1
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Tennett JC, Epstein SR, Sawyer N. Enhanced EphB2-Specific Peptide Inhibitors through Stabilization of Polyproline II Helical Structure. ACS Chem Biol 2024. [PMID: 38739742 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Ephrin (Eph) receptors are the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Interactions between Eph receptors and their membrane-bound ephrin protein ligands are associated with many developmental processes as well as various cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. With significant crosstalk between different Eph receptors and ephrin ligands, there is an urgent need for high-affinity ligands that bind specifically to individual Eph receptors to interrogate and modulate their functions. Here, we describe the rational development of potent EphB2 receptor inhibitors derived from the EphB2 receptor-specific SNEW peptide. To improve inhibitory potency, we evaluated 20+ cross-linkers with the goal of spanning and stabilizing a single polyproline II helical turn observed when SNEW binds to the EphB2 receptor. Of the cross-linkers evaluated, an 11-atom cross-linker, composed of a rigid 2,7-dimethylnaphthyl moiety between two cysteine residues, was found to yield the most potent inhibitor. Analysis of the cyclized region of this peptide by NMR and molecular dynamics simulations suggests that cross-linking stabilizes the receptor-bound polyproline II helix structure observed in the receptor-peptide complex. Cross-linked SNEW variants retained binding specificity for EphB2 and showed cross-linker-dependent resistance to trypsin proteolysis. Beyond the discovery of more potent EphB2 receptor inhibitors, these studies illustrate a novel cyclization approach with potential to stabilize polyproline II helical structure in various peptides for specific targeting of the myriad protein-protein interactions (PPIs) mediated by polyproline II helices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C Tennett
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, New York 10458, United States
| | - Sophie R Epstein
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, New York 10458, United States
| | - Nicholas Sawyer
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, New York 10458, United States
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2
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Angera IJ, Wright MM, Del Valle JR. Beyond N-Alkylation: Synthesis, Structure, and Function of N-Amino Peptides. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:1287-1297. [PMID: 38626119 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00024] [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: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusThe growing list of physiologically important protein-protein interactions (PPIs) has amplified the need for compounds to target topologically complex biomolecular surfaces. In contrast to small molecules, peptide and protein mimics can exhibit three-dimensional shape complementarity across a large area and thus have the potential to significantly expand the "druggable" proteome. Strategies to stabilize canonical protein secondary structures without sacrificing side-chain content are particularly useful in the design of peptide-based chemical probes and therapeutics.Substitution of the backbone amide in peptides represents a subtle chemical modification with profound effects on conformation and stability. Studies focused on N-alkylation have already led to broad-ranging applications in peptidomimetic design. Inspired by nonribosomal peptide natural products harboring amide N-oxidations, we envisioned that main-chain hydrazide and hydroxamate bonds would impose distinct conformational preferences and offer unique opportunities for backbone diversification. This Account describes our exploration of peptide N-amination as a strategy for stabilizing canonical protein folds and for the structure-based design of soluble amyloid mimics.We developed a general synthetic protocol to access N-amino peptides (NAPs) on solid support. In an effort to stabilize β-strand conformation, we designed stitched peptidomimetics featuring covalent tethering of the backbone N-amino substituent to the preceding residue side chain. Using a combination of NMR, X-ray crystallography, and molecular dynamics simulations, we discovered that backbone N-amination alone could significantly stabilize β-hairpin conformation in multiple models of folding. Our studies revealed that the amide NH2 substituent in NAPs participates in cooperative noncovalent interactions that promote β-sheet secondary structure. In contrast to Cα-substituted α-hydrazino acids, we found that N-aminoglycine and its N'-alkylated derivatives instead stabilize polyproline II (PPII) conformation. The reactivity of hydrazides also allows for late-stage peptide macrocyclization, affording novel covalent surrogates of side-chain-backbone H-bonds.The pronounced β-sheet propensity of Cα-substituted α-hydrazino acids prompted us to target amyloidogenic proteins using NAP-based β-strand mimics. Backbone N-amination was found to render aggregation-prone lead sequences soluble and resistant to proteolysis. Inhibitors of Aβ and tau identified through N-amino scanning blocked protein aggregation and the formation of mature fibrils in vitro. We further identified NAP-based single-strand and cross-β tau mimics capable of inhibiting the prion-like cellular seeding activity of recombinant and patient-derived tau fibrils.Our studies establish backbone N-amination as a valuable addition to the peptido- and proteomimetic tool kit. α-Hydrazino acids show particular promise as minimalist β-strand mimics that retain side-chain information. Late-stage derivatization of hydrazides also provides facile entry into libraries of backbone-edited peptides. We anticipate that NAPs will thus find applications in the development of optimally constrained folds and modulators of PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac J Angera
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Madison M Wright
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Juan R Del Valle
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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3
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da Hora GCA, Oh M, Mifflin MC, Digal L, Roberts AG, Swanson JMJ. Lasso Peptides: Exploring the Folding Landscape of Nature's Smallest Interlocked Motifs. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4444-4454. [PMID: 38166378 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10126] [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: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Lasso peptides make up a class of natural products characterized by a threaded structure. Given their small size and stability, chemical synthesis would offer tremendous potential for the development of novel therapeutics. However, the accessibility of the pre-folded lasso architecture has limited this advance. To better understand the folding process de novo, simulations are used herein to characterize the folding propensity of microcin J25 (MccJ25), a lasso peptide known for its antimicrobial properties. New algorithms are developed to unambiguously distinguish threaded from nonthreaded precursors and determine handedness, a key feature in natural lasso peptides. We find that MccJ25 indeed forms right-handed pre-lassos, in contrast to past predictions but consistent with all natural lasso peptides. Additionally, the native pre-lasso structure is shown to be metastable prior to ring formation but to readily transition to entropically favored unfolded and nonthreaded structures, suggesting that de novo lasso folding is rare. However, by altering the ring forming residues and appending thiol and thioester functionalities, we are able to increase the stability of pre-lasso conformations. Furthermore, conditions leading to protonation of a histidine imidazole side chain further stabilize the modified pre-lasso ensemble. This work highlights the use of computational methods to characterize lasso folding and demonstrates that de novo access to lasso structures can be facilitated by optimizing sequence, unnatural modifications, and reaction conditions like pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C A da Hora
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Myongin Oh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Marcus C Mifflin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Lori Digal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Andrew G Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Jessica M J Swanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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4
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Nazzaro A, Lu B, Sawyer N, Watkins AM, Arora PS. Macrocyclic β-Sheets Stabilized by Hydrogen Bond Surrogates. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202303943. [PMID: 37170337 PMCID: PMC10592574 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202303943] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Mimics of protein secondary and tertiary structure offer rationally-designed inhibitors of biomolecular interactions. β-Sheet mimics have a storied history in bioorganic chemistry and are typically designed with synthetic or natural turn segments. We hypothesized that replacement of terminal inter-β-strand hydrogen bonds with hydrogen bond surrogates (HBS) may lead to conformationally-defined macrocyclic β-sheets without the requirement for natural or synthetic β-turns, thereby providing a minimal mimic of a protein β-sheet. To access turn-less antiparallel β-sheet mimics, we developed a facile solid phase synthesis protocol. We surveyed a dataset of protein β-sheets for naturally observed interstrand side chain interactions. This bioinformatics survey highlighted an over-abundance of aromatic-aromatic, cation-π and ionic interactions in β-sheets. In correspondence with natural β-sheets, we find that minimal HBS mimics show robust β-sheet formation when specific amino acid residue pairings are incorporated. In isolated β-sheets, aromatic interactions endow superior conformational stability over ionic or cation-π interactions. Circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopies, along with high-resolution X-ray crystallography, support our design principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Nazzaro
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, NY 10013, New York, USA
| | - Brandon Lu
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, NY 10013, New York, USA
| | - Nicholas Sawyer
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, NY 10013, New York, USA
| | | | - Paramjit S Arora
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, NY 10013, New York, USA
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5
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Victorio CG, Sawyer N. Folding-Assisted Peptide Disulfide Formation and Dimerization. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:1480-1486. [PMID: 37390465 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00268] [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: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Disulfide bonds form covalent bonds between distal regions of peptides and proteins to dramatically impact their folding, stability, and oligomerization. Given the prevalence of disulfide bonds in many natural products, considerable effort has been invested in site-selective disulfide bond formation approaches to control the folding of chemically synthesized peptides and proteins. Here, we show that the careful choice of thiol oxidation conditions can lead to monomeric or dimeric species from fully deprotected linear bisthiol peptides. Starting from a p53-derived peptide, we found that oxidation under aqueous (nondenaturing) conditions produces antiparallel dimers with enhanced α-helical character, while oxidation under denaturing conditions promotes formation of a nonhelical intramolecular disulfide species. Examination across peptide variants suggests that intramolecular disulfide formation is robust across diverse peptide sequences, while dimerization is sensitive to both the α-helical folding of the linear peptide and aromatic residues at the dimerization interface. All disulfide species are more resistant to protease degradation than the linear peptide but are easily reduced to restore the initial bisthiol peptide. Both disulfide formation approaches are compatible with α-helix-stabilizing cross-linkers. These results provide an approach for using disulfide bonds to control peptide folding and oligomerization to better understand how folding influences interactions with diverse molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara G Victorio
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, New York 10458, United States
| | - Nicholas Sawyer
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, New York 10458, United States
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6
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Yang P, Širvinskas MJ, Li B, Heller NW, Rong H, He G, Yudin AK, Chen G. Teraryl Braces in Macrocycles: Synthesis and Conformational Landscape Remodeling of Peptides. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37326500 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The three-dimensional structure of medium-sized cyclic peptides accounts for their biological activity and other important physiochemical properties. Despite significant advances in the past few decades, chemists' ability to fine-tune the structure, in particular, the backbone conformation, of short peptides made of canonical amino acids is still quite limited. Nature has shown that cross-linking the aromatic side chains of linear peptide precursors via enzyme catalysis can generate cyclophane-braced products with unusual structures and diverse activities. However, the biosynthetic path to these natural products is challenging to replicate in the synthetic laboratory using practical chemical modifications of peptides. Herein, we report a broadly applicable strategy to remodel the structure of homodetic peptides by cross-linking the aromatic side chains of Trp, His, and Tyr residues with various aryl linkers. The aryl linkers can be easily installed via copper-catalyzed double heteroatom-arylation reactions of peptides with aryl diiodides. These aromatic side chains and aryl linkers can be combined to form a large variety of assemblies of heteroatom-linked multi-aryl units. The assemblies can serve as tension-bearable multijoint braces to modulate the backbone conformation of peptides as an entry to previously inaccessible conformational space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | | | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Nicholas W Heller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3H4, Canada
| | - Hua Rong
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Gang He
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Andrei K Yudin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3H4, Canada
| | - Gong Chen
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
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7
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Kong J, Hu J, Li J, Zhang J, Shen Y, Yue T, Shen X, Wang Y, Li Z, Xia Y. Rethreading Design of Ratiometric roGFP2 Mimetic Peptide for Hydrogen Peroxide Sensing. Anal Chem 2023; 95:8284-8290. [PMID: 37161261 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Reconstruction of the miniaturized peptide to mimic the tailored functions of protein has been attractive but challenging. Herein, initialized from the crystal structure of redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein-2 (roGFP2), we propose a practical approach to construct the roGFP2 mimetic peptide by rethreading the aromatic residues adjacent to the chromophore fragment. By fine-tuning the residues of peptides, a mini tetrapeptide (Cys-Phe-Phe-His) was designed, which can act as a hydrogen peroxide sensor using its ratiometric fluorescence. The roGFP2 mimetic tetrapeptide is biocompatible and photostable and has competitive fluorescent properties with roGFP2 by the virtue of its assembly induced emissions. We expand the ratiometric tetrapeptide for sensing hydrogen peroxide in acidic chambers. The results provide a promising approach for the artificial design of miniaturized peptides with the desired function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Kong
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Jinyao Hu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Jia Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yuhe Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Tianli Yue
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest University, Xian, Shaanxi 710069, P. R. China
| | - Xihui Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Yuefei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Zhonghong Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Yinqiang Xia
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
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8
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Woolfson DN. Understanding a protein fold: the physics, chemistry, and biology of α-helical coiled coils. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104579. [PMID: 36871758 PMCID: PMC10124910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein science is being transformed by powerful computational methods for structure prediction and design: AlphaFold2 can predict many natural protein structures from sequence, and other AI methods are enabling the de novo design of new structures. This raises a question: how much do we understand the underlying sequence-to-structure/function relationships being captured by these methods? This perspective presents our current understanding of one class of protein assembly, the α-helical coiled coils. At first sight, these are straightforward: sequence repeats of hydrophobic (h) and polar (p) residues, (hpphppp)n, direct the folding and assembly of amphipathic α helices into bundles. However, many different bundles are possible: they can have two or more helices (different oligomers); the helices can have parallel, antiparallel or mixed arrangements (different topologies); and the helical sequences can be the same (homomers) or different (heteromers). Thus, sequence-to-structure relationships must be present within the hpphppp repeats to distinguish these states. I discuss the current understanding of this problem at three levels: First, physics gives a parametric framework to generate the many possible coiled-coil backbone structures. Second, chemistry provides a means to explore and deliver sequence-to-structure relationships. Third, biology shows how coiled coils are adapted and functionalized in nature, inspiring applications of coiled coils in synthetic biology. I argue that the chemistry is largely understood; the physics is partly solved, though the considerable challenge of predicting even relative stabilities of different coiled-coil states remains; but there is much more to explore in the biology and synthetic biology of coiled coils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom; BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
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9
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Zhang P, Walko M, Wilson A. Maleimide constrained BAD BH3 domain peptides as BCL-xL Inhibitors: A Versatile Approach to Rapidly Identify Sites Compatible with Peptide Constraining. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 87:129260. [PMID: 36997005 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Development of protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors remains a major challenge. A significant number of PPIs are mediated by helical recognition epitopes; although peptides derived from such epitopes are attractive templates for inhibitor design, they may not readily adopt a bioactive conformation, are susceptible to proteolysis and rarely elicit optimal cell uptake properties. Constraining peptides has therefore emerged as a useful method to mitigate against these liabilities in the development of PPI inhibitors. Building on our recently reported method for constraining peptides by reaction of dibromomaleimide derivatives with two cysteines positioned in an i and i + 4 relationship, in this study, we showcase the power of the method for rapid identification of ideal constraining positions using a maleimide-staple scan based on a 19-mer sequence derived from the BAD BH3 domain. We found that the maleimide constraint had little or a detrimental impact on helicity and potency in most sequences, but successfully identified i, i + 4 positions where the maleimide constraint was tolerated. Analyses using modelling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that the inactive constrained peptides likely lose interactions with the protein as a result of introducing the constraint.
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10
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Dolenc J, Haywood EJ, Zhu T, Smith LJ. Backbone N-Amination Promotes the Folding of β-Hairpin Peptides via a Network of Hydrogen Bonds. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:6704-6714. [PMID: 35816656 PMCID: PMC9795546 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to characterize the effects of backbone N-amination of residues in a model β-hairpin peptide. This modification is of considerable interest as N-aminated peptides have been shown to inhibit amyloid-type aggregation. Six derivatives of the β-hairpin peptide, which contain one, two, or four N-aminated residues, have been studied. For each peptide 100 ns MD simulations starting from the folded β-hairpin structure were performed. The effects of the N-amination prove to be very sequence dependent. N-Amination of a residue involved in interstrand hydrogen bonding (Val3) leads to unfolding of the β-hairpin, whereas N-amination of a residue toward the C-terminus (Leu11) gives fraying at the termini of the peptide. In the other derivatives the peptide remains folded, with increasing levels of N-amination reducing the right-handed twist of the β-hairpin and favoring population of a type II' rather than a type I' β-turn. MD simulations (100 ns) have also been run for each peptide starting from an unfolded extended chain. Here, the peptide with four N-aminated residues shows the most folding into the β-hairpin (34%). Analysis of the simulations shows that N-amination favors the population of β (φ, ψ) conformations by the preceding residue due to, at least in part, a network of weak NH2(i)-CO(i) and NH2(i)-CO(i-2) hydrogen bonds. It also leads to a reduction of misfolding because of changes in the hydrogen-bonding potential. Both of these features help funnel the peptide to the folded β-hairpin structure. The conformational insights provided through this work give a firm foundation for the design of N-aminated peptide inhibitors for modulating protein-protein interactions and aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jožica Dolenc
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Pharmacy Information Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich CH-8093, Switzerland
| | - Esme J. Haywood
- Inorganic
Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom
| | - Tingting Zhu
- Inorganic
Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna J. Smith
- Inorganic
Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom, (L.J.S.)
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11
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Kim DI, Han SH, Park H, Choi S, Kaur M, Hwang E, Han SJ, Ryu JY, Cheong HK, Barnwal RP, Lim YB. Pseudo-Isolated α-Helix Platform for the Recognition of Deep and Narrow Targets. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15519-15528. [PMID: 35972994 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c03858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although interest in stabilized α-helical peptides as next-generation therapeutics for modulating biomolecular interfaces is increasing, peptides have limited functionality and stability due to their small size. In comparison, α-helical ligands based on proteins can make steric clash with targets due to their large size. Here, we report the design of a monomeric pseudo-isolated α-helix (mPIH) system in which proteins behave as if they are peptides. The designed proteins contain α-helix ligands that do not require any covalent chemical modification, do not have frayed ends, and importantly can make sterically favorable interactions similar to isolated peptides. An optimal mPIH showed a more than 100-fold increase in target selectivity, which might be related to the advantages in conformational selection due to the absence of frayed ends. The α-helical ligand in the mPIH displayed high thermal stability well above human body temperature and showed reversible and rapid folding/unfolding transitions. Thus, mPIH can become a promising protein-based platform for developing stabilized α-helix pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-In Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Hee Han
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hahnbeom Park
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehwan Choi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Euimin Hwang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Jae Han
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Yeon Ryu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Kap Cheong
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang 28119, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Yong-Beom Lim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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12
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Li B, Wan Z, Zheng H, Cai S, Tian HW, Tang H, Chu X, He G, Guo DS, Xue XS, Chen G. Construction of Complex Macromulticyclic Peptides via Stitching with Formaldehyde and Guanidine. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:10080-10090. [PMID: 35639413 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c04620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in constructing multicyclic peptide structures to expand the chemical space of peptides. Conventional strategies for constructing large peptide structures are limited by the typical reliance on the inflexible coupling between premade templates equipped with fixed reactive handles and peptide substrates via cysteine anchors. Herein, we report the development of a facile three-component condensation reaction of primary alkyl amine, formaldehyde, and guanidine for construction of complex macromulticyclic peptides with novel topologies via lysine anchors. Moreover, the reaction sequences can be orchestrated in different anchor combinations and spatial arrangements to generate various macrocyclic structures crosslinked by distinct fused tetrahydrotriazine linkages. The macrocyclization reactions are selective, efficient, versatile, and workable in both organic and aqueous media. Thus, the condensation reaction provides a smart tool for stitching native peptides in situ using simple methylene threads and guanidine joints in a flexible and programmable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhao Wan
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hanliang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shaokun Cai
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Han-Wen Tian
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hong Tang
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xin Chu
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Gang He
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiao-Song Xue
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.,Key Laboratory of Organofluorine Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Gong Chen
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.,Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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13
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Niu J, Cederstrand AJ, Eddinger GA, Yin B, Checco JW, Bingman CA, Outlaw VK, Gellman SH. Trimer-to-Monomer Disruption Mechanism for a Potent, Protease-Resistant Antagonist of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Signaling. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:9610-9617. [PMID: 35613436 PMCID: PMC9749406 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c13717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) signaling is associated with many inflammatory diseases. The homotrimeric quaternary structure of TNFα is essential for receptor recognition and signal transduction. Previously, we described an engineered α/β-peptide inhibitor that potently suppresses TNFα activity and resists proteolysis. Here, we present structural evidence that both the α/β-peptide inhibitor and an all-α analogue bind to a monomeric form of TNFα. Calorimetry data support a 1:1 inhibitor/TNFα stoichiometry in solution. In contrast, previous cocrystal structures involving peptide or small-molecule inhibitors have shown the antagonists engaging a TNFα dimer. The structural data reveal why our inhibitors favor monomeric TNFα. Previous efforts to block TNFα-induced cell death with peptide inhibitors revealed that surfactant additives to the assay conditions cause a more rapid manifestation of inhibitory activity than is observed in the absence of additives. We attributed this effect to a loose surfactant TNFα association that lowers the barrier to trimer dissociation. Here, we used the new structural data to design peptide inhibitors bearing a surfactant-inspired appendage intended to facilitate TNFα trimer dissociation. The appendage modified the time course of protection from cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Niu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Annika J. Cederstrand
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Geoffrey A. Eddinger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Boyu Yin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - James W. Checco
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Craig A. Bingman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Victor K. Outlaw
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Samuel H. Gellman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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14
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Dai C, Lian C, Fang H, Luo Q, Huang J, Yang M, Yang H, Zhu L, Zhang J, Yin F, Li Z. Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of ERα Modulators via Mitsunobu Macrocyclization. Org Lett 2022; 24:3532-3537. [PMID: 35546524 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c01239] [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 diversity of cyclic peptides was expanded by elaborating Mitsunobu macrocyclization, tethering various hydroxy acid building blocks with different Nε-amine substituents. This new strategy was then applied in synthesizing peptidomimetic estrogen receptor modulator (PERM) analogs on the solid support. The PERM analogs exhibited increased serum peptidase stability, cell penetration, and estrogen receptor α binding affinity. Studying diversity-oriented methods for preparing azacyclopeptides provides a new tool for macrocycle construction and further structural information for optimizing ERα modulators for ER positive breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Dai
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen 518035, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423043, China.,Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China
| | - Chenshan Lian
- Pingshan translational medicine centre, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518118, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School of Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huilong Fang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423043, China
| | - Qinhong Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen 518035, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423043, China
| | - Junrong Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Heng Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen 518035, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423043, China
| | - Lizhi Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen 518035, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423043, China
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China
| | - Feng Yin
- Pingshan translational medicine centre, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518118, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School of Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zigang Li
- Pingshan translational medicine centre, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518118, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School of Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China
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15
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Gupta S, Azadvari N, Hosseinzadeh P. Design of Protein Segments and Peptides for Binding to Protein Targets. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9783197. [PMID: 37850124 PMCID: PMC10521657 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9783197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a rise in methods for accurate prediction of structure and design of novel functional proteins. Design of functional protein fragments and peptides occupy a small, albeit unique, space within the general field of protein design. While the smaller size of these peptides allows for more exhaustive computational methods, flexibility in their structure and sparsity of data compared to proteins, as well as presence of noncanonical building blocks, add additional challenges to their design. This review summarizes the current advances in the design of protein fragments and peptides for binding to targets and discusses the challenges in the field, with an eye toward future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchetana Gupta
- Knight Campus Center for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
| | - Noora Azadvari
- Knight Campus Center for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
| | - Parisa Hosseinzadeh
- Knight Campus Center for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403, USA
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16
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Rathman BM, Del Valle JR. Late-Stage Sidechain-to-Backbone Macrocyclization of N-Amino Peptides. Org Lett 2022; 24:1536-1540. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Rathman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Juan R. Del Valle
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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17
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Diels-Alder Cycloadditions for Peptide Macrocycle Formation. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34596848 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1689-5_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Macrocyclization can confer enhanced stability, target affinity, and membrane permeability to peptide scaffolds, all of which are desirable properties for chemical probes and therapeutics. A wide array of macrocyclization chemistries have been reported over the last few decades; however, these often have limited compatibility with each other and across chemical environments, thus restricting access to specific molecular properties. In an effort to address some of these limitations, we recently described the use of Diels-Alder [4 + 2] cycloadditions for peptide macrocyclization. Among the attributes of this chemistry, we demonstrated that Diels-Alder cyclization can template diverse peptide secondary structures, proceed in organic or aqueous environments, and endow improved pharmacologic properties on cyclized peptides. Here, we present synthetic processes and characterization methods for the synthesis of Diels-Alder cyclized peptides.
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18
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Richaud AD, Zhao G, Hobloss S, Roche SP. Folding in Place: Design of β-Strap Motifs to Stabilize the Folding of Hairpins with Long Loops. J Org Chem 2021; 86:13535-13547. [PMID: 34499510 PMCID: PMC8576641 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c01442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite their pivotal role in defining antibody affinity and protein function, β-hairpins harboring long noncanonical loops remain synthetically challenging because of the large entropic penalty associated with their conformational folding. Little is known about the contribution and impact of stabilizing motifs on the folding of β-hairpins with loops of variable length and plasticity. Here, we report a design of minimalist β-straps (strap = strand + cap) that offset the entropic cost of long-loop folding. The judicious positioning of noncovalent interactions (hydrophobic cluster and salt-bridge) within the novel 8-mer β-strap design RW(V/H)W···WVWE stabilizes hairpins with up to 10-residue loops of varying degrees of plasticity (Tm up to 52 °C; 88 ± 1% folded at 18 °C). This "hyper" thermostable β-strap outperforms the previous gold-standard technology of β-strand-β-cap (16-mer) and provides a foundation for producing new classes of long hairpins as a viable and practical alternative to macrocyclic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis D Richaud
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
| | - Guangkuan Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
| | - Samir Hobloss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
| | - Stéphane P Roche
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
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19
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Škrbić T, Maritan A, Giacometti A, Rose GD, Banavar JR. Building blocks of protein structures: Physics meets biology. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:014402. [PMID: 34412233 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.014402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The native state structures of globular proteins are stable and well packed indicating that self-interactions are favored over protein-solvent interactions under folding conditions. We use this as a guiding principle to derive the geometry of the building blocks of protein structures-α helices and strands assembled into β sheets-with no adjustable parameters, no amino acid sequence information, and no chemistry. There is an almost perfect fit between the dictates of mathematics and physics and the rules of quantum chemistry. Protein evolution is facilitated by sequence-independent platforms, which can elaborate sequence-dependent functional diversity. Our work highlights the vital role of discreteness in life and may have implications for the creation of artificial life and on the nature of life elsewhere in the cosmos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Škrbić
- Department of Physics and Institute for Fundamental Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA.,Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Campus Scientifico, Edificio Alfa, via Torino 155, 30170 Venezia Mestre, Italy
| | - Amos Maritan
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Padova and INFN, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Achille Giacometti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Campus Scientifico, Edificio Alfa, via Torino 155, 30170 Venezia Mestre, Italy.,European Center for Living Technologies (ECLT), Ca' Bottacin, Dorsoduro 3911, Calle Crosera, 30123 Venezia, Italy
| | - George D Rose
- T. C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218-2683, USA
| | - Jayanth R Banavar
- Department of Physics and Institute for Fundamental Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA
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20
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Blosser SL, Sawyer N, Maksimovic I, Ghosh B, Arora PS. Covalent and Noncovalent Targeting of the Tcf4/β-Catenin Strand Interface with β-Hairpin Mimics. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1518-1525. [PMID: 34286954 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
β-Strands are a fundamental component of protein structure, and these extended peptide regions serve as binding epitopes for numerous protein-protein complexes. However, synthetic mimics that capture the conformation of these epitopes and inhibit selected protein-protein interactions are rare. Here we describe covalent and noncovalent β-hairpin mimics of an extended strand region mediating the Tcf4/β-catenin interaction. Our efforts afford a rationally designed lead for an underexplored region of β-catenin, which has been the subject of numerous ligand discovery campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Blosser
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Nicholas Sawyer
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Igor Maksimovic
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Brahma Ghosh
- Discovery Chemistry, Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Paramjit S. Arora
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
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21
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Bellavita R, Casciaro B, Di Maro S, Brancaccio D, Carotenuto A, Falanga A, Cappiello F, Buommino E, Galdiero S, Novellino E, Grossmann TN, Mangoni ML, Merlino F, Grieco P. First-in-Class Cyclic Temporin L Analogue: Design, Synthesis, and Antimicrobial Assessment. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11675-11694. [PMID: 34296619 PMCID: PMC8389922 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive peptides can be modulated by introducing conformational constraints such as intramolecular macrocyclizations, which can involve either the backbone and/or side chains. Herein, we aimed at increasing the α-helicity content of temporin L, an isoform of an intriguing class of linear antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), endowed with a wide antimicrobial spectrum, by the employment of diverse side-chain tethering strategies, including lactam, 1,4-substituted [1,2,3]-triazole, hydrocarbon, and disulfide linkers. Our approach resulted in a library of cyclic temporin L analogues that were biologically assessed for their antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antibiofilm activities, leading to the development of the first-in-class cyclic peptide related to this AMP family. Our results allowed us to expand the knowledge regarding the relationship between the α-helical character of temporin derivatives and their biological activity, paving the way for the development of improved antibiotic cyclic AMP analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bellavita
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Center
for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione
Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi
Vanvitelli”, Caserta 81100, Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Department
of Agricultural Sciences, University of
Naples “Federico II”, Portici 80055, Italy
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Buommino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Tom N. Grossmann
- Department
of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
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22
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Torner JM, Yang Y, Rooklin D, Zhang Y, Arora PS. Identification of Secondary Binding Sites on Protein Surfaces for Rational Elaboration of Synthetic Protein Mimics. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1179-1183. [PMID: 34228913 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Minimal mimics of protein conformations provide rationally designed ligands to modulate protein function. The advantage of minimal mimics is that they can be chemically synthesized and coaxed to be proteolytically resistant; a key disadvantage is that minimization of the protein binding epitope may be associated with loss of affinity and specificity. Several approaches to overcome this challenge may be envisioned, including deployment of covalent warheads and use of nonnatural residues to improve contacts with the binding surface. Herein, we describe our computational and experimental efforts to enhance the minimal protein mimics with fragments that can contact undiscovered binding pockets on Mdm2 and MdmX-two well-studied protein partners of p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M. Torner
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Yuwei Yang
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - David Rooklin
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Yingkai Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Paramjit S. Arora
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
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23
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Wendt M, Bellavita R, Gerber A, Efrém NL, van Ramshorst T, Pearce NM, Davey PRJ, Everard I, Vazquez-Chantada M, Chiarparin E, Grieco P, Hennig S, Grossmann TN. Bicyclic β-Sheet Mimetics that Target the Transcriptional Coactivator β-Catenin and Inhibit Wnt Signaling. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:13937-13944. [PMID: 33783110 PMCID: PMC8252567 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein complexes are defined by the three-dimensional structure of participating binding partners. Knowledge about these structures can facilitate the design of peptidomimetics which have been applied for example, as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Even though β-sheets participate widely in PPIs, they have only rarely served as the basis for peptidomimetic PPI inhibitors, in particular when addressing intracellular targets. Here, we present the structure-based design of β-sheet mimetics targeting the intracellular protein β-catenin, a central component of the Wnt signaling pathway. Based on a protein binding partner of β-catenin, a macrocyclic peptide was designed and its crystal structure in complex with β-catenin obtained. Using this structure, we designed a library of bicyclic β-sheet mimetics employing a late-stage diversification strategy. Several mimetics were identified that compete with transcription factor binding to β-catenin and inhibit Wnt signaling in cells. The presented design strategy can support the development of inhibitors for other β-sheet-mediated PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Wendt
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alan Gerber
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nina-Louisa Efrém
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thirza van Ramshorst
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas M Pearce
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul R J Davey
- Medicinal Chemistry, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Isabel Everard
- Mechanistic Biology and Profiling, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sven Hennig
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom N Grossmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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24
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Jedhe GS, Arora PS. Hydrogen bond surrogate helices as minimal mimics of protein α-helices. Methods Enzymol 2021; 656:1-25. [PMID: 34325784 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Examination of complexes of proteins with biomolecular ligands reveals that proteins tend to interact with partners via folded sub-domains, in which the backbone possesses secondary structure. α-Helices comprising the largest class of protein secondary structures, play fundamental roles in a multitude of highly specific protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions. We have demonstrated a unique strategy for stabilization of the α-helical conformation that involves replacement of one of the main chain i and i+4 hydrogen bonds in the target α-helix with a covalent bond. We termed this synthetic strategy a hydrogen bond surrogate (HBS) approach. Two salient features of this approach are: (1) the internal placement of the crosslink allows development of helices such that none of the solvent-exposed surfaces are blocked by the constraining element, i.e., all side chains of the constrained helices remain available for molecular recognition. (2) This approach can be deployed to constrain very short peptides (<10 amino acid residues) into highly stable α-helices. This chapter presents the biophysical basis for the development of the hydrogen bond surrogate approach, as well as methods for the synthesis and conformational analysis of the artificial helices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh S Jedhe
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Paramjit S Arora
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States.
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25
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Wendt M, Bellavita R, Gerber A, Efrém N, Ramshorst T, Pearce NM, Davey PRJ, Everard I, Vazquez‐Chantada M, Chiarparin E, Grieco P, Hennig S, Grossmann TN. Bicyclic β‐Sheet Mimetics that Target the Transcriptional Coactivator β‐Catenin and Inhibit Wnt Signaling. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Wendt
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Naples Italy
| | - Alan Gerber
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Nina‐Louisa Efrém
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Thirza Ramshorst
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas M. Pearce
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | | | - Isabel Everard
- Mechanistic Biology and Profiling Discovery Sciences, R&D AstraZeneca Cambridge UK
| | | | | | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Naples Italy
| | - Sven Hennig
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Tom N. Grossmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
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26
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Rathman BM, Rowe JL, Del Valle JR. Synthesis and conformation of backbone N-aminated peptides. Methods Enzymol 2021; 656:271-294. [PMID: 34325790 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The chemical modification of peptides is a promising approach for the design of protein-protein interaction inhibitors and peptide-based drug candidates. Among several peptidomimetic strategies, substitution of the amide backbone maintains side-chain functionality that may be important for engagement of biological targets. Backbone amide substitution has been largely limited to N-alkylation, which can promote cis amide geometry and disrupt important H-bonding interactions. In contrast, N-amination of peptides induces distinct backbone geometries and maintains H-bond donor capacity. In this chapter we discuss the conformational characteristics of designed N-amino peptides and present a detailed protocol for their synthesis on solid support. The described methods allow for backbone N-amino scanning of biologically active parent sequences.
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27
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Fischer TF, Schoeder CT, Zellmann T, Stichel J, Meiler J, Beck-Sickinger AG. Cyclic Analogues of the Chemerin C-Terminus Mimic a Loop Conformation Essential for Activating the Chemokine-like Receptor 1. J Med Chem 2021; 64:3048-3058. [PMID: 33705662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1) is a promising target for treating autoinflammatory diseases, cancer, and reproductive disorders. However, the interaction between CMKLR1 and its protein-ligand chemerin remains uncharacterized, and no drugs targeting this interaction have passed clinical trials. Here, we identify the binding mode of chemerin-9, the C-terminus of chemerin, at the receptor by combining complementary mutagenesis with structure-based modeling. Incorporating our experimental data, we present a detailed model of this binding site, including experimentally confirmed pairwise interactions for the most critical ligand residues: Chemerin-9 residue F8 binds to a hydrophobic pocket in CMKLR1 formed by the extracellular loop (ECL) 2, while F6 interacts with Y2.68, suggesting a turn-like structure. On the basis of this model, we created the first cyclic peptide with nanomolar activity, confirming the overall binding conformation. This constrained agonist mimics the loop conformation adopted by the natural ligand and can serve as a lead compound for future drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias F Fischer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Clara T Schoeder
- Center for Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee37212, United States
| | - Tristan Zellmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Stichel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jens Meiler
- Center for Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee37212, United States.,Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University Medical School, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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28
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Hegedüs Z, Hóbor F, Shoemark DK, Celis S, Lian LY, Trinh CH, Sessions RB, Edwards TA, Wilson AJ. Identification of β-strand mediated protein-protein interaction inhibitors using ligand-directed fragment ligation. Chem Sci 2021; 12:2286-2293. [PMID: 34163995 PMCID: PMC8179271 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc05694d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Strand mediated protein-protein interactions (PPIs) represent underexploited targets for chemical probe development despite representing a significant proportion of known and therapeutically relevant PPI targets. β-Strand mimicry is challenging given that both amino acid side-chains and backbone hydrogen-bonds are typically required for molecular recognition, yet these are oriented along perpendicular vectors. This paper describes an alternative approach, using GKAP/SHANK1 PDZ as a model and dynamic ligation screening to identify small-molecule replacements for tranches of peptide sequence. A peptide truncation of GKAP functionalized at the N- and C-termini with acylhydrazone groups was used as an anchor. Reversible acylhydrazone bond exchange with a library of aldehyde fragments in the presence of the protein as template and in situ screening using a fluorescence anisotropy (FA) assay identified peptide hybrid hits with comparable affinity to the GKAP peptide binding sequence. Identified hits were validated using FA, ITC, NMR and X-ray crystallography to confirm selective inhibition of the target PDZ-mediated PPI and mode of binding. These analyses together with molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the ligands make transient interactions with an unoccupied basic patch through electrostatic interactions, establishing proof-of-concept that this unbiased approach to ligand discovery represents a powerful addition to the armory of tools that can be used to identify PPI modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Hegedüs
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Fruzsina Hóbor
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Deborah K Shoemark
- School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Sergio Celis
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Lu-Yun Lian
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 3BX UK
| | - Chi H Trinh
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Richard B Sessions
- School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Thomas A Edwards
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular 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
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29
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Miller SE, Tsuji K, Abrams RPM, Burke TR, Schneider JP. Uncoupling the Folding-Function Paradigm of Lytic Peptides to Deliver Impermeable Inhibitors of Intracellular Protein-Protein Interactions. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:19950-19955. [PMID: 33175531 PMCID: PMC8916162 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c07921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Here, we describe the use of peptide backbone N-methylation as a new strategy to transform membrane-lytic peptides (MLPs) into cytocompatible intracellular delivery vehicles. The ability of lytic peptides to engage with cell membranes has been exploited for drug delivery to carry impermeable cargo into cells, but their inherent toxicity results in narrow therapeutic windows that limit their clinical translation. For most linear MLPs, a prerequisite for membrane activity is their folding at cell surfaces. Modification of their backbone with N-methyl amides inhibits folding, which directly correlates to a reduction in lytic potential but only minimally affects cell entry. We synthesized a library of N-methylated peptides derived from MLPs and conducted structure-activity studies that demonstrated the broad utility of this approach across different secondary structures, including both β-sheet and helix-forming peptides. Our strategy is highlighted by the delivery of a notoriously difficult class of protein-protein interaction inhibitors that displayed on-target activity within cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E Miller
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702 United States
| | - Kohei Tsuji
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702 United States
| | - Rachel P M Abrams
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Terrence R Burke
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702 United States
| | - Joel P Schneider
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702 United States
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30
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Kabata Glowacki S, Koszinowski K, Hübner D, Frauendorf H, Vana P, Diederichsen U. Supramolecular Self-Assembly of β 3 -Peptides Mediated by Janus-Type Recognition Units. Chemistry 2020; 26:12145-12149. [PMID: 32621556 PMCID: PMC7539953 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202003107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
To gain mechanistic insights, natural systems with biochemical relevance are inspiring for the creation of new biomimetics with unique properties and functions. Despite progress in rational design and protein engineering, folding and intramolecular organization of individual components into supramolecular structures remains challenging and requires controlled methods. Foldamers, such as β-peptides, are structurally well defined with rigid conformations and suitable for the specific arrangement of recognition units. Herein, we show the molecular arrangement and aggregation of β3 -peptides into a hexameric helix bundle. For this purpose, β-amino acid side chains were modified with cyanuric acid and triamino-s-triazine as complementary recognition units. The pre-organization of the β3 -peptides leads these Janus molecule pairs into a hexameric arrangement and a defined rosette nanotube by stacking. The helical conformation of the subunits was indicated by circular dichroism spectroscopy, while the supramolecular arrangement was detected by dynamic light scattering and confirmed by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Selda Kabata Glowacki
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular ChemistryGeorg-August-University GöttingenTammannstrasse 237077GöttingenGermany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (cfBIN)University Medical Center Göttingenvon-Sieboldstrasse 3a37075GöttingenGermany
| | - Konrad Koszinowski
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular ChemistryGeorg-August-University GöttingenTammannstrasse 237077GöttingenGermany
| | - Dennis Hübner
- Institute of Physical ChemistryGeorg-August-University GöttingenTammannstrasse 637077GöttingenGermany
| | - Holm Frauendorf
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular ChemistryGeorg-August-University GöttingenTammannstrasse 237077GöttingenGermany
| | - Philipp Vana
- Institute of Physical ChemistryGeorg-August-University GöttingenTammannstrasse 637077GöttingenGermany
| | - Ulf Diederichsen
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular ChemistryGeorg-August-University GöttingenTammannstrasse 237077GöttingenGermany
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31
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Crecente-Garcia S, Neckebroeck A, Clark JS, Smith BO, Thomson AR. β-Turn Mimics by Chemical Ligation. Org Lett 2020; 22:4424-4428. [PMID: 32406695 PMCID: PMC7304061 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c01427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We report a simple reductive amination protocol to ligate two peptides, while simultaneously installing a β-turn mimic at the ligation junction. This strategy uses commercially available materials, mild chemical conditions, and a chemoselective ligation reaction of unprotected peptide substrates accessed through standard solid phase methods. This system was implemented in a designed β-hairpin system, and biophysical analysis demonstrates effective mimicry of the β-turn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Crecente-Garcia
- School
of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University
Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - Albane Neckebroeck
- School
of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University
Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - J. Stephen Clark
- School
of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University
Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - Brian O. Smith
- Institute
of Molecular Cell & Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - Andrew R. Thomson
- School
of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University
Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
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