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Varas N, Grabowski R, Jarosinski MA, Tai N, Herzog RI, Ismail-Beigi F, Yang Y, Cherrington AD, Weiss MA. Ultra-stable insulin-glucagon fusion protein exploits an endogenous hepatic switch to mitigate hypoglycemic risk. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.20.594997. [PMID: 38826486 PMCID: PMC11142066 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.20.594997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The risk of hypoglycemia and its serious medical sequelae restrict insulin replacement therapy for diabetes mellitus. Such adverse clinical impact has motivated development of diverse glucose-responsive technologies, including algorithm-controlled insulin pumps linked to continuous glucose monitors ("closed-loop systems") and glucose-sensing ("smart") insulins. These technologies seek to optimize glycemic control while minimizing hypoglycemic risk. Here, we describe an alternative approach that exploits an endogenous glucose-dependent switch in hepatic physiology: preferential insulin signaling (under hyperglycemic conditions) versus preferential counter-regulatory glucagon signaling (during hypoglycemia). Motivated by prior reports of glucagon-insulin co-infusion, we designed and tested an ultra-stable glucagon-insulin fusion protein whose relative hormonal activities were calibrated by respective modifications; physical stability was concurrently augmented to facilitate formulation, enhance shelf life and expand access. An N-terminal glucagon moiety was stabilized by an α-helix-compatible Lys 13 -Glu 17 lactam bridge; A C-terminal insulin moiety was stabilized as a single chain with foreshortened C domain. Studies in vitro demonstrated (a) resistance to fibrillation on prolonged agitation at 37 °C and (b) dual hormonal signaling activities with appropriate balance. Glucodynamic responses were monitored in rats relative to control fusion proteins lacking one or the other hormonal activity, and continuous intravenous infusion emulated basal subcutaneous therapy. Whereas efficacy in mitigating hyperglycemia was unaffected by the glucagon moiety, the fusion protein enhanced endogenous glucose production under hypoglycemic conditions. Together, these findings provide proof of principle toward a basal glucose-responsive insulin biotechnology of striking simplicity. The fusion protein's augmented stability promises to circumvent the costly cold chain presently constraining global insulin access. Significance Statement The therapeutic goal of insulin replacement therapy in diabetes is normalization of blood-glucose concentration, which prevents or delays long-term complications. A critical barrier is posed by recurrent hypoglycemic events that results in short- and long-term morbidities. An innovative approach envisions co-injection of glucagon (a counter-regulatory hormone) to exploit a glycemia-dependent hepatic switch in relative hormone responsiveness. To provide an enabling technology, we describe an ultra-stable fusion protein containing insulin- and glucagon moieties. Proof of principle was obtained in rats. A single-chain insulin moiety provides glycemic control whereas a lactam-stabilized glucagon extension mitigates hypoglycemia. This dual-hormone fusion protein promises to provide a basal formulation with reduced risk of hypoglycemia. Resistance to fibrillation may circumvent the cold chain required for global access.
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2
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Hidaka K, Kobayashi D, Hayashi J, Denda M, Otaka A. Advanced Insulin Synthesis by One-pot/Stepwise Disulfide Bond Formation Enabled by S-Protected Cysteine Sulfoxide. Chemistry 2024:e202401003. [PMID: 38683139 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202401003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
An advanced insulin synthesis is presented that utilizes one-pot/stepwise disulfide bond formation enabled by acid-activated S-protected cysteine sulfoxides in the presence of chloride anion. S-chlorocysteine generated from cysteine sulfoxides reacts with an S-protected cysteine to afford S-sulfenylsulfonium cation, which then furnishes the disulfide or reversely returns to the starting materials depending on the S-protection employed and the reaction conditions. Use of S-acetamidomethyl cysteine (Cys(Acm)) and its sulfoxide (Cys(Acm)(O)) selectively give the disulfide under weak acid conditions in the presence of MgCl2 even if S-p-methoxybenzyl cysteine (Cys(MBzl)) and its sulfoxide (Cys(MBzl)(O)) are also present. In contrast, the S-MBzl pair yields the disulfide under more acidic conditions in the presence of a chloride anion source. These reaction conditions allowed a one-pot insulin synthesis. Additionally, lipidated insulin was prepared by a one-pot disulfide-bonding/lipidation sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Hidaka
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Daishiro Kobayashi
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Junya Hayashi
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Masaya Denda
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Akira Otaka
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
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3
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Li J, Park J, Mayer JP, Webb KJ, Uchikawa E, Wu J, Liu S, Zhang X, Stowell MH, Choi E, Bai XC. Synergistic activation of the insulin receptor via two distinct sites. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:357-368. [PMID: 35361965 PMCID: PMC9115778 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00750-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Insulin receptor (IR) signaling controls multiple facets of animal physiology. Maximally four insulins bind to IR at two distinct sites, termed site-1 and site-2. However, the precise functional roles of each binding event during IR activation remain unresolved. Here, we showed that IR incompletely saturated with insulin predominantly forms an asymmetric conformation and exhibits partial activation. IR with one insulin bound adopts a Γ-shaped conformation. IR with two insulins bound assumes a Ƭ-shaped conformation. One insulin binds at site-1 and another simultaneously contacts both site-1 and site-2 in the Ƭ-shaped IR dimer. We further show that concurrent binding of four insulins to sites-1 and -2 prevents the formation of asymmetric IR and promotes the T-shaped symmetric, fully active state. Collectively, our results demonstrate how the synergistic binding of multiple insulins promotes optimal IR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Junhee Park
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - John P. Mayer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Kristofor J. Webb
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Emiko Uchikawa
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jiayi Wu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Shun Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Michael H.B. Stowell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA,Correspondence: ; ;
| | - Eunhee Choi
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA,Correspondence: ; ;
| | - Xiao-chen Bai
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA,Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA,Correspondence: ; ;
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4
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Dhayalan B, Glidden MD, Zaykov AN, Chen YS, Yang Y, Phillips NB, Ismail-Beigi F, Jarosinski MA, DiMarchi RD, Weiss MA. Peptide Model of the Mutant Proinsulin Syndrome. I. Design and Clinical Correlation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:821069. [PMID: 35299972 PMCID: PMC8922534 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.821069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mutant proinsulin syndrome is a monogenic cause of diabetes mellitus due to toxic misfolding of insulin's biosynthetic precursor. Also designated mutant INS-gene induced diabetes of the young (MIDY), this syndrome defines molecular determinants of foldability in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of β-cells. Here, we describe a peptide model of a key proinsulin folding intermediate and variants containing representative clinical mutations; the latter perturb invariant core sites in native proinsulin (LeuB15→Pro, LeuA16→Pro, and PheB24→Ser). The studies exploited a 49-residue single-chain synthetic precursor (designated DesDi), previously shown to optimize in vitro efficiency of disulfide pairing. Parent and variant peptides contain a single disulfide bridge (cystine B19-A20) to provide a model of proinsulin's first oxidative folding intermediate. The peptides were characterized by circular dichroism and redox stability in relation to effects of the mutations on (a) in vitro foldability of the corresponding insulin analogs and (b) ER stress induced in cell culture on expression of the corresponding variant proinsulins. Striking correlations were observed between peptide biophysical properties, degree of ER stress and age of diabetes onset (neonatal or adolescent). Our findings suggest that age of onset reflects the extent to which nascent structure is destabilized in proinsulin's putative folding nucleus. We envisage that such peptide models will enable high-resolution structural studies of key folding determinants and in turn permit molecular dissection of phenotype-genotype relationships in this monogenic diabetes syndrome. Our companion study (next article in this issue) employs two-dimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy to define site-specific perturbations in the variant peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Michael D. Glidden
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | - Yen-Shan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yanwu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Nelson B. Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Faramarz Ismail-Beigi
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Mark A. Jarosinski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | | | - Michael A. Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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5
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Yang Y, Glidden MD, Dhayalan B, Zaykov AN, Chen YS, Wickramasinghe NP, DiMarchi RD, Weiss MA. Peptide Model of the Mutant Proinsulin Syndrome. II. Nascent Structure and Biological Implications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:821091. [PMID: 35299958 PMCID: PMC8922542 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.821091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxic misfolding of proinsulin variants in β-cells defines a monogenic diabetes syndrome, designated mutant INS-gene induced diabetes of the young (MIDY). In our first study (previous article in this issue), we described a one-disulfide peptide model of a proinsulin folding intermediate and its use to study such variants. The mutations (LeuB15→Pro, LeuA16→Pro, and PheB24→Ser) probe residues conserved among vertebrate insulins. In this companion study, we describe 1H and 1H-13C NMR studies of the peptides; key NMR resonance assignments were verified by synthetic 13C-labeling. Parent spectra retain nativelike features in the neighborhood of the single disulfide bridge (cystine B19-A20), including secondary NMR chemical shifts and nonlocal nuclear Overhauser effects. This partial fold engages wild-type side chains LeuB15, LeuA16 and PheB24 at the nexus of nativelike α-helices α1 and α3 (as defined in native proinsulin) and flanking β-strand (residues B24-B26). The variant peptides exhibit successive structural perturbations in order: parent (most organized) > SerB24 >> ProA16 > ProB15 (least organized). The same order pertains to (a) overall α-helix content as probed by circular dichroism, (b) synthetic yields of corresponding three-disulfide insulin analogs, and (c) ER stress induced in cell culture by corresponding mutant proinsulins. These findings suggest that this and related peptide models will provide a general platform for classification of MIDY mutations based on molecular mechanisms by which nascent disulfide pairing is impaired. We propose that the syndrome's variable phenotypic spectrum-onsets ranging from the neonatal period to later in childhood or adolescence-reflects structural features of respective folding intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Michael D. Glidden
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | | | - Yen-Shan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Nalinda P. Wickramasinghe
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | - Michael A. Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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6
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Dhayalan B, Chatterjee D, Chen YS, Weiss MA. Structural Lessons From the Mutant Proinsulin Syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:754693. [PMID: 34659132 PMCID: PMC8514764 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.754693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Insight into folding mechanisms of proinsulin has been provided by analysis of dominant diabetes-associated mutations in the human insulin gene (INS). Such mutations cause pancreatic β-cell dysfunction due to toxic misfolding of a mutant proinsulin and impairment in trans of wild-type insulin secretion. Anticipated by the "Akita" mouse (a classical model of monogenic diabetes mellitus; DM), this syndrome illustrates the paradigm endoreticulum (ER) stress leading to intracellular proteotoxicity. Diverse clinical mutations directly or indirectly perturb native disulfide pairing leading to protein misfolding and aberrant aggregation. Although most introduce or remove a cysteine (Cys; leading in either case to an unpaired thiol group), non-Cys-related mutations identify key determinants of folding efficiency. Studies of such mutations suggest that the hormone's evolution has been constrained not only by structure-function relationships, but also by the susceptibility of its single-chain precursor to impaired foldability. An intriguing hypothesis posits that INS overexpression in response to peripheral insulin resistance likewise leads to chronic ER stress and β-cell dysfunction in the natural history of non-syndromic Type 2 DM. Cryptic contributions of conserved residues to folding efficiency, as uncovered by rare genetic variants, define molecular links between biophysical principles and the emerging paradigm of Darwinian medicine: Biosynthesis of proinsulin at the edge of non-foldability provides a key determinant of "diabesity" as a pandemic disease of civilization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michael A. Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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7
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Chen YS, Gleaton J, Yang Y, Dhayalan B, Phillips NB, Liu Y, Broadwater L, Jarosinski MA, Chatterjee D, Lawrence MC, Hattier T, Michael MD, Weiss MA. Insertion of a synthetic switch into insulin provides metabolite-dependent regulation of hormone-receptor activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2103518118. [PMID: 34290145 PMCID: PMC8325334 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2103518118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-signaling requires conformational change: whereas the free hormone and its receptor each adopt autoinhibited conformations, their binding leads to structural reorganization. To test the functional coupling between insulin's "hinge opening" and receptor activation, we inserted an artificial ligand-dependent switch into the insulin molecule. Ligand-binding disrupts an internal tether designed to stabilize the hormone's native closed and inactive conformation, thereby enabling productive receptor engagement. This scheme exploited a diol sensor (meta-fluoro-phenylboronic acid at GlyA1) and internal diol (3,4-dihydroxybenzoate at LysB28). The sensor recognizes monosaccharides (fructose > glucose). Studies of insulin-signaling in human hepatoma-derived cells (HepG2) demonstrated fructose-dependent receptor autophosphorylation leading to appropriate downstream signaling events, including a specific kinase cascade and metabolic gene regulation (gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis). Addition of glucose (an isomeric ligand with negligible sensor affinity) did not activate the hormone. Similarly, metabolite-regulated signaling was not observed in control studies of 1) an unmodified insulin analog or 2) an analog containing a diol sensor without internal tethering. Although secondary structure (as probed by circular dichroism) was unaffected by ligand-binding, heteronuclear NMR studies revealed subtle local and nonlocal monosaccharide-dependent changes in structure. Insertion of a synthetic switch into insulin has thus demonstrated coupling between hinge-opening and allosteric holoreceptor signaling. In addition to this foundational finding, our results provide proof of principle for design of a mechanism-based metabolite-responsive insulin. In particular, replacement of the present fructose sensor by an analogous glucose sensor may enable translational development of a "smart" insulin analog to mitigate hypoglycemic risk in diabetes therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Shan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | | | - Yanwu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Nelson B Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Yule Liu
- Thermalin Inc., Cleveland, OH 44106
| | | | - Mark A Jarosinski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Deepak Chatterjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Michael C Lawrence
- Structural Biology Division, WEHI, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | | | | | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202;
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Jarosinski MA, Dhayalan B, Rege N, Chatterjee D, Weiss MA. 'Smart' insulin-delivery technologies and intrinsic glucose-responsive insulin analogues. Diabetologia 2021; 64:1016-1029. [PMID: 33710398 PMCID: PMC8158166 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-021-05422-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Insulin replacement therapy for diabetes mellitus seeks to minimise excursions in blood glucose concentration above or below the therapeutic range (hyper- or hypoglycaemia). To mitigate acute and chronic risks of such excursions, glucose-responsive insulin-delivery technologies have long been sought for clinical application in type 1 and long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Such 'smart' systems or insulin analogues seek to provide hormonal activity proportional to blood glucose levels without external monitoring. This review highlights three broad strategies to co-optimise mean glycaemic control and time in range: (1) coupling of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to delivery devices (algorithm-based 'closed-loop' systems); (2) glucose-responsive polymer encapsulation of insulin; and (3) mechanism-based hormone modifications. Innovations span control algorithms for CGM-based insulin-delivery systems, glucose-responsive polymer matrices, bio-inspired design based on insulin's conformational switch mechanism upon insulin receptor engagement, and glucose-responsive modifications of new insulin analogues. In each case, innovations in insulin chemistry and formulation may enhance clinical outcomes. Prospects are discussed for intrinsic glucose-responsive insulin analogues containing a reversible switch (regulating bioavailability or conformation) that can be activated by glucose at high concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Jarosinski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nischay Rege
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deepak Chatterjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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9
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Dhayalan B, Chatterjee D, Chen YS, Weiss MA. Diabetes mellitus due to toxic misfolding of proinsulin variants. Mol Metab 2021:101229. [PMID: 33823319 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dominant mutations in the human insulin gene (INS) lead to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and diabetes mellitus (DM) due to toxic misfolding of a mutant proinsulin. Analogous to a classical mouse model of monogenic DM ("Akita"), this syndrome highlights the susceptibility of β-cells to endoreticulum (ER) stress due to protein misfolding and aberrant aggregation. SCOPE OF REVIEW Diverse clinical mutations directly or indirectly perturb native disulfide pairing. Whereas most introduce or remove a cysteine (Cys; leading in either case to an unpaired thiol group), non-Cys-related mutations identify key determinants of folding efficiency. Studies of such mutations suggest that the hormone's evolution has been constrained not only by structure-function relationships but also by the susceptibility of its single-chain precursor to impaired foldability. An intriguing hypothesis posits that INS overexpression in response to peripheral insulin resistance likewise leads to chronic ER stress and β-cell dysfunction in the natural history of nonsyndromic Type 2 DM. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Cryptic contributions of conserved residues to folding efficiency, as uncovered by rare genetic variants, define molecular links between biophysical principles and the emerging paradigm of Darwinian medicine: Biosynthesis of proinsulin at the edge of nonfoldability provides a key determinant of "diabesity" as a pandemic disease of civilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Deepak Chatterjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yen-Shan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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10
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Abstract
The pancreatic peptide hormone insulin, first discovered exactly 100 years ago, is essential for glycemic control and is used as a therapeutic for the treatment of type 1 and, increasingly, type 2 diabetes. With a worsening global diabetes epidemic and its significant health budget imposition, there is a great demand for new analogues possessing improved physical and functional properties. However, the chemical synthesis of insulin's intricate 51-amino acid, two-chain, three-disulfide bond structure, together with the poor physicochemical properties of both the individual chains and the hormone itself, has long represented a major challenge to organic chemists. This review provides a timely overview of the past efforts to chemically assemble this fascinating hormone using an array of strategies to enable both correct folding of the two chains and selective formation of disulfide bonds. These methods not only have contributed to general peptide synthesis chemistry and enabled access to the greatly growing numbers of insulin-like and cystine-rich peptides but also, today, enable the production of insulin at the synthetic efficiency levels of recombinant DNA expression methods. They have led to the production of a myriad of novel analogues with optimized structural and functional features and of the feasibility for their industrial manufacture.
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11
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Østergaard M, Mishra NK, Jensen KJ. The ABC of Insulin: The Organic Chemistry of a Small Protein. Chemistry 2020; 26:8341-8357. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.202000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mads Østergaard
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Copenhagen Thorvaldsensvej 40 1871 Frederiksberg C Denmark
| | - Narendra Kumar Mishra
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Copenhagen Thorvaldsensvej 40 1871 Frederiksberg C Denmark
| | - Knud J. Jensen
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Copenhagen Thorvaldsensvej 40 1871 Frederiksberg C Denmark
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12
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Sun J, Xiong Y, Li X, Haataja L, Chen W, Mir SA, Lv L, Madley R, Larkin D, Anjum A, Dhayalan B, Rege N, Wickramasinghe NP, Weiss MA, Itkin-Ansari P, Kaufman RJ, Ostrov DA, Arvan P, Liu M. Role of Proinsulin Self-Association in Mutant INS Gene-Induced Diabetes of Youth. Diabetes 2020; 69:954-964. [PMID: 32139596 PMCID: PMC7171958 DOI: 10.2337/db19-1106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal interactions between misfolded mutant and wild-type (WT) proinsulin (PI) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) drive the molecular pathogenesis of mutant INS gene-induced diabetes of youth (MIDY). How these abnormal interactions are initiated remains unknown. Normally, PI-WT dimerizes in the ER. Here, we suggest that the normal PI-PI contact surface, involving the B-chain, contributes to dominant-negative effects of misfolded MIDY mutants. Specifically, we find that PI B-chain tyrosine-16 (Tyr-B16), which is a key residue in normal PI dimerization, helps confer dominant-negative behavior of MIDY mutant PI-C(A7)Y. Substitutions of Tyr-B16 with either Ala, Asp, or Pro in PI-C(A7)Y decrease the abnormal interactions between the MIDY mutant and PI-WT, rescuing PI-WT export, limiting ER stress, and increasing insulin production in β-cells and human islets. This study reveals the first evidence indicating that noncovalent PI-PI contact initiates dominant-negative behavior of misfolded PI, pointing to a novel therapeutic target to enhance PI-WT export and increase insulin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Sun
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yi Xiong
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Leena Haataja
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Wei Chen
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Saiful A Mir
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Li Lv
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Rachel Madley
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Dennis Larkin
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Arfah Anjum
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Nischay Rege
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | | | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Pamela Itkin-Ansari
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Randal J Kaufman
- Degenerative Diseases Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - David A Ostrov
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
| | - Peter Arvan
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Ming Liu
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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13
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Dhayalan B, Chen YS, Phillips NB, Swain M, Rege NK, Mirsalehi A, Jarosinski M, Ismail-Beigi F, Metanis N, Weiss MA. Reassessment of an Innovative Insulin Analogue Excludes Protracted Action yet Highlights the Distinction between External and Internal Diselenide Bridges. Chemistry 2020; 26:4695-4700. [PMID: 31958351 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202000309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Long-acting insulin analogues represent the most prescribed class of therapeutic proteins. An innovative design strategy was recently proposed: diselenide substitution of an external disulfide bridge. This approach exploited the distinctive physicochemical properties of selenocysteine (U). Relative to wild type (WT), Se-insulin[C7UA , C7UB ] was reported to be protected from proteolysis by insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), predicting prolonged activity. Because of this strategy's novelty and potential clinical importance, we sought to validate these findings and test their therapeutic utility in an animal model of diabetes mellitus. Surprisingly, the analogue did not exhibit enhanced stability, and its susceptibility to cleavage by either IDE or a canonical serine protease (glutamyl endopeptidase Glu-C) was similar to WT. Moreover, the analogue's pharmacodynamic profile in rats was not prolonged relative to a rapid-acting clinical analogue (insulin lispro). Although [C7UA , C7UB ] does not confer protracted action, nonetheless its comparison to internal diselenide bridges promises to provide broad biophysical insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Yen-Shan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Nelson B Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Mamuni Swain
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Nischay K Rege
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Ali Mirsalehi
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Mark Jarosinski
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Faramarz Ismail-Beigi
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Norman Metanis
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
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14
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15
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Brunel FM, Mayer JP, Gelfanov VM, Zaykov AN, Finan B, Perez-Tilve D, DiMarchi RD. A Disulfide Scan of Insulin by [3 + 1] Methodology Exhibits Site-Specific Influence on Bioactivity. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:1829-1835. [PMID: 31343157 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Insulin is the principal hormone involved in the regulation of metabolism and has served a seminal role in the treatment of diabetes. Building upon advances in insulin synthetic methodology, we have developed a straightforward route to novel insulins containing a fourth disulfide bond in a [3 + 1] fashion establishing the first disulfide scan of the hormone. All the targeted analogs accommodated the constraint to demonstrate an unexpected conformational flexibility of native insulin. The bioactivity was established for the constrained (4-DS) and unconstrained (3-DS) analogs by in vitro methods, and extended to in vivo study for select peptides. We also identified residue B10 as a preferred anchor to introduce a tether that would regulate insulin bioactivity. We believe that the described [3 + 1] methodology might constitute the preferred approach for performing similar disulfide scanning in peptides that contain multiple disulfides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence M. Brunel
- Novo Nordisk Research Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - John P. Mayer
- Novo Nordisk Research Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Vasily M. Gelfanov
- Novo Nordisk Research Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | | | - Brian Finan
- Novo Nordisk Research Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Diego Perez-Tilve
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, United States
| | - Richard D. DiMarchi
- Novo Nordisk Research Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
- Department, of Chemistry,Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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16
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Weil-Ktorza O, Rege N, Lansky S, Shalev DE, Shoham G, Weiss MA, Metanis N. Substitution of an Internal Disulfide Bridge with a Diselenide Enhances both Foldability and Stability of Human Insulin. Chemistry 2019; 25:8513-8521. [PMID: 31012517 PMCID: PMC6861001 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201900892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Insulin analogues, mainstays in the modern treatment of diabetes mellitus, exemplify the utility of protein engineering in molecular pharmacology. Whereas chemical syntheses of the individual A and B chains were accomplished in the early 1960s, their combination to form native insulin remains inefficient because of competing disulfide pairing and aggregation. To overcome these limitations, we envisioned an alternative approach: pairwise substitution of cysteine residues with selenocysteine (Sec, U). To this end, CysA6 and CysA11 (which form the internal intrachain A6-A11 disulfide bridge) were each replaced with Sec. The A chain[C6U, C11U] variant was prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis; while sulfitolysis of biosynthetic human insulin provided wild-type B chain-di-S-sulfonate. The presence of selenium atoms at these sites markedly enhanced the rate and fidelity of chain combination, thus solving a long-standing challenge in chemical insulin synthesis. The affinity of the Se-insulin analogue for the lectin-purified insulin receptor was indistinguishable from that of WT-insulin. Remarkably, the thermodynamic stability of the analogue at 25 °C, as inferred from guanidine denaturation studies, was augmented (ΔΔGu ≈0.8 kcal mol-1 ). In accordance with such enhanced stability, reductive unfolding of the Se-insulin analogue and resistance to enzymatic cleavage by Glu-C protease occurred four times more slowly than that of WT-insulin. 2D-NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies demonstrated a native-like three-dimensional structure in which the diselenide bridge was accommodated in the hydrophobic core without steric clash.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orit Weil-Ktorza
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Nischay Rege
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Shifra Lansky
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Deborah E Shalev
- Wolfson Center for Applied Structural Biology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Gil Shoham
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Norman Metanis
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
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17
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Glucose-responsive insulin by molecular and physical design. Nat Chem 2019; 9:937-943. [PMID: 28937662 DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The concept of a glucose-responsive insulin (GRI) has been a recent objective of diabetes technology. The idea behind the GRI is to create a therapeutic that modulates its potency, concentration or dosing relative to a patient's dynamic glucose concentration, thereby approximating aspects of a normally functioning pancreas. From the perspective of the medicinal chemist, the GRI is also important as a generalized model of a potentially new generation of therapeutics that adjust potency in response to a critical therapeutic marker. The aim of this Perspective is to highlight emerging concepts, including mathematical modelling and the molecular engineering of insulin itself and its potency, towards a viable GRI. We briefly outline some of the most important recent progress toward this goal and also provide a forward-looking viewpoint, which asks if there are new approaches that could spur innovation in this area as well as to encourage synthetic chemists and chemical engineers to address the challenges and promises offered by this therapeutic approach.
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18
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Boross GN, Shimura S, Besenius M, Tennagels N, Rossen K, Wagner M, Bode JW. Facile folding of insulin variants bearing a prosthetic C-peptide prepared by α-ketoacid-hydroxylamine (KAHA) ligation. Chem Sci 2018; 9:8388-8395. [PMID: 30542587 PMCID: PMC6243641 DOI: 10.1039/c8sc03738h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemical synthesis of insulin is an enduring challenge due to the hydrophobic peptide chains and construction of the correct intermolecular disulfide pattern. We report a new approach to the chemical synthesis of insulin using a short, traceless, prosthetic C-peptide that facilitates the formation of the correct disulfide pattern during folding and its removal by basic treatment. The linear precursor is assembled by an ester forming α-ketoacid-hydroxylamine (KAHA) ligation that provides access to the linear insulin precursors in good yield from two readily prepared segments. This convergent and flexible route provides access to various human, mouse, and guinea pig insulins containing a single homoserine mutation that shows no detrimental effect on the biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor N Boross
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie , Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences , ETH Zürich , 8093 Zürich , Switzerland . ; http://www.bode.ethz.ch/
| | - Satomi Shimura
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie , Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences , ETH Zürich , 8093 Zürich , Switzerland . ; http://www.bode.ethz.ch/
| | - Melissa Besenius
- Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH Industriepark Hoechst , 65926 Frankfurt am Main , Germany . http://www.sanofi.com
| | - Norbert Tennagels
- Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH Industriepark Hoechst , 65926 Frankfurt am Main , Germany . http://www.sanofi.com
| | - Kai Rossen
- Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH Industriepark Hoechst , 65926 Frankfurt am Main , Germany . http://www.sanofi.com
| | - Michael Wagner
- Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH Industriepark Hoechst , 65926 Frankfurt am Main , Germany . http://www.sanofi.com
| | - Jeffrey W Bode
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie , Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences , ETH Zürich , 8093 Zürich , Switzerland . ; http://www.bode.ethz.ch/
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19
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Synthesis of disulfide-rich heterodimeric peptides through an auxiliary N, N-crosslink. Commun Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1038/s42004-018-0036-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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20
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Characterization and optimization of two-chain folding pathways of insulin via native chain assembly. Commun Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1038/s42004-018-0024-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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21
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Viral insulin-like peptides activate human insulin and IGF-1 receptor signaling: A paradigm shift for host-microbe interactions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:2461-2466. [PMID: 29467286 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721117115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are the most abundant biological entities and carry a wide variety of genetic material, including the ability to encode host-like proteins. Here we show that viruses carry sequences with significant homology to several human peptide hormones including insulin, insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-1 and -2, FGF-19 and -21, endothelin-1, inhibin, adiponectin, and resistin. Among the strongest homologies were those for four viral insulin/IGF-1-like peptides (VILPs), each encoded by a different member of the family Iridoviridae VILPs show up to 50% homology to human insulin/IGF-1, contain all critical cysteine residues, and are predicted to form similar 3D structures. Chemically synthesized VILPs can bind to human and murine IGF-1/insulin receptors and stimulate receptor autophosphorylation and downstream signaling. VILPs can also increase glucose uptake in adipocytes and stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts, and injection of VILPs into mice significantly lowers blood glucose. Transfection of mouse hepatocytes with DNA encoding a VILP also stimulates insulin/IGF-1 signaling and DNA synthesis. Human microbiome studies reveal the presence of these Iridoviridae in blood and fecal samples. Thus, VILPs are members of the insulin/IGF superfamily with the ability to be active on human and rodent cells, raising the possibility for a potential role of VILPs in human disease. Furthermore, since only 2% of viruses have been sequenced, this study raises the potential for discovery of other viral hormones which, along with known virally encoded growth factors, may modify human health and disease.
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22
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DiMarchi RD, Mayer JP, Gelfanov VM, Tschöp M. Max Bergmann award lecture:Macromolecular medicinal chemistry as applied to metabolic diseases. J Pept Sci 2018; 24. [PMID: 29322647 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This review presents the scope of research presented in an October 2016 lecture pertaining to the award of the 2015 Max Bergmann Medal. The advancement in synthetic and biosynthetic chemistry as applied to the discovery of novel macromolecular drug candidates is reviewed. The evolution of the technology from the design, synthesis, and development of the first biosynthetic peptides through the emergence of peptide-based incretin agonists that function by multiple biological mechanisms is exemplified by the progression of such peptides from preclinical to clinical study. A closing section highlights recent progress made in total chemical synthesis of insulin and related peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D DiMarchi
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.,Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46241, USA
| | - John P Mayer
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46241, USA
| | - Vasily M Gelfanov
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.,Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46241, USA
| | - Matthias Tschöp
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Technische Universität München, 80333, Munich, Germany
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23
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Glidden MD, Aldabbagh K, Phillips NB, Carr K, Chen YS, Whittaker J, Phillips M, Wickramasinghe NP, Rege N, Swain M, Peng Y, Yang Y, Lawrence MC, Yee VC, Ismail-Beigi F, Weiss MA. An ultra-stable single-chain insulin analog resists thermal inactivation and exhibits biological signaling duration equivalent to the native protein. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:47-68. [PMID: 29114035 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.808626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermal degradation of insulin complicates its delivery and use. Previous efforts to engineer ultra-stable analogs were confounded by prolonged cellular signaling in vivo, of unclear safety and complicating mealtime therapy. We therefore sought an ultra-stable analog whose potency and duration of action on intravenous bolus injection in diabetic rats are indistinguishable from wild-type (WT) insulin. Here, we describe the structure, function, and stability of such an analog, a 57-residue single-chain insulin (SCI) with multiple acidic substitutions. Cell-based studies revealed native-like signaling properties with negligible mitogenic activity. Its crystal structure, determined as a novel zinc-free hexamer at 2.8 Å, revealed a native insulin fold with incomplete or absent electron density in the C domain; complementary NMR studies are described in the accompanying article. The stability of the analog (ΔGU 5.0(±0.1) kcal/mol at 25 °C) was greater than that of WT insulin (3.3(±0.1) kcal/mol). On gentle agitation, the SCI retained full activity for >140 days at 45 °C and >48 h at 75 °C. These findings indicate that marked resistance to thermal inactivation in vitro is compatible with native duration of activity in vivo Further, whereas WT insulin forms large and heterogeneous aggregates above the standard 0.6 mm pharmaceutical strength, perturbing the pharmacokinetic properties of concentrated formulations, dynamic light scattering, and size-exclusion chromatography revealed only limited SCI self-assembly and aggregation in the concentration range 1-7 mm Such a combination of favorable biophysical and biological properties suggests that SCIs could provide a global therapeutic platform without a cold chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Glidden
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Khadijah Aldabbagh
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Nelson B Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Kelley Carr
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Yen-Shan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Jonathan Whittaker
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Manijeh Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | | | - Nischay Rege
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Mamuni Swain
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Yi Peng
- Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Yanwu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Michael C Lawrence
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Vivien C Yee
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Faramarz Ismail-Beigi
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
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24
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Hossain MA, Wade JD. Novel Methods for the Chemical Synthesis of Insulin Superfamily Peptides and of Analogues Containing Disulfide Isosteres. Acc Chem Res 2017; 50:2116-2127. [PMID: 28829564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The insulin superfamily of peptides is ubiquitous within vertebrates and invertebrates and is characterized by the presence of a set of three disulfide bonds in a unique disposition. With the exception of insulin-like growth factors I and II, which are single chain peptides, the remaining 8 members of the human insulin superfamily are two-chain peptides containing one intramolecular and two intermolecular disulfide bridges. These structural features have long made the chemical synthesis of the peptides a considerable challenge, in particular, including their correct disulfide bond pairing and formation. However, they have also afforded the opportunity to develop modern solid phase synthesis methods for the preparation of such peptides that incorporate novel or improved chemical methods for the controlled introduction of both disulfide bonds and their surrogates, both during and after peptide chain assembly. In turn, this has enabled a detailed probing of the structure and function relationship of this small but complex superfamily of peptides. After initially using and subsequently identifying significant limitations of the approach of simultaneous random chain combination and oxidative folding, our laboratory undertook to develop robust chemical synthesis strategies in concert with orthogonal cysteine S-protecting groups and corresponding regioselective disulfide bond formation. These have included the separate synthesis of each of the two chains or of the two chains linked by an artificial C-peptide that is removed following postoxidative folding. These, in turn, have enabled an increased ease of acquisition in a good yield of not only members of human insulin superfamily but other insulin-like peptides. Importantly, these successful methods have enabled, for the first time, a detailed analysis of the role that the disulfide bonds play in the structure and function of such peptides. This was achieved by selective removal of the disulfide bonds or by the judicious insertion of disulfide isosteres that possess structurally subtle variations in bond length, hydrophobicity, and angle. These include lactam, dicarba, and cystathionine, each of which has required modifications to the peptide synthesis protocols for their successful placement within the peptides. Together, these synthesis improvements and the novel chemical developments of cysteine/cystine analogues have greatly aided in the development of novel insulin-like peptide (INSL) analogues, principally with intra-A-chain disulfide isosteres, possessing not only improved functional properties such as increased receptor selectivity but also, with one important and unexpected exception, greater in vivo half-lives due to stability against disulfide reductases. Such analogues greatly will aid further biochemical and pharmacological analyses to delineate the structure-function relationships of INSLs and also future potential drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience
and Mental Health and School
of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - John D. Wade
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience
and Mental Health and School
of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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25
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Wu X, Huang YH, Kaas Q, Harvey PJ, Wang CK, Tae HS, Adams DJ, Craik DJ. Backbone cyclization of analgesic conotoxin GeXIVA facilitates direct folding of the ribbon isomer. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:17101-17112. [PMID: 28851841 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.808386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Conotoxin GeXIVA inhibits the α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and is analgesic in animal models of pain. α-Conotoxins have four cysteines that can have three possible disulfide connectivities: globular (CysI-CysIII and CysII-CysIV), ribbon (CysI-CysIV and CysII-CysIII), or bead (CysI-CysII and CysIII-CysIV). Native α-conotoxins preferably adopt the globular connectivity, and previous studies of α-conotoxins have focused on the globular isomers as the ribbon and bead isomers typically have lower potency at nAChRs than the globular form. A recent report showed that the bead and ribbon isomers of GeXIVA are more potent than the globular isomer, with low nanomolar half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50). Despite this high potency, the therapeutic potential of GeXIVA is limited, because like most peptides, it is susceptible to proteolytic degradation and is challenging to synthesize in high yield. Here we used backbone cyclization as a strategy to improve the folding yield as well as increase the serum stability of ribbon GeXIVA while preserving activity at the α9α10 nAChR. Specifically, cyclization of ribbon GeXIVA with a two-residue linker maintained the biological activity at the human α9α10 nAChR and improved stability in human serum. Short linkers led to selective formation of the ribbon disulfide isomer without requiring orthogonal protection. Overall, this study highlights the value of backbone cyclization in directing folding, improving yields, and stabilizing conotoxins with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosa Wu
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia and
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia and
| | - Quentin Kaas
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia and
| | - Peta J Harvey
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia and
| | - Conan K Wang
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia and
| | - Han-Shen Tae
- the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - David J Adams
- the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia and
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26
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Liu F, Li P, Gelfanov V, Mayer J, DiMarchi R. Synthetic Advances in Insulin-like Peptides Enable Novel Bioactivity. Acc Chem Res 2017; 50:1855-1865. [PMID: 28771323 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Insulin is a miraculous hormone that has served a seminal role in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes for nearly a century. Insulin resides within in a superfamily of structurally related peptides that are distinguished by three invariant disulfide bonds that anchor the three-dimensional conformation of the hormone. The additional family members include the insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and the relaxin-related set of peptides that includes the so-called insulin-like peptides. Advances in peptide chemistry and rDNA-based synthesis have enabled the preparation of multiple insulin analogues. The translation of these methods from insulin to related peptides has presented unique challenges that pertain to differing biophysical properties and unique amino acid compositions. This Account presents a historical context for the advances in the chemical synthesis of insulin and the related peptides, with division into two general categories where disulfide bond formation is facilitated by native conformational folding or alternatively orthogonal chemical reactivity. The inherent differences in biophysical properties of insulin-like peptides, and in particular within synthetic intermediates, have constituted a central limitation to achieving high yield synthesis of properly folded peptides. Various synthetic approaches have been advanced in the past decade to successfully address this challenge. The use of chemical ligation and metastable amide bond surrogates are two of the more important synthetic advances in the preparation of high quality synthetic precursors to high potency peptides. The discovery and application of biomimetic connecting peptides simplifies proper disulfide formation and the subsequent traceless removal by chemical methods dramatically simplifies the total synthesis of virtually any two-chain insulin-like peptide. We report the application of these higher synthetic yield methodologies to the preparation of insulin-like peptides in support of exploratory in vivo studies requiring a large quantity of peptide. Tangentially, we demonstrate the use of these methods to study the relative importance of the IGF-1 connecting peptide to its biological activity. We report the translation of these finding in search of an insulin analog that might be comparably enhanced by a suitable connecting peptide for interaction with the insulin receptor, as occurs with IGF-1 and its receptor. The results identify a unique receptor site in the IGF-1 receptor from which this enhancement derives. The selective substitution of this specific IGF-1 receptor sequence into the homologous site in the insulin receptor generated a chimeric receptor that was equally capable of signaling with insulin or IGF-1. This novel receptor proved to enhance the potency of lower affinity insulin ligands when they were supplemented with the IGF-1 connecting peptide that similarly enhanced IGF-1 activity at its receptor. The chimeric insulin receptor demonstrated no further enhancement of potency for native insulin when it was similarly prepared as a single-chain analogue with a native IGF-1 connecting peptide. These results suggest a more highly evolved insulin receptor structure where the requirement for an additional structural element to achieve high potency interaction as demonstrated for IGF-1 is no longer required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Liu
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Pengyun Li
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Vasily Gelfanov
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - John Mayer
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Richard DiMarchi
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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27
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Holub JM. Small Scaffolds, Big Potential: Developing Miniature Proteins as Therapeutic Agents. Drug Dev Res 2017; 78:268-282. [PMID: 28799168 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical Research Miniature proteins are a class of oligopeptide characterized by their short sequence lengths and ability to adopt well-folded, three-dimensional structures. Because of their biomimetic nature and synthetic tractability, miniature proteins have been used to study a range of biochemical processes including fast protein folding, signal transduction, catalysis and molecular transport. Recently, miniature proteins have been gaining traction as potential therapeutic agents because their small size and ability to fold into defined tertiary structures facilitates their development as protein-based drugs. This research overview discusses emerging developments involving the use of miniature proteins as scaffolds to design novel therapeutics for the treatment and study of human disease. Specifically, this review will explore strategies to: (i) stabilize miniature protein tertiary structure; (ii) optimize biomolecular recognition by grafting functional epitopes onto miniature protein scaffolds; and (iii) enhance cytosolic delivery of miniature proteins through the use of cationic motifs that facilitate endosomal escape. These objectives are discussed not only to address challenges in developing effective miniature protein-based drugs, but also to highlight the tremendous potential miniature proteins hold for combating and understanding human disease. Drug Dev Res 78 : 268-282, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Holub
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
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28
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Moroder L, Musiol HJ. Insulin - von seiner Entdeckung bis zur industriellen Synthese moderner Insulin-Analoga. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201702493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Moroder
- Bioorganische Chemie; Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie; Am Klopferspitz 18 82152 Martinsried Deutschland
| | - Hans-Jürgen Musiol
- Bioorganische Chemie; Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie; Am Klopferspitz 18 82152 Martinsried Deutschland
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29
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Moroder L, Musiol HJ. Insulin-From its Discovery to the Industrial Synthesis of Modern Insulin Analogues. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:10656-10669. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201702493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Moroder
- Bioorganic Chemistry; Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry; Am Klopferspitz 18 82152 Martinsried Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Musiol
- Bioorganic Chemistry; Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry; Am Klopferspitz 18 82152 Martinsried Germany
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30
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Wu F, Mayer JP, Gelfanov VM, Liu F, DiMarchi RD. Synthesis of Four-Disulfide Insulin Analogs via Sequential Disulfide Bond Formation. J Org Chem 2017; 82:3506-3512. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.6b03078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhou Wu
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - John P. Mayer
- Novo Nordisk
Research
Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Vasily M. Gelfanov
- Novo Nordisk
Research
Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Fa Liu
- Novo Nordisk
Research
Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Richard D. DiMarchi
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
- Novo Nordisk
Research
Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
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31
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Abstract
Insulin remains indispensable in the treatment of diabetes, but its use is hampered by its narrow therapeutic index. Although advances in peptide chemistry and recombinant DNA-based macromolecule synthesis have enabled the synthesis of structurally optimized insulin analogues, the growing epidemics of obesity and diabetes have emphasized the need for diabetes therapies that are more efficacious, safe and convenient. Accordingly, a broad set of drug candidates, targeting hyperglycaemia plus other disease abnormalities, is now progressing through the clinic. The development of an insulin therapy that is responsive to glucose concentration remains an ultimate goal, with initial prototypes now reaching the proof-of-concept stage. Simultaneously, the first alternatives to injectable delivery have progressed to registration.
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32
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Wang CK, Stalmans S, De Spiegeleer B, Craik DJ. Biodistribution of the cyclotide MCoTI-II, a cyclic disulfide-rich peptide drug scaffold. J Pept Sci 2016; 22:305-10. [PMID: 26929247 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide-rich macrocyclic peptides are promising templates for drug design because of their unique topology and remarkable stability. However, little is known about their pharmacokinetics. In this study, we characterize the biodistribution in mice of Momordica cochinchinensis trypsin inhibitor-II (MCoTI-II), a cyclic three-disulfide-containing peptide that has been used in a number of studies as a drug scaffold. The distribution of MCoTI-II was compared with that of chlorotoxin, which is a four-disulfide-containing peptide that has been used to develop brain tumor imaging agents; dermorphin, which is a disulfide-less peptide; and bovine serum albumin, a large protein. Both MCoTI-II and chlorotoxin distributed predominantly to the serum and kidneys, confirming that they are stable in serum and suggesting that they are eliminated from the blood through renal clearance. Although cell-penetrating peptides have been reported to be able to transport across the blood-brain barrier, MCoTI-II, which is a cell-penetrating peptide, showed no uptake into the brain. The uptake of chlorotoxin was higher than that of MCoTI-II but lower than that of dermorphin, which is considered to have low uptake into the brain. This study provides insight into the behavior of disulfide-rich peptides in vivo. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Sofie Stalmans
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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33
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Liu F, Zaykov AN, Levy JJ, DiMarchi RD, Mayer JP. Chemical synthesis of peptides within the insulin superfamily. J Pept Sci 2016; 22:260-70. [PMID: 26910514 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of insulin has inspired fundamental advances in the art of peptide science while simultaneously revealing the structure-function relationship of this centrally important metabolic hormone. This review highlights milestones in the chemical synthesis of insulin that can be divided into two separate approaches: (i) disulfide bond formation driven by protein folding and (ii) chemical reactivity-directed sequential disulfide bond formation. Common to the two approaches are the persistent challenges presented by the hydrophobic nature of the individual A-chain and B-chain and the need for selective disulfide formation under mildly oxidative conditions. The extension and elaboration of these synthetic approaches have been ongoing within the broader insulin superfamily. These structurally similar peptides include the insulin-like growth factors and also the related peptides such as relaxin that signal through G-protein-coupled receptors. After a half-century of advances in insulin chemistry, we have reached a point where synthesis is no longer limiting structural and biological investigation within this family of peptide hormones. The future will increasingly focus on the refinement of structure to meet medicinal purposes that have long been pursued, such as the development of a glucose-sensitive insulin. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Liu
- Calibrium LLC, 11711 N. Meridian Street, Carmel, IN, 46032, USA
| | - Alexander N Zaykov
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Jay J Levy
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Richard D DiMarchi
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - John P Mayer
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
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34
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Wu F, Chabenne JR, Gelfanov VM, Mayer JP, DiMarchi RD. Three-chain insulin analogs demonstrate the importance of insulin secondary structure to bioactivity. J Pept Sci 2015; 21:223-30. [PMID: 25665061 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This report describes the chemical synthesis and biological characterization of novel three-chain insulin analogs with a destabilized secondary structure. The analogs, obtained by chemical synthesis via a single-chain precursor and selective enzymatic digestion, were used to investigate the role of the highly conserved 'insulin fold'. Biological characterization through in vitro biochemical signaling showed extremely low activity at each insulin receptor when compared with native insulin. We conclude that the 'insulin fold' is a structural foundation that supports insulin biological action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhou Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
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35
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Liu F, Liu Q, Mezo AR. An Iodine-Free and Directed-Disulfide-Bond-Forming Route to Insulin Analogues. Org Lett 2014; 16:3126-9. [DOI: 10.1021/ol501252b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fa Liu
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Qingyuan Liu
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Adam R. Mezo
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
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36
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Liu F, Mayer JP. Protein Chemical Synthesis in Drug Discovery. PROTEIN LIGATION AND TOTAL SYNTHESIS I 2014; 362:183-228. [DOI: 10.1007/128_2014_598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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