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Vlachou A, Kumar VB, Tiwari OS, Rencus-Lazar S, Chen Y, Ozguney B, Gazit E, Tamamis P. Co-Assembly of Cancer Drugs with Cyclo-HH Peptides: Insights from Simulations and Experiments. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:2309-2324. [PMID: 38478987 PMCID: PMC11022239 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c01304] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Peptide-based nanomaterials can serve as promising drug delivery agents, facilitating the release of active pharmaceutical ingredients while reducing the risk of adverse reactions. We previously demonstrated that Cyclo-Histidine-Histidine (Cyclo-HH), co-assembled with cancer drug Epirubicin, zinc, and nitrate ions, can constitute an attractive drug delivery system, combining drug self-encapsulation, enhanced fluorescence, and the ability to transport the drug into cells. Here, we investigated both computationally and experimentally whether Cyclo-HH could co-assemble, in the presence of zinc and nitrate ions, with other cancer drugs with different physicochemical properties. Our studies indicated that Methotrexate, in addition to Epirubicin and its epimer Doxorubicin, and to a lesser extent Mitomycin-C and 5-Fluorouracil, have the capacity to co-assemble with Cyclo-HH, zinc, and nitrate ions, while a significantly lower propensity was observed for Cisplatin. Epirubicin, Doxorubicin, and Methorexate showed improved drug encapsulation and drug release properties, compared to Mitomycin-C and 5-Fluorouracil. We demonstrated the biocompatibility of the co-assembled systems, as well as their ability to intracellularly release the drugs, particularly for Epirubicin, Doxorubicin, and Methorexate. Zinc and nitrate were shown to be important in the co-assembly, coordinating with drugs and/or Cyclo-HH, thereby enabling drug-peptide as well as drug-drug interactions in successfully formed nanocarriers. The insights could be used in the future design of advanced cancer therapeutic systems with improved properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Vlachou
- Artie
McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3122, United States
| | - Vijay Bhooshan Kumar
- The
Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise
Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty
of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol
School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Om Shanker Tiwari
- The
Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise
Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty
of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol
School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Sigal Rencus-Lazar
- The
Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise
Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty
of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol
School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Yu Chen
- The
Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise
Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty
of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol
School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Busra Ozguney
- Artie
McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3122, United States
| | - Ehud Gazit
- The
Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise
Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty
of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol
School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Phanourios Tamamis
- Artie
McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3122, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
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Song Y, Selmani S, Freites JA, Guan Z, Tobias DJ. Multiscale Molecular Dynamics Simulations of an Active Self-Assembling Material. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:1266-1274. [PMID: 38290526 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Inspired by the adaptability observed in biological materials, self-assembly processes have attracted significant interest for their potential to yield novel materials with unique properties. However, experimental methods have often fallen short in capturing the molecular details of the assembly process. In this study, we employ a multiscale molecular dynamics simulation approach, complemented by NMR quantification, to investigate the mechanism of self-assembly in a redox-fueled bioinspired system. Contrary to conventional assumptions, we have uncovered a significant role played by the monomer precursor in the assembly process, with its presence varying with concentration and the extent of conversion of the monomer to the dimer. Experimental confirmation through NMR quantification underscores the concentration-dependent incorporation of monomers into the fibrous structures. Furthermore, our simulations also shed light on the diverse intermolecular interactions, including T-shaped and parallel π stacking, as well as hydrogen bonds, in stabilizing the aggregates. Overall, the open conformation of the dimer is preferred within these aggregates. However, inside the aggregates, the distribution of conformations shifts slightly to the closed conformation compared to on the surface. These findings contribute to the growing field of bioinspired materials science by providing valuable mechanistic and structural insights to guide the design and development of self-assembling materials with biomimetic functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanming Song
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Serxho Selmani
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - J Alfredo Freites
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Zhibin Guan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Douglas J Tobias
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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Divanach P, Fanouraki E, Mitraki A, Harmandaris V, Rissanou AN. Investigating the complexation propensity of self-assembling dipeptides with the anticancer peptide-drug Bortezomib: a computational study. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:8684-8697. [PMID: 37846478 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00930k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The investigation of potential self-assembled peptides as carriers for the delivery of anticancer drug Bortezomib is the topic of the present study. The self-assembly of Bortezomib in water is examined using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and corresponding experimental results from FESEM experiments. In addition, a series of dipeptides with a similar chemical formula to Bortezomib with hydrogel-forming ability are being investigated for their propensity to bind to the drug molecule. Dipeptides are divided into two classes, the protected FF (Fmoc-FF and Z-FF) and the LF-based (Cyclo-LF and LF) ones. The thermodynamic stability of the complexes formed in an aqueous environment, as well as key morphological features of the nanoassemblies are investigated at the molecular level. Binding enthalpy between Bortezomib and dipeptides follows the increasing order: LF < Cyclo-LF < Fmoc-FF < Z-FF under both van der Waals and electrostatic contributions. Protected FF dipeptides have a higher affinity for the drug molecule, which will favor its entrapment, giving them an edge over the LF based dipeptides. By evaluating the various measures, regarding both the binding between the two components and the eventual ability of controlled drug release, we conclude that the protected FF class is a more suitable candidate for drug release of Bortezomib, whereas among its two members, Fmoc-FF appears to be more promising. The selection of the optimal candidates based on the present computational study will be a stepping stone for future detailed experimental studies involving the encapsulation and controlled release of Bortezomib both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Divanach
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, Voutes Campus Greece, Crete, Greece.
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser/Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, (FORTH), Nikolaou Plastira 100, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Eirini Fanouraki
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, Voutes Campus Greece, Crete, Greece.
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser/Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, (FORTH), Nikolaou Plastira 100, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Anna Mitraki
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, Voutes Campus Greece, Crete, Greece.
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser/Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, (FORTH), Nikolaou Plastira 100, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Vagelis Harmandaris
- Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics (IACM), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, (FORTH), IACM/FORTH, GR-71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
- Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Crete, GR-71409, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia 2121, Cyprus
| | - Anastassia N Rissanou
- Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics (IACM), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, (FORTH), IACM/FORTH, GR-71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
- Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia 2121, Cyprus
- Theoretical & Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece
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Monti M, Scarel E, Hassanali A, Stener M, Marchesan S. Diverging conformations guide dipeptide self-assembly into crystals or hydrogels. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:10948-10951. [PMID: 37605851 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02682e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
The prediction of dipeptide assembly into crystals or gels is challenging. This work reveals the diverging conformational landscape that guides self-organization towards different outcomes. In silico and experimental data enabled deciphering of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of self-assembling dipeptides to reveal folded or extended conformers as key players.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Monti
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste 34127, Italy.
| | - E Scarel
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste 34127, Italy.
| | - A Hassanali
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera 11, Trieste 34151, Italy
| | - M Stener
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste 34127, Italy.
| | - S Marchesan
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste 34127, Italy.
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