological Characterisation and NMR Structure of the Novel µ-Conotoxin SxIIIC, a Potent and Irreversible Na V Channel Inhibitor. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8100391. [PMID: 33023152 PMCID: PMC7599555 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8100391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel subtypes, including NaV1.7, are promising targets for the treatment of neurological diseases, such as chronic pain. Cone snail-derived µ-conotoxins are small, potent NaV channel inhibitors which represent potential drug leads. Of the 22 µ-conotoxins characterised so far, only a small number, including KIIIA and CnIIIC, have shown inhibition against human NaV1.7. We have recently identified a novel µ-conotoxin, SxIIIC, from Conus striolatus. Here we present the isolation of native peptide, chemical synthesis, characterisation of human NaV channel activity by whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and analysis of the NMR solution structure. SxIIIC displays a unique NaV channel selectivity profile (1.4 > 1.3 > 1.1 ≈ 1.6 ≈ 1.7 > 1.2 >> 1.5 ≈ 1.8) when compared to other µ-conotoxins and represents one of the most potent human NaV1.7 putative pore blockers (IC50 152.2 ± 21.8 nM) to date. NMR analysis reveals the structure of SxIIIC includes the characteristic α-helix seen in other µ-conotoxins. Future investigations into structure-activity relationships of SxIIIC are expected to provide insights into residues important for NaV channel pore blocker selectivity and subsequently important for chronic pain drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten L. McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (K.L.M.); (H.N.T.T.); (J.R.D.); (R.J.L.)
| | - Hue N.T. Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (K.L.M.); (H.N.T.T.); (J.R.D.); (R.J.L.)
| | - Jennifer R. Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (K.L.M.); (H.N.T.T.); (J.R.D.); (R.J.L.)
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (K.L.M.); (H.N.T.T.); (J.R.D.); (R.J.L.)
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (K.L.M.); (H.N.T.T.); (J.R.D.); (R.J.L.)
- The School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (C.I.S.)
| | - Christina I. Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (K.L.M.); (H.N.T.T.); (J.R.D.); (R.J.L.)
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (C.I.S.)
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