1
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Dongol Y, Wilson DT, Daly NL, Cardoso FC, Lewis RJ. Structure-function and rational design of a spider toxin Ssp1a at human voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1277143. [PMID: 38034993 PMCID: PMC10682951 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1277143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure-function and optimization studies of NaV-inhibiting spider toxins have focused on developing selective inhibitors for peripheral pain-sensing NaV1.7. With several NaV subtypes emerging as potential therapeutic targets, structure-function analysis of NaV-inhibiting spider toxins at such subtypes is warranted. Using the recently discovered spider toxin Ssp1a, this study extends the structure-function relationships of NaV-inhibiting spider toxins beyond NaV1.7 to include the epilepsy target NaV1.2 and the pain target NaV1.3. Based on these results and docking studies, we designed analogues for improved potency and/or subtype-selectivity, with S7R-E18K-rSsp1a and N14D-P27R-rSsp1a identified as promising leads. S7R-E18K-rSsp1a increased the rSsp1a potency at these three NaV subtypes, especially at NaV1.3 (∼10-fold), while N14D-P27R-rSsp1a enhanced NaV1.2/1.7 selectivity over NaV1.3. This study highlights the challenge of developing subtype-selective spider toxin inhibitors across multiple NaV subtypes that might offer a more effective therapeutic approach. The findings of this study provide a basis for further rational design of Ssp1a and related NaSpTx1 homologs targeting NaV1.2, NaV1.3 and/or NaV1.7 as research tools and therapeutic leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashad Dongol
- Centre for Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David T. Wilson
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Norelle L. Daly
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Fernanda C. Cardoso
- Centre for Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Centre for Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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2
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Bian Y, Tuo J, He L, Li W, Li S, Chu H, Zhao Y. Voltage-gated sodium channels in cancer and their specific inhibitors. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154909. [PMID: 37939447 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) participate in generating and spreading action potentials in electrically excited cells such as neurons and muscle fibers. Abnormal expression of VGSCs has been observed in various types of tumors, while they are either not expressed or expressed at a low level in the matching normal tissue. Hence, this abnormal expression suggests that VGSCs confer some advantage or viability on tumor cells, making them a valuable indicator for identifying tumor cells. In addition, overexpression of VGSCs increased the ability of cancer cells to metastasize and invade, as well as correlated with the metastatic behavior of different cancers. Therefore, blocking VGSCs presents a new strategy for the treatment of cancers. A portion of this review summarizes the structure and function of VGSCs and also describes the correlation between VGSCs and cancers. Most importantly, we provide an overview of current research on various subtype-selective VGSC inhibitors and updates on ongoing clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Bian
- School of Life Science and Bio-Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, PR China
| | - Jiale Tuo
- School of Life Science and Bio-Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, PR China
| | - Liangpeng He
- School of Life Science and Bio-Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, PR China
| | - Wenwen Li
- School of Life Science and Bio-Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, PR China
| | - Shangxiao Li
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning 117004, PR China
| | - Huiying Chu
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- School of Life Science and Bio-Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, PR China.
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3
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Tran P, Tran HNT, McMahon KL, Deuis JR, Ragnarsson L, Norman A, Sharpe SJ, Payne RJ, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. Changes in Potency and Subtype Selectivity of Bivalent Na V Toxins are Knot-Specific. Bioconjug Chem 2023. [PMID: 37262436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptide toxins have long been studied for their ability to inhibit voltage-gated sodium channel subtype NaV1.7, a validated target for the treatment of pain. In this study, we sought to combine the pore blocking activity of conotoxins with the gating modifier activity of spider toxins to design new bivalent inhibitors of NaV1.7 with improved potency and selectivity. To do this, we created an array of heterodimeric toxins designed to target human NaV1.7 by ligating a conotoxin to a spider toxin and assessed the potency and selectivity of the resulting bivalent toxins. A series of spider-derived gating modifier toxins (GpTx-1, ProTx-II, gHwTx-IV, JzTx-V, CcoTx-1, and Pn3a) and two pore-blocker μ-conotoxins, SxIIIC and KIIIA, were used for this study. We employed either enzymatic ligation with sortase A for C- to N-terminal ligation or click chemistry for N- to N-terminal ligation. The bivalent peptide resulting from ligation of ProTx-II and SxIIIC (Pro[LPATG6]Sx) was shown to be the best combination as native ProTx-II potency at hNaV1.7 was conserved following ligation. At hNaV1.4, a synergistic effect between the pore blocker and gating modifier toxin moieties was observed, resulting in altered sodium channel subtype selectivity compared to the parent peptides. Further studies including mutant bivalent peptides and mutant hNaV1.7 channels suggested that gating modifier toxins have a greater contribution to the potency of the bivalent peptides than pore blockers. This study delineated potential benefits and drawbacks of designing pharmacological hybrid peptides targeting hNaV1.7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poanna Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirsten L McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Norman
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Simon J Sharpe
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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4
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Mateos DL, Yarov-Yarovoy V. Structural modeling of peptide toxin-ion channel interactions using RosettaDock. Proteins 2023. [PMID: 36729043 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated ion channels play essential physiological roles in action potential generation and propagation. Peptidic toxins from animal venoms target ion channels and provide useful scaffolds for the rational design of novel channel modulators with enhanced potency and subtype selectivity. Despite recent progress in obtaining experimental structures of peptide toxin-ion channel complexes, structural determination of peptide toxins bound to ion channels in physiologically important states remains challenging. Here we describe an application of RosettaDock approach to the structural modeling of peptide toxins interactions with ion channels. We tested this approach on 10 structures of peptide toxin-ion channel complexes and demonstrated that it can sample near-native structures in all tested cases. Our approach will be useful for improving the understanding of the molecular mechanism of natural peptide toxin modulation of ion channel gating and for the structural modeling of novel peptide-based ion channel modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Lopez Mateos
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
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5
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Na V1.7 Channel Blocker [Ala 5, Phe 6, Leu 26, Arg 28]GpTx-1 Attenuates CFA-induced Inflammatory Hypersensitivity in Rats via Endogenous Enkephalin Mechanism. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2022; 24:840-859. [PMID: 36586660 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Venom-derived NaV1.7 channel blockers have promising prospects in pain management. The 34-residue tarantula peptide GpTx-1 is a potent NaV1.7 channel blocker. Its powerful analog [Ala5, Phe6, Leu26, Arg28]GpTx-1 (GpTx-1-71) displayed excellent NaV1.7 selectivity and analgesic properties in mice. The current study aimed to elucidate the anti-hyperalgesic activities of GpTx-1-71 in inflammatory pain and reveal the underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that intrathecal and intraplantar injections of GpTx-1-71 dose-dependently attenuated CFA-induced inflammatory hypersensitivity in rats. Moreover, GpTx-1-71-induced anti-hyperalgesia was significantly reduced by opioid receptor antagonists and the enkephalin antibody and diminished in proenkephalin (Penk) gene knockout animals. Consistently, GpTx-1-71 treatment increased the enkephalin level in the spinal dorsal horn and promoted the Penk transcription and enkephalin release in primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, wherein sodium played a crucial role in these processes. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that GpTx-1-71 mainly promoted the secretion of Met-enkephalin but not Leu-enkephalin from DRG neurons. In addition, the combination of subtherapeutic Met-enkephalin and GpTx-1-71 produced synergistic anti-hyperalgesia in CFA-induced inflammatory hypersensitivity. These findings suggest that the endogenous enkephalin pathway is essential for GpTx-1-71-induced spinal and peripheral analgesia in inflammatory pain. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents a possible pharmacological mechanism underlying NaV1.7 blocker-induced analgesia in inflammatory pain, which helps us to better understand and develop venom-based painkillers for incurable pain.
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6
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Dongol Y, Choi PM, Wilson DT, Daly NL, Cardoso FC, Lewis RJ. Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Modulation by a New Spider Toxin Ssp1a Isolated From an Australian Theraphosid. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:795455. [PMID: 35002728 PMCID: PMC8740163 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.795455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the important role of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel-modulating spider toxins in elucidating the function, pharmacology, and mechanism of action of therapeutically relevant NaV channels, we screened the venom from Australian theraphosid species against the human pain target hNaV1.7. Using assay-guided fractionation, we isolated a 33-residue inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptide (Ssp1a) belonging to the NaSpTx1 family. Recombinant Ssp1a (rSsp1a) inhibited neuronal hNaV subtypes with a rank order of potency hNaV1.7 > 1.6 > 1.2 > 1.3 > 1.1. rSsp1a inhibited hNaV1.7, hNaV1.2 and hNaV1.3 without significantly altering the voltage-dependence of activation, inactivation, or delay in recovery from inactivation. However, rSsp1a demonstrated voltage-dependent inhibition at hNaV1.7 and rSsp1a-bound hNaV1.7 opened at extreme depolarizations, suggesting rSsp1a likely interacted with voltage-sensing domain II (VSD II) of hNaV1.7 to trap the channel in its resting state. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed key structural features of Ssp1a, including an amphipathic surface with hydrophobic and charged patches shown by docking studies to comprise the interacting surface. This study provides the basis for future structure-function studies to guide the development of subtype selective inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashad Dongol
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Phil M. Choi
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David T. Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Norelle L. Daly
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Fernanda C. Cardoso
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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7
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Adams GL, Pall PS, Grauer SM, Zhou X, Ballard JE, Vavrek M, Kraus RL, Morissette P, Li N, Colarusso S, Bianchi E, Palani A, Klein R, John CT, Wang D, Tudor M, Nolting AF, Biba M, Nowak T, Makarov AA, Reibarkh M, Buevich AV, Zhong W, Regalado EL, Wang X, Gao Q, Shahripour A, Zhu Y, de Simone D, Frattarelli T, Pasquini NM, Magotti P, Iaccarino R, Li Y, Solly K, Lee KJ, Wang W, Chen F, Zeng H, Wang J, Regan H, Amin RP, Regan CP, Burgey CS, Henze DA, Sun C, Tellers DM. Development of ProTx-II Analogues as Highly Selective Peptide Blockers of Na v1.7 for the Treatment of Pain. J Med Chem 2021; 65:485-496. [PMID: 34931831 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitor cystine knot peptides, derived from venom, have evolved to block ion channel function but are often toxic when dosed at pharmacologically relevant levels in vivo. The article describes the design of analogues of ProTx-II that safely display systemic in vivo blocking of Nav1.7, resulting in a latency of response to thermal stimuli in rodents. The new designs achieve a better in vivo profile by improving ion channel selectivity and limiting the ability of the peptides to cause mast cell degranulation. The design rationale, structural modeling, in vitro profiles, and rat tail flick outcomes are disclosed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L Adams
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Parul S Pall
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Steven M Grauer
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Xiaoping Zhou
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - Marissa Vavrek
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Richard L Kraus
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - Nianyu Li
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Stefania Colarusso
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bianchi
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Anandan Palani
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Rebecca Klein
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - Deping Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Matthew Tudor
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Andrew F Nolting
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Mirlinda Biba
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Timothy Nowak
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | | | | | | | - Wendy Zhong
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - Xiao Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Qi Gao
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - Yuping Zhu
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Daniele de Simone
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Tommaso Frattarelli
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Nicolo' Maria Pasquini
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Paola Magotti
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Roberto Iaccarino
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Yuxing Li
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Kelli Solly
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Keun-Joong Lee
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Weixun Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Feifei Chen
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Haoyu Zeng
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Jixin Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Hilary Regan
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Rupesh P Amin
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | | | - Darrell A Henze
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Chengzao Sun
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - David M Tellers
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
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8
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Hu H, Mawlawi SE, Zhao T, Deuis JR, Jami S, Vetter I, Lewis RJ, Cardoso FC. Engineering of a Spider Peptide via Conserved Structure-Function Traits Optimizes Sodium Channel Inhibition In Vitro and Anti-Nociception In Vivo. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:742457. [PMID: 34621788 PMCID: PMC8490825 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.742457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom peptides are potent and selective modulators of voltage-gated ion channels that regulate neuronal function both in health and in disease. We previously identified the spider venom peptide Tap1a from the Venezuelan tarantula Theraphosa apophysis that targeted multiple voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels in visceral pain pathways and inhibited visceral mechano-sensing neurons contributing to irritable bowel syndrome. In this work, alanine scanning and domain activity analysis revealed Tap1a inhibited sodium channels by binding with nanomolar affinity to the voltage-sensor domain II utilising conserved structure-function features characteristic of spider peptides belonging to family NaSpTx1. In order to speed up the development of optimized NaV-targeting peptides with greater inhibitory potency and enhanced in vivo activity, we tested the hypothesis that incorporating residues identified from other optimized NaSpTx1 peptides into Tap1a could also optimize its potency for NaVs. Applying this approach, we designed the peptides Tap1a-OPT1 and Tap1a-OPT2 exhibiting significant increased potency for NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.6 and NaV1.7 involved in several neurological disorders including acute and chronic pain, motor neuron disease and epilepsy. Tap1a-OPT1 showed increased potency for the off-target NaV1.4, while this off-target activity was absent in Tap1a-OPT2. This enhanced potency arose through a slowed off-rate mechanism. Optimized inhibition of NaV channels observed in vitro translated in vivo, with reversal of nocifensive behaviours in a murine model of NaV-mediated pain also enhanced by Tap1a-OPT. Molecular docking studies suggested that improved interactions within loops 3 and 4, and C-terminal of Tap1a-OPT and the NaV channel voltage-sensor domain II were the main drivers of potency optimization. Overall, the rationally designed peptide Tap1a-OPT displayed new and refined structure-function features which are likely the major contributors to its enhanced bioactive properties observed in vivo. This work contributes to the rapid engineering and optimization of potent spider peptides multi-targeting NaV channels, and the research into novel drugs to treat neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - S E Mawlawi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - T Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - J R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - S Jami
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - I Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - R J Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - F C Cardoso
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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9
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Stability and Safety of Inhibitor Cystine Knot Peptide, GTx1-15, from the Tarantula Spider Grammostola rosea. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090621. [PMID: 34564625 PMCID: PMC8473062 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptides are knotted peptides with three intramolecular disulfide bonds that affect several types of ion channels. Some are proteolytically stable and are promising scaffolds for drug development. GTx1-15 is an ICK peptide that inhibits the voltage-dependent calcium channel Cav3.1 and the voltage-dependent sodium channels Nav1.3 and Nav1.7. As a model molecule to develop an ICK peptide drug, we investigated several important pharmaceutical characteristics of GTx1-15. The stability of GTx1-15 in rat and human blood plasma was examined, and no GTx1-15 degradation was observed in either rat or human blood plasma for 24 h in vitro. GTx1-15 in blood circulation was detected for several hours after intravenous and intramuscular administration, indicating high stability in plasma. The thermal stability of GTx1-15 as examined by high thermal incubation and protein thermal shift assays indicated that GTx1-15 possesses high heat stability. The cytotoxicity and immunogenicity of GTx1-15 were examined using the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. GTx1-15 showed no cytotoxicity or immunogenicity even at high concentrations. These results indicate that GTx1-15 itself is suitable for peptide drug development and as a peptide library scaffold.
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10
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McCarthy S, Robinson J, Thalassinos K, Tabor AB. A Chemical Biology Approach to Probing the Folding Pathways of the Inhibitory Cystine Knot (ICK) Peptide ProTx-II. Front Chem 2020; 8:228. [PMID: 32309273 PMCID: PMC7145985 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide toxins that adopt the inhibitory cystine knot (ICK) scaffold have very stable three-dimensional structures as a result of the conformational constraints imposed by the configuration of the three disulfide bonds that are the hallmark of this fold. Understanding the oxidative folding pathways of these complex peptides, many of which are important therapeutic leads, is important in order to devise reliable synthetic routes to correctly folded, biologically active peptides. Previous research on the ICK peptide ProTx-II has shown that in the absence of an equilibrating redox buffer, misfolded intermediates form that prevent the formation of the native disulfide bond configuration. In this paper, we used tandem mass spectrometry to examine these misfolded peptides, and identified two non-native singly bridged peptides, one with a Cys(III)-Cys(IV) linkage and one with a Cys(V)-Cys(VI) linkage. Based on these results, we propose that the C-terminus of ProTx-II has an important role in initiating the folding of this peptide. To test this hypothesis, we have also studied the folding pathways of analogs of ProTx-II containing the disulfide-bond directing group penicillamine (Pen) under the same conditions. We find that placing Pen residues at the C-terminus of the ProTx-II analogs directs the folding pathway away from the singly bridged misfolded intermediates that represent a kinetic trap for the native sequence, and allows a fully oxidized final product to be formed with three disulfide bridges. However, multiple two-disulfide peptides were also produced, indicating that further study is required to fully control the folding pathways of this modified scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Konstantinos Thalassinos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Spider Knottin Pharmacology at Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels and Their Potential to Modulate Pain Pathways. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11110626. [PMID: 31671792 PMCID: PMC6891507 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11110626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs) are a key determinant of neuronal signalling. Neurotoxins from diverse taxa that selectively activate or inhibit NaV channels have helped unravel the role of NaV channels in diseases, including chronic pain. Spider venoms contain the most diverse array of inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) toxins (knottins). This review provides an overview on how spider knottins modulate NaV channels and describes the structural features and molecular determinants that influence their affinity and subtype selectivity. Genetic and functional evidence support a major involvement of NaV subtypes in various chronic pain conditions. The exquisite inhibitory properties of spider knottins over key NaV subtypes make them the best lead molecules for the development of novel analgesics to treat chronic pain.
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