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Hosono Y, Uchida S, Shinkai M, Townsend CE, Kelly CN, Naylor MR, Lee HW, Kanamitsu K, Ishii M, Ueki R, Ueda T, Takeuchi K, Sugita M, Akiyama Y, Lokey SR, Morimoto J, Sando S. Amide-to-ester substitution as a stable alternative to N-methylation for increasing membrane permeability in cyclic peptides. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1416. [PMID: 36932083 PMCID: PMC10023679 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36978-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring peptides with high membrane permeability often have ester bonds on their backbones. However, the impact of amide-to-ester substitutions on the membrane permeability of peptides has not been directly evaluated. Here we report the effect of amide-to-ester substitutions on the membrane permeability and conformational ensemble of cyclic peptides related to membrane permeation. Amide-to-ester substitutions are shown to improve the membrane permeability of dipeptides and a model cyclic hexapeptide. NMR-based conformational analysis and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the conformational transition of the cyclic hexapeptide upon membrane permeation is differently influenced by an amide-to-ester substitution and an amide N-methylation. The effect of amide-to-ester substitution on membrane permeability of other cyclic hexapeptides, cyclic octapeptides, and a cyclic nonapeptide is also investigated to examine the scope of the substitution. Appropriate utilization of amide-to-ester substitution based on our results will facilitate the development of membrane-permeable peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hosono
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Satoshi Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Moe Shinkai
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Chad E Townsend
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Colin N Kelly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Matthew R Naylor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Hsiau-Wei Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Kayoko Kanamitsu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Mayumi Ishii
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Ueki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takumi Ueda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Koh Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masatake Sugita
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
- Middle-Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yutaka Akiyama
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan.
- Middle-Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL), Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan.
| | - Scott R Lokey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA.
| | - Jumpei Morimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Shinsuke Sando
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
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Faugeras V, Duclos O, Bazile D, Thiam AR. Impact of Cyclization and Methylation on Peptide Penetration through Droplet Interface Bilayers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:5682-5691. [PMID: 35452243 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides enter cells via diverse mechanisms, such as endocytosis, active transport, or direct translocation. For the design of orally delivered cell-penetrating peptides, it is crucial to know the contribution of these different mechanisms. In particular, the ability of a peptide to translocate through a lipid bilayer remains a key parameter for the delivery of cargos. However, existing approaches used to assess translocation often provide discrepant results probably because they have different sensitivities to the distinct translocation mechanisms. Here, we focus on the passive permeation of a range of hydrophobic cyclic peptides inspired by somatostatin, a somatotropin release-inhibiting factor. Using droplet interface bilayers (DIB), we assess the passive membrane permeability of these peptides and study the impact of the peptide cyclization and backbone methylation on translocation rates. Cyclization systematically improved the permeability of the tested peptides while methylation did not. By studying the interaction of the peptides with the DIB interfaces, we found membrane insertion and peptide intrinsic diffusion to be two independent factors of permeability. Compared to the industrial gold standard Caco-2 and parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) models, DIBs provide intermediate membrane permeability values, closer to Caco-2. Even for conditions where Caco-2 and PAMPA are discrepant, the DIB approach also gives results closer to Caco-2. Thereupon, DIBs represent a robust alternative to the PAMPA approach for predicting the permeability of peptides, even if the latter present extremely small structural differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Faugeras
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
- Pharmaceutics Development Platform, Sanofi R&D, 94250 Gentilly, France
| | - Olivier Duclos
- Integrated Drug Discovery Platform, Sanofi R&D, 91380 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Didier Bazile
- Pharmaceutics Development Platform, Sanofi R&D, 94250 Gentilly, France
| | - Abdou Rachid Thiam
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
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3
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Hu J, Cochrane WG, Jones AX, Blackmond DG, Paegel BM. Chiral lipid bilayers are enantioselectively permeable. Nat Chem 2021; 13:786-791. [PMID: 34112989 PMCID: PMC8325640 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00708-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Homochiral membrane bilayers organize biological functions in all domains of life. The membrane’s permeability–its key property–correlates with a molecule’s lipophilicity, but the role of the membrane’s rich and uniform stereochemistry as a permeability determinant is largely ignored in empirical and computational measurements. Here, we describe a new approach to measuring permeation using continuously generated microfluidic droplet interface bilayers (DIBs, 480/min) and benchmark this system by monitoring fluorescent dye DIB permeation over time. Permeation of non-fluorescent, alkyne-labeled molecules was measured using a fluorogenic click reaction. DIB transport measurements revealed enantioselective permeation of alkyne-labeled amino acids (Ala, Val, Phe, Pro) and dipeptides through a chiral phospholipid bilayer; the biological L enantiomers permeated faster than D (1.2–6-fold; Ala–Pro). Enantioselective permeation both poses a potentially unanticipated criterion for drug design and offers a kinetic mechanism for the abiotic emergence of homochirality via chiral transfer between sugars, amino acids, and lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Wesley G Cochrane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Brian M Paegel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA. .,Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Wright L, Barnes TJ, Prestidge CA. Oral delivery of protein-based therapeutics: Gastroprotective strategies, physiological barriers and in vitro permeability prediction. Int J Pharm 2020; 585:119488. [PMID: 32504774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119488] [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: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The number of biological molecules emerging as therapeutics is growing exponentially due to their higher specificity and tolerability profiles compared to small molecules. Despite this, their traditionally parenteral delivery often results in poor patient compliance and incomplete treatment. Current research is focussed on developing effective oral delivery strategies to facilitate administration of these biomolecules, however no universal method exists to simultaneously provide gastric protection as well as enhance transport across the gastrointestinal epithelium. Furthermore, for efficient formulation development it is imperative that we can reliably analyse permeability of biomolecules through the gastrointestinal tract, highlighting the importance of the continual development and ongoing evaluation of in vitro predictive permeability tools. Here, we review the physiological obstacles associated with peptide and protein delivery throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, we highlight methods utilised to circumvent these barriers and promote improved intestinal permeability. Lastly, we explore in vitro models employed to predict epithelial transport. Key findings highlight the need to carefully understand gastrointestinal physiology, allowing specific engineering of oral delivery systems for biomolecules. Significant importance is placed upon understanding enzymatic degradation susceptibility as well as uptake mechanisms for particulate and protein-based therapeutics for the development of successful oral protein delivery platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Wright
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, 5001, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, UniSA, Australia
| | - Timothy J Barnes
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, 5001, Australia
| | - Clive A Prestidge
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, 5001, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, UniSA, Australia.
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Abstract
Approximately 75% of all disease-relevant human proteins, including those involved in intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs), are undruggable with the current drug modalities (i.e., small molecules and biologics). Macrocyclic peptides provide a potential solution to these undruggable targets because their larger sizes (relative to conventional small molecules) endow them the capability of binding to flat PPI interfaces with antibody-like affinity and specificity. Powerful combinatorial library technologies have been developed to routinely identify cyclic peptides as potent, specific inhibitors against proteins including PPI targets. However, with the exception of a very small set of sequences, the vast majority of cyclic peptides are impermeable to the cell membrane, preventing their application against intracellular targets. This Review examines common structural features that render most cyclic peptides membrane impermeable, as well as the unique features that allow the minority of sequences to enter the cell interior by passive diffusion, endocytosis/endosomal escape, or other mechanisms. We also present the current state of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of cell penetration, the various strategies for designing cell-permeable, biologically active cyclic peptides against intracellular targets, and the assay methods available to quantify their cell-permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick G. Dougherty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Ashweta Sahni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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