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Pujahari SR, Purusottam RN, Mali PS, Sarkar S, Khaneja N, Vajpai N, Kumar A. Exploring the Higher Order Structure and Conformational Transitions in Insulin Microcrystalline Biopharmaceuticals by Proton-Detected Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance at Natural Abundance. Anal Chem 2024; 96:4756-4763. [PMID: 38326990 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04040] [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: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The integrity of a higher order structure (HOS) is an essential requirement to ensure the efficacy, stability, and safety of protein therapeutics. Solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) occupies a unique niche as one of the most promising methods to access atomic-level structural information on soluble biopharmaceutical formulations. Another major class of drugs is poorly soluble, such as microcrystalline suspensions, which poses significant challenges for the characterization of the active ingredient in its native state. Here, we have demonstrated a solid-state NMR method for HOS characterization of biopharmaceutical suspensions employing a selective excitation scheme under fast magic angle spinning (MAS). The applicability of the method is shown on commercial insulin suspensions at natural isotopic abundance. Selective excitation aided with proton detection and non-uniform sampling (NUS) provides improved sensitivity and resolution. The enhanced resolution enabled us to demonstrate the first experimental evidence of a phenol-escaping pathway in insulin, leading to conformational transitions to different hexameric states. This approach has the potential to serve as a valuable means for meticulously examining microcrystalline biopharmaceutical suspensions, which was previously not attainable in their native formulation states and can be seamlessly extended to other classes of biopharmaceuticals such as mAbs and other microcrystalline proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Ranjan Pujahari
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Rudra N Purusottam
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Pramod S Mali
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Sambeda Sarkar
- System and Control Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Navin Khaneja
- System and Control Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Navratna Vajpai
- Biocon Biologics Limited, Biocon SEZ, Plot No. 2 & 3, Phase IV-B.I.A, Bommasandra-Jigani Link Road, Bangalore 560099, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
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Wu S, Østergaard M, Fredholt F, Christensen NJ, Sørensen KK, Mishra NK, Nielsen HM, Jensen KJ. Ca 2+-Responsive Glyco-insulin. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:518-528. [PMID: 36756787 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00590] [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: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Chemical modification of peptides and proteins, such as PEGylation and lipidation, creates conjugates with new properties. However, they are typically not dynamic or stimuli-responsive. Self-assembly controlled by a stimulus will allow adjusting properties directly. Here, we report that conjugates of oligogalacturonic acids (OGAs), isolated from plant-derived pectin, are Ca2+-responsive. We report the conjugation of OGA to human insulin (HI) to create new glyco-insulins. In addition, we coupled OGA to model peptides. We studied their self-assembly by dynamic light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, and circular dichroism, which showed that the self-assembly to form nanostructures depended on the length of the OGA sequence and Zn2+ and Ca2+ concentrations. Subcutaneous administration of OGA12-HI with Zn2+ showed a stable decrease in blood glucose over a longer period of time compared to HI, despite the lower receptor binding affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunliang Wu
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Mads Østergaard
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Freja Fredholt
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Johan Christensen
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Kasper K Sørensen
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Narendra K Mishra
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne M Nielsen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Knud J Jensen
- Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kosinová L, Veverka V, Novotná P, Collinsová M, Urbanová M, Moody NR, Turkenburg JP, Jiráček J, Brzozowski AM, Žáková L. Insight into the structural and biological relevance of the T/R transition of the N-terminus of the B-chain in human insulin. Biochemistry 2014; 53:3392-402. [PMID: 24819248 PMCID: PMC4047818 DOI: 10.1021/bi500073z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
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The N-terminus of the B-chain of
insulin may adopt two alternative
conformations designated as the T- and R-states. Despite the recent
structural insight into insulin–insulin receptor (IR) complexes,
the physiological relevance of the T/R transition is still unclear.
Hence, this study focused on the rational design, synthesis, and characterization
of human insulin analogues structurally locked in expected R- or T-states.
Sites B3, B5, and B8, capable of affecting the conformation of the
N-terminus of the B-chain, were subjects of rational substitutions
with amino acids with specific allowed and disallowed dihedral φ
and ψ main-chain angles. α-Aminoisobutyric acid was systematically
incorporated into positions B3, B5, and B8 for stabilization of the
R-state, and N-methylalanine and d-proline
amino acids were introduced at position B8 for stabilization of the
T-state. IR affinities of the analogues were compared and correlated
with their T/R transition ability and analyzed against their crystal
and nuclear magnetic resonance structures. Our data revealed that
(i) the T-like state is indeed important for the folding efficiency
of (pro)insulin, (ii) the R-state is most probably incompatible with
an active form of insulin, (iii) the R-state cannot be induced or
stabilized by a single substitution at a specific site, and (iv) the
B1–B8 segment is capable of folding into a variety of low-affinity
T-like states. Therefore, we conclude that the active conformation
of the N-terminus of the B-chain must be different from the “classical”
T-state and that a substantial flexibility of the B1–B8 segment,
where GlyB8 plays a key role, is a crucial prerequisite for an efficient
insulin–IR interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Kosinová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , v.v.i., Flemingovo nám 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Jensen MH, Wahlund PO, Toft KN, Jacobsen JK, Steensgaard DB, van de Weert M, Havelund S, Vestergaard B. Small Angle X-ray Scattering-Based Elucidation of the Self-Association Mechanism of Human Insulin Analogue LysB29(Nεω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) des(B30). Biochemistry 2013; 52:282-94. [DOI: 10.1021/bi3008615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Malene Hillerup Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and
Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen,
Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen,
Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | | | - Katrine Nørgaard Toft
- Department of Drug Design and
Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen,
Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Bente Vestergaard
- Department of Drug Design and
Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen,
Copenhagen, Denmark
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Heath BL, Jockusch RA. Ligand migration in the gaseous insulin-CB7 complex--a cautionary tale about the use of ECD-MS for ligand binding site determination. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2012; 23:1911-20. [PMID: 22948902 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-012-0470-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2012] [Revised: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the structure of protein-ligand complexes can aid in understanding their roles within complex biological processes. Here we use electrospray ionization (ESI) coupled to a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer to investigate the noncovalent binding of the macrocycle cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) to bovine insulin. Recent condensed-phase experiments (Chinai et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133:8810-8813, 2011) indicate that CB7 binds selectively to the N-terminal phenylalanine of the insulin B-chain. Competition experiments employing ESI mass spectrometry to assess complex formation between CB7 and wild type insulin B-chain vs. a mutant B-chain, confirm that the N-terminal phenylalanine plays in important role in solution-phase binding. However, analysis of fragment ions produced by electron capture dissociation (ECD) of CB7 complexed to intact insulin and to the insulin B-chain suggests a different picture. The apparent gas-phase binding site, as identified by the ECD, lies further along the insulin B-chain. Together, these studies thus indicate that the CB7 ligand migrates in the ESI mass spectrometry analysis. Migration is likely aided by the presence of additional interactions between CB7 and the insulin B-chain, which are not observed in the crystal structure. While this conformational difference may result simply from the removal of solvent and addition of excess protons by the ESI, we propose that the migration may be enhanced by charge reduction during the ECD process itself because ion-dipole interactions are key to CB7 binding. The results of this study caution against using ECD-MS as a stand-alone structural probe for the determination of solution-phase binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Heath
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Maltesen; MJ, Bjerregaard S, Hovgaard L, Havelund S, Van De Weert M. Analysis of Insulin Allostery in Solution and Solid State With FTIR. J Pharm Sci 2009; 98:3265-77. [DOI: 10.1002/jps.21736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Abstract
The advancement in protein engineering offers targeted development of insulin analogs that display either faster absorption kinetics or longer time-action profiles compared with human insulin and, therefore, more closely mimic endogenous insulin secretion. Insulin glulisine (3(B)Lys29(B) Glu-human insulin) is a new fast-acting analog that provides absorption and onset of action more rapidly with a shorter duration of action compared with regular human insulin, and thus better resembles physiologic mealtime insulin requirements. Insulin glulisine has been designed to exhibit intrinsic stability while maintaining rapid deployment of insulin monomers. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiling of insulin glulisine in healthy subjects and patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes not only confirms the rapid absorption and fast action of insulin glulisine compared with human insulin, but also provides evidence that the unique drug formulation may offer additional benefits. Insulin glulisine complements insulin glargine (21(A)-Gly30(Ba)-L-Arg-30(Bb)-L-Arg-human insulin), the first long-acting basal insulin analog that displays a smoothed time-action profile with a 24-h duration of action. Together these analogs offer patients a more physiologic approach to insulin replacement.
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Huus K, Havelund S, Olsen HB, van de Weert M, Frokjaer S. Chemical and Thermal Stability of Insulin: Effects of Zinc and Ligand Binding to the Insulin Zinc-Hexamer. Pharm Res 2006; 23:2611-20. [PMID: 16969698 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-006-9098-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2006] [Accepted: 06/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the correlation between the thermal and chemical stability of insulin formulations with various insulin hexamer ligands. MATERIALS AND METHODS The thermal stability was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and near-UV circular dichroism (NUV-CD). The formation of chemical degradation products was studied with reversed-phase and size-exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry. RESULTS An excellent correlation between the thermal stabilization by ligand binding and the deamidation of Asn(B3) was observed. The correlation between thermal stability and the formation of covalent dimer and other insulin related products was less clear. Zinc was found to specifically increase the deamidation and covalent dimer formation rate when the insulin hexamer was not further stabilized by phenolic ligand. Thiocyanate alone had no effect on the thermal stability of the insulin zinc-hexamer but significantly improved the chemical stability at 37 degrees C. At low temperatures thiocyanate induced a conformational change in the insulin hexamer. NUV-CD thermal scans revealed that this effect decreased with temperature; when the thermal denaturation temperature was reached, the effect was eliminated. CONCLUSIONS Thermal stability can be used to predict the rate of Asn(B3) deamidation in human insulin. Chemical degradation processes that do not rely on the structural stability of the protein do not necessarily correlate to the thermal stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Huus
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Analytical Chemistry, The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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