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Dongrui Z, Miyamoto M, Yokoo H, Demizu Y. Innovative peptide architectures: advancements in foldamers and stapled peptides for drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:699-723. [PMID: 38753534 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2350568] [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] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Peptide foldamers play a critical role in pharmaceutical research and biomedical applications. This review highlights recent (post-2020) advancements in novel foldamers, synthetic techniques, and their applications in pharmaceutical research. AREAS COVERED The authors summarize the structures and applications of peptide foldamers such as α, β, γ-peptides, hydrocarbon-stapled peptides, urea-type foldamers, sulfonic-γ-amino acid foldamers, aromatic foldamers, and peptoids, which tackle the challenges of traditional peptide drugs. Regarding antimicrobial use, foldamers have shown progress in their potential against drug-resistant bacteria. In drug development, peptide foldamers have been used as drug delivery systems (DDS) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION These structures exhibit resistance to enzymatic degradation, are promising for therapeutic delivery, and disrupt crucial PPIs associated with diseases such as cancer with specificity, versatility, and stability, which are useful therapeutic properties. However, the complexity and cost of their synthesis, along with the necessity for thorough safety and efficacy assessments, necessitate extensive research and cross-sector collaboration. Advances in synthesis methods, computational modeling, and targeted delivery systems are essential for fully realizing the therapeutic potential of foldamers and integrating them into mainstream medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Dongrui
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Maho Miyamoto
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hidetomo Yokoo
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Science of Okayama University, Kita, Japan
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Zhao X, Liu H, Zhang JC, Cai J. Helical sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides for the inhibition of HIV-1 fusion and HIF-1α signaling. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1418-1423. [PMID: 38784464 PMCID: PMC11110726 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00110a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic helical peptidic foldamers show promising applications in chemical biology and biomedical sciences by mimicking protein helical segments. Sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide helices developed by our group exhibit good chemodiversity, predictable folding structures, proteolytic resistance, favorable cell permeability, and enhanced bioavailability. Herein, in this minireview, we highlight two recent examples of homogeneous left-handed sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide helices to modulate protein-protein interactions (PPIs). One is sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides as anti-HIV-1 fusion inhibitors mimicking the helical C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR), which show excellent anti-HIV-1 activities through tight binding with the N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR) and inhibiting the formation of the 6-helical bundle (HB) structure. Another example is helical sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides disrupting hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and p300 PPI, thus selectively inhibiting the relevant signaling cascade. We hope these findings could help to elucidate the principles of the structural design of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides and inspire their future applications in PPI modulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida Tampa FL 33620 USA
| | - Heng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida Tampa FL 33620 USA
| | - Justin C Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida Tampa FL 33620 USA
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida Tampa FL 33620 USA
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3
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Fontaine J, Cai J. Sulfonyl γ-AApeptide tools for modulating biology. Methods Enzymol 2024; 698:247-262. [PMID: 38886034 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.04.021] [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: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The modulation of biology utilizing foldamers has flourished over the last few decades thanks to their overwhelming promise in their applications in molecular design, catalysis, supramolecular, and rational design. However, the application of peptidomimetics is still restricted due to the limited availability of molecular frameworks and folding propensities. To broaden the scope of foldameric peptidomimetics we proposed the development of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides-the oligomers of sulfonyl-γ-N-acylated-N-aminoethyl (AA) amino acids, a unique unnatural scaffold that possesses promising potential to modulate protein-protein interactions. In this chapter, the overall process of design, synthesis, and function of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides is briefly reviewed for the use of unnatural foldamers to modulate PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarais Fontaine
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
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Liu H, Cui Y, Zhao X, Wei L, Wang X, Shen N, Odom T, Li X, Lawless W, Karunarathne K, Muschol M, Guida W, Cao C, Ye L, Cai J. Helical sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides modulating Aβ oligomerization and cytotoxicity by recognizing Aβ helix. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2311733121. [PMID: 38285951 PMCID: PMC10861862 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311733121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to prevalent strategies which make use of β-sheet mimetics to block Aβ fibrillar growth, in this study, we designed a series of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide helices that targeted the crucial α-helix domain of Aβ13-26 and stabilized Aβ conformation to avoid forming the neurotoxic Aβ oligomeric β-sheets. Biophysical assays such as amyloid kinetics and TEM demonstrated that the Aβ oligomerization and fibrillation could be greatly prevented and even reversed in the presence of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides in a sequence-specific and dose-dependent manner. The studies based on circular dichroism, Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2D-NMR) spectra unambiguously suggested that the sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide Ab-6 could bind to the central region of Aβ42 and induce α-helix conformation in Aβ. Additionally, Electrospray ionisation-ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (ESI-IMS-MS) was employed to rule out a colloidal mechanism of inhibitor and clearly supported the capability of Ab-6 for inhibiting the formation of Aβ aggregated forms. Furthermore, Ab-6 could rescue neuroblastoma cells by eradicating Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity even in the presence of pre-formed Aβ aggregates. The confocal microscopy demonstrated that Ab-6 could still specifically bind Aβ42 and colocalize into mitochondria in the cellular environment, suggesting the rescue of cell viability might be due to the protection of mitochondrial function otherwise impaired by Aβ42 aggregation. Taken together, our studies indicated that sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides as helical peptidomimetics could direct Aβ into the off-pathway helical secondary structure, thereby preventing the formation of Aβ oligomerization, fibrillation and rescuing Aβ induced cell cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Yunpeng Cui
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Lulu Wei
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Ning Shen
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Timothy Odom
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Xuming Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - William Lawless
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | | | - Martin Muschol
- Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Wayne Guida
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Chuanhai Cao
- Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33612
| | - Libin Ye
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
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Xue S, Xu W, Wang L, Xu L, Calcul L, Teng P, Lu L, Jiang S, Cai J. Rational Design of Sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides as Highly Potent HIV-1 Fusion Inhibitors with Broad-Spectrum Activity. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13319-13331. [PMID: 37706450 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The HIV-1 epidemic has significant social and economic implications for public health. Developing new antivirus drugs to eradicate drug resistance is still urgently needed. Herein, we demonstrated that sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides could be designed to mimic MTSC22EK, one potent HIV fusion inhibitor derived from CHR. The best two sequences revealed comparable activity to MTSC22EK in an authentic HIV-1 infection assay and exhibited broad-spectrum anti-HIV-1 activity to many HIV-1 clinical isolates. Furthermore, sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides show remarkable resistance to proteolysis and favorable permeability in PAMPA-GIT and PAMPA-BBB assays, suggesting that both sequences could control HIV-1 within the central nervous system and possess promising oral bioavailability. Mechanistic investigations suggest that these sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides function by mimicking the CHR of gp41 and tightly bind with NHR, thereby inhibiting the formation of the 6-HB structure necessary for HIV-1 fusion. Overall, our results suggest that sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides represent a new generation of anti-HIV-1 fusion inhibitors. Moreover, this design strategy could be adopted to modulate many of the PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyi Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Ling Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Laurent Calcul
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Peng Teng
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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6
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Jiang W, Abdulkadir S, Zhao X, Sang P, Tomatsidou A, Zhang X, Chen Y, Calcul L, Sun X, Cheng F, Hu Y, Cai J. Inhibition of Hypoxia-Inducible Transcription Factor (HIF-1α) Signaling with Sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide Helices. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20009-20020. [PMID: 37665648 PMCID: PMC10637359 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06694] [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: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of inhibitors that selectively block protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is crucial for chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, and biomedical sciences. Herein, we reported the design, synthesis, and investigation of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide as an alternative strategy of canonical peptide-based inhibitors to disrupt hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and p300 PPI by mimicking the helical domain of HIF-1α involved in the binding to p300. The designed molecules recognized the p300 protein with high affinity and potently inhibited the hypoxia-inducible signaling pathway. Gene expression profiling supported the idea that the lead molecules selectively inhibited hypoxia-inducible genes involved in the signaling cascade. Our studies also demonstrated that both helical faces consisting of either chiral side chains or achiral sulfonyl side chains of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides could be adopted for mimicry of the α-helix engaging in PPIs. Furthermore, these sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides were cell-permeable and exhibited favorable stability and pharmacokinetic profiles. Our results could inspire the design of helical sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides as a general strategy to mimic the protein helical domain and modulate many other PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
- Institute of Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Sami Abdulkadir
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Anastasia Tomatsidou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Laurent Calcul
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Xingmin Sun
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Feng Cheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Yong Hu
- Institute of Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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7
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Sang P, Cai J. Unnatural helical peptidic foldamers as protein segment mimics. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:4843-4877. [PMID: 37401344 PMCID: PMC10389297 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00395c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Unnatural helical peptidic foldamers have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique folding behaviours, diverse artificial protein binding mechanisms, and promising applications in chemical, biological, medical, and material fields. Unlike the conventional α-helix consisting of molecular entities of native α-amino acids, unnatural helical peptidic foldamers are generally comprised of well-defined backbone conformers with unique and unnatural structural parameters. Their folded structures usually arise from unnatural amino acids such as N-substituted glycine, N-substituted-β-alanine, β-amino acid, urea, thiourea, α-aminoxy acid, α-aminoisobutyric acid, aza-amino acid, aromatic amide, γ-amino acid, as well as sulfono-γ-AA amino acid. They can exhibit intriguing and predictable three-dimensional helical structures, generally featuring superior resistance to proteolytic degradation, enhanced bioavailability, and improved chemodiversity, and are promising in mimicking helical segments of various proteins. Although it is impossible to include every piece of research work, we attempt to highlight the research progress in the past 10 years in exploring unnatural peptidic foldamers as protein helical segment mimics, by giving some representative examples and discussing the current challenges and future perspectives. We expect that this review will help elucidate the principles of structural design and applications of existing unnatural helical peptidic foldamers in protein segment mimicry, thereby attracting more researchers to explore and generate novel unnatural peptidic foldamers with unique structural and functional properties, leading to more unprecedented and practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Sang
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
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8
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Mukherjee S, Saha G, Roy NS, Naiya G, Ghosh MK, Roy S. A small HDM2 antagonist peptide and a USP7 inhibitor synergistically inhibit the p53-HDM2-USP7 circuit. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:126-136. [PMID: 37105726 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14255] [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] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
HDM2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is a crucial regulator of many proliferation-related pathways. It is also one of the primary regulators of p53. USP7, a deubiquitinase, also plays a key role in the regulation of both p53 and HDM2, thus forming a small regulatory network with them. This network has emerged as an important drug target. Development of a synergistic combination targeting both proteins is desirable and important for regulating this module. We have developed a small helically constrained peptide that potently inhibited p53-HDM2 interaction and exerted anti-proliferative effects on p53+/+ cells. A combination of this peptide-when attached to cell entry and nuclear localization tags-and a USP7 inhibitor showed synergistic anti-proliferative effects against cells harboring wild-type alleles of p53. Synergistic inhibition of two important drug targets may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gouranga Saha
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), Kolkata, India
| | | | - Gitashri Naiya
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Mrinal K Ghosh
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), Kolkata, India
| | - Siddhartha Roy
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
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Lu Y, Yang Y, Zhu G, Zeng H, Fan Y, Guo F, Xu D, Wang B, Chen D, Ge G. Emerging Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies to Overcome Undruggable Proteins in Cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:3360-3382. [PMID: 37496997 PMCID: PMC10367563 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.83026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies in cancer treatment can improve in vivo efficacy and reduce adverse effects by altering the tissue exposure of specific biomolecules. However, there are still large number of target proteins in cancer are still undruggable, owing to the following factors including (1) lack of ligand-binding pockets, (2) function based on protein-protein interactions (PPIs), (3) the highly specific conserved active sites among protein family members, and (4) the variability of tertiary docking structures. The current status of undruggable targets proteins such as KRAS, TP53, C-MYC, PTP, are carefully introduced in this review. Some novel techniques and drug designing strategies have been applicated for overcoming these undruggable proteins, and the most classic and well-known technology is proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). In this review, the novel drug development strategies including targeting protein degradation, targeting PPI, targeting intrinsically disordered regions, as well as targeting protein-DNA binding are described, and we also discuss the potential of these strategies for overcoming the undruggable targets. Besides, intelligence-assisted technologies like Alpha-Fold help us a lot to predict the protein structure, which is beneficial for drug development. The discovery of new targets and the development of drugs targeting them, especially those undruggable targets, remain a huge challenge. New drug development strategies, better extraction processes that do not disrupt protein-protein interactions, and more precise artificial intelligence technologies may provide significant assistance in overcoming these undruggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Lu
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yuewen Yang
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guanghao Zhu
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
| | - Hairong Zeng
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
| | - Yiming Fan
- Dalian Harmony Medical Testing Laboratory Co., Ltd, 116620 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fujia Guo
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Dongshu Xu
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Boya Wang
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Dapeng Chen
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guangbo Ge
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
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Rehman AU, Khurshid B, Ali Y, Rasheed S, Wadood A, Ng HL, Chen HF, Wei Z, Luo R, Zhang J. Computational approaches for the design of modulators targeting protein-protein interactions. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:315-333. [PMID: 36715303 PMCID: PMC10149343 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2171396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are intriguing targets for designing novel small-molecule inhibitors. The role of PPIs in various infectious and neurodegenerative disorders makes them potential therapeutic targets . Despite being portrayed as undruggable targets, due to their flat surfaces, disorderedness, and lack of grooves. Recent progresses in computational biology have led researchers to reconsider PPIs in drug discovery. AREAS COVERED In this review, we introduce in-silico methods used to identify PPI interfaces and present an in-depth overview of various computational methodologies that are successfully applied to annotate the PPIs. We also discuss several successful case studies that use computational tools to understand PPIs modulation and their key roles in various physiological processes. EXPERT OPINION Computational methods face challenges due to the inherent flexibility of proteins, which makes them expensive, and result in the use of rigid models. This problem becomes more significant in PPIs due to their flexible and flat interfaces. Computational methods like molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and machine learning can integrate the chemical structure data into biochemical and can be used for target identification and modulation. These computational methodologies have been crucial in understanding the structure of PPIs, designing PPI modulators, discovering new drug targets, and predicting treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashfaq Ur Rehman
- Departments of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate Program in Chemical and Materials Physics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Medicinal Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Zhejiang, China
| | - Beenish Khurshid
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Ali
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Salman Rasheed
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Wadood
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Ho-Leung Ng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Hai-Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Experimental Teaching Center for Life Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wei
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ray Luo
- Departments of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate Program in Chemical and Materials Physics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Jian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Medicinal Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Zhejiang, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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11
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Structure-based discovery of novel α-aminoketone derivatives as dual p53-MDM2/MDMX inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 252:115282. [PMID: 36989812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
The function of the p53 protein is impaired by the overexpression of its negative regulator murine double minute 2 protein (MDM2) and homologous protein MDMX. Disruption of the p53-MDM2/MDMX interaction to restore the transcriptional function of p53 is considered a promising strategy for cancer therapy. To design dual MDM2/MDMX inhibitors, the binding modes of MDM2 or MDMX with their inhibitors are elucidated. Several hot-spot residues of MDM2 or MDMX are identified by molecular dynamics simulations, alanine scanning and MM-GBSA calculations. Then, focusing on the interaction with hot-spot residues, two series of derivatives bearing 1,3-diketone and α-aminoketone scaffolds are designed and synthesized. Among these compounds, C16 is identified as the most potent compound with low micromolar binding affinities with MDM2 and MDMX. C16 also displays moderate antiproliferative activities against MDM2-overexpressing and MDMX-overexpressing cells, with IC50 values of 0.68 μM in HCT116 cells and 0.54 μM in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, C16 inhibits cell migration and invasion, reactivates the function of p53, arrests the cell cycle and induces cellular apoptosis in HCT116 and SH-SY5Y cells. Collectively, C16 can be developed as a dual MDM2 and MDMX inhibitor for cancer therapy.
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12
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Hu L, Liu S, Yao H, Hu Y, Wang Y, Jiang J, Li X, Fu F, Yin Q, Wang H. Identification of a novel heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNPA2B1) ligand that disrupts HnRNPA2B1/nucleic acid interactions to inhibit the MDMX-p53 axis in gastric cancer. Pharmacol Res 2023; 189:106696. [PMID: 36791898 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Gastric carcinoma is a highly malignant tumor that still lacks effective molecular targets. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNPA2B1) is an essential oncogenic driver overexpressed in various cancers. The potential role of hnRNPA2B1 in oncotherapy has not been revealed because of the absence of active chemical molecules. In this study, we identified the pseudourea derivative XI-011 as a novel hnRNPA2B1 ligand using chemical proteomics. An interaction study indicated that XI-011 could bind the nucleotide-binding domain to disrupt the recruitment of hnRNPA2B1 to the promoter and untranslated region of the murine double minute X (MDMX) gene, thereby inhibiting its transcription. In addition, chemical targeting of hnRNPA2B1 recovered inactivated p53 and enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of apatinib in vivo. This work presented a novel strategy to restore p53 activity for the treatment of gastric cancers via chemically targeting hnRNPA2B1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Shuqi Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Hongying Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Yuemiao Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, China
| | - Yingjie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Jingpeng Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Fenghua Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Qikun Yin
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
| | - Hongbo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
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13
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Nagata M, Watanabe M, Doi R, Uemura M, Ochiai N, Ichinose W, Fujiwara K, Sato Y, Kameda T, Takeuchi K, Shuto S. Helix-forming aliphatic homo-δ-peptide foldamers based on the conformational restriction effects of cyclopropane. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:970-980. [PMID: 36426637 DOI: 10.1039/d2ob01715f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Considerable effort has been directed toward developing artificial peptide-based foldamers. However, detailed structural analysis of δ-peptide foldamers consisting of only aliphatic δ-amino acids has not been reported. Herein, we rationally designed and stereoselectively synthesized aliphatic homo-δ-peptides forming a stable helical structure by using a chiral cyclopropane δ-amino acid as a monomer unit. Structural analysis of the homo-δ-peptides using circular dichroism, infrared, and NMR spectroscopy indicated that they form a stable 14-helical structure in solution. Furthermore, we successfully conducted X-ray crystallographic analysis of the homo-δ-peptides, demonstrating a right-handed 14-helical structure. This helical structure of the crystal was consistent with those predicted by theoretical calculations and those obtained based on NMR spectroscopy in solution. This stable helical structure is due to the effective restriction of the backbone conformation by the structural characteristics of cyclopropane. This work reports the first example of aliphatic homo-δ-peptide foldamers having a stable helical structure both in the solution and crystal states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Nagata
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Mizuki Watanabe
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Ryohei Doi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Mai Uemura
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Nanase Ochiai
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Wataru Ichinose
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Koichi Fujiwara
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Sato
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Tomoshi Kameda
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
| | - Koh Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Satoshi Shuto
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
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14
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Zhou L, Jeong IH, Xue S, Xue M, Wang L, Li S, Liu R, Jeong GH, Wang X, Cai J, Yin J, Huang B. Inhibition of the Ubiquitin Transfer Cascade by a Peptidomimetic Foldamer Mimicking the E2 N-Terminal Helix. J Med Chem 2023; 66:491-502. [PMID: 36571278 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The enzymatic cascades for ubiquitin transfer regulate key cellular processes and are the intense focus of drug development for treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. E1 is at the apex of the UB transfer cascade, and molecules inhibiting E1 have shown promising activities against cancer cell proliferation. Compared to small molecules, peptidomimetics have emerged as powerful tools to disrupt the protein-protein interactions (PPI) with less drug resistance and high stability in the cell. Herein, we harnessed the D-sulfono-γ-AA peptide to mimic the N-terminal helix of E2 and thereby inhibit E1-E2 interaction. Two stapled peptidomimetics, M1-S1 and M1-S2, were identified as effective inhibitors to block UB transfer from E1 to E2, as shown by in vitro and cellular assays. Our work suggested that PPIs with the N-terminal helix of E2 at the E1-E2 and E2-E3 interfaces could be a promising target for designing inhibitors against protein ubiquitination pathways in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia30303, United States
| | - In Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia30303, United States
| | - Songyi Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida33620, United States
| | - Menglin Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida33620, United States
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida33620, United States
| | - Sihao Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida33620, United States
| | - Ruochuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia30303, United States
| | - Geon Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia30303, United States
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia30303, United States
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida33620, United States
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia30303, United States
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida33620, United States
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15
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MDMX elevation by a novel Mdmx-p53 interaction inhibitor mitigates neuronal damage after ischemic stroke. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21110. [PMID: 36473920 PMCID: PMC9726886 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25427-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mdmx and Mdm2 are two major suppressor factors for the tumor suppressor gene p53. In central nervous system, Mdmx suppresses the transcriptional activity of p53 and enhances the binding of Mdm2 to p53 for degradation. But Mdmx dynamics in cerebral infarction remained obscure. Here we investigated the role of Mdmx under ischemic conditions and evaluated the effects of our developed small-molecule Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) inhibitors, K-181, on Mdmx-p53 interactions in vivo and in vitro. We found ischemic stroke decreased Mdmx expression with increased phosphorylation of Mdmx Serine 367, while Mdmx overexpression by AAV-Mdmx showed a neuroprotective effect on neurons. The PPI inhibitor, K-181 attenuated the neurological deficits by increasing Mdmx expression in post-stroke mice brain. Additionally, K-181 selectively inhibited HDAC6 activity and enhanced tubulin acetylation. Our findings clarified the dynamics of Mdmx in cerebral ischemia and provide a clue for the future pharmaceutic development of ischemic stroke.
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16
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Xue S, Wang L, Cai J. Sulfono-γ-AApeptides as Protein Helical Domain Mimetics to Manipulate the Angiogenesis. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200298. [PMID: 36006398 PMCID: PMC9741949 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Sulfono-γ-AApeptides recently developed in our group have been proven to be a new class of unnatural foldamer with well-defined helical structure and have been demonstrated to mimic protein helical domains and disrupt biomedically relevant protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Based on our design concept in a recent report, we discovered two similar sulfono-γ-AApeptides V2 and V3 which were designed to mimic the VEGF N-terminal helix α1 known to directly interact with VEGFRs. Interestingly, V2 was shown to possess the pro-angiogenic effect, whereas V3 was proved to be a potent inhibitor for angiogenesis. We speculate that the distinct angiogenesis signaling was due to the selective binding of the two molecules to VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, respectively. Together with their remarkable resistance to proteolytic degradation, relatively small sizes, and amenability to modification with diverse functional groups, V2 and V3 could serve as lead molecules for the development of potential therapeutic agents and molecular probes. These findings highlight sulfono-γ-AApeptides as an alternative paradigm to mimic the α-helical domain to modulate a wide variety of PPIs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyi Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
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17
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α/Sulfono-γ-AA peptide hybrids agonist of GLP-1R with prolonged action both in vitro and in vivo. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 13:1648-1659. [PMID: 37139407 PMCID: PMC10149899 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides are increasingly important resources for biological and therapeutic development, however, their intrinsic susceptibility to proteolytic degradation represents a big hurdle. As a natural agonist for GLP-1R, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is of significant clinical interest for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus, but its in vivo instability and short half-life have largely prevented its therapeutic application. Here, we describe the rational design of a series of α/sulfono-γ-AA peptide hybrid analogues of GLP-1 as the GLP-1R agonists. Certain GLP-1 hybrid analogues exhibited enhanced stability (t 1/2 > 14 days) compared to t 1/2 (<1 day) of GLP-1 in the blood plasma and in vivo. These newly developed peptide hybrids may be viable alternative of semaglutide for type-2 diabetes treatment. Additionally, our findings suggest that sulfono-γ-AA residues could be adopted to substitute canonical amino acids residues to improve the pharmacological activity of peptide-based drugs.
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18
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A novel cyclic γ-AApeptide-based long-acting pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitor with potential oral bioavailability by targeting two sites in spike protein. Cell Discov 2022; 8:88. [PMID: 36075899 PMCID: PMC9453727 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00455-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor-binding domain (RBD) in S1 subunit and heptad repeat 1 (HR1) domain in S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein are the targets of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and pan-coronavirus (CoV) fusion inhibitory peptides, respectively. However, neither nAb- nor peptide-based drugs can be used orally. In this study, we screened a one-bead-two-compound (OBTC) cyclic γ-AApeptide library against SARS-CoV-2 S protein and identified a hit: S-20 with potent membrane fusion inhibitory activity, but moderate selectivity index (SI). After modification, one derivative, S-20-1, exhibited improved fusion inhibitory activity and SI (>1000). S-20-1 could effectively inhibit infection by pseudotyped and authentic SARS-CoV-2 and pseudotyped variants of concern (VOCs), including B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron), as well as MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-NL63. It could also inhibit infection of a pseudotyped SARS-related coronavirus WIV1 (SARSr-CoV-WIV1) from bats. Intranasal application of S-20-1 to mice before or after challenge with HCoV-OC43 or SARS-CoV-2 provided significant protection from infection. Importantly, S-20-1 was highly resistant to proteolytic degradation, had long half-life, and possessed favorable oral bioavailability. Mechanistic studies suggest that S-20-1 binds with high affinity to RBD in S1 and HR1 domain in S2 of SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Thus, with its pan-CoV fusion and entry inhibitory activity by targeting two sites in S protein, desirable half-life, and promising oral bioavailability, S-20-1 is a potential candidate for further development as a novel therapeutic and prophylactic drug against infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, as well as future emerging and reemerging CoVs.
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19
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Zhong J, Guo Y, Lu S, Song K, Wang Y, Feng L, Zheng Z, Zhang Q, Wei J, Sang P, Shi Y, Cai J, Chen G, Liu CY, Yang X, Zhang J. Rational design of a sensitivity-enhanced tracer for discovering efficient APC-Asef inhibitors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4961. [PMID: 36002443 PMCID: PMC9402538 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32612-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)–Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 4 (Asef) protein–protein interaction (PPI) is essential for colorectal cancer metastasis, making it a promising drug target. Herein, we obtain a sensitivity-enhanced tracer (tracer 7) with a high binding affinity (Kd = 0.078 μM) and wide signal dynamic range (span = 251 mp). By using tracer 7 in fluorescence-polarization assays for APC–Asef inhibitor screening, we discover a best-in-class inhibitor, MAI-516, with an IC50 of 0.041 ± 0.004 μM and a conjugated transcriptional transactivating sequence for generating cell-permeable MAIT-516. MAIT-516 inhibits CRC cell migration by specifically hindering the APC–Asef PPI. Furthermore, MAIT-516 exhibits no cytotoxic effects on normal intestinal epithelial cell and colorectal cancer cell growth. Overall, we develop a sensitivity-enhanced tracer for fluorescence polarization assays, which is used for the precise quantification of high-activity APC–Asef inhibitors, thereby providing insight into PPI drug development. The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)–Asef protein interaction is essential for colorectal cancer metastasis. Here, the authors present the rational design of a sensitivity-enhanced tracer for fluorescence polarization assays, enabling them to discover more efficient APC–Asef interaction inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhong
- 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.,Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuegui Guo
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Feng
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Zheng
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiufen Zhang
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiacheng Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Guoqiang Chen
- Research Unit of Stress and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen-Ying Liu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiuyan Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
| | - Jian 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. .,Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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20
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Sang P, Shi Y, Wei L, Cai J. Helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides with predictable functions in protein recognition. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:805-814. [PMID: 35866163 PMCID: PMC9257604 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00049k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfono-γ-AApeptides are a subset of possible sequence-specific foldamers that might be considered for the design of biomimetic drug molecular structures. Although they have been studied for a relatively short period of time, a number of structures and functions have been designed or discovered within this class of unnatural peptides. Examples of utilizing these sulfono-γ-AApeptides have demonstrated the potential that sulfono-γ-AApeptides can offer, however, to date, their application in biomedical sciences yet remains unexplored. This review mainly summarizes the helical folding conformations of sulfono-γ-AApeptides and their biological application as helical mimetics in medicinally relevant protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and assesses their potential for the mimicry of other α-helices for protein recognition in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa FL 33620 USA
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa FL 33620 USA
| | - Lulu Wei
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa FL 33620 USA
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa FL 33620 USA
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21
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Helical Foldamers and Stapled Peptides as New Modalities in Drug Discovery: Modulators of Protein-Protein Interactions. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10050924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A “foldamer” is an artificial oligomeric molecule with a regular secondary or tertiary structure consisting of various building blocks. A “stapled peptide” is a peptide with stabilized secondary structures, in particular, helical structures by intramolecular covalent side-chain cross-linking. Helical foldamers and stapled peptides are potential drug candidates that can target protein-protein interactions because they enable multipoint molecular recognition, which is difficult to achieve with low-molecular-weight compounds. This mini-review describes a variety of peptide-based foldamers and stapled peptides with a view to their applications in drug discovery, including our recent progress.
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22
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Zhang S, Yan Z, Li Y, Gong Y, Lyu X, Lou J, Zhang D, Meng X, Zhao Y. Structure-Based Discovery of MDM2/4 Dual Inhibitors that Exert Antitumor Activities against MDM4-Overexpressing Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6207-6230. [PMID: 35420431 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent clinical progress in peptide-based dual inhibitors of MDM2/4, small-molecule ones with robust antitumor activities remain challenging. To tackle this issue, 31 (YL93) was structure-based designed and synthesized, which had MDM2/4 binding Ki values of 1.1 and 642 nM, respectively. In three MDM4-overexpressing cancer cell lines harboring wild-type p53, 31 shows improved cell growth inhibition activities compared to RG7388, an MDM2-selective inhibitor in late-stage clinical trials. Mechanistic studies show that 31 increased cellular protein levels of p53 and p21 and upregulated the expression of p53-targeted genes in RKO cells with MDM4 amplification. In addition, 31 induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in western blot and flow cytometry assays. Taken together, dual inhibition of MDM2/4 by 31 elicited stronger antitumor activities in vitro compared to selective MDM2 inhibitors in wild-type p53 and MDM4-overexpressing cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ziqin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yafang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,Nano Science and Technology Institute, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xilin Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianfeng Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Daizhou Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Xiangjing Meng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan 250101, China
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23
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Yokomine M, Morimoto J, Fukuda Y, Shiratori Y, Kuroda D, Ueda T, Takeuchi K, Tsumoto K, Sando S. Oligo(N-methylalanine) as a Peptide-Based Molecular Scaffold with a Minimal Structure and High Density of Functionalizable Sites. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202200119. [PMID: 35088931 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202200119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Functionalizable synthetic molecules with nanometer sizes and defined shapes in water are useful as molecular scaffolds to mimic the functions of biomacromolecules and develop chemical tools for manipulating biomacromolecules. Herein, we propose oligo(N-methylalanine) (oligo-NMA) as a peptide-based molecular scaffold with a minimal structure and a high density of functionalizable sites. Oligo-NMA forms a defined shape in water without hydrogen-bonding networks or ring constraints, which enables the molecule to act as a scaffold with minimal atomic composition. Furthermore, functional groups can be readily introduced on the nitrogens and α-carbons of oligo-NMA. Computational and NMR spectroscopic analysis suggested that the backbone structure of oligo-NMA is not largely affected by functionalization. Moreover, the usefulness of oligo-NMA was demonstrated by the design of protein ligands. The ease of synthesis, minimal structure, and high functionalization flexibility makes oligo-NMA a useful scaffold for chemical and biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marin Yokomine
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Jumpei Morimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Fukuda
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yota Shiratori
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kuroda
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takumi Ueda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Koh Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Sando
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
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24
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Buyanova M, Pei D. Targeting intracellular protein-protein interactions with macrocyclic peptides. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:234-248. [PMID: 34911657 PMCID: PMC8840965 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are challenging targets for traditional drug modalities. Macrocyclic peptides (MPs) prove highly effective PPI inhibitors in vitro and can be rapidly discovered against PPI targets by rational design or screening combinatorial libraries but are generally impermeable to the cell membrane. Recent advances in MP science and technology are allowing for the development of 'drug-like' MPs that potently and specifically modulate intracellular PPI targets in cell culture and animal models. In this review, we highlight recent progress in generating cell-permeable MPs that enter the mammalian cell by passive diffusion, endocytosis followed by endosomal escape, or as-yet unknown mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Buyanova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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25
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Huang B, Zhou L, Liu R, Wang L, Xue S, Shi Y, Jeong GH, Jeong IH, Li S, Yin J, Cai J. Activation of E6AP/UBE3A-Mediated Protein Ubiquitination and Degradation Pathways by a Cyclic γ-AA Peptide. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2497-2506. [PMID: 35045253 PMCID: PMC8889547 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Manipulating the activities of E3 ubiquitin ligases with chemical ligands holds promise for correcting E3 malfunctions and repurposing the E3s for induced protein degradation in the cell. Herein, we report an alternative strategy to proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues to induce protein degradation by constructing and screening a γ-AA peptide library for cyclic peptidomimetics binding to the HECT domain of E6AP, an E3 ubiquitinating p53 coerced by the human papillomavirus and regulating pathways implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Angelman syndrome. We found that a γ-AA peptide P6, discovered from the affinity-based screening with the E6AP HECT domain, can significantly stimulate the ubiquitin ligase activity of E6AP to ubiquitinate its substrate proteins UbxD8, HHR23A, and β-catenin in reconstituted reactions and HEK293T cells. Furthermore, P6 can accelerate the degradation of E6AP substrates in the cell by enhancing the catalytic activities of E6AP. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of using synthetic ligands to stimulate E3 activities in the cell. The E3 stimulators could be developed alongside E3 inhibitors and substrate recruiters such as PROTACs and molecular glues to leverage the full potential of protein ubiquitination pathways for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Ruochuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Songyi Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Geon Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - In Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Sihao Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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26
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Yokomine M, Morimoto J, Fukuda Y, Shiratori Y, Kuroda D, Ueda T, Takeuchi K, Tsumoto K, Sando S. Oligo(N‐methylalanine) as a Peptide‐Based Molecular Scaffold with a Minimal Structure and High Density of Functionalizable Sites. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202200119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marin Yokomine
- The University of Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8656 Tokyo JAPAN
| | - Jumpei Morimoto
- The University of Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Chemistry and Biotechnology 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8656 Tokyo JAPAN
| | - Yasuhiro Fukuda
- The University of Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Chemistry and Biotechnolgy 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8656 Tokyo JAPAN
| | - Yota Shiratori
- The University of Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Chemistry and Biotechnology 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8656 Tokyo JAPAN
| | - Daisuke Kuroda
- The University of Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Bioengineering 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8656 Tokyo JAPAN
| | - Takumi Ueda
- The University of Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Graduate school of pharmaceutical sciences 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-0033 Tokyo JAPAN
| | - Koh Takeuchi
- The University of Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Graduate school of pharmaceutical sciences 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-0033 Tokyo JAPAN
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- The University of Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Institute of medical science 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku 108-8639 Tokyo JAPAN
| | - Shinsuke Sando
- The University of Tokyo Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku 113-8656 Tokyo JAPAN
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27
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Abdulkadir S, Li C, Jiang W, Zhao X, Sang P, Wei L, Hu Y, Li Q, Cai J. Modulating Angiogenesis by Proteomimetics of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:270-281. [PMID: 34968032 PMCID: PMC8886800 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c09571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, formation of new blood vessels from the existing vascular network, is a hallmark of cancer cells that leads to tumor vascular proliferation and metastasis. This process is mediated through the binding interaction of VEGF-A with VEGF receptors. However, the balance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic effect after ligand binding yet remains elusive and is therefore challenging to manipulate. To interrogate this interaction, herein we designed a few sulfono-γ-AA peptide based helical peptidomimetics that could effectively mimic a key binding interface on VEGF (helix-α1) for VEGFR recognition. Intriguingly, although both sulfono-γ-AA peptide sequences V2 and V3 bound to VEGF receptors tightly, in vitro angiogenesis assays demonstrated that V3 potently inhibited angiogenesis, whereas V2 activated angiogenesis effectively instead. Our findings suggested that this distinct modulation of angiogenesis might be due to the result of selective binding of V2 to VEGFR-1 and V3 to VEGFR-2, respectively. These molecules thus provide us a key to switch the angiogenic signaling, a biological process that balances the effects of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, where imbalances lead to several diseases including cancer. In addition, both V2 and V3 exhibited remarkable stability toward proteolytic hydrolysis, suggesting that V2 and V3 are promising therapeutic agents for the intervention of disease conditions arising due to angiogenic imbalances and could also be used as novel molecular switching probes to interrogate the mechanism of VEGFR signaling. The findings also further demonstrated the potential of sulfono-γ-AA peptides to mimic the α-helical domain for protein recognition and modulation of protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Abdulkadir
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Chunpu Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute of Medicine, Shuguang Hospital; Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
- Institute of Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Lulu Wei
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Yong Hu
- Institute of Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute of Medicine, Shuguang Hospital; Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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28
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Ishaqat A, Herrmann A. Polymers Strive for Accuracy: From Sequence-Defined Polymers to mRNA Vaccines against COVID-19 and Polymers in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:20529-20545. [PMID: 34841867 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c08484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Unquestionably, polymers have influenced the world over the past 100 years. They are now more crucial than ever since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The pandemic paved the way for certain polymers to be in the spotlight, namely sequence-defined polymers such as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), which was the first type of vaccine to be authorized in the U.S. and Europe to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This rise of mRNA will probably influence scientific research concerning nucleic acids in general and RNA therapeutics in specific. In this Perspective, we highlight the recent trends in sequence-controlled and sequence-defined polymers. Then we discuss mRNA vaccines as an example to illustrate the need of ultimate sequence control to achieve complex functions such as specific activation of the immune system. We briefly present how mRNA vaccines are produced, the importance of modified nucleotides, the characteristic features, and the advantages and challenges associated with this class of vaccines. Finally, we discuss the chances and opportunities for polymer chemistry to provide solutions and contribute to the future progress of RNA-based therapeutics. We highlight two particular roles of polymers in this context. One represents conjugation of polymers to nucleic acids to form biohybrids. The other is concerned with advanced polymer-based carrier systems for nucleic acids. We believe that polymers can help to address present problems of RNA-based therapeutic technologies and impact the field beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Ishaqat
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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29
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Sang P, Zeng H, Lee C, Shi Y, Wang M, Pan C, Wei L, Huang C, Wu M, Shen W, Li X, Cai J. α/Sulfono-γ-AApeptide Hybrid Analogues of Glucagon with Enhanced Stability and Prolonged In Vivo Activity. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13893-13901. [PMID: 34506138 PMCID: PMC8903076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Peptide drugs have the advantages of target specificity and good drugability and have become one of the most increasingly important hotspots in new drug research in biomedical sciences. However, peptide drugs generally have low bioavailability and metabolic stability, and therefore, the modification of existing peptide drugs for the purpose of improving stability and retaining activity is of viable importance. It is known that glucagon is an effective therapy for treating severe hypoglycemia, but its short half-life prevents its wide therapeutic use. Herein, we report that combined unnatural residues and long fatty acid conjugation afford potent α/sulfono-γ-AApeptide hybrid analogues of Glucagon with enhanced stability and prolonged in vivo activity. This strategy could be adopted to develop stabilized analogues of other short-acting bioactive peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Hongxiang Zeng
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Candy Lee
- Calibr at Scripps Research, 11119 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Cong Pan
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Lulu Wei
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Chenglong Huang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Mingjun Wu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Weijun Shen
- Calibr at Scripps Research, 11119 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Xi Li
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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30
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Zhang S, Lou J, Li Y, Zhou F, Yan Z, Lyu X, Zhao Y. Recent Progress and Clinical Development of Inhibitors that Block MDM4/p53 Protein-Protein Interactions. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10621-10640. [PMID: 34286973 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
MDM4 is a homologue of MDM2, serving cooperatively as the negative regulator of tumor suppressor p53. Under the shadow of MDM2 inhibitors, limited efforts had been put into the discovery of MDM4 modulators. Recent studies of the experimental drug ALRN-6924, a dual MDM4 and MDM2 inhibitor, suggest that concurrent inhibition of MDM4 and MDM2 might be beneficial over only MDM2 inhibition. In view of the present research progress, we summarized published inhibitors of MDM4/p53 interactions including both peptide-based compounds and small molecules. Cocrystal structures of ligand/MDM4 complexes have been examined, and their structural features were compiled and compared in order to show the molecular basis required for high MDM4 binding affinities. Representative examples of small-molecule MDM4 inhibitors were discussed, followed by clinical results of ALRN-6924, together, providing a consolidated reference for further development of MDM4 inhibitors, either dual or selective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyan Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianfeng Lou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yafang Li
- Nano Science and Technology Institute, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Feilong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ziqin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xilin Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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31
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Perez JJ, Perez RA, Perez A. Computational Modeling as a Tool to Investigate PPI: From Drug Design to Tissue Engineering. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:681617. [PMID: 34095231 PMCID: PMC8173110 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.681617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) mediate a large number of important regulatory pathways. Their modulation represents an important strategy for discovering novel therapeutic agents. However, the features of PPI binding surfaces make the use of structure-based drug discovery methods very challenging. Among the diverse approaches used in the literature to tackle the problem, linear peptides have demonstrated to be a suitable methodology to discover PPI disruptors. Unfortunately, the poor pharmacokinetic properties of linear peptides prevent their direct use as drugs. However, they can be used as models to design enzyme resistant analogs including, cyclic peptides, peptide surrogates or peptidomimetics. Small molecules have a narrower set of targets they can bind to, but the screening technology based on virtual docking is robust and well tested, adding to the computational tools used to disrupt PPI. We review computational approaches used to understand and modulate PPI and highlight applications in a few case studies involved in physiological processes such as cell growth, apoptosis and intercellular communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Perez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roman A Perez
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat, Spain
| | - Alberto Perez
- The Quantum Theory Project, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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32
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Wang X, Ni D, Liu Y, Lu S. Rational Design of Peptide-Based Inhibitors Disrupting Protein-Protein Interactions. Front Chem 2021; 9:682675. [PMID: 34017824 PMCID: PMC8128998 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.682675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are well-established as a class of promising drug targets for their implications in a wide range of biological processes. However, drug development toward PPIs is inevitably hampered by their flat and wide interfaces, which generally lack suitable pockets for ligand binding, rendering most PPI systems "undruggable." Here, we summarized drug design strategies for developing peptide-based PPI inhibitors. Importantly, several quintessential examples toward well-established PPI targets such as Bcl-2 family members, p53-MDM2, as well as APC-Asef are presented to illustrate the detailed schemes for peptide-based PPI inhibitor development and optimizations. This review supplies a comprehensive overview of recent progresses in drug discovery targeting PPIs through peptides or peptidomimetics, and will shed light on future therapeutic agent development toward the historically "intractable" PPI systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Duan Ni
- The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yaqin Liu
- Medicinal Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Medicinal Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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33
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Yu D, Xu Z, Cheng X, Qin J. The role of miRNAs in MDMX-p53 interplay. J Evid Based Med 2021; 14:152-160. [PMID: 33988919 DOI: 10.1111/jebm.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding RNAs of 19-24 nucleotides in length and are tightly related to tumorigenesis and progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that the tumor suppressor p53 and its negative controller MDMX are regulated by miRNAs in different ways. Some miRNAs directly target p53 and regulate its expression and function, whereas some miRNAs target MDMX and regulate p53's activity indirectly. The overexpression of several miRNAs can restore the activity of p53 by negatively regulating MDMX in cancer cells. Therefore, a better understanding of the miRNAs-MDMX-p53 network will put forward potential research directions for developing anticancer therapeutics. In the present review, we mainly focus on the regulatory effects of miRNAs on the MDMX-p53 interplay as well as the role of the miRNAs-MDMX-p53 network in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehua Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyuan Xu
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangdong Cheng
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiangjiang Qin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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34
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Discovery of α-helix-mimicking sulfono-γ-AApeptides as p53-MDM2 inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2021; 13:1021-1023. [PMID: 33906432 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2021-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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35
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Yang C, Wu KB, Deng Y, Yuan J, Niu J. Geared Toward Applications: A Perspective on Functional Sequence-Controlled Polymers. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:243-257. [PMID: 34336395 PMCID: PMC8320758 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sequence-controlled polymers are an emerging class of synthetic polymers with a regulated sequence of monomers. In the past decade, tremendous progress has been made in the synthesis of polymers with the sophisticated sequence control approaching the level manifested in biopolymers. In contrast, the exploration of novel functions that can be achieved by controlling synthetic polymer sequences represents an emerging focus in polymer science. This Viewpoint will survey recent advances in the functional applications of sequence-controlled polymers and provide a perspective on the challenges and outlook for pursuing future applications of this fascinating class of macromolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cangjie Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Kevin B. Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Jingsong Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Jia Niu
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
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36
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Han AR, Durgannavar T, Ahn D, Chung SJ. A FRET-Based Fluorescent Probe to Screen Anticancer Drugs, Inhibiting p73 Binding to MDM2. Chembiochem 2020; 22:830-833. [PMID: 33103305 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The protein p73 acts as a transcription factor, resulting in tumour suppression. MDM2, an oncogenic protein, can negatively influence p73-mediated apoptosis by binding to p73 transactivation domains (TAD). Inhibition of the protein-protein interaction between p73 and oncogenic proteins is an attractive strategy for promoting p73-mediated apoptosis. Herein, we describe the use of a modified p73-TAD peptide for the FRET-based assay of the binding of p73-TAD to MDM2. The FRET probe, equipped with 1-naphthylamine (λex =330 nm, λem =445 nm), serves as a FRET acceptor, and the tryptophan of the protein acts as FRET donor (λex =280 nm, λem =340 nm). Sensitized emission from the FRET probe was observed upon excitation of the protein-FRET-probe complex at the excitation wavelength of Trp. Furthermore, addition of the MDM2 inhibitor Nutiln-3 drastically reduced the FRET signal, thus indicating that the FRET probe competes with Nutiln-3 for MDM2 binding. The developed FRET binding assay might be applicable in high-throughput screening of novel drugs that inhibit interactions between p73 and MDM2.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ro Han
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419 (Republic of, Korea
| | | | - Dohee Ahn
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419 (Republic of, Korea
| | - Sang J Chung
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419 (Republic of, Korea
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37
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Shi Y, Sang P, Lu J, Higbee P, Chen L, Yang L, Odom T, Daughdrill G, Chen J, Cai J. Rational Design of Right-Handed Heterogeneous Peptidomimetics as Inhibitors of Protein-Protein Interactions. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13187-13196. [PMID: 33140956 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Peptidomimetics have gained great attention for their function as protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. Herein, we report the design and investigation of a series of right-handed helical heterogeneous 1:1 α/Sulfono-γ-AA peptides as unprecedented inhibitors for p53-MDM2 and p53-MDMX. The most potent helical heterogeneous 1:1 α/Sulfono-γ-AA peptides were shown to bind tightly to MDM2 and MDMX, with Kd of 19.3 and 66.8 nM, respectively. Circular dichroism spectra, 2D-NMR spectroscopy, and the computational simulations suggested that these helical sulfono-γ-AA peptides could mimic the critical side chains of p53 and disrupt p53/MDM2 PPI effectively. It was noted that these 1:1 α/Sulfono-γ-AA peptides were completely resistant to proteolytic degradation, boosting their potential for biomedical applications. Furthermore, effective cellular activity is achieved by the stapled 1:1 α/Sulfono-γ-AA peptides, evidenced by significantly enhanced p53 transcriptional activity and much more induced level of MDM2 and p21. The 1:1 α/Sulfono-γ-AA peptides could be an alternative strategy to antagonize a myriad of PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Junhao Lu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Pirada Higbee
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Lihong Chen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Leixiang Yang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Timothy Odom
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Gary Daughdrill
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Jiandong Chen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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38
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Sang P, Shi Y, Huang B, Xue S, Odom T, Cai J. Sulfono-γ-AApeptides as Helical Mimetics: Crystal Structures and Applications. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:2425-2442. [PMID: 32940995 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Foldamers have defined and predictable structures, improved resistance to proteolytic degradation, enhanced chemical diversity, and are versatile in their mimicry of biological molecules, making them promising candidates in biomedical and material applications. However, as natural macromolecules exhibit endless folding structures and functions, the exploration of the applications of foldamers remains crucial. As such, it is imperative to continue to discover unnatural foldameric architectures with new frameworks and molecular scaffolds. To this end, we recently developed a new class of peptidomimetics termed ″γ-AApeptides", oligomers of γ-substituted-N-acylated-N-aminoethyl amino acids, which are inspired by the chiral peptide nucleic acid backbone. To date γ-AApeptides have been shown to be resistant to proteolytic degradation and possess limitless potential to introduce chemically diverse functional groups, demonstrating promise in biomedical and material sciences. However, the structures of γ-AApeptides were initially unknown, rendering their rational design for the mimicry of a protein helical domain impossible in the beginning, which limited their potential development. To our delight, in the past few years, we have obtained a series of crystal structures of helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides, a subclass of γ-AApeptides. The single-crystal X-ray crystallography indicates that sulfono-γ-AApeptides fold into unprecedented and well-defined helices with unique helical parameters. On the basis of the well-established size, shape, and folding conformation, the design of sulfono-γ-AApeptide-based foldamers opens a new avenue for the development of alternative unnatural peptidomimetics for their potential applications in chemistry, biology, medicine, materials science, and so on.In this Account, we will outline our journey on sulfono-γ-AApeptides and their application as helical mimetics. We will first briefly introduce the design and synthetic strategy of sulfono-γ-AApeptides and then describe the crystal structures of helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides, including left-handed homogeneous sulfono-γ-AApeptides, right-handed 1:1 α/sulfono-γ-AA peptide hybrids, and right-handed 2:1 α/sulfono-γ-AA peptide hybrids. After that, we will illustrate the potential of helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides for biological applications such as the disruption of medicinally relevant protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of BCL9-β-catenin and p53-MDM2/MDMX as well as the mimicry of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). In addition, we also exemplify their potential application in material science. We expect that this Account will shed light on the structure-based design and function of helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides, which can provide a new and alternative way to explore and generate novel foldamers with distinctive structural and functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Songyi Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Timothy Odom
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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Computational methods-guided design of modulators targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112764. [PMID: 32871340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a pivotal role in extensive biological processes and are thus crucial to human health and the development of disease states. Due to their critical implications, PPIs have been spotlighted as promising drug targets of broad-spectrum therapeutic interests. However, owing to the general properties of PPIs, such as flat surfaces, featureless conformations, difficult topologies, and shallow pockets, previous attempts were faced with serious obstacles when targeting PPIs and almost portrayed them as "intractable" for decades. To date, rapid progress in computational chemistry and structural biology methods has promoted the exploitation of PPIs in drug discovery. These techniques boost their cost-effective and high-throughput traits, and enable the study of dynamic PPI interfaces. Thus, computational methods represent an alternative strategy to target "undruggable" PPI interfaces and have attracted intense pharmaceutical interest in recent years, as exemplified by the accumulating number of successful cases. In this review, we first introduce a diverse set of computational methods used to design PPI modulators. Herein, we focus on the recent progress in computational strategies and provide a comprehensive overview covering various methodologies. Importantly, a list of recently-reported successful examples is highlighted to verify the feasibility of these computational approaches. Finally, we conclude the general role of computational methods in targeting PPIs, and also discuss future perspectives on the development of such aids.
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40
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Sang P, Shi Y, Higbee P, Wang M, Abdulkadir S, Lu J, Daughdrill G, Chen J, Cai J. Rational Design and Synthesis of Right-Handed d-Sulfono-γ-AApeptide Helical Foldamers as Potent Inhibitors of Protein-Protein Interactions. J Org Chem 2020; 85:10552-10560. [PMID: 32700908 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c00996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Novel unprecedented helical foldamers have been effectively designed and synthesized. The homogeneous right-handed d-sulfono-γ-AApeptides represent a new generation of unnatural helical peptidomimetics, which have similar folding conformation to α-peptides, making them an ideal molecular scaffold to design α-helical mimetics. As demonstrated with p53-MDM2 PPI as a model application, the right-handed d-sulfono-γ-AApeptides reveal much-enhanced binding affinity compared to the p53 peptide. The design of d-sulfono-γ-AApeptides may provide a new and alternative strategy to modulate protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Pirada Higbee
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Sami Abdulkadir
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Junhao Lu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Gary Daughdrill
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Jiandong Chen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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41
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Sang P, Zhou Z, Shi Y, Lee C, Amso Z, Huang D, Odom T, Nguyen-Tran VT, Shen W, Cai J. The activity of sulfono-γ-AApeptide helical foldamers that mimic GLP-1. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz4988. [PMID: 32440547 PMCID: PMC7228743 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz4988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Existing long α-helix mimicking necessitates the retention of most natural amino acid residues to maintain their biological activity. Here, we report the exploration of helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides with entire unnatural backbones for their ability to structurally and functionally mimic glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Our findings suggest that efficient construction of novel GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists could be achieved with nanomolar potencies. In addition, the resulting sulfono-γ-AApeptides were also proved to display remarkable stability against enzymatic degradation compared to GLP-1, augmenting their biological potential. This alternative strategy of α-helix mimicking, as a proof of concept, could provide a new paradigm to prepare GLP-1R agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Zhihong Zhou
- Calibr at Scripps Research, 11119 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Candy Lee
- Calibr at Scripps Research, 11119 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Zaid Amso
- Calibr at Scripps Research, 11119 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - David Huang
- Calibr at Scripps Research, 11119 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Timothy Odom
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | | | - Weijun Shen
- Calibr at Scripps Research, 11119 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
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