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Winer L, Motiei L, Margulies D. Fluorescent Investigation of Proteins Using DNA-Synthetic Ligand Conjugates. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1509-1522. [PMID: 37556353 PMCID: PMC10515487 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The unfathomable role that fluorescence detection plays in the life sciences has prompted the development of countless fluorescent labels, sensors, and analytical techniques that can be used to detect and image proteins or investigate their properties. Motivated by the demand for simple-to-produce, modular, and versatile fluorescent tools to study proteins, many research groups have harnessed the advantages of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) for scaffolding such probes. Tight control over the valency and position of protein binders and fluorescent dyes decorating the polynucleotide chain and the ability to predict molecular architectures through self-assembly, inherent solubility, and stability are, in a nutshell, the important properties of DNA probes. This paper reviews the progress in developing DNA-based, fluorescent sensors or labels that navigate toward their protein targets through small-molecule (SM) or peptide ligands. By describing the design, operating principles, and applications of such systems, we aim to highlight the versatility and modularity of this approach and the ability to use ODN-SM or ODN-peptide conjugates for various applications such as protein modification, labeling, and imaging, as well as for biomarker detection, protein surface characterization, and the investigation of multivalency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Winer
- Department of Chemical and
Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Leila Motiei
- Department of Chemical and
Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - David Margulies
- Department of Chemical and
Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
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2
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Peterson AA, Liu DR. Small-molecule discovery through DNA-encoded libraries. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:699-722. [PMID: 37328653 PMCID: PMC10924799 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00713-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The development of bioactive small molecules as probes or drug candidates requires discovery platforms that enable access to chemical diversity and can quickly reveal new ligands for a target of interest. Within the past 15 years, DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology has matured into a widely used platform for small-molecule discovery, yielding a wide variety of bioactive ligands for many therapeutically relevant targets. DELs offer many advantages compared with traditional screening methods, including efficiency of screening, easily multiplexed targets and library selections, minimized resources needed to evaluate an entire DEL and large library sizes. This Review provides accounts of recently described small molecules discovered from DELs, including their initial identification, optimization and validation of biological properties including suitability for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Peterson
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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3
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Hou R, Xie C, Gui Y, Li G, Li X. Machine-Learning-Based Data Analysis Method for Cell-Based Selection of DNA-Encoded Libraries. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:19057-19071. [PMID: 37273617 PMCID: PMC10233830 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
DNA-encoded library (DEL) is a powerful ligand discovery technology that has been widely adopted in the pharmaceutical industry. DEL selections are typically performed with a purified protein target immobilized on a matrix or in solution phase. Recently, DELs have also been used to interrogate the targets in the complex biological environment, such as membrane proteins on live cells. However, due to the complex landscape of the cell surface, the selection inevitably involves significant nonspecific interactions, and the selection data are much noisier than the ones with purified proteins, making reliable hit identification highly challenging. Researchers have developed several approaches to denoise DEL datasets, but it remains unclear whether they are suitable for cell-based DEL selections. Here, we report the proof-of-principle of a new machine-learning (ML)-based approach to process cell-based DEL selection datasets by using a Maximum A Posteriori (MAP) estimation loss function, a probabilistic framework that can account for and quantify uncertainties of noisy data. We applied the approach to a DEL selection dataset, where a library of 7,721,415 compounds was selected against a purified carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA-2) and a cell line expressing the membrane protein carbonic anhydrase 12 (CA-12). The extended-connectivity fingerprint (ECFP)-based regression model using the MAP loss function was able to identify true binders and also reliable structure-activity relationship (SAR) from the noisy cell-based selection datasets. In addition, the regularized enrichment metric (known as MAP enrichment) could also be calculated directly without involving the specific machine-learning model, effectively suppressing low-confidence outliers and enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio. Future applications of this method will focus on de novo ligand discovery from cell-based DEL selections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hou
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory
for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology LimitedHealth@InnoHK, Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chao Xie
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuhan Gui
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Gang Li
- Institute
of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory
for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology LimitedHealth@InnoHK, Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong SAR, China
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4
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Dockerill M, Winssinger N. DNA-Encoded Libraries: Towards Harnessing their Full Power with Darwinian Evolution. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202215542. [PMID: 36458812 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202215542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
DNA-encoded library (DEL) technologies are transforming the drug discovery process, enabling the identification of ligands at unprecedented speed and scale. DEL makes use of libraries that are orders of magnitude larger than traditional high-throughput screens. While a DNA tag alludes to a genotype-phenotype connection that is exploitable for molecular evolution, most of the work in the field is performed with libraries where the tag serves as an amplifiable barcode but does not allow "translation" into the synthetic product it is linked to. In this Review, we cover technologies that enable the "translation" of the genetic tag into synthetic molecules, both biochemically and chemically, and explore how it can be used to harness Darwinian evolutionary pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millicent Dockerill
- Department of Organic Chemistry, NCCR Chemical Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Winssinger
- Department of Organic Chemistry, NCCR Chemical Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
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5
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Watson EE, Winssinger N. Synthesis of Protein-Oligonucleotide Conjugates. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101523. [PMID: 36291732 PMCID: PMC9599799 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids and proteins form two of the key classes of functional biomolecules. Through the ability to access specific protein-oligonucleotide conjugates, a broader range of functional molecules becomes accessible which leverages both the programmability and recognition potential of nucleic acids and the structural, chemical and functional diversity of proteins. Herein, we summarize the available conjugation strategies to access such chimeric molecules and highlight some key case study examples within the field to showcase the power and utility of such technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E. Watson
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- Correspondence: (E.E.W.); (N.W.)
| | - Nicolas Winssinger
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, NCCR Chemical Biology, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (E.E.W.); (N.W.)
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Gui Y, Wong CS, Zhao G, Xie C, Hou R, Li Y, Li G, Li X. Converting Double-Stranded DNA-Encoded Libraries (DELs) to Single-Stranded Libraries for More Versatile Selections. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:11491-11500. [PMID: 35415338 PMCID: PMC8992267 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
DNA-encoded library (DEL) is an efficient high-throughput screening technology platform in drug discovery and is also gaining momentum in academic research. Today, the majority of DELs are assembled and encoded with double-stranded DNA tags (dsDELs) and has been selected against numerous biological targets; however, dsDELs are not amendable to some of the recently developed selection methods, such as the cross-linking-based selection against immobilized targets and live-cell-based selections, which require DELs encoded with single-stranded DNAs (ssDELs). Herein, we present a simple method to convert dsDELs to ssDELs using exonuclease digestion without library redesign and resynthesis. We show that dsDELs could be efficiently converted to ssDELs and used for affinity-based selections either with purified proteins or on live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Gui
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clara Shania Wong
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guixian Zhao
- Chongqing
Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science
and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Chao Xie
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Rui Hou
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory
for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Health@InnoHK,
Innovation and Technology Commission, Units 1503-1511, 15/F., Building 17W, Hong Kong Science and Technology
Parks, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Yizhou Li
- Chongqing
Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science
and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Gang Li
- Institute
of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department
of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory
for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Health@InnoHK,
Innovation and Technology Commission, Units 1503-1511, 15/F., Building 17W, Hong Kong Science and Technology
Parks, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR , China
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7
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Abstract
In the past two decades, a DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL or DECL) has emerged and has become a major technology platform for ligand discovery in drug discovery as well as in chemical biology research. Although based on a simple concept, i.e., encoding each compound with a unique DNA tag in a combinatorial chemical library, DEL has been proven to be a powerful tool for interrogating biological targets by accessing vast chemical space at a fraction of the cost of traditional high-throughput screening (HTS). Moreover, the recent technological advances and rapid developments of DEL-compatible reactions have greatly enhanced the chemical diversity of DELs. Today, DELs have been adopted by nearly all major pharmaceutical companies and are also gaining momentum in academia. However, this field is heavily biased toward library encoding and synthesis, and an underexplored aspect of DEL research is the selection methods. Generally, DEL selection is considered to be a massive binding assay conducted over an immobilized protein to identify the physical binders using the typical bind-wash-elute procedure. In recent years, we and other research groups have developed new approaches that can perform DEL selections in the solution phase, which has enabled the selection against complex biological targets beyond purified proteins. On the one hand, these methods have significantly widened the target scope of DELs; on the other hand, they have enabled the functional and potentially phenotypic assays of DELs beyond simple binding. An overview of these methods is provided in this Account.Our laboratory has been using DNA-programmed affinity labeling (DPAL) as the main strategy to develop new DEL selection methods. DPAL is based on DNA-templated synthesis; by using a known ligand to guide the target binding, DPAL is able to specifically establish a stable linkage between the target protein and the ligand. The DNA tag of the target-ligand conjugates serves as a programmable handle for protein characterization or hit compound decoding in the case of DEL selections. DPAL also takes advantage of the fast reaction kinetics of photo-cross-linking to achieve high labeling specificity and fidelity, especially in the selection of DNA-encoded dynamic libraries (DEDLs). DPAL has enabled DEL selections not only in buffer and cell lysates but also with complex biological systems, such as large protein complexes and live cells. Moreover, this strategy has also been employed in other biological applications, such as site-specific protein labeling, protein detection, protein profiling, and target identification. In the Account, we describe these methods, highlight their underlying principles, and conclude with perspectives of the development of the DEL technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Song
- Department of Chemistry and the State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Chemistry and the State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Health@InnoHK, Innovation and Technology Commission, Units 1503-1511, 15/F, Building 17W, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, New
Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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8
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Huang Y, Li X. Recent Advances on the Selection Methods of DNA-Encoded Libraries. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2384-2397. [PMID: 33891355 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA-encoded libraries (DEL) have come of age and become a major technology platform for ligand discovery in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Technological maturation in the past two decades and the recent explosive developments of DEL-compatible chemistries have greatly improved the chemical diversity of DELs and fueled its applications in drug discovery. A relatively less-covered aspect of DELs is the selection method. Typically, DEL selection is considered as a binding assay and the selection is conducted with purified protein targets immobilized on a matrix, and the binders are separated from the non-binding background via physical washes. However, the recent innovations in DEL selection methods have not only expanded the target scope of DELs, but also revealed the potential of the DEL technology as a powerful tool in exploring fundamental biology. In this Review, we first cover the "classic" DEL selection methods with purified proteins on solid phase, and then we discuss the strategies to realize DEL selections in solution phase. Finally, we focus on the emerging approaches for DELs to interrogate complex biological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Huang
- Department of Chemistry and the State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Chemistry and the State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Health@InnoHK, Innovation and Technology Commission, Units 1503-1511, 15/F., Building 17W, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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