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Navals P, Kwiatkowska A, Mekdad N, Couture F, Desjardins R, Day R, Dory YL. Enhancing the Drug-Like Profile of a Potent Peptide PACE4 Inhibitor by the Formation of a Host-Guest Inclusion Complex with β-Cyclodextrin. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:4559-4573. [PMID: 37555521 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00261] [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: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The enzyme PACE4 has been validated as a promising therapeutic target to expand the range of prostate cancer (PCa) treatments. In recent years, we have developed a potent peptidomimetic inhibitor, namely, compound C23 (Ac-(DLeu)LLLRVK-4-amidinobenzylamide). Like many peptides, C23 suffers from an unfavorable drug-like profile which, despite our efforts, has not yet benefited from the usual SAR studies. Hence, we turned our attention toward a novel formulation strategy, i.e., the use of cyclodextrins (CDs). CDs can benefit compounds through the formation of "host-guest" complexes, shielding the guest from degradation and enhancing biological survival. In this study, a series of βCD-C23 complexes have been generated and their properties evaluated, including potency toward the enzyme in vitro, a cell-based proliferation assay, and stability in plasma. As a result, a new βCD-formulated lead compound has been identified, which, in addition to being more soluble and more potent, also showed an improved stability profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Navals
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Nawel Mekdad
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- Phenoswitch Bioscience Inc, 975 Rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Québec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Yves L Dory
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
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Label-Free Electrochemical Test of Protease Interaction with a Peptide Substrate Modified Gold Electrode. CHEMOSENSORS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors9080199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Efficient deposition of biomolecules on the surface, maintaining their full activity and stability, is a most significant factor in biosensor construction. For this reason, more and more research is focused on the development of electrochemical biosensors that have the ability to electrically detect adsorbed molecules on electrode surface with high selectivity and sensitivity. The presented research aims to develop an efficient methodology that allows quantification of processes related to the evaluation of enzyme activity (proprotein convertase) using electrochemical methods. In this study we used impedance spectroscopy to investigate the immobilization of peptide substrate (Arg-Val-Arg-Arg) modified with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid on the surface of gold electrode. Both the synthesis of the peptide substrate as well as the full electrochemical characteristics of the obtained electrode materials have been described. Experimental conditions, including concentration of peptide substrate immobilization, modification time, linker, and the presence of additional blocking groups have been optimized. The main advantages of the described method is that it makes it possible to observe the peptide substrate–enzyme interaction without the need to use fluorescent labels. This also allows observation of this interaction at a very low concentration. Both of these factors make this new technique competitive with the standard spectrofluorimetric method.
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Lewandowska-Goch MA, Kwiatkowska A, Łepek T, Ly K, Navals P, Gagnon H, Dory YL, Prahl A, Day R. Design and Structure-Activity Relationship of a Potent Furin Inhibitor Derived from Influenza Hemagglutinin. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:365-372. [PMID: 33738063 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin plays an important role in various pathological states, especially in bacterial and viral infections. A detailed understanding of the structural requirements for inhibitors targeting this enzyme is crucial to develop new therapeutic strategies in infectious diseases, including an urgent unmet need for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previously, we have identified a potent furin inhibitor, peptide Ac-RARRRKKRT-NH 2 (CF1), based on the highly pathogenic avian influenza hemagglutinin. The goal of this study was to determine how its N-terminal part (the P8-P5 positions) affects its activity profile. To do so, the positional-scanning libraries of individual peptides modified at the selected positions with natural amino acids were generated. Subsequently, the best substitutions were combined together and/or replaced by unnatural residues to expand our investigations. The results reveal that the affinity of CF1 can be improved (2-2.5-fold) by substituting its P5 position with the small hydrophobic residues (Ile or Val) or a basic Lys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika A. Lewandowska-Goch
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Teresa Łepek
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kévin Ly
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience Inc., 975 rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Pauline Navals
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Hugo Gagnon
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience Inc., 975 rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Yves L. Dory
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Adam Prahl
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
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Enhanced anti-tumor activity of the Multi-Leu peptide PACE4 inhibitor transformed into an albumin-bound tumor-targeting prodrug. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2118. [PMID: 30765725 PMCID: PMC6376031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertase PACE4 has been validated as a potential target to develop new therapeutic interventions in prostate cancer (PCa). So far, the most effective compound blocking the activity of this enzyme has been designed based on the structure of a small peptide Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 known as the Multi-Leu (ML) peptide. Optimization of this scaffold led to the synthesis of compound C23 (Ac-[DLeu]LLLRVK-amidinobenzylamide) with a potent in vivo inhibitory effect on the tumor growth. However, further developments of PACE4 inhibitors may require additional improvements to counter their rapid renal clearance and to increase their tumor targeting efficiency. Herein, we explored the transformation of the ML-peptide into an albumin-binding prodrug containing a tumor specific release mechanism based on the prostate-specific antigen. Our data confirms that intravenous treatment using the ML-peptide alone has little effect on tumor growth, whereas by using the ML-prodrug in LNCaP xenograft-bearing mice it was significantly reduced. Additionally, excellent in vivo stability and tumor-targeting efficiency was demonstrated using a radiolabelled version of this compound. Taken together, these results provide a solid foundation for further development of targeted PACE4 inhibition in PCa.
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Dianati V, Navals P, Couture F, Desjardins R, Dame A, Kwiatkowska A, Day R, Dory YL. Improving the Selectivity of PACE4 Inhibitors through Modifications of the P1 Residue. J Med Chem 2018; 61:11250-11260. [PMID: 30501188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4), a serine endoprotease of the proprotein convertases family, has been recognized as a promising target for prostate cancer. We previously reported a selective and potent peptide-based inhibitor for PACE4, named the multi-Leu peptide (Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 sequence), which was then modified into a more potent and stable compound named C23 with the following structure: Ac-dLeu-LLLRVK-Amba (Amba: 4-amidinobenzylamide). Despite improvements in both in vitro and in vivo profiles of C23, its selectivity for PACE4 over furin was significantly reduced. We examined other Arg-mimetics instead of Amba to regain the lost selectivity. Our results indicated that the replacement of Amba with 5-(aminomethyl)picolinimidamide increased affinity for PACE4 and restored selectivity. Our results also provide a better insight on how structural differences between S1 pockets of PACE4 and furin could be employed in the rational design of selective inhibitors.
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Shergalis A, Bankhead A, Luesakul U, Muangsin N, Neamati N. Current Challenges and Opportunities in Treating Glioblastoma. Pharmacol Rev 2018; 70:412-445. [PMID: 29669750 PMCID: PMC5907910 DOI: 10.1124/pr.117.014944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 469] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, has a high mortality rate despite extensive efforts to develop new treatments. GBM exhibits both intra- and intertumor heterogeneity, lending to resistance and eventual tumor recurrence. Large-scale genomic and proteomic analysis of GBM tumors has uncovered potential drug targets. Effective and “druggable” targets must be validated to embark on a robust medicinal chemistry campaign culminating in the discovery of clinical candidates. Here, we review recent developments in GBM drug discovery and delivery. To identify GBM drug targets, we performed extensive bioinformatics analysis using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas project. We discovered 20 genes, BOC, CLEC4GP1, ELOVL6, EREG, ESR2, FDCSP, FURIN, FUT8-AS1, GZMB, IRX3, LITAF, NDEL1, NKX3-1, PODNL1, PTPRN, QSOX1, SEMA4F, TH, VEGFC, and C20orf166AS1 that are overexpressed in a subpopulation of GBM patients and correlate with poor survival outcomes. Importantly, nine of these genes exhibit higher expression in GBM versus low-grade glioma and may be involved in disease progression. In this review, we discuss these proteins in the context of GBM disease progression. We also conducted computational multi-parameter optimization to assess the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of small molecules in clinical trials for GBM treatment. Drug delivery in the context of GBM is particularly challenging because the BBB hinders small molecule transport. Therefore, we discuss novel drug delivery methods, including nanoparticles and prodrugs. Given the aggressive nature of GBM and the complexity of targeting the central nervous system, effective treatment options are a major unmet medical need. Identification and validation of biomarkers and drug targets associated with GBM disease progression present an exciting opportunity to improve treatment of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Shergalis
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, North Campus Research Complex, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.S., U.L., N.N.); Biostatistics Department and School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.B.); and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (U.L., N.M.)
| | - Armand Bankhead
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, North Campus Research Complex, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.S., U.L., N.N.); Biostatistics Department and School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.B.); and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (U.L., N.M.)
| | - Urarika Luesakul
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, North Campus Research Complex, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.S., U.L., N.N.); Biostatistics Department and School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.B.); and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (U.L., N.M.)
| | - Nongnuj Muangsin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, North Campus Research Complex, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.S., U.L., N.N.); Biostatistics Department and School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.B.); and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (U.L., N.M.)
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, North Campus Research Complex, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.S., U.L., N.N.); Biostatistics Department and School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (A.B.); and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (U.L., N.M.)
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Dianati V, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Desjardins R, Dory YL, Day R. Increasing C-Terminal Hydrophobicity Improves the Cell Permeability and Antiproliferative Activity of PACE4 Inhibitors against Prostate Cancer Cell Lines. J Med Chem 2018; 61:8457-8467. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Dianati
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Yves L. Dory
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
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Dahms SO, Hardes K, Steinmetzer T, Than ME. X-ray Structures of the Proprotein Convertase Furin Bound with Substrate Analogue Inhibitors Reveal Substrate Specificity Determinants beyond the S4 Pocket. Biochemistry 2018; 57:925-934. [PMID: 29314830 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase furin is a highly specific serine protease modifying and thereby activating proteins in the secretory pathway by proteolytic cleavage. Its substrates are involved in many diseases, including cancer and infections caused by bacteria and viruses. Understanding furin's substrate specificity is crucially important for the development of pharmacologically applicable inhibitors. Using protein X-ray crystallography, we investigated the extended substrate binding site of furin in complex with three peptide-derived inhibitors at up to 1.9 Å resolution. The structure of the protease bound with a hexapeptide inhibitor revealed molecular details of its S6 pocket, which remained completely unknown so far. The arginine residue at P6 induced an unexpected turnlike conformation of the inhibitor backbone, which is stabilized by intra- and intermolecular H-bonds. In addition, we confirmed the binding of arginine to the previously proposed S5 pocket (S51). An alternative S5 site (S52) could be utilized by shorter side chains as demonstrated for a 4-aminomethyl-phenylacetyl residue, which shows steric properties similar to those of a lysine side chain. Interestingly, we also observed binding of a peptide with citrulline at P4 substituting for the highly conserved arginine. The structural data might indicate an unusual protonation state of Asp264 maintaining the interaction with uncharged citrulline. The herein identified molecular interaction sites at P5 and P6 can be utilized to improve next-generation furin inhibitors. Our data will also help to predict furin substrates more precisely on the basis of the additional specificity determinants observed for P5 and P6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O Dahms
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg , Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) , Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) , Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
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Łepek T, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Ly K, Desjardins R, Dory Y, Prahl A, Day R. Macrocyclization of a potent PACE4 inhibitor: Benefits and limitations. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:476-485. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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