1
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Alboreggia G, Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Muzzarelli K, Assar Z, Pellecchia M. Histidine-Covalent Stapled Alpha-Helical Peptides Targeting hMcl-1. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8172-8185. [PMID: 38695666 PMCID: PMC11129181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00277] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Several novel and effective cysteine targeting (Cys) covalent drugs are in clinical use. However, the target area containing a druggable Cys residue is limited. Therefore, methods for creating covalent drugs that target different residues are being looked for; examples of such ligands include those that target the residues lysine (Lys) and tyrosine (Tyr). Though the histidine (His) side chain is more frequently found in protein binding locations and has higher desirable nucleophilicity, surprisingly limited research has been done to specifically target this residue, and there are not many examples of His-targeting ligands that have been rationally designed. In the current work, we created novel stapled peptides that are intended to target hMcl-1 His 252 covalently. We describe the in vitro (biochemical, NMR, and X-ray) and cellular design and characterization of such agents. Our findings further suggest that the use of electrophiles to specifically target His residues is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Alboreggia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Kendall Muzzarelli
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Zahra Assar
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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2
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Faraji N, Daly NL, Arab SS, Khosroushahi AY. In silico design of potential Mcl-1 peptide-based inhibitors. J Mol Model 2024; 30:108. [PMID: 38499818 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-024-05901-8] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT BIM (Bcl-2 interacting mediator of apoptosis)-derived peptides that specifically target over-expressed Mcl-1 (myeloid cell leukemia-1) protein and induce apoptosis are potentially anti-cancer agents. Since the helicity of BIM-derived peptides has a crucial role in their functionality, a range of strategies have been used to increase the helicity including the introduction of unnatural residues and stapling methods that have some drawbacks such as the accumulation in the liver. To avoid these drawbacks, this study aimed to design a more helical peptide by utilizing bioinformatics algorithms and molecular dynamics simulations without exploiting unnatural residues and stapling methods. MM-PBSA results showed that the mutations of A4fE and A2eE in analogue 5 demonstrate a preference towards binding with Mcl-1. As evidenced by Circular dichroism results, the helicity increases from 18 to 34%, these findings could enhance the potential of analogue 5 as an anti-cancer agent targeting Mcl-1. The applied strategies in this research could shed light on the in silico peptide design. Moreover, analogue 5 as a drug candidate can be evaluated in vitro and in vivo studies. METHODS The sequence of the lead peptide was determined using the ApInAPDB database and PRALINE program. Contact finder and PDBsum web server softwares were used to determine the contact involved amino acids in complex with Mcl-1. All identified salt bridge contributing residues were unaltered to preserve the binding affinity. After proposing novel analogues, their secondary structures were predicted by Cham finder web server software and GOR, Neural Network, and Chou-Fasman algorithms. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations run for 100 ns were done using the GROMACS, version 5.0.7, with the CHARMM36 force field. MM-PBSA was used to assess binding affinity specificity in targeting Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL (B-cell lymphoma extra-large).
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Affiliation(s)
- Naser Faraji
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Street, Tabriz, Iran
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Norelle L Daly
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia
| | - Seyed Shahriar Arab
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Yari Khosroushahi
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Street, Tabriz, Iran.
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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3
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Hekking KFW, Maroto S, van Kekem K, Haasjes FS, Slootweg JC, Oude Alink PGB, Dirks R, Sardana M, Bolster MG, Kuijpers B, Smith D, Doodeman R, Scheepstra M, Zech B, Mulvihill M, Renzetti LM, Babiss L, Centrella PA, Clark MA, Cuozzo JW, Guié MA, Sigel E, Habeshian S, Hupp CD, Liu J, Thomson HA, Zhang Y, Keefe AD, Müller G, Gremmen S. Development of Potent Mcl-1 Inhibitors: Structural Investigations on Macrocycles Originating from a DNA-Encoded Chemical Library Screen. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3039-3065. [PMID: 38306405 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02206] [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: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Evasion of apoptosis is critical for the development and growth of tumors. The pro-survival protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) is an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, associated with tumor aggressiveness, poor survival, and drug resistance. Development of Mcl-1 inhibitors implies blocking of protein-protein interactions, generally requiring a lengthy optimization process of large, complex molecules. Herein, we describe the use of DNA-encoded chemical library synthesis and screening to directly generate complex, yet conformationally privileged macrocyclic hits that serve as Mcl-1 inhibitors. By applying a conceptual combination of conformational analysis and structure-based design in combination with a robust synthetic platform allowing rapid analoging, we optimized in vitro potency of a lead series into the low nanomolar regime. Additionally, we demonstrate fine-tuning of the physicochemical properties of the macrocyclic compounds, resulting in the identification of lead candidates 57/59 with a balanced profile, which are suitable for future development toward therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ron Dirks
- Symeres, 6546BB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Birgit Zech
- X-Rx, Inc., New York, New York 10016, United States
| | | | | | - Lee Babiss
- X-Rx, Inc., New York, New York 10016, United States
| | | | | | - John W Cuozzo
- X-Chem, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, United States
| | | | - Eric Sigel
- X-Chem, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, United States
| | | | | | - Julie Liu
- X-Chem, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, United States
| | | | - Ying Zhang
- X-Chem, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, United States
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4
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Li J, Tan YS, Verma CS. Dissecting the geometric and hydrophobic constraints of stapled peptides. Proteins 2024. [PMID: 38196284 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26662] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Stapled peptides are a promising class of molecules with potential as highly specific probes of protein-protein interactions and as therapeutics. Hydrocarbon stapling affects the peptide properties through the interplay of two factors: enhancing the overall hydrophobicity and constraining the conformational flexibility. By constructing a series of virtual peptides, we study the role of each factor in modulating the structural properties of a hydrocarbon-stapled peptide PM2, which has been shown to enter cells, engage its target Mouse Double Minute 2 (MDM2), and activate p53. Hamiltonian replica exchange molecular dynamics (HREMD) simulations suggest that hydrocarbon stapling favors helical populations of PM2 through a combination of the geometric constraints and the enhanced hydrophobicity of the peptide. To further understand the conformational landscape of the stapled peptides along the binding pathway, we performed HREMD simulations by restraining the peptide at different distances from MDM2. When the peptide approaches MDM2, the binding pocket undergoes dehydration which appears to be greater in the presence of the stapled peptide compared with the linear peptide. In the binding pocket, the helicity of the stapled peptide is increased due to the favorable interactions between the peptide residues as well as the staple and the microenvironment of the binding pocket, contributing to enhanced affinity. The dissection of the multifaceted mechanism of hydrocarbon stapling into individual factors not only deepens fundamental understanding of peptide stapling, but also provides guidelines for the design of new stapled peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Li
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yaw Sing Tan
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chandra S Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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5
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Wang H, Wang Z, Zhang Z, Liu J, Hong L. β-Sitosterol as a Promising Anticancer Agent for Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy: Mechanisms of Action and Future Prospects. Adv Nutr 2023; 14:1085-1110. [PMID: 37247842 PMCID: PMC10509430 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the primary causes of death worldwide, and its incidence continues to increase yearly. Despite significant advances in research, the search for effective and nontoxic preventive and therapeutic agents remains greatly important. Cancer is a multimodal disease, where various mechanisms play significant roles in its occurrence and progression. This highlights the need for multitargeted approaches that are not only safe and inexpensive but also provide effective alternatives for current therapeutic regimens. β-Sitosterol (SIT), the most abundant phytosterol found in various plant foods, represents such an option. Preclinical evidence over the past few decades has overwhelmingly shown that SIT exhibits multiple anticancer activities against varied cancers, such as liver, cervical, colon, stomach, breast, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, in addition to leukemia, multiple myeloma, melanoma, and fibrosarcoma. In this article, we present the latest advances and perspectives on SIT-systematically summarizing its antitumor mechanisms of action into 7 main sections and combining current challenges and prospects-for its use as a promising agent for cancer prevention and treatment. In particular, SIT plays a role in cancer prevention and treatment mainly by enhancing apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, bidirectionally regulating oxidative stress, improving metabolic reprogramming, inhibiting invasion and metastasis, modulating immunity and inflammation, and combating drug resistance. Although SIT holds such great promise, the poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability coupled with low targeting efficacy limit its therapeutic efficacy and clinical application. Further research on novel drug delivery systems may improve these deficiencies. Overall, through complex and pleiotropic mechanisms, SIT has good potential for tumor chemoprevention and chemotherapy. However, no clinical trials have yet proven this potential. This review provides theoretical basis and rationality for the further design and conduct of clinical trials to confirm the anticancer activity of SIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zihui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingchun Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Hong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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6
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Modi R, McKee N, Zhang N, Alwali A, Nelson S, Lohar A, Ostafe R, Zhang DD, Parkinson EI. Stapled Peptides as Direct Inhibitors of Nrf2-sMAF Transcription Factors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6184-6192. [PMID: 37097833 PMCID: PMC10184664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02037] [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: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid-related 2-factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor traditionally thought of as a cellular protector. However, in many cancers, Nrf2 is constitutively activated and correlated with therapeutic resistance. Nrf2 heterodimerizes with small musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma Maf (sMAF) transcription factors, allowing binding to the antioxidant responsive element (ARE) and induction of transcription of Nrf2 target genes. While transcription factors are historically challenging to target, stapled peptides have shown great promise for inhibiting these protein-protein interactions. Herein, we describe the first direct cell-permeable inhibitor of Nrf2/sMAF heterodimerization. N1S is a stapled peptide designed based on AlphaFold predictions of the interactions between Nrf2 and sMAF MafG. A cell-based reporter assay combined with in vitro biophysical assays demonstrates that N1S directly inhibits Nrf2/MafG heterodimerization. N1S treatment decreases the transcription of Nrf2-dependent genes and sensitizes Nrf2-dependent cancer cells to cisplatin. Overall, N1S is a promising lead for the sensitization of Nrf2-addicted cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Modi
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Nick McKee
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Amir Alwali
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Samantha Nelson
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Aditi Lohar
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Raluca Ostafe
- Molecular
Evolution Protein Engineering and Production, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Donna D. Zhang
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Elizabeth I. Parkinson
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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7
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Mukherjee AG, Wanjari UR, Gopalakrishnan AV, Bradu P, Biswas A, Ganesan R, Renu K, Dey A, Vellingiri B, El Allali A, Alsamman AM, Zayed H, George Priya Doss C. Evolving strategies and application of proteins and peptide therapeutics in cancer treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114832. [PMID: 37150032 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Several proteins and peptides have therapeutic potential and can be used for cancer therapy. By binding to cell surface receptors and other indicators uniquely linked with or overexpressed on tumors compared to healthy tissue, protein biologics enhance the active targeting of cancer cells, as opposed to the passive targeting of cells by conventional small-molecule chemotherapeutics. This study focuses on peptide medications that exist to slow or stop tumor growth and the spread of cancer, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of peptides in cancer treatment. As an alternative to standard chemotherapy, peptides that selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue are developing. A mountain of clinical evidence supports the efficacy of peptide-based cancer vaccines. Since a single treatment technique may not be sufficient to produce favourable results in the fight against cancer, combination therapy is emerging as an effective option to generate synergistic benefits. One example of this new area is the use of anticancer peptides in combination with nonpeptidic cytotoxic drugs or the combination of immunotherapy with conventional therapies like radiation and chemotherapy. This review focuses on the different natural and synthetic peptides obtained and researched. Discoveries, manufacture, and modifications of peptide drugs, as well as their contemporary applications, are summarized in this review. We also discuss the benefits and difficulties of potential advances in therapeutic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Goutam Mukherjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India.
| | - Pragya Bradu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Antara Biswas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Raja Ganesan
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, South Korea
| | - Kaviyarasi Renu
- Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077 Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, India
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Stem cell and Regenerative Medicine/Translational Research, Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab (CUPB), Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Achraf El Allali
- African Genome Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, Morocco.
| | - Alsamman M Alsamman
- Department of Genome Mapping, Molecular Genetics, and Genome Mapping Laboratory, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hatem Zayed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - C George Priya Doss
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of BioSciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
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8
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Romanov-Michailidis F, Hsiao CC, Urner LM, Jerhaoui S, Surkyn M, Miller B, Vos A, Dominguez Blanco M, Bueters R, Vinken P, Bekkers M, Walker D, Pietrak B, Eyckmans W, Dores-Sousa JL, Joo Koo S, Lento W, Bauser M, Philippar U, Rombouts FJR. Discovery of an Oral, Beyond-Rule-of-Five Mcl-1 Protein-Protein Interaction Modulator with the Potential of Treating Hematological Malignancies. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6122-6148. [PMID: 37114951 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Avoidance of apoptosis is critical for the development and sustained growth of tumors. The pro-survival protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) is an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins which is overexpressed in many cancers. Upregulation of Mcl-1 in human cancers is associated with high tumor grade, poor survival, and resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, pharmacological inhibition of Mcl-1 is regarded as an attractive approach to treating relapsed or refractory malignancies. Herein, we disclose the design, synthesis, optimization, and early preclinical evaluation of a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of Mcl-1. Our exploratory design tactics focused on structural modifications which improve the potency and physicochemical properties of the inhibitor while minimizing the risk of functional cardiotoxicity. Despite being in the "non-Lipinski" beyond-Rule-of-Five property space, the developed compound benefits from exquisite oral bioavailability in vivo and induces potent pharmacodynamic inhibition of Mcl-1 in a mouse xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chien-Chi Hsiao
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Lorenz M Urner
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Soufyan Jerhaoui
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Michel Surkyn
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bradley Miller
- Janssen Research & Development LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Ann Vos
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Ruud Bueters
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Petra Vinken
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Mariette Bekkers
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - David Walker
- Janssen Research & Development LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Beth Pietrak
- Janssen Research & Development LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Werner Eyckmans
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Seong Joo Koo
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - William Lento
- Janssen Research & Development LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Marcus Bauser
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ulrike Philippar
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
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9
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Case M, Navaratna T, Vinh J, Thurber G. Rapid Evaluation of Staple Placement in Stabilized α Helices Using Bacterial Surface Display. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:905-914. [PMID: 37039514 PMCID: PMC10773984 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
There are a wealth of proteins involved in disease that cannot be targeted by current therapeutics because they are inside cells, inaccessible to most macromolecules, and lack small-molecule binding pockets. Stapled peptides, where two amino acids are covalently linked, form a class of macrocycles that have the potential to penetrate cell membranes and disrupt intracellular protein-protein interactions. However, their discovery relies on solid-phase synthesis, greatly limiting queries into their complex design space involving amino acid sequence, staple location, and staple chemistry. Here, we use stabilized peptide engineering by Escherichia coli display (SPEED), which utilizes noncanonical amino acids and click chemistry for stabilization, to rapidly screen staple location and linker structure to accelerate peptide design. After using SPEED to confirm hotspots in the mdm2-p53 interaction, we evaluated different staple locations and staple chemistry to identify several novel nanomolar and sub-nanomolar antagonists. Next, we evaluated SPEED in the B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein family, which is responsible for regulating apoptosis. We report that novel staple locations modified in the context of BIM, a high affinity but nonspecific naturally occurring peptide, improve its specificity against the highly homologous proteins in the Bcl-2 family. These compounds demonstrate the importance of screening linker location and chemistry in identifying high affinity and specific peptide antagonists. Therefore, SPEED can be used as a versatile platform to evaluate multiple design criteria for stabilized peptide engineering.
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10
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Wang J, Liu X, Wang H, Qin L, Feng A, Qi D, Wang H, Zhao Y, Kong L, Wang H, Wang L, Hu Z, Xu X. JMJD1C Regulates Megakaryopoiesis in In Vitro Models through the Actin Network. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223660. [PMID: 36429088 PMCID: PMC9688414 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone demethylase JMJD1C is associated with human platelet counts. The JMJD1C knockout in zebrafish and mice leads to the ablation of megakaryocyte-erythroid lineage anemia. However, the specific expression, function, and mechanism of JMJD1C in megakaryopoiesis remain unknown. Here, we used cell line models, cord blood cells, and thrombocytopenia samples, to detect the JMJD1C expression. ShRNA of JMJD1C and a specific peptide agonist of JMJD1C, SAH-JZ3, were used to explore the JMJD1C function in the cell line models. The actin ratio in megakaryopoiesis for the JMJDC modulation was also measured. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the JMJD1C-interacting proteins. We first show the JMJD1C expression difference in the PMA-induced cell line models, the thrombopoietin (TPO)-induced megakaryocyte differentiation of the cord blood cells, and also the thrombocytopenia patients, compared to the normal controls. The ShRNA of JMJD1C and SAH-JZ3 showed different effects, which were consistent with the expression of JMJD1C in the cell line models. The effort to find the underlying mechanism of JMJD1C in megakaryopoiesis, led to the discovery that SAH-JZ3 decreases F-actin in K562 cells and increases F-actin in MEG-01 cells. We further performed mass spectrometry to identify the potential JMJD1C-interacting proteins and found that the important Ran GTPase interacts with JMJD1C. To sum up, JMJD1C probably regulates megakaryopoiesis by influencing the actin network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Wang
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Xiaodan Liu
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Haixia Wang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
| | - Lili Qin
- Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
| | - Anhua Feng
- Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
| | - Daoxin Qi
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
| | - Haihua Wang
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
| | - Yao Zhao
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
| | - Lihua Kong
- Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
| | - Lin Wang
- The School of Physics and Electronic Information, Weifang University, Weifang 261061, China
| | - Zhenbo Hu
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
- Correspondence: (Z.H.); (X.X.)
| | - Xin Xu
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
- Correspondence: (Z.H.); (X.X.)
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11
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Zaman R, Islam RA, Chowdhury EH. Evolving therapeutic proteins to precisely kill cancer cells. J Control Release 2022; 351:779-804. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.09.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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12
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Adak A, Das G, Gupta V, Khan J, Mukherjee N, Mondal P, Roy R, Barman S, Gharai PK, Ghosh S. Evolution of Potential Antimitotic Stapled Peptides from Multiple Helical Peptide Stretches of the Tubulin Heterodimer Interface: Helix-Mimicking Stapled Peptide Tubulin Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13866-13878. [PMID: 36240440 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions play a crucial role in microtubule dynamics. Microtubules are considered as a key target for the design and development of anticancer therapeutics, where inhibition of tubulin-tubulin interactions plays a crucial role. Here, we focused on a few key helical stretches at the interface of α,β-tubulin heterodimers and developed a structural mimic of these helical peptides, which can serve as potent inhibitors of microtubule polymerization. To induce helicity, we have made stapled analogues of these sequences. Thereafter, we modified the lead sequences of the antimitotic stapled peptides with halo derivatives. It is observed that halo-substituted stapled peptides follow an interesting trend for the electronegativity of halogen atoms in interaction patterns with tubulin and a correlation in the toxicity profile. Remarkably, we found that para-fluorophenylalanine-modified stapled peptide is the most potent inhibitors, which perturbs microtubule dynamics, induces apoptotic death, and inhibits the growth of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindyasundar Adak
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Gaurav Das
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Varsha Gupta
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Juhee Khan
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Nabanita Mukherjee
- Smart Healthcare Department, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 62, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342037, India
| | - Prasenjit Mondal
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Rajsekhar Roy
- Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 62, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342037, India
| | - Surajit Barman
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Prabir Kumar Gharai
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Surajit Ghosh
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India.,Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 62, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342037, India.,Smart Healthcare Department, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 62, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342037, India
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13
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Mayer G, Shpilt Z, Kowalski H, Tshuva EY, Friedler A. Targeting Protein Interaction Hotspots Using Structured and Disordered Chimeric Peptide Inhibitors. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:1811-1823. [PMID: 35758642 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The main challenge in inhibiting protein-protein interactions (PPI) for therapeutic purposes is designing molecules that bind specifically to the interaction hotspots. Adding to the complexity, such hotspots can be within both structured and disordered interaction interfaces. To address this, we present a strategy for inhibiting the structured and disordered hotspots of interactions using chimeric peptides that contain both structured and disordered parts. The chimeric peptides we developed are comprised of a cyclic structured part and a disordered part, which target both disordered and structured hotspots. We demonstrate our approach by developing peptide inhibitors for the interactions of the antiapoptotic iASPP protein. First, we developed a structured, α-helical stapled peptide inhibitor, derived from the N-terminal domain of MDM2. The peptide bound two hotspots on iASPP at the low micromolar range and had a cytotoxic effect on A2780 cancer cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 10 ± 1 μM. We then developed chimeric peptides comprising the structured stapled helical peptide and the disordered p53-derived LinkTer peptide that we previously showed to inhibit iASPP by targeting its disordered RT loop. The chimeric peptide targeted both structured and disordered domains in iASPP with higher affinity compared to the individual structured and disordered peptides and caused cancer cell death. Our strategy overcomes the inherent difficulty in inhibiting the interactions of proteins that possess structured and disordered regions. It does so by using chimeric peptides derived from different interaction partners that together target a much wider interface covering both the structured and disordered domains. This paves the way for developing such inhibitors for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Mayer
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Zohar Shpilt
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Hadar Kowalski
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Edit Y Tshuva
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Assaf Friedler
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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14
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Tian Y, Tirrell MV, LaBelle JL. Harnessing the Therapeutic Potential of Biomacromolecules through Intracellular Delivery of Nucleic Acids, Peptides, and Proteins. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102600. [PMID: 35285167 PMCID: PMC9232950 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Biomacromolecules have long been at the leading edge of academic and pharmaceutical drug development and clinical translation. With the clinical advances of new therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies and nucleic acids, the array of medical applications of biomacromolecules has broadened considerably. A major on-going effort is to expand therapeutic targets within intracellular locations. Owing to their large sizes, abundant charges, and hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, advanced delivery technologies are required to deliver biomacromolecules effectively inside cells. In this review, strategies used for the intracellular delivery of three major forms of biomacromolecules: nucleic acids, proteins, and peptides, are highlighted. An emphasis is placed on synthetic delivery approaches and the major hurdles needed to be overcome for their ultimate clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tian
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, 5640 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Matthew V Tirrell
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, 5640 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - James L LaBelle
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, 900 E 57th St, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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15
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Buyanova M, Pei D. Targeting intracellular protein-protein interactions with macrocyclic peptides. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:234-248. [PMID: 34911657 PMCID: PMC8840965 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are challenging targets for traditional drug modalities. Macrocyclic peptides (MPs) prove highly effective PPI inhibitors in vitro and can be rapidly discovered against PPI targets by rational design or screening combinatorial libraries but are generally impermeable to the cell membrane. Recent advances in MP science and technology are allowing for the development of 'drug-like' MPs that potently and specifically modulate intracellular PPI targets in cell culture and animal models. In this review, we highlight recent progress in generating cell-permeable MPs that enter the mammalian cell by passive diffusion, endocytosis followed by endosomal escape, or as-yet unknown mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Buyanova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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16
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Lee EF, Fairlie WD. Discovery, development and application of drugs targeting BCL-2 pro-survival proteins in cancer. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2381-2395. [PMID: 34515749 PMCID: PMC8589430 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of a new class of small molecule compounds that target the BCL-2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins is one of the great success stories of basic science leading to translational outcomes in the last 30 years. The eponymous BCL-2 protein was identified over 30 years ago due to its association with cancer. However, it was the unveiling of the biochemistry and structural biology behind it and its close relatives' mechanism(s)-of-action that provided the inspiration for what are now known as 'BH3-mimetics', the first clinically approved drugs designed to specifically inhibit protein-protein interactions. Herein, we chart the history of how these drugs were discovered, their evolution and application in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erinna F. Lee
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
- Cell Death and Survival Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - W. Douglas Fairlie
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
- Cell Death and Survival Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
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17
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Mann-Nüttel R, Ali S, Petzsch P, Köhrer K, Alferink J, Scheu S. The transcription factor reservoir and chromatin landscape in activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells. BMC Genom Data 2021; 22:37. [PMID: 34544361 PMCID: PMC8454182 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-021-00991-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcription factors (TFs) control gene expression by direct binding to regulatory regions of target genes but also by impacting chromatin landscapes and modulating DNA accessibility for other TFs. In recent years several TFs have been defined that control cell fate decisions and effector functions in the immune system. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are an immune cell type with the unique capacity to produce high amounts of type I interferons quickly in response to contact with viral components. Hereby, this cell type is involved in anti-infectious immune responses but also in the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. To date, the global TF reservoir in pDCs early after activation remains to be fully characterized. Results To fill this gap, we have performed a comprehensive analysis in naïve versus TLR9-activated murine pDCs in a time course study covering early timepoints after stimulation (2 h, 6 h, 12 h) integrating gene expression (RNA-Seq) and chromatin landscape (ATAC-Seq) studies. To unravel the biological processes underlying the changes in TF expression on a global scale gene ontology (GO) analyses were performed. We found that 70% of all genes annotated as TFs in the mouse genome (1014 out of 1636) are expressed in pDCs for at least one stimulation time point and are covering a wide range of TF classes defined by their specific DNA binding mechanisms. GO analysis revealed involvement of TLR9-induced TFs in epigenetic modulation, NFκB and JAK-STAT signaling, and protein production in the endoplasmic reticulum. pDC activation predominantly “turned on” the chromatin regions associated with TF genes. Our in silico analyses pointed at the AP-1 family of TFs as less noticed but possibly important players in these cells after activation. AP-1 family members exhibit (1) increased gene expression, (2) enhanced chromatin accessibility in their promoter region, and (3) a TF DNA binding motif that is globally enriched in genomic regions that were found more accessible in pDCs after TLR9 activation. Conclusions In this study we define the complete set of TLR9-regulated TFs in pDCs. Further, this study identifies the AP-1 family of TFs as potentially important but so far less well characterized regulators of pDC function. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12863-021-00991-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Mann-Nüttel
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Shafaqat Ali
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre, Münster, Germany.,Department of Mental Health, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Patrick Petzsch
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karl Köhrer
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Judith Alferink
- Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre, Münster, Germany.,Department of Mental Health, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefanie Scheu
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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18
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Li C, Zhao N, An L, Dai Z, Chen X, Yang F, You Q, Di B, Hu C, Xu L. Apoptosis-inducing activity of synthetic hydrocarbon-stapled peptides in H358 cancer cells expressing KRAS G12C. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:2670-2684. [PMID: 34589388 PMCID: PMC8463269 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancers are the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and pose a grave threat to human life and health. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most frequent malignancy occupying 80% of all lung cancer subtypes. Except for other mutations (e.g., KRASG12V/D) that are also vital for the occurrence, KRASG12C gene mutation is a significant driving force of NSCLC, with a prevalence of approximately 14% of all NSCLC patients. However, there are only a few therapeutic drugs targeting KRASG12C mutations currently. Here, we synthesized hydrocarbon-stapled peptide 3 that was much shorter and more stable with modest KRASG12C binding affinity and the same anti-tumor effect based on the α-helical peptide mimic SAH-SOS1A. The stapled peptide 3 effectively induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis, inhibiting cell growth in KRAS-mutated lung cancer cells via disrupting the KRAS-mediated RAF/MEK/ERK signaling, which was verified from the perspective of genomics and proteomics. Peptide 3 also exhibited strong anti-trypsin and anti-chymotrypsin abilities, as well as good plasma stability and human liver microsomal metabolic stability. Overall, peptide 3 retains the equivalent anti-tumor activity of SAH-SOS1A but with improved stability and affinity, superior to SAH-SOS1A. Our work offers a structural optimization approach of KRASG12C peptide inhibitors for cancer therapy.
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19
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Surman DR, Xu Y, Lee MJ, Trepel J, Brown K, Ramineni M, Splawn TG, Diggs LP, Hodges HC, Davis JL, Lee HS, Burt BM, Ripley RT. Therapeutic Synergy in Esophageal Cancer and Mesothelioma Is Predicted by Dynamic BH3 Profiling. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1469-1480. [PMID: 34088830 PMCID: PMC8338890 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 20,000 patients per year are diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM); fewer than 20% survive 5 years. Effective therapeutic strategies are limited although patients receive a combination of chemotherapeutics. These tumors harbor thousands of mutations that contribute to tumor development. Downstream of oncogenic driving mutations, altered tumor mitochondria promote resistance to apoptosis. Dynamic Bcl-2 homology-3 profiling (DBP) is a functional assay of live cells that identifies the mitochondrial proteins responsible for resistance to apoptosis. We hypothesized that DBP will predict which protein to target to overcome resistance thereby enhancing combinatorial therapy.DBP predicted that targeting either Mcl-1 or Bcl-xL increases the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin, whereas targeting Bcl-2 does not. We performed these assays by treating EAC and MPM cells with a combination of Bcl-2 homology-3 (BH3) mimetics and cisplatin. Following treatments, we performed efficacy assessments including apoptosis assays, IC50 calculations, and generation of a combinatorial index. DBP confirmed that targeting mitochondria with BH3 mimetics alters the threshold of apoptosis. These apoptotic effects were abolished when the mitochondrial pathway was disrupted. We validated our findings by developing knockdown models of antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1, Bcl-xL, and the mitochondrial effector proteins Bax/Bak. Knockdown of Mcl-1 or Bcl-xL recapitulated the results of BH3 mimetics. In addition, we report an approach for BH3 profiling directly from patient tumor samples. We demonstrate that the DBP assay on living tumor cells measures the dynamic changes of resistance mechanisms, assesses response to combinatorial therapy, and provides results in a clinically feasible time frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah R Surman
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of General Thoracic Surgery and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Baylor, College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- NCI, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yuan Xu
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of General Thoracic Surgery and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Baylor, College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- NCI, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Min-Jung Lee
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jane Trepel
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kate Brown
- NCI, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maheshwari Ramineni
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Taylor G Splawn
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of General Thoracic Surgery and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Baylor, College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - H Courtney Hodges
- Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeremy L Davis
- NCI, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hyun-Sung Lee
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of General Thoracic Surgery and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Baylor, College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Bryan M Burt
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of General Thoracic Surgery and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Baylor, College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Robert Taylor Ripley
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of General Thoracic Surgery and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Baylor, College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
- NCI, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
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20
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Morande PE, Yan XJ, Sepulveda J, Seija N, Marquez ME, Sotelo N, Abreu C, Crispo M, Fernández-Graña G, Rego N, Bois T, Methot SP, Palacios F, Remedi V, Rai KR, Buschiazzo A, Di Noia JM, Navarrete MA, Chiorazzi N, Oppezzo P. AID overexpression leads to aggressive murine CLL and nonimmunoglobulin mutations that mirror human neoplasms. Blood 2021; 138:246-258. [PMID: 34292322 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020008654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Most cancers become more dangerous by the outgrowth of malignant subclones with additional DNA mutations that favor proliferation or survival. Using chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a disease that exemplifies this process and is a model for neoplasms in general, we created transgenic mice overexpressing the enzyme activation-induced deaminase (AID), which has a normal function of inducing DNA mutations in B lymphocytes. AID not only allows normal B lymphocytes to develop more effective immunoglobulin-mediated immunity, but is also able to mutate nonimmunoglobulin genes, predisposing to cancer. In CLL, AID expression correlates with poor prognosis, suggesting a role for this enzyme in disease progression. Nevertheless, direct experimental evidence identifying the specific genes that are mutated by AID and indicating that those genes are associated with disease progression is not available. To address this point, we overexpressed Aicda in a murine model of CLL (Eμ-TCL1). Analyses of TCL1/AID mice demonstrate a role for AID in disease kinetics, CLL cell proliferation, and the development of cancer-related target mutations with canonical AID signatures in nonimmunoglobulin genes. Notably, our mouse models can accumulate mutations in the same genes that are mutated in human cancers. Moreover, some of these mutations occur at homologous positions, leading to identical or chemically similar amino acid substitutions as in human CLL and lymphoma. Together, these findings support a direct link between aberrant AID activity and CLL driver mutations that are then selected for their oncogenic effects, whereby AID promotes aggressiveness in CLL and other B-cell neoplasms.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cytidine Deaminase/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Mutation
- Up-Regulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Elías Morande
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX-CONICET), Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Tumor-Stroma Interactions, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Xiao-Jie Yan
- The Karches Center for Oncology Research, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY
| | - Julieta Sepulveda
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Centro Asistencial Docente e Investigación de la Universidad de Magallanes (CADI-UMAG), School of Medicine, University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Noé Seija
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Elena Marquez
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Natalia Sotelo
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Abreu
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | | | - Natalia Rego
- Bioinformatics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Therence Bois
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Stephen P Methot
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Florencia Palacios
- The Karches Center for Oncology Research, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY
| | - Victoria Remedi
- Hospital Maciel, Administración de los Servicios de Salud del Estado (ASSE), Ministerio de Salud, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Kanti R Rai
- The Karches Center for Oncology Research, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY
| | - Alejandro Buschiazzo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; and
- Integrative Microbiology of Zoonotic Agents-International Joint Unit, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Javier M Di Noia
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marcelo A Navarrete
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Centro Asistencial Docente e Investigación de la Universidad de Magallanes (CADI-UMAG), School of Medicine, University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Nicholas Chiorazzi
- The Karches Center for Oncology Research, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY
| | - Pablo Oppezzo
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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21
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Wang H, Dawber RS, Zhang P, Walko M, Wilson AJ, Wang X. Peptide-based inhibitors of protein-protein interactions: biophysical, structural and cellular consequences of introducing a constraint. Chem Sci 2021; 12:5977-5993. [PMID: 33995995 PMCID: PMC8098664 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00165e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are implicated in the majority of cellular processes by enabling and regulating the function of individual proteins. Thus, PPIs represent high-value, but challenging targets for therapeutic intervention. The development of constrained peptides represents an emerging strategy to generate peptide-based PPI inhibitors, typically mediated by α-helices. The approach can confer significant benefits including enhanced affinity, stability and cellular penetration and is ingrained in the premise that pre-organization simultaneously pays the entropic cost of binding, prevents a peptide from adopting a protease compliant β-strand conformation and shields the hydrophilic amides from the hydrophobic membrane. This conceptual blueprint for the empirical design of peptide-based PPI inhibitors is an exciting and potentially lucrative way to effect successful PPI inhibitor drug-discovery. However, a plethora of more subtle effects may arise from the introduction of a constraint that include changes to binding dynamics, the mode of recognition and molecular properties. In this review, we summarise the influence of inserting constraints on biophysical, conformational, structural and cellular behaviour across a range of constraining chemistries and targets, to highlight the tremendous success that has been achieved with constrained peptides alongside emerging design opportunities and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongshuang Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences 5625 Renmin St. Changchun 130022 Jilin China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 Jiangsu China
| | - Robert S Dawber
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Peiyu Zhang
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Martin Walko
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Andrew J Wilson
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences 5625 Renmin St. Changchun 130022 Jilin China
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
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22
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Pannecoucke E, Van Trimpont M, Desmet J, Pieters T, Reunes L, Demoen L, Vuylsteke M, Loverix S, Vandenbroucke K, Alard P, Henderikx P, Deroo S, Baatz F, Lorent E, Thiolloy S, Somers K, McGrath Y, Van Vlierberghe P, Lasters I, Savvides SN. Cell-penetrating Alphabody protein scaffolds for intracellular drug targeting. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/13/eabe1682. [PMID: 33771865 PMCID: PMC7997521 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe1682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic scope of antibody and nonantibody protein scaffolds is still prohibitively limited against intracellular drug targets. Here, we demonstrate that the Alphabody scaffold can be engineered into a cell-penetrating protein antagonist against induced myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein MCL-1, an intracellular target in cancer, by grafting the critical B-cell lymphoma 2 homology 3 helix of MCL-1 onto the Alphabody and tagging the scaffold's termini with designed cell-penetration polypeptides. Introduction of an albumin-binding moiety extended the serum half-life of the engineered Alphabody to therapeutically relevant levels, and administration thereof in mouse tumor xenografts based on myeloma cell lines reduced tumor burden. Crystal structures of such a designed Alphabody in complex with MCL-1 and serum albumin provided the structural blueprint of the applied design principles. Collectively, we provide proof of concept for the use of Alphabodies against intracellular disease mediators, which, to date, have remained in the realm of small-molecule therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin Pannecoucke
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maaike Van Trimpont
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Tim Pieters
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lindy Reunes
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Demoen
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Savvas N Savvides
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Lindsey‐Crosthwait A, Rodriguez‐Lema D, Walko M, Pask CM, Wilson AJ. Structural optimization of reversible dibromomaleimide peptide stapling. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2021; 113:e24157. [PMID: 34938942 PMCID: PMC8650577 DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Methods to constrain peptides in a bioactive α-helical conformation for inhibition of protein-protein interactions represent an ongoing area of investigation in chemical biology. Recently, the first example of a reversible "stapling" methodology was described which exploits native cysteine or homocysteine residues spaced at the i and i + 4 positions in a peptide sequence together with the thiol selective reactivity of dibromomaleimides (a previous study). This manuscript reports on the optimization of the maleimide based constraint, focusing on the kinetics of macrocyclization and the extent to which helicity is promoted with different thiol containing amino acids. The study identified an optimal stapling combination of X 1 = L-Cys and X 5 = L-hCys in the context of the model peptide Ac-X1AAAX5-NH2, which should prove useful in implementing the dibromomaleimide stapling strategy in peptidomimetic ligand discovery programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayanna Lindsey‐Crosthwait
- School of Chemistry, University of LeedsLeedsUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Diana Rodriguez‐Lema
- School of Chemistry, University of LeedsLeedsUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Martin Walko
- School of Chemistry, University of LeedsLeedsUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of LeedsLeedsUK
| | | | - Andrew J. Wilson
- School of Chemistry, University of LeedsLeedsUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of LeedsLeedsUK
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24
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Reddy CN, Manzar N, Ateeq B, Sankararamakrishnan R. Computational Design of BH3-Mimetic Peptide Inhibitors That Can Bind Specifically to Mcl-1 or Bcl-X L: Role of Non-Hot Spot Residues. Biochemistry 2020; 59:4379-4394. [PMID: 33146015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins decide the fate of the cell. The BH3 domain of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins interacts with the exposed hydrophobic groove of their anti-apoptotic counterparts. Through their design and development, BH3 mimetics that target the hydrophobic groove of specific anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins have the potential to become anticancer drugs. We have developed a novel computational method for designing sequences with BH3 domain features that can bind specifically to anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 or Bcl-XL. In this method, we retained the four highly conserved hydrophobic and aspartic residues of wild-type BH3 sequences and randomly substituted all other positions to generate a large number of BH3-like sequences. We modeled 20000 complex structures with Mcl-1 or Bcl-XL using the BH3-like sequences derived from five wild-type pro-apoptotic BH3 peptides. Peptide-protein interaction energies calculated from these models for each set of BH3-like sequences resulted in negatively skewed extreme value distributions. The selected BH3-like sequences from the extreme negative tail regions have highly favorable interaction energies with Mcl-1 or Bcl-XL. They are enriched in acidic and basic residues when they bind to Mcl-1 and Bcl-XL, respectively. With the charged residues often away from the binding interface, the overall electric field generated by the charged residues results in strong long-range electrostatic interaction energies between the peptide and the protein giving rise to high specificity. Cell viability studies of representative BH3-like peptides further validated the predicted specificity. This study has revealed the importance of non-hot spot residues in BH3-mimetic peptides in providing specificity to a particular anti-apoptotic protein.
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25
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Bluntzer MTJ, O'Connell J, Baker TS, Michel J, Hulme AN. Designing stapled peptides to inhibit
protein‐protein
interactions: An analysis of successes in a rapidly changing field. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Julien Michel
- EaStChem School of Chemistry The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | - Alison N. Hulme
- EaStChem School of Chemistry The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
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26
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Polypeptides derived from α-Synuclein binding partners to prevent α-Synuclein fibrils interaction with and take-up by cells. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237328. [PMID: 32790707 PMCID: PMC7425896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αSyn) fibrils spread from one neuronal cell to another. This prion-like phenomenon is believed to contribute to the progression of the pathology in Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies. The binding of αSyn fibrils originating from affected cells to the plasma membrane of naïve cells is key in their prion-like propagation propensity. To interfere with this process, we designed polypeptides derived from proteins we previously showed to interact with αSyn fibrils, namely the molecular chaperone Hsc70 and the sodium/potassium pump NaK-ATPase and assessed their capacity to bind αSyn fibrils and/or interfere with their take-up by cells of neuronal origin. We demonstrate here that polypeptides that coat αSyn fibrils surfaces in such a way that they are changed affect αSyn fibrils binding to the plasma membrane components and/or their take-up by cells. Altogether our observations suggest that the rationale design of αSyn fibrils polypeptide binders that interfere with their propagation between neuronal cells holds therapeutic potential.
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27
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Abstract
For over three decades, a mainstay and goal of clinical oncology has been the development of therapies promoting the effective elimination of cancer cells by apoptosis. This programmed cell death process is mediated by several signalling pathways (referred to as intrinsic and extrinsic) triggered by multiple factors, including cellular stress, DNA damage and immune surveillance. The interaction of apoptosis pathways with other signalling mechanisms can also affect cell death. The clinical translation of effective pro-apoptotic agents involves drug discovery studies (addressing the bioavailability, stability, tumour penetration, toxicity profile in non-malignant tissues, drug interactions and off-target effects) as well as an understanding of tumour biology (including heterogeneity and evolution of resistant clones). While tumour cell death can result in response to therapy, the selection, growth and dissemination of resistant cells can ultimately be fatal. In this Review, we present the main apoptosis pathways and other signalling pathways that interact with them, and discuss actionable molecular targets, therapeutic agents in clinical translation and known mechanisms of resistance to these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wafik S El-Deiry
- The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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28
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Bird GH, Fu A, Escudero S, Godes M, Opoku-Nsiah K, Wales TE, Cameron MD, Engen JR, Danial NN, Walensky LD. Hydrocarbon-Stitched Peptide Agonists of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:1340-1348. [PMID: 32348108 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a natural peptide agonist of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) found on pancreatic β-cells. Engagement of the receptor stimulates insulin release in a glucose-dependent fashion and increases β-cell mass, two ideal features for pharmacologic management of type 2 diabetes. Thus, intensive efforts have focused on developing GLP-1-based peptide agonists of GLP-1R for therapeutic application. A primary challenge has been the naturally short half-life of GLP-1 due to its rapid proteolytic degradation in vivo. Whereas mutagenesis and lipidation strategies have yielded clinical agents, we developed an alternative approach to preserving the structure and function of GLP-1 by all-hydrocarbon i, i + 7 stitching. This particular "stitch" is especially well-suited for reinforcing and protecting the structural fidelity of GLP-1. Lead constructs demonstrate striking proteolytic stability and potent biological activity in vivo. Thus, we report a facile approach to generating alternative GLP-1R agonists for glycemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory H. Bird
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Accalia Fu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Silvia Escudero
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Marina Godes
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Kwadwo Opoku-Nsiah
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Thomas E. Wales
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Michael D. Cameron
- DMPK Core, Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - John R. Engen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nika N. Danial
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Loren D. Walensky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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29
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Hetherington K, Hegedus Z, Edwards TA, Sessions RB, Nelson A, Wilson AJ. Stapled Peptides as HIF-1α/p300 Inhibitors: Helicity Enhancement in the Bound State Increases Inhibitory Potency. Chemistry 2020; 26:7638-7646. [PMID: 32307728 PMCID: PMC7318359 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202000417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) control virtually all cellular processes and have thus emerged as potential targets for development of molecular therapeutics. Peptide-based inhibitors of PPIs are attractive given that they offer recognition potency and selectivity features that are ideal for function, yet, they do not predominantly populate the bioactive conformation, frequently suffer from poor cellular uptake and are easily degraded, for example, by proteases. The constraint of peptides in a bioactive conformation has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate against these liabilities. In this work, using peptides derived from hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) together with dibromomaleimide stapling, we identify constrained peptide inhibitors of the HIF-1α/p300 interaction that are more potent than their unconstrained sequences. Contrary to expectation, the increased potency does not correlate with an increased population of an α-helical conformation in the unbound state as demonstrated by experimental circular dichroism analysis. Rather, the ability of the peptide to adopt a bioactive α-helical conformation in the p300 bound state is better supported in the constrained variant as demonstrated by molecular dynamics simulations and circular dichroism difference spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Hetherington
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Zsofia Hegedus
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Thomas A. Edwards
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Richard B. Sessions
- School of BiochemistryUniversity of BristolMedical Sciences Building, University WalkBristolBS8 1TDUK
- BrisSynBioUniversity of Bristol, Life Sciences BuildingTyndall AvenueBristolBS8 1TQUK
| | - Adam Nelson
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Andrew J. Wilson
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
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30
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Kannan S, Aronica PGA, Ng S, Gek Lian DT, Frosi Y, Chee S, Shimin J, Yuen TY, Sadruddin A, Kaan HYK, Chandramohan A, Wong JH, Tan YS, Chang ZW, Ferrer-Gago FJ, Arumugam P, Han Y, Chen S, Rénia L, Brown CJ, Johannes CW, Henry B, Lane DP, Sawyer TK, Verma CS, Partridge AW. Macrocyclization of an all-d linear α-helical peptide imparts cellular permeability. Chem Sci 2020; 11:5577-5591. [PMID: 32874502 PMCID: PMC7441689 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc06383h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based molecules hold great potential as targeted inhibitors of intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Indeed, the vast diversity of chemical space conferred through their primary, secondary and tertiary structures allows these molecules to be applied to targets that are typically deemed intractable via small molecules. However, the development of peptide therapeutics has been hindered by their limited conformational stability, proteolytic sensitivity and cell permeability. Several contemporary peptide design strategies are aimed at addressing these issues. Strategic macrocyclization through optimally placed chemical braces such as olefinic hydrocarbon crosslinks, commonly referred to as staples, may improve peptide properties by (i) restricting conformational freedom to improve target affinities, (ii) improving proteolytic resistance, and (iii) enhancing cell permeability. As a second strategy, molecules constructed entirely from d-amino acids are hyper-resistant to proteolytic cleavage, but generally lack conformational stability and membrane permeability. Since neither approach is a complete solution, we have combined these strategies to identify the first examples of all-d α-helical stapled and stitched peptides. As a template, we used a recently reported all d-linear peptide that is a potent inhibitor of the p53-Mdm2 interaction, but is devoid of cellular activity. To design both stapled and stitched all-d-peptide analogues, we used computational modelling to predict optimal staple placement. The resultant novel macrocyclic all d-peptide was determined to exhibit increased α-helicity, improved target binding, complete proteolytic stability and, most notably, cellular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasaraghavan Kannan
- Bioinformatics Institute , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix , Singapore 138671 , Singapore . ; ; ; Tel: +65 6478 8353 ; Tel: +65 6478 8273
| | - Pietro G A Aronica
- Bioinformatics Institute , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix , Singapore 138671 , Singapore . ; ; ; Tel: +65 6478 8353 ; Tel: +65 6478 8273
| | - Simon Ng
- p53 Laboratory , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #06-04/05, Neuros/Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Dawn Thean Gek Lian
- p53 Laboratory , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #06-04/05, Neuros/Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Yuri Frosi
- p53 Laboratory , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #06-04/05, Neuros/Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Sharon Chee
- p53 Laboratory , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #06-04/05, Neuros/Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Jiang Shimin
- p53 Laboratory , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #06-04/05, Neuros/Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Tsz Ying Yuen
- Institute of Chemical & Engineering Science , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8 Biomedical Grove, #07, Neuros Building , Singapore 138665
| | - Ahmad Sadruddin
- MSD International , Translation Medicine Research Centre , 8 Biomedical Grove, #04-01/05 Neuros Building , Singapore , 138665 , Singapore .
| | - Hung Yi Kristal Kaan
- MSD International , Translation Medicine Research Centre , 8 Biomedical Grove, #04-01/05 Neuros Building , Singapore , 138665 , Singapore .
| | - Arun Chandramohan
- MSD International , Translation Medicine Research Centre , 8 Biomedical Grove, #04-01/05 Neuros Building , Singapore , 138665 , Singapore .
| | - Jin Huei Wong
- Bioinformatics Institute , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix , Singapore 138671 , Singapore . ; ; ; Tel: +65 6478 8353 ; Tel: +65 6478 8273
| | - Yaw Sing Tan
- Bioinformatics Institute , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix , Singapore 138671 , Singapore . ; ; ; Tel: +65 6478 8353 ; Tel: +65 6478 8273
| | - Zi Wei Chang
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #03-06, Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Fernando J Ferrer-Gago
- p53 Laboratory , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #06-04/05, Neuros/Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Prakash Arumugam
- Bioinformatics Institute , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix , Singapore 138671 , Singapore . ; ; ; Tel: +65 6478 8353 ; Tel: +65 6478 8273
| | - Yi Han
- Merck & Co., Inc. , Kenilworth , New Jersey , USA
| | - Shiying Chen
- Merck & Co., Inc. , Kenilworth , New Jersey , USA
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #03-06, Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Christopher J Brown
- p53 Laboratory , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #06-04/05, Neuros/Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | - Charles W Johannes
- Institute of Chemical & Engineering Science , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8 Biomedical Grove, #07, Neuros Building , Singapore 138665
| | - Brian Henry
- MSD International , Translation Medicine Research Centre , 8 Biomedical Grove, #04-01/05 Neuros Building , Singapore , 138665 , Singapore .
| | - David P Lane
- p53 Laboratory , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 8A Biomedical Grove, #06-04/05, Neuros/Immunos , Singapore 138648
| | | | - Chandra S Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) , 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix , Singapore 138671 , Singapore . ; ; ; Tel: +65 6478 8353 ; Tel: +65 6478 8273
- School of Biological Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 60 Nanyang Drive , Singapore 637551
- Department of Biological Sciences , National University of Singapore , 14 Science Drive 4 , Singapore 117543
| | - Anthony W Partridge
- MSD International , Translation Medicine Research Centre , 8 Biomedical Grove, #04-01/05 Neuros Building , Singapore , 138665 , Singapore .
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31
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Marimuthu P, Razzokov J, Eshonqulov G. Disruption of conserved polar interactions causes a sequential release of Bim mutants from the canonical binding groove of Mcl1. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 158:364-374. [PMID: 32376253 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mcl1 is an important anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl2 family proteins that are upregulated in several cancer malignancies. The canonical binding groove (CBG) located at the surface of Mcl1 exhibits a critical role in binding partners selectively via the BH3-domain of pro-apoptotic Bcl2 family members that trigger the downregulation of Mcl1 function. There are several crystal structures of point-mutated pro-apoptotic Bim peptides in complex with Mcl1. However, the mechanistic effects of such point-mutations towards peptide binding and complex stability still remain unexplored. Here, the effects of the reported point mutations in Bim peptides and their binding mechanisms to Mcl1 were computationally evaluated using atomistic-level steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations. A range of external-forces and constant-velocities were applied to the Bim peptides to uncover the mechanistic basis of peptide dissociation from the CBG of Mcl1. Although the peptides showed similarities in their dissociation pathways, the peak rupture forces varied significantly. According to simulations results, the disruption of the conserved polar contacts at the complex interface causes a sequential release of the peptides from the CBG of Mcl1. Overall, the results obtained from the current study may provide valuable insights for the development of novel anti-cancer peptide-inhibitors that can downregulate Mcl1's function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parthiban Marimuthu
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory (SBL), Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
| | - Jamoliddin Razzokov
- Research Group PLASMANT, Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gofur Eshonqulov
- Department of Physics, National University of Uzbekistan, 100174 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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32
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Crook ZR, Nairn NW, Olson JM. Miniproteins as a Powerful Modality in Drug Development. Trends Biochem Sci 2020; 45:332-346. [PMID: 32014389 PMCID: PMC7197703 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2019.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Miniproteins are a diverse group of protein scaffolds characterized by small (1-10 kDa) size, stability, and versatility in drug-like roles. Coming largely from native sources, they have been widely adopted into drug development pipelines. While their structures and capabilities are diverse, the approaches to their utilization share more similarities with each other than with more widely used modalities (e.g., antibodies or small molecules). In this review, we highlight recent advances in miniprotein-based approaches to otherwise poorly addressed clinical needs, including structure-based and functional characterization. We also summarize their unique screening strategies and pharmacology considerations. Through a greater understanding of the unique properties that make them attractive for drug design, miniproteins can be effectively utilized against targets that are intractable by other approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R Crook
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N., Room D4-100, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Natalie W Nairn
- Blaze Bioscience, Inc, 530 Fairview Ave N., Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - James M Olson
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N., Room D4-100, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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Pervushin NV, Senichkin VV, Zhivotovsky B, Kopeina GS. Mcl-1 as a "barrier" in cancer treatment: Can we target it now? INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 351:23-55. [PMID: 32247581 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During the last two decades, the study of Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, attracted researchers due to its important role in cancer cell survival and tumor development. The significance of Mcl-1 protein in resistance to chemotherapeutics makes it an attractive target in cancer therapy. Here, we discuss the diverse possibilities for indirect Mcl-1 inhibition through its downregulation, for example, via targeting for proteasomal degradation or blockage of translation and transcription. We also provide an overview of the direct blocking of protein-protein interactions with pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, including examples of the most promising regulators of Mcl-1 and selective BH3-mimetics, which at present are under clinical evaluation. Moreover, several approaches for the co-targeting of Mcl-1 and other proteins (e.g., CDKs) are also presented. In addition, we highlight the broad spectrum of problems that accompanied the discovery and development of effective Mcl-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Boris Zhivotovsky
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Gelina S Kopeina
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
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Navaratna T, Atangcho L, Mahajan M, Subramanian V, Case M, Min A, Tresnak D, Thurber GM. Directed Evolution Using Stabilized Bacterial Peptide Display. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:1882-1894. [PMID: 31880439 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b10716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chemically stabilized peptides have attracted intense interest by academics and pharmaceutical companies due to their potential to hit currently "undruggable" targets. However, engineering an optimal sequence, stabilizing linker location, and physicochemical properties is a slow and arduous process. By pairing non-natural amino acid incorporation and cell surface click chemistry in bacteria with high-throughput sorting, we developed a method to quantitatively select high affinity ligands and applied the Stabilized Peptide Evolution by E. coli Display technique to develop disrupters of the therapeutically relevant MDM2-p53 interface. Through in situ stabilization on the bacterial surface, we demonstrate rapid isolation of stabilized peptides with improved affinity and novel structures. Several peptides evolved a second loop including one sequence (Kd = 1.8 nM) containing an i, i+4 disulfide bond. NMR structural determination indicated a bent helix in solution and bound to MDM2. The bicyclic peptide had improved protease stability, and we demonstrated that protease resistance could be measured both on the bacterial surface and in solution, enabling the method to test and/or screen for additional drug-like properties critical for biologically active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejas Navaratna
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Lydia Atangcho
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Mukesh Mahajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | | | - Marshall Case
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Andrew Min
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Daniel Tresnak
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Greg M Thurber
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
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35
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Yue H, Huang R, Shan Y, Xing D. Delivery of Cas13a/crRNA by self-degradable black phosphorus nanosheets to specifically inhibit Mcl-1 for breast cancer therapy. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:11096-11106. [DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01914c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The constructed Cas13a/crRNA complex is delivered into cytoplasm by PBP via endocytosis, followed by endosomal escape based on biodegradation of the PBP, and efficiently knocked down Mcl-1 at transcriptional level for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huahua Yue
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science
- College of Biophotonics
- South China Normal University
- Guangzhou 510631
- P. R. China
| | - Ru Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science
- College of Biophotonics
- South China Normal University
- Guangzhou 510631
- P. R. China
| | - Yuanyue Shan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science
- College of Biophotonics
- South China Normal University
- Guangzhou 510631
- P. R. China
| | - Da Xing
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science
- College of Biophotonics
- South China Normal University
- Guangzhou 510631
- P. R. China
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a secreted multifunctional cytokine that signals via plasma membrane TGF-β type I and type II receptors and intercellular SMAD transcriptional effectors. Aberrant inter- and intracellular TGF-β signaling can contribute to cancer progression. In normal cells and early stages of cancer, TGF-β can stimulate epithelial growth arrest and elicit a tumor suppressor function. However, in late stages of cancer, when the cytostatic effects of TGF-β in cancer cells are blocked, TGF-β signaling can act as tumor promoter by its ability to stimulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells, by stimulating angiogenesis, and by promoting evasion of immune responses. In this review, we will discuss the rationale and challenges of targeting TGF-β signaling in cancer and summarize the clinical status of TGF-β signaling inhibitors that interfere with TGFβ bioavailability, TGF-βreceptor interaction, or TGF-β receptor kinase function. Moreover, we will discuss targeting of TGF-β signaling modulators and downstream effectors as well as alternative approaches by using promising technologies that may lead to entirely new classes of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Khanh Huynh
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Christopher John Hipolito
- Cancer Signaling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Peptide Core Facility, Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Cancer Signaling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Oncode Institute and Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Huynh LK, Hipolito CJ, ten Dijke P. A Perspective on the Development of TGF-β Inhibitors for Cancer Treatment. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9110743. [PMID: 31744193 PMCID: PMC6921009 DOI: 10.3390/biom9110743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a secreted multifunctional cytokine that signals via plasma membrane TGF-β type I and type II receptors and intercellular SMAD transcriptional effectors. Aberrant inter- and intracellular TGF-β signaling can contribute to cancer progression. In normal cells and early stages of cancer, TGF-β can stimulate epithelial growth arrest and elicit a tumor suppressor function. However, in late stages of cancer, when the cytostatic effects of TGF-β in cancer cells are blocked, TGF-β signaling can act as tumor promoter by its ability to stimulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells, by stimulating angiogenesis, and by promoting evasion of immune responses. In this review, we will discuss the rationale and challenges of targeting TGF-β signaling in cancer and summarize the clinical status of TGF-β signaling inhibitors that interfere with TGF−β bioavailability, TGF-β/receptor interaction, or TGF-β receptor kinase function. Moreover, we will discuss targeting of TGF-β signaling modulators and downstream effectors as well as alternative approaches by using promising technologies that may lead to entirely new classes of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Khanh Huynh
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan;
| | - Christopher John Hipolito
- Cancer Signaling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan;
- Peptide Core Facility, Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Cancer Signaling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan;
- Oncode Institute and Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-526-9271; Fax: +31-71-526-8270
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Denis C, Sopková-de Oliveira Santos J, Bureau R, Voisin-Chiret AS. Hot-Spots of Mcl-1 Protein. J Med Chem 2019; 63:928-943. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Denis
- Normandie Univiversité, UNICAEN, CERMN, 14000 Caen, France
| | | | - Ronan Bureau
- Normandie Univiversité, UNICAEN, CERMN, 14000 Caen, France
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Bile acid-induced "Minority MOMP" promotes esophageal carcinogenesis while maintaining apoptotic resistance via Mcl-1. Oncogene 2019; 39:877-890. [PMID: 31570787 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-1029-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Barrett's esophagus (BE) is associated with reflux and is implicated the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Apoptosis induces cell death through mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), which is considered an irreversible step in apoptosis. Activation of MOMP to levels that fail to reach the apoptotic threshold may paradoxically promote cancer-a phenomenon called "Minority MOMP." We asked whether reflux-induced esophageal carcinogenesis occurred via minority MOMP and whether compensatory resistance mechanisms prevented cell death during this process. We exposed preneoplastic, hTERT-immortalized Barrett's cell, CP-C and CP-A, to the oncogenic bile acid, deoxycholic acid (DCA), for 1 year. Induction of minority MOMP was tested via comet assay, CyQuant, annexin V, JC-1, cytochrome C subcellular localization, caspase 3 activation, and immunoblots. We used bcl-2 homology domain-3 (BH3) profiling to test the mitochondrial apoptotic threshold. One-year exposure of Barrett's cells to DCA induced a malignant phenotype noted by clone and tumor formation. DCA promoted minority MOMP noted by minimal release of cytochrome C and limited caspase 3 activation, which resulted in DNA damage without apoptosis. Upregulation of the antiapoptotic protein, Mcl-1, ROS generation, and NF-κB activation occurred in conjunction with minority MOMP. Inhibition of ROS blocked minority MOMP and Mcl-1 upregulation. Knockdown of Mcl-1 shifted minority MOMP to complete MOMP as noted by dynamic BH3 profiling and increased apoptosis. Minority MOMP contributes to DCA induced carcinogenesis in preneoplastic BE. Mcl-1 provided a balance within the mitochondria that induced resistance complete MOMP and cell death. Targeting Mcl-1 may be a therapeutic strategy in EAC.
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40
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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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41
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Linciano S, Pluda S, Bacchin A, Angelini A. Molecular evolution of peptides by yeast surface display technology. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:1569-1580. [PMID: 31803399 PMCID: PMC6836575 DOI: 10.1039/c9md00252a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded peptides possess unique properties, such as a small molecular weight and ease of synthesis and modification, that make them suitable to a large variety of applications. However, despite these favorable qualities, naturally occurring peptides are often limited by intrinsic weak binding affinities, poor selectivity and low stability that ultimately restrain their final use. To overcome these limitations, a large variety of in vitro display methodologies have been developed over the past few decades to evolve genetically encoded peptide molecules with superior properties. Phage display, mRNA display, ribosome display, bacteria display, and yeast display are among the most commonly used methods to engineer peptides. While most of these in vitro methodologies have already been described in detail elsewhere, this review describes solely the yeast surface display technology and its valuable use for the evolution of a wide range of peptide formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Linciano
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems , Ca' Foscari University of Venice , Via Torino 155 , Venezia Mestre 30172 , Italy
| | - Stefano Pluda
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems , Ca' Foscari University of Venice , Via Torino 155 , Venezia Mestre 30172 , Italy
- Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A , Via Ponte della Fabbrica 3/A , Abano Terme 35031 , Italy
| | - Arianna Bacchin
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems , Ca' Foscari University of Venice , Via Torino 155 , Venezia Mestre 30172 , Italy
| | - Alessandro Angelini
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems , Ca' Foscari University of Venice , Via Torino 155 , Venezia Mestre 30172 , Italy
- European Centre for Living Technology (ECLT) , Ca' Bottacin, Dorsoduro 3911, Calle Crosera , Venice 30123 , Italy .
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Activating the Intrinsic Pathway of Apoptosis Using BIM BH3 Peptides Delivered by Peptide Amphiphiles with Endosomal Release. MATERIALS 2019; 12:ma12162567. [PMID: 31408950 PMCID: PMC6719084 DOI: 10.3390/ma12162567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic manipulation of the BCL-2 family using BH3 mimetics is an emerging paradigm in cancer treatment and immune modulation. For example, peptides mimicking the BIM BH3 helix can directly target the full complement of anti- and pro-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins to trigger apoptosis. This study has incorporated the potent BH3 α-helical death domain of BIM into peptide amphiphile (PA) nanostructures designed to facilitate cellular uptake and induce cell death. This study shows that these PA nanostructures are quickly incorporated into cells, are able to specifically bind BCL-2 proteins, are stable at physiologic temperatures and pH, and induce dose-dependent apoptosis in cells. The incorporation of a cathepsin B cleavable linker between the BIM BH3 peptide and the hydrophobic tail resulted in increased intracellular accumulation and mitochondrial co-localization of the BIM BH3 peptide while also improving BCL-2 family member binding and apoptotic reactivation. This PA platform represents a promising new strategy for intracellular therapeutic peptide delivery for the disruption of intracellular protein:protein interactions.
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43
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Frappier V, Jenson JM, Zhou J, Grigoryan G, Keating AE. Tertiary Structural Motif Sequence Statistics Enable Facile Prediction and Design of Peptides that Bind Anti-apoptotic Bfl-1 and Mcl-1. Structure 2019; 27:606-617.e5. [PMID: 30773399 PMCID: PMC6447450 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between protein sequence and structure well enough to design new proteins with desired functions is a longstanding goal in protein science. Here, we show that recurring tertiary structural motifs (TERMs) in the PDB provide rich information for protein-peptide interaction prediction and design. TERM statistics can be used to predict peptide binding energies for Bcl-2 family proteins as accurately as widely used structure-based tools. Furthermore, design using TERM energies (dTERMen) rapidly and reliably generates high-affinity peptide binders of anti-apoptotic proteins Bfl-1 and Mcl-1 with just 15%-38% sequence identity to any known native Bcl-2 family protein ligand. High-resolution structures of four designed peptides bound to their targets provide opportunities to analyze the strengths and limitations of the computational design method. Our results support dTERMen as a powerful approach that can complement existing tools for protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Frappier
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Justin M Jenson
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jianfu Zhou
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Gevorg Grigoryan
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
| | - Amy E Keating
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Center for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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44
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Bakail M, Rodriguez‐Marin S, Hegedüs Z, Perrin ME, Ochsenbein F, Wilson AJ. Recognition of ASF1 by Using Hydrocarbon-Constrained Peptides. Chembiochem 2019; 20:891-895. [PMID: 30512234 PMCID: PMC6468270 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inhibiting the histone H3-ASF1 (anti-silencing function 1) protein-protein interaction (PPI) represents a potential approach for treating numerous cancers. As an α-helix-mediated PPI, constraining the key histone H3 helix (residues 118-135) is a strategy through which chemical probes might be elaborated to test this hypothesis. In this work, variant H3118-135 peptides bearing pentenylglycine residues at the i and i+4 positions were constrained by olefin metathesis. Biophysical analyses revealed that promotion of a bioactive helical conformation depends on the position at which the constraint is introduced, but that the potency of binding towards ASF1 is unaffected by the constraint and instead that enthalpy-entropy compensation occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Bakail
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC)IBITECSCEACNRSUniversité Paris–SudUniversité Paris–Saclay91198Gif-sur-Yvette CedexFrance
- Present address: Inserm, U1016Institut CochinCNRSUMR8104Université Paris Descartes27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques75014ParisFrance
| | - Silvia Rodriguez‐Marin
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Zsófia Hegedüs
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Marie E. Perrin
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC)IBITECSCEACNRSUniversité Paris–SudUniversité Paris–Saclay91198Gif-sur-Yvette CedexFrance
| | - Françoise Ochsenbein
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC)IBITECSCEACNRSUniversité Paris–SudUniversité Paris–Saclay91198Gif-sur-Yvette CedexFrance
| | - Andrew J. Wilson
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
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Atangcho L, Navaratna T, Thurber GM. Hitting Undruggable Targets: Viewing Stabilized Peptide Development through the Lens of Quantitative Systems Pharmacology. Trends Biochem Sci 2019; 44:241-257. [PMID: 30563724 PMCID: PMC6661118 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Stabilized peptide therapeutics have the potential to hit currently undruggable targets, dramatically expanding the druggable genome. However, major obstacles to their development include poor intracellular delivery, rapid degradation, low target affinity, and membrane toxicity. With the emergence of multiple stabilization techniques and screening technologies, the high efficacy of various bioactive peptides has been demonstrated in vitro, albeit with limited success in vivo. We discuss here the chemical and pharmacokinetic barriers to achieving in vivo efficacy, analyze the characteristics of FDA-approved peptide drugs, and propose a developmental tool that considers the molecular properties of stabilized peptides in a comprehensive and quantitative manner to achieve the necessary rates for in vivo delivery to the target, efficacy, and ultimately clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Atangcho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tejas Navaratna
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Greg M Thurber
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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46
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Castelli G, Pelosi E, Testa U. Emerging Therapies for Acute Myelogenus Leukemia Patients Targeting Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E260. [PMID: 30813354 PMCID: PMC6406361 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease of the hematopoietic cells, characterized by impaired differentiation and uncontrolled clonal expansion of myeloid progenitors/precursors, resulting in bone marrow failure and impaired normal hematopoiesis. AML comprises a heterogeneous group of malignancies, characterized by a combination of different somatic genetic abnormalities, some of which act as events driving leukemic development. Studies carried out in the last years have shown that AML cells invariably have abnormalities in one or more apoptotic pathways and have identified some components of the apoptotic pathway that can be targeted by specific drugs. Clinical results deriving from studies using B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitors in combination with standard AML agents, such as azacytidine, decitabine, low-dose cytarabine, provided promising results and strongly support the use of these agents in the treatment of AML patients, particularly of elderly patients. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors are frequently deregulated in AML patients and their targeting may represent a promising strategy for development of new treatments. Altered mitochondrial metabolism is a common feature of AML cells, as supported through the discovery of mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase gene and in mitochondrial electron transport chain and of numerous abnormalities of oxidative metabolism existing in AML subgroups. Overall, these observations strongly support the view that the targeting of mitochondrial apoptotic or metabolic machinery is an appealing new therapeutic perspective in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Castelli
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elvira Pelosi
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ugo Testa
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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47
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Ali AM, Atmaj J, Van Oosterwijk N, Groves MR, Dömling A. Stapled Peptides Inhibitors: A New Window for Target Drug Discovery. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:263-281. [PMID: 30867891 PMCID: PMC6396041 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a hot topic in clinical research as protein networking has a major impact in human disease. Such PPIs are potential drugs targets, leading to the need to inhibit/block specific PPIs. While small molecule inhibitors have had some success and reached clinical trials, they have generally failed to address the flat and large nature of PPI surfaces. As a result, larger biologics were developed for PPI surfaces and they have successfully targeted PPIs located outside the cell. However, biologics have low bioavailability and cannot reach intracellular targets. A novel class -hydrocarbon-stapled α-helical peptides that are synthetic mini-proteins locked into their bioactive structure through site-specific introduction of a chemical linker- has shown promise. Stapled peptides show an ability to inhibit intracellular PPIs that previously have been intractable with traditional small molecule or biologics, suggesting that they offer a novel therapeutic modality. In this review, we highlight what stapling adds to natural-mimicking peptides, describe the revolution of synthetic chemistry techniques and how current drug discovery approaches have been adapted to stabilize active peptide conformations, including ring-closing metathesis (RCM), lactamisation, cycloadditions and reversible reactions. We provide an overview on the available stapled peptide high-resolution structures in the protein data bank, with four selected structures discussed in details due to remarkable interactions of their staple with the target surface. We believe that stapled peptides are promising drug candidates and open the doors for peptide therapeutics to reach currently "undruggable" space.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alexander Dömling
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan1, 9700AD Groningen, the Netherlands
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48
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Pajuelo-Lozano N, Bargiela-Iparraguirre J, Dominguez G, Quiroga AG, Perona R, Sanchez-Perez I. XPA, XPC, and XPD Modulate Sensitivity in Gastric Cisplatin Resistance Cancer Cells. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1197. [PMID: 30386247 PMCID: PMC6199368 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is an election drug widely used in clinic for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. However, the heterogeneity of the gastric tumors and its resistance to the drugs, make in some cases the response very low and the prognosis unpredictable. In this manuscript we aim to find the molecular processes involved in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in two gastric cancer cell lines with different sensitivity to the treatment: AGS and MKN45. The apoptosis induction is higher in MKN45 than in AGS cells in response to CDDP. The intrinsic apoptotic pathway study revealed that MKN45 cells undergo degradation of Mcl-1 together with an increase of Bid and Bad levels, which results in sensitivity to CDDP. In addition, DNA repair NER pathway is impair in MKN45 cells due to low levels of XPC and the absence of translocation of XPA and XPD to the nucleus after stimuli. Altogether, these results suggest that NER and Bcl-2 protein family proteins are potential targets to improve the response to cisplatin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Pajuelo-Lozano
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jone Bargiela-Iparraguirre
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gemma Dominguez
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adoracion G Quiroga
- Departamento de Quimica Inorganica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosario Perona
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER of Rare Diseases, Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Sanchez-Perez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER of Rare Diseases, Valencia, Spain.,Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Albacete, Spain
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49
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Peptide design by optimization on a data-parameterized protein interaction landscape. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10342-E10351. [PMID: 30322927 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1812939115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many applications in protein engineering require optimizing multiple protein properties simultaneously, such as binding one target but not others or binding a target while maintaining stability. Such multistate design problems require navigating a high-dimensional space to find proteins with desired characteristics. A model that relates protein sequence to functional attributes can guide design to solutions that would be hard to discover via screening. In this work, we measured thousands of protein-peptide binding affinities with the high-throughput interaction assay amped SORTCERY and used the data to parameterize a model of the alpha-helical peptide-binding landscape for three members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins: Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, and Bfl-1. We applied optimization protocols to explore extremes in this landscape to discover peptides with desired interaction profiles. Computational design generated 36 peptides, all of which bound with high affinity and specificity to just one of Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, or Bfl-1, as intended. We designed additional peptides that bound selectively to two out of three of these proteins. The designed peptides were dissimilar to known Bcl-2-binding peptides, and high-resolution crystal structures confirmed that they engaged their targets as expected. Excellent results on this challenging problem demonstrate the power of a landscape modeling approach, and the designed peptides have potential uses as diagnostic tools or cancer therapeutics.
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50
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Fletcher JM, Horner KA, Bartlett GJ, Rhys GG, Wilson AJ, Woolfson DN. De novo coiled-coil peptides as scaffolds for disrupting protein-protein interactions. Chem Sci 2018; 9:7656-7665. [PMID: 30393526 PMCID: PMC6182421 DOI: 10.1039/c8sc02643b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Homo- and hetero-dimeric coiled coils as scaffolds for the presentation of α-helical protein-binding motifs.
Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) play pivotal roles in the majority of biological processes. Therefore, improved approaches to target and disrupt PPIs would provide tools for chemical biology and leads for therapeutic development. PPIs with α-helical components are appealing targets given that the secondary structure is well understood and can be mimicked or stabilised to render small-molecule and constrained-peptide-based inhibitors. Here we present a strategy to target α-helix-mediated PPIs that exploits de novo coiled-coil assemblies and test this using the MCL-1/NOXA-B PPI. First, computational alanine scanning is used to identify key α-helical residues from NOXA-B that contribute to the interface. Next, these residues are grafted onto the exposed surfaces of de novo designed homodimeric or heterodimeric coiled-coil peptides. The resulting synthetic peptides selectively inhibit a cognate MCL-1/BID complex in the mid-nM range. Furthermore, the heterodimeric system affords control as inhibition occurs only when both the grafted peptide and its designed partner are present. This establishes proof of concept for exploiting peptides stabilised in de novo coiled coils as inhibitors of PPIs. This dependence on supramolecular assembly introduces new possibilities for regulation and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Fletcher
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , UK . ;
| | - Katherine A Horner
- School of Chemistry , University of Leeds , Woodhouse Lane , Leeds LS2 9JT , UK.,Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology , University of Leeds , Woodhouse Lane , Leeds , LS2 9JT , UK
| | - Gail J Bartlett
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , UK . ;
| | - Guto G Rhys
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , UK . ;
| | - Andrew J Wilson
- School of Chemistry , University of Leeds , Woodhouse Lane , Leeds LS2 9JT , UK.,Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology , University of Leeds , Woodhouse Lane , Leeds , LS2 9JT , UK
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , UK . ; .,School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , Medical Sciences Building, University Walk , Bristol BS8 1TD , UK.,BrisSynBio , University of Bristol , Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue , Bristol , BS8 1TQ , UK
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