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Braga Emidio N, Cheloha RW. Sortase-mediated labeling: Expanding frontiers in site-specific protein functionalization opens new research avenues. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2024; 80:102443. [PMID: 38503199 PMCID: PMC11164631 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.102443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
New applications for biomolecules demand novel approaches for their synthesis and modification. Traditional methods for modifying proteins and cells using non-specific labeling chemistry are insufficiently precise to rigorously interrogate the mechanistic biological and physiological questions at the forefront of biomedical science. Site-specific catalytic modification of proteins promises to meet these challenges. Here, we describe recent applications of the enzyme sortase A in facilitating precise biomolecule labeling. We focus on describing new chemistries to broaden the scope of sortase-mediated labeling (sortagging), the development of new probes for imaging via enzymatic labeling, and the modulation of biological systems using probes and reactions mediated by sortase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Braga Emidio
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, United States
| | - Ross W Cheloha
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, United States.
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Singh G, Monga V. Peptide Nucleic Acids: Recent Developments in the Synthesis and Backbone Modifications. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106860. [PMID: 37748328 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid represents the ideal drug candidate for protein targets that are hard to target or against which drug development is not easy. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are synthesized by attaching modified peptide backbones generally derived from repetitive N-2-aminoethyl glycine units in place of the regular phosphodiester backbone and represent synthetic impersonator of nucleic acids that offers an exciting research field due to their fascinating spectrum of biotechnological, diagnostic and potential therapeutic applications. The semi-rigid peptide nucleic acid backbone serves as a nearly-perfect template for attaching complimentary base pairs on DNA or RNA in a sequence-dependent manner as described by Watson-Crick models. PNAs and their analogues are endowed with exceptionally high affinity and specificity for receptor sites, essentially due to their polyamide backbone's uncharged and flexible nature. The present review compiled various strategies to modify the polypeptide backbone for improving the target selectivity and stability of the PNAs in the body. The investigated biological activities carried out on PNAs have also been summarized in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurpreet Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, GT Road, Ghal Kalan, Moga 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Vikramdeep Monga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, VPO-Ghudda, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India.
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Liu L, Gray JL, Tate EW, Yang A. Bacterial enzymes: powerful tools for protein labeling, cell signaling, and therapeutic discovery. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1385-1399. [PMID: 37328400 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved a diverse set of enzymes that enable them to subvert host defense mechanisms as well as to form part of the prokaryotic immune system. Due to their unique and varied biochemical activities, these bacterial enzymes have emerged as key tools for understanding and investigating biological systems. In this review, we summarize and discuss some of the most prominent bacterial enzymes used for the site-specific modification of proteins, in vivo protein labeling, proximity labeling, interactome mapping, signaling pathway manipulation, and therapeutic discovery. Finally, we provide a perspective on the complementary advantages and limitations of using bacterial enzymes compared with chemical probes for exploring biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Janine L Gray
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Edward W Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK.
| | - Aimin Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China.
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Expression and Characterization of Intein-Cyclized Trimer of Staphylococcus aureus Protein A Domain Z. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021281. [PMID: 36674796 PMCID: PMC9865183 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus protein A (SpA) is an IgG Fc-binding virulence factor that is widely used in antibody purification and as a scaffold to develop affinity molecules. A cyclized SpA Z domain could offer exopeptidase resistance, reduced chromatographic ligand leaching after single-site endopeptidase cleavage, and enhanced IgG binding properties by preorganization, potentially reducing conformational entropy loss upon binding. In this work, a Z domain trimer (Z3) was cyclized using protein intein splicing. Interactions of cyclic and linear Z3 with human IgG1 were characterized by differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). DSF showed a 5 ℃ increase in IgG1 melting temperature when bound by each Z3 variant. SPR showed the dissociation constants of linear and cyclized Z3 with IgG1 to be 2.9 nM and 3.3 nM, respectively. ITC gave association enthalpies for linear and cyclic Z3 with IgG1 of -33.0 kcal/mol and -32.7 kcal/mol, and -T∆S of association 21.2 kcal/mol and 21.6 kcal/mol, respectively. The compact cyclic Z3 protein contains 2 functional binding sites and exhibits carboxypeptidase Y-resistance. The results suggest cyclization as a potential approach toward more stable SpA-based affinity ligands, and this analysis may advance our understanding of protein engineering for ligand and drug development.
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Macpherson A, Birtley JR, Broadbridge RJ, Brady K, Schulze MSED, Tang Y, Joyce C, Saunders K, Bogle G, Horton J, Kelm S, Taylor RD, Franklin RJ, Selby MD, Laabei M, Wonfor T, Hold A, Stanley P, Vadysirisack D, Shi J, van den Elsen J, Lawson ADG. The Chemical Synthesis of Knob Domain Antibody Fragments. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1757-1769. [PMID: 34406751 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine-rich knob domains found in the ultralong complementarity determining regions of a subset of bovine antibodies are capable of functioning autonomously as 3-6 kDa peptides. While they can be expressed recombinantly in cellular systems, in this paper we show that knob domains are also readily amenable to a chemical synthesis, with a co-crystal structure of a chemically synthesized knob domain in complex with an antigen showing structural equivalence to the biological product. For drug discovery, following the immunization of cattle, knob domain peptides can be synthesized directly from antibody sequence data, combining the power and diversity of the bovine immune repertoire with the ability to rapidly incorporate nonbiological modifications. We demonstrate that, through rational design with non-natural amino acids, a paratope diversity can be massively expanded, in this case improving the efficacy of an allosteric peptide. As a potential route to further improve stability, we also performed head-to-tail cyclizations, exploiting the proximity of the N and C termini to synthesize functional, fully cyclic antibody fragments. Lastly, we highlight the stability of knob domains in plasma and, through pharmacokinetic studies, use palmitoylation as a route to extend the plasma half-life of knob domains in vivo. This study presents an antibody-derived medicinal chemistry platform, with protocols for solid-phase synthesis of knob domains, together with the characterization of their molecular structures, in vitro pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Macpherson
- UCB Pharma, Slough SL1 3WE, U.K
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | | | | | | | | | - Yalan Tang
- UCB-Ra Pharma, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Callum Joyce
- UCB Pharma, Slough SL1 3WE, U.K
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | | | | | - John Horton
- Peptide Protein Research, Bishops Waltham SO32 1QD, U.K
| | | | | | | | | | - Maisem Laabei
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Toska Wonfor
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | | | | | | | | | - Jean van den Elsen
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
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