Native Chemical Ligation Strategy to Overcome Side Reactions during Fmoc-Based Synthesis of C-Terminal Cysteine-Containing Peptides

Aphid BCR4 Structure and Activity Uncover a New Defensin Peptide Superfamily

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) are among the most detrimental insects for agricultural plants, and their management is a great challenge in agronomical research. A new class of proteins, called Bacteriocyte-specific Cysteine-Rich (BCR) peptides, provides an alternative to chemical insecticides for pest control. BCRs were initially identified in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. They are small disulfide bond-rich proteins expressed exclusively in aphid bacteriocytes, the insect cells that host intracellular symbiotic bacteria. Here, we show that one of the A. pisum BCRs, BCR4, displays prominent insecticidal activity against the pea aphid, impairing insect survival and nymphal growth, providing evidence for its potential use as a new biopesticide. Our comparative genomics and phylogenetic analyses indicate that BCRs are restricted to the aphid lineage. The 3D structure of BCR4 reveals that this peptide belongs to an as-yet-unknown structural class of peptides and defines a new superfamily of defensins.

Cysteine protecting groups: applications in peptide and protein science

Protecting group chemistry for the cysteine thiol group has enabled a vast array of peptide and protein chemistry over the last several decades. Increasingly sophisticated strategies for the protection, and subsequent deprotection, of cysteine have been developed, facilitating synthesis of complex disulfide-rich peptides, semisynthesis of proteins, and peptide/protein labelling in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we analyse and discuss the 60+ individual protecting groups reported for cysteine, highlighting their applications in peptide synthesis and protein science.

Enzyme-Cleavable Linkers for Protein Chemical Synthesis through Solid-Phase Ligations

The total synthesis of long proteins requires the assembly of multiple fragments through successive ligations. The need for intermediate purification steps is a strong limitation, particularly in terms of overall yield. One solution to this problem would be solid-supported chemical ligation (SPCL), for which a first peptide segment must be immobilized on a SPCL-compatible solid support through a linker that can be cleaved under very mild conditions to release the assembled protein. The cleavage of SPCL linkers has previously required chemical conditions sometimes incompatible with sensitive protein targets. Herein, we describe an alternative enzymatic approach to trigger cleavage under extremely mild and selective conditions. Optimization of the linker structure and use of a small enzyme able to diffuse into the solid support were key to the success of the strategy. We demonstrated its utility by the assembly of three peptide segments on the basis of native chemical ligation to afford a 15 kDa polypeptide.

Design, Synthesis, and Utility of Defined Molecular Scaffolds

A growing theme in chemistry is the joining of multiple organic molecular building blocks to create functional molecules. Diverse derivatizable structures—here termed “scaffolds” comprised of “hubs”—provide the foundation for systematic covalent organization of a rich variety of building blocks. This review encompasses 30 tri- or tetra-armed molecular hubs (e.g., triazine, lysine, arenes, dyes) that are used directly or in combination to give linear, cyclic, or branched scaffolds. Each scaffold is categorized by graph theory into one of 31 trees to express the molecular connectivity and overall architecture. Rational chemistry with exacting numbers of derivatizable sites is emphasized. The incorporation of water-solubilization motifs, robust or self-immolative linkers, enzymatically cleavable groups and functional appendages affords immense (and often late-stage) diversification of the scaffolds. Altogether, 107 target molecules are reviewed along with 19 syntheses to illustrate the distinctive chemistries for creating and derivatizing scaffolds. The review covers the history of the field up through 2020, briefly touching on statistically derivatized carriers employed in immunology as counterpoints to the rationally assembled and derivatized scaffolds here, although most citations are from the past two decades. The scaffolds are used widely in fields ranging from pure chemistry to artificial photosynthesis and biomedical sciences.

A straightforward methodology to overcome solubility challenges for N-terminal cysteinyl peptide segments used in native chemical ligation

One of the main limitations encountered during the chemical synthesis of proteins through native chemical ligation (NCL) is the limited solubility of some of the peptide segments. The most commonly used solution to overcome this problem is to derivatize the segment with a temporary solubilizing tag. Conveniently, the tag can be introduced on the thioester segment in such a way that it is removed concomitantly with the NCL reaction. We herein describe a generalization of this approach to N-terminal cysteinyl segment counterparts, using a straightforward synthetic approach that can be easily automated from commercially available building blocks, and applied it to a well-known problematic target, SUMO-2.

Recent advances in the synthesis of C-terminally modified peptides

C-Terminally modified peptides are important for the development and delivery of peptide-based pharmaceuticals because they impact peptide activity, stability, hydrophobicity, and membrane permeability. Additionally, the vulnerability of C-terminal esters to cleavage by endogenous esterases makes them excellent pro-drugs. Methods for post-SPPS C-terminal functionalization potentially enable access to libraries of modified peptides, facilitating tailoring of their solubility, potency, toxicity, and uptake pathway. Apparently minor structural changes can significantly impact the binding, folding, and pharmacokinetics of the peptide. This review summarizes developments in chemical methods for C-terminal modification of peptides published since the last review on this topic in 2003.

Methodologies for Backbone Macrocyclic Peptide Synthesis Compatible With Screening Technologies

Backbone macrocyclic structures are often found in diverse bioactive peptides and contribute to greater conformational rigidity, peptidase resistance, and potential membrane permeability compared to their linear counterparts. Therefore, such peptide scaffolds are an attractive platform for drug-discovery endeavors. Recent advances in synthetic methods for backbone macrocyclic peptides have enabled the discovery of novel peptide drug candidates against diverse targets. Here, we overview recent technical advancements in the synthetic methods including 1) enzymatic synthesis, 2) chemical synthesis, 3) split-intein circular ligation of peptides and proteins (SICLOPPS), and 4) in vitro translation system combined with genetic code reprogramming. We also discuss screening methodologies compatible with those synthetic methodologies, such as one-beads one-compound (OBOC) screening compatible with the synthetic method 2, cell-based assay compatible with 3, limiting-dilution PCR and mRNA display compatible with 4.

Robust synthesis of C-terminal cysteine-containing peptide acids through a peptide hydrazide-based strategy

A new robust strategy was reported for the epimerization-free synthesis of C-terminal Cys-containing peptide acids through mercaptoethanol-mediated hydrolysis of peptide thioesters prepared in situ from peptide hydrazides. This simple-to-operate and highly efficient method avoids the use of derivatization reagents for resin modification, thus providing a practical avenue for the preparation of C-terminal Cys-containing peptide acids.

An optimized protocol for the synthesis of N-2-hydroxybenzyl-cysteine peptide crypto-thioesters

We herein report a robust upgraded synthetic protocol for the synthesis of N-Hnb-Cys crypto-thioester peptides, useful building blocks for segment-based chemical protein synthesis through native chemical ligation. We recently observed the formation of an isomeric co-product when using a different solid support than the originally-reported one, thus hampering the general applicability of the methodology. We undertook a systematic study to characterize this compound and identify the parameters favouring its formation. We show here that epimerization from l- to d-cysteine occurred during the key solid-supported reductive amination step. We also observed the formation of imidazolidinones by-products arising from incomplete reduction of the imine. Structural characterization combined with the deciphering of underlying reaction mechanisms allowed us to optimize conditions that abolished the formation of all these side-products.

Synthesis of tri-functionalized MMP2 FRET probes using a chemo-selective and late-stage modification of unprotected peptides

A polymeric FRET probe for the detection of MMP2 was prepared using a new N-hydroxylamine derivative of lysine (1), which was successfully incorporated into the natural peptide sequence by solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). Following the attachment of a PEG group to the N-terminus, a peptide was cleaved from the resin. The fully-deprotected peptide-PEG conjugate was subsequently subjected to the α-ketoacid-hydroxylamine (KAHA) ligation and Michael addition of FRET donor (MCA) and acceptor (DNP) moieties, respectively. The successfully synthesized polymeric FRET probes with an MMP2-reactive peptide and a negative control peptide with a random sequence were subjected to an in vitro test with MMP2. This methodology under mild conjugation conditions of KAHA ligation can be applicable for the preparation of NIR probes with sensitive fluorophore moieties.

Spermaurin, an La1-like peptide from the venom of the scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus, improves sperm motility and fertilization in different mammalian species

STUDY QUESTION

Is it possible to identify original compounds that are able to enhance sperm motility from the venom of the scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus?

SUMMARY ANSWER

We identified a potent disulfide-rich peptide (DRP) of 73 amino acids that significantly improved the motility of fresh and frozen-thawed sperm in different mammalian species, including human, and improved fertilization outcome in mouse IVF experiments.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Any disturbance of sperm motility has a strong impact on fertilization and can lead to subfertility or infertility. Significant efforts have, therefore,  been made to identify pharmacological drugs that might improve sperm motility. Such compounds are particularly useful in azoospermia to improve testicular sperm extraction and in the domain of cryopreservation because the motility of frozen-thawed sperm is reduced.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This was a basic science/medical research study aimed at identifying original compounds from a library of venoms able to enhance mammalian sperm motility, including human. We first identified in the venom of a scorpion S. m. palmatus a fraction able to potently activate sperm motility. We next purified and characterized the compound by liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and peptide synthesis. Finally, the potency and toxicity of both purified and synthetic versions of the identified compound on sperm motility were assessed using different in vitro tests in different mammalian species.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

For human sperm, biological samples were collected from normozoospermic donors and subfertile patients attending a reproduction department for diagnostic semen analysis. Testicular sperm was collected from cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) euthanized for the needs of specific authorized research projects. The peptide was also tested on bovine and mouse epidydimal sperm. We measured different sperm motility parameters with a computer-assisted sperm analysis system in the presence or absence of the peptide.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Size exclusion chromatography enabled us to isolate a fraction of the venom of S. m. palmatus able to increase sperm motility. By liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, a peptide comprising 73 amino acids with 4 disulfide bridges was identified as responsible for the biological activity and called 'spermaurin'. The identity of spermaurin was confirmed by chemical synthesis. We showed that the peptide increased the motility of fresh and frozen-thawed human sperm. We observed that the potency of the peptide was higher on fresh ejaculated spermatozoa with a low motility, achieving a 100% increase of curvilinear velocity in poorly performing sperm. We also demonstrated that peptide is effective on bovine and mouse fresh epididymal, bovine frozen-thawed ejaculated and fresh non-human primate testicular sperm. Finally, in mouse IVF, the production of 2-cell embryos was increased by 24% when sperm were treated with the peptide.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

This work is an in vitro evaluation of the ability of spermaurin to improve sperm motility parameters. Another limitation of this study is the small number of human sperm samples tested with the natural (n = 36) and synthetic (n = 12) peptides. Moreover, the effect of the peptide on IVF outcome was only tested in mouse and further tests with human and bovine gametes are required to confirm and extend this result in other mammalian species.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This work confirms our initial study showing that venoms represent an interesting source of molecules that are able to modify sperm physiology. Moreover, this work presents the first demonstrated biological action of a venom peptide from the scorpion S. m. palmatus with sequence similarities to La1 peptide from Liocheles australasiae (Wood scorpion), a widespread family of DRPs.

LARGE SCALE DATA

Not applicable.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work is part of the project 'LAB COM-14 LAB7 0004 01-LIPAV', funded by the program LabCom 2014 from the French Research Agency (ANR). Dr Arnoult reports grants from IMV Technologies during the conduct of the study. In addition, Drs Arnoult, Martinez, Ray and Schmitt have a patent EP16305642.7 pending containing some of the information presented in this manuscript.

Epimerization-free access to C-terminal cysteine peptide acids, carboxamides, secondary amides, and esters via complimentary strategies

We present a convenient method for the diversification of peptides bearing cysteine at the C-terminus that proceeds to form a variety of carboxylic acid, carboxamide, 2° amide, and ester terminated peptides without any detectable epimerization of the α-stereocenter.

C-Terminal cysteine peptide acids are difficult to access without epimerization of the cysteine α-stereocenter. Diversification of the C-terminus after solid-phase peptide synthesis poses an even greater challenge because of the proclivity of the cysteine α-stereocenter to undergo deprotonation upon activation of the C-terminal carboxylic acid. We present herein two general strategies to access C-terminal cysteine peptide derivatives without detectable epimerization, diketopiperazine formation, or piperidinylalanine side products.

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Difficult Purine-Rich PNAs through Selective Hmb Incorporation: Application to the Total Synthesis of Cell Penetrating Peptide-PNAs

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based drug development is gaining significant momentum following the recent FDA approval of Eteplirsen (an ASO based on phosphorodiamidate morpholino) and Spinraza (2′-O-methoxyethyl-phosphorothioate) in late 2016. Their attractiveness is mainly due to the backbone modifications which have improved the in vivo characteristics of oligonucleotide drugs. Another class of ASO, based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) chemistry, is also gaining popularity as a platform for development of gene-specific therapy for various disorders. However, the chemical synthesis of long PNAs, which are more target-specific, remains an ongoing challenge. Most of the reported methodology for the solid-phase synthesis of PNA suffer from poor coupling efficiency which limits production to short PNA sequences of less than 15 residues. Here, we have studied the effect of backbone modifications with Hmb (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl) and Dmb (2,4-dimethoxybenzyl) to ameliorate difficult couplings and reduce “on-resin” aggregation. We firstly synthesized a library of PNA dimers incorporating either Hmb or Dmb and identified that Hmb is superior to Dmb in terms of its ease of removal. Subsequently, we used Hmb backbone modification to synthesize a 22-mer purine-rich PNA, targeting dystrophin RNA splicing, which could not be synthesized by standard coupling methodology. Hmb backbone modification allowed this difficult PNA to be synthesized as well as to be continued to include a cell-penetrating peptide on the same solid support. This approach provides a novel and straightforward strategy for facile solid-phase synthesis of difficult purine-rich PNA sequences.

Efficient synthesis of cysteine-rich cyclic peptides through intramolecular native chemical ligation of N-Hnb-Cys peptide crypto-thioesters

We herein introduce a straightforward synthetic route to cysteine-containing cyclic peptides. It is based on the intramolecular native chemical ligation of thioesters generated in situ from N-Hnb-Cys crypto-thioesters. The strategy is applied to a representative range of natural cyclic disulfide-rich peptide sequences.

Modern tools for the chemical ligation and synthesis of modified peptides and proteins

The ability to improve nature's capacity by introducing modification of biological interest in proteins and peptides (P&P) is one of the modern challenges in synthetic chemistry. Due to the unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, many native P&P are of little use as therapeutic agents. Today, few methods for the preparation of modified proteins are available. Initially introduced to realize the ligation between two standard peptidic sequences, and hence to afford native proteins, the modern chemical methodologies, in other words native chemical ligation, expressed ligation, Staudinger ligation, auxiliary mediated ligation, aldehyde capture, etc., can be virtually utilized to ligate a variety of peptidomimetic partners, allowing a systematic access to modified, unnatural large P&P.