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Bruce A, Adebomi V, Czabala P, Palmer J, McFadden WM, Lorson ZC, Slack RL, Bhardwaj G, Sarafianos SG, Raj M. A Tag-Free Platform for Synthesis and Screening of Cyclic Peptide Libraries. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202320045. [PMID: 38529717 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202320045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
In the realm of high-throughput screening (HTS), macrocyclic peptide libraries traditionally necessitate decoding tags, essential for both library synthesis and identifying hit peptide sequences post-screening. Our innovation introduces a tag-free technology platform for synthesizing cyclic peptide libraries in solution and facilitates screening against biological targets to identify peptide binders through unconventional intramolecular CyClick and DeClick chemistries (CCDC) discovered through our research. This combination allows for the synthesis of diverse cyclic peptide libraries, the incorporation of various amino acids, and facile linearization and decoding of cyclic peptide binder sequences. Our sensitivity-enhancing derivatization method, utilized in tandem with nano LC-MS/MS, enables the sequencing of peptides even at exceedingly low picomolar concentrations. Employing our technology platform, we have successfully unearthed novel cyclic peptide binders against a monoclonal antibody and the first cyclic peptide binder of HIV capsid protein responsible for viral infections as validated by microscale thermal shift assays (TSA), biolayer interferometry (BLI) and functional assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angele Bruce
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
| | - Victor Adebomi
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States, 98195
| | - Patrick Czabala
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
| | - Jonathan Palmer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States, 98195
| | - William M McFadden
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 1760 Haygood Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
| | - Zachary C Lorson
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 1760 Haygood Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
| | - Ryan L Slack
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 1760 Haygood Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
| | - Gaurav Bhardwaj
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States, 98195
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 1760 Haygood Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
| | - Monika Raj
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
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Xu K, Gao H, Li Y, Jin Y, Zhao R, Huang Y. Synthetic Peptides with Genetic-Codon-Tailored Affinity for Assembling Tetraspanin CD81 at Cell Interfaces and Inhibiting Cancer Metastasis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400129. [PMID: 38409630 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Probing biomolecular interactions at cellular interfaces is crucial for understanding and interfering with life processes. Although affinity binders with site specificity for membrane proteins are unparalleled molecular tools, a high demand remains for novel multi-functional ligands. In this study, a synthetic peptide (APQQ) with tight and specific binding to the untargeted extracellular loop of CD81 evolved from a genetically encoded peptide pool. With tailored affinity, APQQ flexibly accesses, site-specifically binds, and forms a complex with CD81, enabling in-situ tracking of the dynamics and activity of this protein in living cells, which has rarely been explored because of the lack of ligands. Furthermore, APQQ triggers the relocalization of CD81 from diffuse to densely clustered at cell junctions and modulates the interplay of membrane proteins at cellular interfaces. Motivated by these, efficient suppression of cancer cell migration, and inhibition of breast cancer metastasis were achieved in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Han Gao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yongming Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yulong Jin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanyan Huang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Feng C, Yu A, Wang Z, Wang K, Chen J, Wu Y, Deng T, Chen H, Hou Y, Ma S, Dai X, Huang L. A novel PDPN antagonist peptide CY12-RP2 inhibits melanoma growth via Wnt/β-catenin and modulates the immune cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:9. [PMID: 38167452 PMCID: PMC10759609 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02910-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Podoplanin (PDPN) is a highly conserved, mucin-type protein specific to the lymphatic system. Overexpression of PDPN is associated with the progression of various solid tumors, and plays an important roles in the tumor microenvironment by regulating the immune system. However, the role of PDPN-mediated signal activation in the progression of melanoma is still unknown. METHODS PDPN expression was first analyzed in 112 human melanoma tissue microarrays and melanoma cell lines. Functional experiments including proliferation, clone formation, migration, and metastasis were utilized to identify the suppressive effects of PDPN. The Ph.D.TM-12 Phage Display Peptide Library was used to obtain a PDPN antagonist peptide, named CY12-RP2. The immunofluorescence, SPR assay, and flow cytometry were used to identify the binding specificity of CY12-RP2 with PDPN in melanoma cells. Functional and mechanistic assays in vivo and in vitro were performed for discriminating the antitumor and immune activation effects of CY12-RP2. RESULTS PDPN was overexpressed in melanoma tissue and cells, and inhibited melanoma cells proliferation, migration, and metastasis by blocking the EMT and Wnt/β-catenin pathway. PDPN antagonistic peptide, CY12-RP2, could specifically bind with PDPN, suppressing melanoma various functions inducing apoptosis in both melanoma cells and 3D spheroids. CY12-RP2 also enhanced the anti-tumor capacity of PBMC, and inhibited melanoma cells growth both in xenografts and allogeneic mice model. Moreover, CY12-RP2 could inhibit melanoma lung metastasis, and abrogated the immunosuppressive effects of PDPN by increasing the proportion of CD3 + CD4 + T cells, CD3 + CD8 + T cells, CD49b + Granzyme B + NK cells, and CD11b + CD86 + M1-like macrophages and the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. CONCLUSIONS This study has demonstrated the important role of PDPN in the progression of melanoma and formation of immunosuppressive environment, and provided a potential approach of treating melanoma using the novel CY12-RP2 peptide. In melanoma, PDPN is overexpressed in the cancer cells, and promotes melanoma cells growth and metastasis through activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Treatment with the PDPN antagonistic peptide CY12-RP2 could not only inhibit the melanoma growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo through Wnt/β-catenin pathway blockade, but also abrogate the immunosuppressive effects of PDPN through modulating immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Feng
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Albert Yu
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhongfu Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, 1017 Dongmen North Road, Shenzhen, 518020, NoGuangdong, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaojiong Wu
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Deng
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Huaqing Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yibo Hou
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaohua Ma
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyong Dai
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Laiqiang Huang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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Prudent R, Lemoine H, Walsh J, Roche D. Affinity selection mass spectrometry speeding drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103760. [PMID: 37660985 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Affinity selection mass spectrometry (AS-MS) has gained momentum in drug discovery. This review summarizes how this technology has slowly risen as a new paradigm in hit identification and its potential synergy with DNA encoded library technology. It presents an overview of the recent results on challenging targets and perspectives on new areas of research, such as RNA targeting with small molecules. The versatility of the approach is illustrated and strategic drivers discussed in terms of the experience of a small-medium CRO and a big pharma organization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jarrod Walsh
- High Throughput Screening, Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D Biopharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Didier Roche
- Edelris, Bioparc, Bioserra 1 Building, Lyon, France.
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Mata JM, van der Nol E, Pomplun SJ. Advances in Ultrahigh Throughput Hit Discovery with Tandem Mass Spectrometry Encoded Libraries. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:19129-19139. [PMID: 37556835 PMCID: PMC10472510 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04899] [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: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Discovering new bioactive molecules is crucial for drug development. Finding a hit compound for a new drug target usually requires screening of millions of molecules. Affinity selection based technologies have revolutionized early hit discovery by enabling the rapid screening of libraries with millions or billions of compounds in short timeframes. In this Perspective, we describe recent technology breakthroughs that enable the screening of ultralarge synthetic peptidomimetic libraries with a barcode-free tandem mass spectrometry decoding strategy. A combination of combinatorial synthesis, affinity selection, automated de novo peptide sequencing algorithms, and advances in mass spectrometry instrumentation now enables hit discovery from synthetic libraries with over 100 million members. We provide a perspective on this powerful technology and showcase success stories featuring the discovery of high affinity binders for a number of drug targets including proteins, nucleic acids, and specific cell types. Further, we show the usage of the technology to discover synthetic peptidomimetics with specific functions and reactivity. We predict that affinity selection coupled with tandem mass spectrometry and automated de novo decoding will rapidly evolve further and become a broadly used drug discovery technology.
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Luo RY, Yang S. Microprobe-Capture In-Emitter Elution: An Affinity Capture Technique to Directly Couple a Label-Free Optical Sensing Technology with Mass Spectrometry for Protein Analysis. Anal Chem 2023; 95:5494-5499. [PMID: 36952522 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Affinity capture of an analyte by a capture agent is one of the most effective sample preparation approaches in mass spectrometry (MS), especially top-down MS. We describe a new affinity capture technique for protein targets, called microprobe-capture in-emitter elution (MPIE), which can directly couple a label-free optical sensing technology (next-generation biolayer interferometry, BLI) with MS. To implement MPIE, an analyte is first captured on the surface of a microprobe and subsequently eluted from the microprobe inside an electrospray emitter. The capture process is monitored in real-time via BLI. When electrospray is established from the emitter to a mass spectrometer, the analyte is immediately ionized via electrospray ionization (ESI) for MS analysis. By this means, BLI and MS are directly coupled in the form of MPIE-ESI-MS. The performance of MPIE-ESI-MS was demonstrated by the analysis of β-amyloid 1-40 and transferrin using both standard samples and human specimens. In comparison to conventional affinity capture techniques such as bead-based immunoprecipitation, MPIE innovates the affinity capture methodology by introducing real-time process monitoring and providing binding characteristics of analytes, offering more information-rich experiment results. Thus, MPIE is a valuable addition to the top-down MS sample preparation toolbox, and MPIE-ESI-MS can be useful for identification and characterization of targets of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Yiqi Luo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Clinical Laboratories, Stanford Health Care, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Samuel Yang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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7
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Lee K, Willi JA, Cho N, Kim I, Jewett MC, Lee J. Cell-free Biosynthesis of Peptidomimetics. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2023; 28:1-17. [PMID: 36778039 PMCID: PMC9896473 DOI: 10.1007/s12257-022-0268-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A wide variety of peptidomimetics (peptide analogs) possessing innovative biological functions have been brought forth as therapeutic candidates through cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems. A key feature of these peptidomimetic drugs is the use of non-canonical amino acid building blocks with diverse biochemical properties that expand functional diversity. Here, we summarize recent technologies leveraging CFPS platforms to expand the reach of peptidomimetics drugs. We also offer perspectives on engineering the translational machinery that may open new opportunities for expanding genetically encoded chemistry to transform drug discovery practice beyond traditional boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanghun Lee
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
| | - Jessica A. Willi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 USA
| | - Namjin Cho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
| | - Inseon Kim
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 USA
| | - Joongoo Lee
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673 Korea
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8
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Zhang Y, Guo J, Cheng J, Zhang Z, Kang F, Wu X, Chu Q. High-Throughput Screening of Stapled Helical Peptides in Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2023; 66:95-106. [PMID: 36580278 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic peptides have revolutionized treatment for a number of human diseases. In particular, the past two decades have witnessed rapid progress of stapled helical peptides in drug discovery. Stapled helical peptides are chemically modified and constrained in their bioactive α-helical conformation. Compared to unstabilized linear peptides, stapled helical peptides exhibit superior binding affinity and selectivity, enhanced membrane permeability, and improved metabolic stability, presenting exciting promise for targeting otherwise challenging protein-protein interfaces. In this Perspective, we summarize recent applications of high-throughput screening technologies for identification of potent stapled helical peptides with optimized binding properties. We expect to provide a broad reference to accelerate the development of stapled helical peptides as the next generation of therapeutic peptides for various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jiabei Guo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jiongjia Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Nanjing, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China
| | - Zhenghua Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Fenghua Kang
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Xiaoxing Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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