1
|
Wang X, Jin K. Robust Chemical Synthesis of "Difficult Peptides" via 2-Hydroxyphenol-pseudoproline (ψ 2-hydroxyphenolpro) Modifications. J Org Chem 2024; 89:3143-3149. [PMID: 38373048 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The challenging preparation of "difficult peptides" has always hindered the development of peptide-active pharmaceutical ingredients. Pseudoproline (ψpro) building blocks have been proven effective and powerful tools for the synthesis of "difficult peptides". In this paper, we efficiently prepared a set of novel 2-(oxazolidin-2-yl)phenol compounds as proline surrogates (2-hydroxyphenol-pseudoprolines, ψ2-hydroxyphenolpro) and applied it in the synthesis of many well-known "difficult peptides", including human thymosin α1, amylin, and β-amyloid (1-42) (Aβ42).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Kang Jin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee KL, Aitken JF, Li X, Montgomery K, Hsu HL, Williams GM, Brimble MA, Cooper GJ. Vesiculin derived from IGF-II drives increased islet cell mass in a mouse model of pre-diabetes. Islets 2022; 14:14-22. [PMID: 34632959 PMCID: PMC8632304 DOI: 10.1080/19382014.2021.1982326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic islet-cell function and volume are both key determinants of the maintenance of metabolic health. Insulin resistance and islet-cell dysfunction often occur in the earlier stages of type 2 diabetes (T2D) progression. The ability of the islet cells to respond to insulin resistance by increasing hormone output accompanied by increased islet-cell volume is key to maintaining blood glucose control and preventing further disease progression. Eventual β-cell loss is the main driver of full-blown T2D and insulin-dependency. Researchers are targeting T2D with approaches that include those aimed at enhancing the function of the patient's existing β-cell population, or replacing islet β-cells. Another approach is to look for agents that enhance the natural capacity of the β-cell population to expand. Here we aimed to study the effects of a new putative β-cell growth factor on a mouse model of pre-diabetes. We asked whether: 1) 4-week's treatment with vesiculin, a two-chain peptide derived by processing from IGF-II, had any measurable effect on pre-diabetic mice vs vehicle; and 2) whether the effects were the same in non-diabetic littermate controls. Although treatment with vesiculin did not alter blood glucose levels over this time period, there was a doubling of the Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) detectable in the islets of treated pre-diabetic but not control mice and this was accompanied by increased insulin- and glucagon-positive stained areas in the pancreatic islets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- CONTACT Kate L. Lee Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BioDiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jacqueline F. Aitken
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Xun Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kirsten Montgomery
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Huai-L. Hsu
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Geoffrey M. Williams
- School of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Advanced Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics, Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust, and the School of Biomedicine, the Medical School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Margaret A. Brimble
- School of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Advanced Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics, Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust, and the School of Biomedicine, the Medical School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Garth J.S. Cooper
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Advanced Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics, Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust, and the School of Biomedicine, the Medical School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
He R, Pan J, Mayer JP, Liu F. Stepwise Construction of Disulfides in Peptides. Chembiochem 2020; 21:1101-1111. [PMID: 31886929 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The disulfide bond plays an important role in biological systems. It defines global conformation, and ultimately the biological activity and stability of the peptide or protein. It is frequently present, singly or multiply, in biologically important peptide hormones and toxins. Numerous disulfide-containing peptides have been approved by the regulatory agencies as marketed drugs. Chemical synthesis is one of the prerequisite tools needed to gain deep insights into the structure-function relationships of these biomolecules. Along with the development of solid-phase peptide synthesis, a number of methods of disulfide construction have been established. This minireview will focus on the regiospecific, stepwise construction of multiple disulfides used in the chemical synthesis of peptides. We intend for this article to serve a reference for peptide chemists conducting complex peptide syntheses and also hope to stimulate the future development of disulfide methodologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongjun He
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, 5225 Exploration Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46241, USA
| | - Jia Pan
- Novo Nordisk Research Center China, 20 Life Science Road, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - John P Mayer
- Department of Molecular, Developmental & Cell Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Fa Liu
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, 530 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zheng N, Karra P, VandenBerg MA, Kim JH, Webber MJ, Holland WL, Chou DHC. Synthesis and Characterization of an A6-A11 Methylene Thioacetal Human Insulin Analogue with Enhanced Stability. J Med Chem 2019; 62:11437-11443. [PMID: 31804076 PMCID: PMC7217704 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Insulin has been a life-saving drug for millions of people with diabetes. However, several challenges exist which limit therapeutic benefits and reduce patient convenience. One key challenge is the fibrillation propensity, which necessitates refrigeration for storage. To address this limitation, we chemically synthesized and evaluated a methylene thioacetal human insulin analogue (SCS-Ins). The synthesized SCS-Ins showed enhanced serum stability and aggregation resistance while retaining bioactivity compared with native insulin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Prasoona Karra
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Michael A. VandenBerg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
| | - Jin Hwan Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Matthew J. Webber
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
| | - William L. Holland
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Danny Hung-Chieh Chou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kasim JK, Kavianinia I, Harris PWR, Brimble MA. Three Decades of Amyloid Beta Synthesis: Challenges and Advances. Front Chem 2019; 7:472. [PMID: 31334219 PMCID: PMC6614915 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of the pathological amyloid beta (Aβ) isoform Aβ1−42 into senile plaques is a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The biochemical significance of this phenomenon therefore necessitates the need for ready access to Aβ1−42 for research purposes. Chemical synthesis of the peptide, however, is technically difficult to perform given its propensity to aggregate both on resin during solid phase peptide synthesis and in solution during characterization. This review presents a chronological summary of key publications in the field of Aβ1−42 synthesis, dating back from its maiden synthesis by Burdick et al. Challenges associated with the preparation of Aβ1−42 were identified, and the solutions designed over the course of time critically discussed herein. Ultimately, the intention of this review is to provide readers with an insight into the progress that has been made in the last three decades, and how this has advanced broader research in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanes K Kasim
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Iman Kavianinia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul W R Harris
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee KL, Aitken JF, Hsu HL, Williams GM, Brimble MA, Cooper GJS. Glucoregulatory activity of vesiculin in insulin sensitive and resistant mice. Peptides 2019; 116:1-7. [PMID: 31018156 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic islet-derived peptide hormones play key roles in the maintenance of systemic energy homeostasis and glucose balance and defects in their regulation are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes. Peptides have also been used as lead compounds for therapeutics targeting metabolic disease. It is therefore important to understand the activity and function of islet hormones in both their target tissues and the whole organism. Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is an insulin homolog secreted by the islet β-cells. Vesiculin is a newly discovered peptide hormone, processed from IGF-II and secreted from islet β-cells in response to glucose. We postulated that vesiculin might act to regulate systemic glucose metabolism. Here we report our original investigations of vesiculin's activity in relation to glucoregulation. Vesiculin and IGF-II displayed similar dose-response relationships for lowering blood glucose in insulin-responsive FVB/n mice. By contrast, the ability of IGF-II to lower blood glucose was blunted in insulin-resistant triprolyl human-amylin transgenic mice, whereas vesiculin's ability to lower blood glucose remained unaffected. We also confirmed the ability of vesiculin to bypass insulin resistance in a second mouse model. In vitro analysis of signalling by vesiculin and IGF-II indicates that, like IGF-II, vesiculin signals through the IR/ IGF1R. Overall, we show that removal of only four amino acids from IGF-II has generated a peptide hormone with different bioactivity relevant to blood-glucose regulation. Investigating the differences among vesiculin, IGF-II and insulin signalling and activity may provide new insights into insulin resistance and potentially inform the design of novel therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Lee
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BioDiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand..
| | - Jacqueline F Aitken
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Huai-L Hsu
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Geoffrey M Williams
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BioDiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Garth J S Cooper
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BioDiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.; Centre for Advanced Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics, Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the School of Biomedicine, the Medical School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kasim JK, Kavianinia I, Ng J, Harris PWR, Birch NP, Brimble MA. Efficient synthesis and characterisation of the amyloid beta peptide, Aβ 1-42, using a double linker system. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:30-34. [PMID: 30500032 DOI: 10.1039/c8ob02929f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The amyloidogenic Aβ42 peptide was efficiently prepared using a double linker system, markedly improving solubility and chromatographic peak resolution, thus enabling full characterisation using standard techniques. The tag was readily cleaved with sodium hydroxide and removed by aqueous extraction, affording Aβ42 in high purity and yield for biophysical characterisation studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanes K Kasim
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Iman Kavianinia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand and School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Jin Ng
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. and Brain Research New Zealand Rangahau Roro Aotearoa and Centre for Brain Research, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Paul W R Harris
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand and School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Nigel P Birch
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. and Brain Research New Zealand Rangahau Roro Aotearoa and Centre for Brain Research, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand and School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Disotuar MM, Petersen ME, Nogueira JM, Kay MS, Chou DHC. Synthesis of hydrophobic insulin-based peptides using a helping hand strategy. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:1703-1708. [PMID: 29947407 DOI: 10.1039/c8ob01212a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of solid-phase peptide synthesis in the 1960s improved the chemical synthesis of both the A- and B-chains of insulin and insulin analogs. However, the subsequent elaboration of the synthetic peptides to generate active hormones continues to be difficult and complex due in part to the hydrophobicity of the A-chain. Over the past decade, several groups have developed different methods to enhance A-chain solubility. Two of the most popular methods are use of isoacyl dipeptides, and the attachment of an A-chain C-terminal pentalysine tag with a base-labile 4-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid linker. These methods have proven effective but can be limited in scope depending on the peptide sequence of a specific insulin. Herein we describe an auxiliary approach to enhance the solubility of insulin-based peptides by incorporating a tri-lysine tag attached to a cleavable Fmoc-Ddae-OH linker. Incorporation of this linker, or "helping hand", on the N-terminus greatly improved the solubility of chicken insulin A-chain, which is analogous to human insulin, and allowed for coupling of the insulin A- and B-chain via directed disulfide bond formation. After formation of the insulin heterodimer, the linker and tag could be easily removed using a hydrazine buffer (pH 7.5) to obtain an overall 12.6% yield based on A-chain. This strategy offers an efficient method to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic insulin-based peptides as well as other traditionally difficult peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Disotuar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, 15 N Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lee KL, Middleditch MJ, Williams GM, Brimble MA, Cooper GJS. Using mass spectrometry to detect, differentiate, and semiquantitate closely related peptide hormones in complex milieu: measurement of IGF-II and vesiculin. Endocrinology 2015; 156:1194-9. [PMID: 25545381 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The search for an islet β-cell growth factor has been a key objective in recent diabetes research, because the ability to regenerate and/or protect the functioning β-cell population in patients could result in a great advancement for diabetes treatment. IGF-I and IGF-II are known to play crucial roles in fetal growth and prenatal development, and there is growing evidence that IGF-II increases β-cell proliferation and survival in vitro and in vivo. A search for the source of IGF-II-like immunoreactivity in isolated β-cell secretory granules from the murine cell line βTC6-F7 revealed a novel 2-chain IGF-II-derived peptide, which we named vesiculin and which has been shown to be a full insulin agonist. Here, we present a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method that enables selective detection and semiquantitation of the highly related IGF-II and vesiculin molecules. We have used this method to measure these 2 peptides in conditioned media from 2 β-cell lines, produced under increasing glucose concentrations. This technique detected both IGF-II and vesiculin in media conditioned by MIN6 and βTC6-F7 cells at levels in the range of 0 to 6 μM (total insulin, 80-450 μM) and revealed a glucose-stimulated increase in insulin, IGF-II, and vesiculin. IGF-II was detected in adult human and neonatal mouse serum in high levels, but vesiculin was not present. The methodology we present herein has utility for detecting and differentiating active peptides that are highly related and of low abundance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Lee
- School of Biological Sciences (K.L.L., M.J.M., G.J.S.C.), School of Chemical Sciences (G.M.W., M.A.B.), and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BioDiscovery (M.J.M., M.A.B., G.J.S.C.), The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; and Centre for Advanced Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics (G.J.S.C.), Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the School of Biomedicine, the Medical School, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kowalczyk R, Brimble MA, Tomabechi Y, Fairbanks AJ, Fletcher M, Hay DL. Convergent chemoenzymatic synthesis of a library of glycosylated analogues of pramlintide: structure-activity relationships for amylin receptor agonism. Org Biomol Chem 2014; 12:8142-51. [PMID: 25030939 DOI: 10.1039/c4ob01208a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Pramlintide (Symlin®), a synthetic analogue of the naturally occurring pancreatic hormone amylin, is currently used with insulin in adjunctive therapy for type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Herein we report a systematic study into the effect that N-glycosylation of pramlintide has on activation of amylin receptors. A highly efficient convergent synthetic route, involving a combination of solid phase peptide synthesis and enzymatic glycosylation, delivered a library of N-glycosylated variants of pramlintide bearing either GlcNAc, the core N-glycan pentasaccharide [Man3(GlcNAc)2] or a complex biantennary glycan [(NeuAcGalGlcNAcMan)2Man(GlcNAc)2] at each of its six asparagine residues. The majority of glycosylated versions of pramlintide were potent receptor agonists, suggesting that N-glycosylation may be used as a tool to optimise the pharmacokinetic properties of pramlintide and so deliver improved therapeutic agents for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renata Kowalczyk
- The School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, 23 Symonds St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|