1
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Huang C, Liu YC, Oh H, Guo DS, Nau WM, Hennig A. Cellular Uptake of Cell-Penetrating Peptides Activated by Amphiphilic p-Sulfonatocalix[4]arenes. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400174. [PMID: 38456376 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400174] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
We report the synthesis of a series of amphiphilic p-sulfonatocalix[4]arenes with varying alkyl chain lengths (CX4-Cn) and their application as efficient counterion activators for membrane transport of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). The enhanced membrane activity is confirmed with the carboxyfluorescein (CF) assay in vesicles and by the direct cytosolic delivery of CPPs into CHO-K1, HCT 116, and KTC-1 cells enabling excellent cellular uptake of the CPPs into two cancer cell lines. Intracellular delivery was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy after CPP entry into live cells mediated by CX4-Cn, which was also quantified after cell lysis by fluorescence spectroscopy. The results present the first systematic exploration of structure-activity relationships for calixarene-based counterion activators and show that CX4-Cn are exceptionally effective in cellular delivery of CPPs. The dodecyl derivative, CX4-C12, serves as best activator. A first mechanistic insight is provided by efficient CPP uptake at 4 °C and in the presence of the endocytosis inhibitor dynasore, which indicates a direct translocation of the CPP-counterion complexes into the cytosol and highlights the potential benefits of CX4-Cn for efficient and direct translocation of CPPs and CPP-conjugated cargo molecules into the cytosol of live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chusen Huang
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
- The Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Normal University, 100 Guilin Road, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Yan-Cen Liu
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hyeyoung Oh
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Dong-Sheng Guo
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Werner M Nau
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hennig
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
- Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs) and Department of Biology and Chemistry, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 7, 49069, Osnabrück, Germany
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2
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Klußmann M, Stillger K, Ruppel M, Sticker CL, Neundorf I. Investigating the impact of thiol reactivity and disulfide formation on cellular uptake of cell-permeable peptides. J Pept Sci 2024:e3604. [PMID: 38651525 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been explored as versatile tools to transport various molecules into cells. The uptake mechanism of CPPs is still not clearly understood and most probably depends on several factors like the nature of the CPP itself, the attached cargo, the investigated cell system, and other experimental conditions, such as temperature and concentration. One of the first steps of internalization involves the interaction of CPPs with negatively charged molecules present at the outer layer of the cell membrane. Recently, thiol-mediated uptake has been found to support the effective translocation of sulfhydryl-bearing substances that would actually not be cell-permeable. Within this work, we aimed to understand the relevance of thiol reactivity for the uptake mechanism of cysteine-containing CPPs that we have developed previously in our group. Therefore, we compared the two peptides, sC18-Cys and CaaX-1, in their single reduced and dimeric disulfide versions. Cytotoxicity, intracellular accumulation, and impact on the internalization process of the disulfides were investigated in HeLa cells. Both disulfide CPPs demonstrated significantly stronger cytotoxic effects and membrane activity compared with their reduced counterparts. Notably, thiol-mediated uptake could be excluded as a main driver for translocation, showing that peptides like CaaX-1 are most likely taken up by other mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Klußmann
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Melina Ruppel
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Ines Neundorf
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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3
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Nguyen SV, Levintov L, Planalp RP, Vashisth H. Interactions and Transport of a Bioconjugated Peptide Targeting the Mitomembrane. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:371-380. [PMID: 38404183 PMCID: PMC10961729 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The Szeto-Schiller (SS) peptides are a subclass of cell-penetrating peptides that can specifically target mitochondria and mediate conditions caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. In this work, we constructed an iron-chelating SS peptide and studied its interaction with a mitochondrial-mimicking membrane using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We report that the peptide/membrane interaction is thermodynamically favorable, and the localization of the peptide to the membrane is driven by electrostatic interactions between the cationic residues and the anionic phospholipid headgroups. The insertion of the peptide into the membrane is driven by hydrophobic interactions between the aromatic side chains in the peptide and the lipid acyl tails. We also probed the translocation of the peptide across the membrane by applying nonequilibrium steered MD simulations and resolved the translocation pathway, free energy profile, and metastable states. We explored four distinct orientations of the peptide along the translocation pathway and found that one orientation was energetically more favorable than the other orientations. We tested a significantly slower pulling velocity on the most thermodynamically favorable system and compared metastable states during peptide translocation. We found that the peptide can optimize hydrophobic interactions with the membrane by having aromatic side chains interacting with the lipid acyl tails instead of forming π-π interactions with each other. The mechanistic insights emerging from our work will potentially facilitate improved peptide design with enhanced activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son V. Nguyen
- Department
of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Lev Levintov
- Department
of Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Roy P. Planalp
- Department
of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Harish Vashisth
- Department
of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
- Department
of Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
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4
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Klug J, Berberián MV, López Martí JM, Mayorga LS, Del Pópolo MG. Membrane Binding Strength vs Pore Formation Cost─What Drives the Membrane Permeation of Nanoparticles Coated with Cell-Penetrating Peptides? J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:937-948. [PMID: 38232319 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06461] [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: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) enable the transport of nanoparticles through cell membranes. Using molecular simulations, we conduct an in-depth investigation into the thermodynamic forces governing the passive translocation of CPP-coated nanoparticles across lipid bilayers, contrasting their behavior with that of bare particles to dissect the contribution of the peptides. Our analysis unveils a distinctive two-stage translocation mechanism, where the adsorption energy of the particles overcomes the cost of forming a hydrophilic transmembrane pore. Proper evaluation of the translocation mechanisms is only possible when using two reaction coordinates, in particular, one that explicitly includes the density of the lipids on the binding site of the particle. An analysis of adsorption and activation free energies in terms of a simple kinetic model provides a clearer understanding of the CPP effect. Experimental validation using nonendocytic cells confirms the superior membrane permeation of CPP-coated particles. Our findings have implications for the rational design of more efficient cell-permeating particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Klug
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo F91 YW50, Ireland
| | - María Victoria Berberián
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) CONICET/UNCUYO. Centro Universitario, Mendoza M5502JMA, Argentina
- Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas (ICB)─CONICET/UNCUYO, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, Mendoza CP5500, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, Mendoza CP5500, Argentina
| | - Jesús M López Martí
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, Mendoza CP5500, Argentina
| | - Luis S Mayorga
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM) CONICET/UNCUYO. Centro Universitario, Mendoza M5502JMA, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, Mendoza CP5500, Argentina
| | - Mario G Del Pópolo
- Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas (ICB)─CONICET/UNCUYO, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, Mendoza CP5500, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, Mendoza CP5500, Argentina
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5
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Ciobanasu C, Pernier J, Le Clainche C. Integrin Facilitates the Internalization of TAT Peptide Conjugated to RGD Motif in Model Lipid Membranes. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300642. [PMID: 37947251 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, targeted drug delivery has attracted a great interest for enhanced therapeutic efficiency, with diminished side effects, especially in cancer therapy. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) like HIV1-TAT peptides, appear to be the perfect vectors for translocating drugs or other cargoes across the plasma membrane, but their application is limited mostly due to insufficient specificity for intended targets. Although these molecules were successfully used, the mechanism by which the peptides enter the cell interior still needs to be clarified. The tripeptide motif RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartate), found in extracellular matrix proteins has high affinity for integrin receptors overexpressed in cancer and it is involved in different phases of disease progression, including proliferation, invasion and migration. Discovery of new peptides with high binding affinity for disease receptors and permeability of plasma membranes is desirable for both, development of targeted drug delivery systems and early detection and diagnosis. To complement the TAT peptide with specific targeting ability, we conjugated it with an integrin-binding RGD motif. Although the idea of RGD-CPPs conjugates is not entirely new,[1] here we describe the permeability abilities and specificity of integrin receptors of RGD-TAT peptides in model membranes. Our findings reveal that this novel RGD sequence based on TAT peptide maintains its ability to permeate lipid membranes and exhibits specificity for integrin receptors embedded in giant unilamellar vesicles. This promising outcome suggests that the RGD-TAT peptide has significant potential for applications in the field of targeted drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Ciobanasu
- Department of Exact and Natural Sciences Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru I. Cuza University, Bulevardul Carol I, Nr. 11, 700506, Iasi, Romania
| | - Julien Pernier
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Tumor Cell Dynamics Unit Inserm U1279 Gustave Roussy Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94800, France
| | - Christophe Le Clainche
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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6
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Kotadiya DD, Patel P, Patel HD. Cell-Penetrating Peptides: A Powerful Tool for Targeted Drug Delivery. Curr Drug Deliv 2024; 21:368-388. [PMID: 37026498 DOI: 10.2174/1567201820666230407092924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The cellular membrane hinders the effective delivery of therapeutics to targeted sites. Cellpenetrating peptide (CPP) is one of the best options for rapidly internalizing across the cellular membrane. CPPs have recently attracted lots of attention because of their excellent transduction efficiency and low cytotoxicity. The CPP-cargo complex is an effective and efficient method of delivering several chemotherapeutic agents used to treat various diseases. Additionally, CPP has become another strategy to overcome some of the current therapeutic agents' limitations. However, no CPP complex is approved by the US FDA because of its limitations and issues. In this review, we mainly discuss the cellpenetrating peptide as the delivery vehicle, the cellular uptake mechanism of CPPs, their design, and some strategies to synthesize the CPP complex via some linkers such as disulfide bond, oxime, etc. Here, we also discuss the recent status of CPPs in the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dushyant D Kotadiya
- Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Piyushkumar Patel
- Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Hitesh D Patel
- Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, Gujarat, India
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7
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Alvero-Gonzalez LM, Aurora Perini D, Queralt-Martín M, Perálvarez-Marín A, Viñas C, Alcaraz A. Probing electrophysiological activity of amphiphilic Dynorphin A in planar neutral membranes reveals both ion channel-like activity and neuropeptide translocation. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 154:108527. [PMID: 37531663 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108527] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Dynorphin A (DynA) is an endogenous neuropeptide that besides acting as a ligand of the κ-opioid receptor, presents some non-opioid pathophysiological properties associated to its ability to induce cell permeability similarly to cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). Here, we use electrophysiology experiments to show that amphiphilic DynA generates aqueous pores in neutral membranes similar to those reported previously in charged membranes, but we also find other events thermodynamically incompatible with voltage-driven ion channel activity (i.e. non-zero currents with no applied voltage in symmetric salt conditions, reversal potentials that exceed the theoretical limit for a given salt concentration gradient). By comparison with current traces generated by other amphiphilic molecule known to spontaneously cross membranes, we hypothesize that DynA could directly translocate across neutral bilayers, a feature never observed in charged membranes following the same electrophysiological protocol. Our findings suggest that DynA interaction with the cellular membrane is modulated by the lipid charge distribution, enabling either passive ionic transport via membrane remodeling and pore formation or by peptide direct internalization independent of cellular transduction pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laidy M Alvero-Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, University Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - D Aurora Perini
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, University Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - María Queralt-Martín
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, University Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Alex Perálvarez-Marín
- Biophysics Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Clara Viñas
- Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona, ICMAB-CSIC, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Antonio Alcaraz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, University Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain.
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8
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Carratalá JV, Arís A, Garcia-Fruitós E, Ferrer-Miralles N. Design strategies for positively charged endolysins: Insights into Artilysin development. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108250. [PMID: 37678419 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108250] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Endolysins are bacteriophage-encoded enzymes that can specifically degrade the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell wall, making them an attractive tool for the development of novel antibacterial agents. The use of genetic engineering techniques for the production and modification of endolysins offers the opportunity to customize their properties and activity against specific bacterial targets, paving the way for the development of personalized therapies for bacterial infections. Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane that can hinder the action of recombinantly produced endolysins. However, certain endolysins are capable of crossing the outer membrane by virtue of segments that share properties resembling those of cationic peptides. These regions increase the affinity of the endolysin towards the bacterial surface and assist in the permeabilization of the membrane. In order to improve the bactericidal effectiveness of endolysins, approaches have been implemented to increase their net charge, including the development of Artilysins containing positively charged amino acids at one end. At present, there are no specific guidelines outlining the steps for implementing these modifications. There is an ongoing debate surrounding the optimal location of positive charge, the need for a linker region, and the specific amino acid composition of peptides for modifying endolysins. The aim of this study is to provide clarity on these topics by analyzing and comparing the most effective modifications found in previous literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Vicente Carratalá
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Caldes de Montbui, 08140 Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-BBN), C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Anna Arís
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Caldes de Montbui, 08140 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Fruitós
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Caldes de Montbui, 08140 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-BBN), C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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9
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Ren H, Wang H, Wen W, Li S, Li N, Huo F, Yin C. A summary of calixarene-based fluorescent sensors developed during the past five years. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13790-13799. [PMID: 37946569 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04179d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Calixarenes are "chalice like" phenol-based macrocycles that are one of the most fascinating studied scaffolds in supramolecular chemistry. Their preorganized nonpolar cavities and ion binding sites, and their well-defined conformations all lay important foundations for forming host-guest complexes. Conjugation of calixarene scaffolds with various fluorophores at either upper or lower rims has led to the development of smart fluorescent probes for inorganic molecules or ions, aliphatic or aromatic compounds, biomolecules, temperature and hypoxia, even multi-component traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Moreover, significant advancements have been made for biological applications. This review critically summarizes the recent advances made in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixian Ren
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Hongliang Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Wei Wen
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Sha Li
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Nana Li
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Fangjun Huo
- Research Institute of Applied Chemistry, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Caixia Yin
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
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10
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Greschner AA, Brahiti N, Auger M, Hu L, Soleymani Abyaneh H, Barbeau X, Parent V, Gaillet B, Guay D, Soultan AH, Gauthier MA. PEGylation of a Peptide-Based Amphiphilic Delivery Agent and Influence on Protein Delivery to Cells. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:4890-4900. [PMID: 37862236 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00603] [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: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The cell membrane is a restrictive biological barrier, especially for large, charged molecules, such as proteins. The use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can facilitate the delivery of proteins, protein complexes, and peptides across the membrane by a variety of mechanisms that are all limited by endosomal sequestration. To improve CPP-mediated delivery, we previously reported the rapid and effective cytosolic delivery of proteins in vitro and in vivo by their coadministration with the peptide S10, which combines a CPP and an endosomal leakage domain. Amphiphilic peptides with hydrophobic properties, such as S10, can interact with lipids to destabilize the cell membrane, thus promoting cargo internalization or escape from endosomal entrapment. However, acute membrane destabilization can result in a dose-limiting cytotoxicity. In this context, the partial or transient deactivation of S10 by modification with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG; i.e., PEGylation) may provide the means to alter membrane destabilization kinetics, thereby attenuating the impact of acute permeabilization on cell viability. This study investigates the influence of PEGylation parameters (molecular weight, architecture, and conjugation chemistry) on the delivery efficiency of a green fluorescent protein tagged with a nuclear localization signal (GFP-NLS) and cytotoxicity on cells in vitro. Results suggest that PEGylation mostly interferes with adsorption and secondary structure formation of S10 at the cell membrane, and this effect is exacerbated by the mPEG molecular weight. This effect can be compensated for by increasing the concentration of conjugates prepared with lower molecular weight mPEG (5 to ∼20 kDa) but not for conjugates prepared with higher molecular weight mPEG (40 kDa). For conjugates prepared with moderate-to-high molecular weight mPEG (10 to 20 kDa), partial compensation of inactivation could be achieved by the inclusion of a reducible disulfide bond, which provides a mechanism to liberate the S10 from the polymer. Grafting multiple copies of S10 to a high-molecular-weight multiarmed PEG (40 kDa) improved GFP-NLS delivery efficiency. However, these constructs were more cytotoxic than the native peptide. Considering that PEGylation could be harnessed for altering the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution profiles of peptide-based delivery agents in vivo, the trends observed herein provide new perspectives on how to manipulate the membrane permeabilization process, which is an important variable for achieving delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea A Greschner
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS),EMT Research Center, 1650 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC J3X 1P7, Canada
| | - Nadine Brahiti
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
| | - Maud Auger
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
- Département de génie chimique Université Laval, Room #3570, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Québec QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Lei Hu
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS),EMT Research Center, 1650 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC J3X 1P7, Canada
| | - Hoda Soleymani Abyaneh
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS),EMT Research Center, 1650 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC J3X 1P7, Canada
| | - Xavier Barbeau
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
| | - Victor Parent
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
| | - Bruno Gaillet
- Département de génie chimique Université Laval, Room #3570, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Québec QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - David Guay
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
- Département de génie chimique Université Laval, Room #3570, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Québec QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Al-Halifa Soultan
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
| | - Marc A Gauthier
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS),EMT Research Center, 1650 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC J3X 1P7, Canada
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11
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Macyszyn J, Chyży P, Burmistrz M, Lobka M, Miszkiewicz J, Wojciechowska M, Trylska J. Structural dynamics influences the antibacterial activity of a cell-penetrating peptide (KFF) 3K. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14826. [PMID: 37684254 PMCID: PMC10491836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38745-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the widespread demand for novel antibacterial agents, we modified a cell-penetrating peptide (KFF)3K to transform it into an antibacterial peptide. Namely, we inserted a hydrocarbon staple into the (KFF)3K sequence to induce and stabilize its membrane-active secondary structure. The staples were introduced at two positions, (KFF)3K[5-9] and (KFF)3K[2-6], to retain the initial amphipathic character of the unstapled peptide. The stapled analogues are protease resistant contrary to (KFF)3K; 90% of the stapled (KFF)3K[5-9] peptide remained undigested after incubation in chymotrypsin solution. The stapled peptides showed antibacterial activity (with minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 2-16 µM) against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, contrary to unmodified (KFF)3K, which had no antibacterial effect against any strain at concentrations up to 32 µM. Also, both stapled peptides adopted an α-helical structure in the buffer and micellar environment, contrary to a mostly undefined structure of the unstapled (KFF)3K in the buffer. We found that the antibacterial activity of (KFF)3K analogues is related to their disruptive effect on cell membranes and we showed that by stapling this cell-penetrating peptide, we can induce its antibacterial character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Macyszyn
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Chyży
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Burmistrz
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lobka
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Miszkiewicz
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Joanna Trylska
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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12
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Drexler CI, Cyran JD, Webb LJ. Lipid-Specific Direct Translocation of the Cell-Penetrating Peptide NAF-1 44-67 across Bilayer Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:2002-2010. [PMID: 36827970 PMCID: PMC10127249 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c08076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
The cell-penetrating peptide NAF-1 has recently emerged as a promising candidate for selective penetration and destruction of cancer cells. It displays numerous membrane-selective behaviors including cell-specific uptake and organelle-specific degradation. In this work, we explore membrane penetration and translocation of NAF-1 in model lipid bilayer vesicles as a function of lipid identity in zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine lipids mixed with anionic phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidic acid lipids. By monitoring the digestion of NAF-1 using the protease trypsin located inside but not outside the vesicles, we determined that the translocation of NAF-1 was significantly enhanced by the presence of phosphatidic acid in the membrane compared to the other three anionic or zwitterionic lipids. These findings were correlated to fluorescence measurements of dansyl-labeled NAF-1, which revealed whether noncovalent interactions between NAF-1 and the bilayer were most stable either at the membrane/solution interface or within the membrane interior. Phosphatidic acid promoted interactions with fatty acid tails, while phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylglycerol stabilized interactions with polar lipid headgroups. Interfacial vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy experiments revealed that the phosphate moiety on phosphatidic acid headgroups was better hydrated than on the other three lipids, which helped to shuttle NAF-1 into the hydrophobic region. Our findings demonstrate that permeation does not depend on the net charge on phospholipid lipid headgroups in these model vesicles and suggest a model wherein NAF-1 crosses membranes selectively due to lipid-specific interactions at bilayer surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad I Drexler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Jenée D Cyran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76706, United States
| | - Lauren J Webb
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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13
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Mazzanti L, Ha-Duong T. Understanding Passive Membrane Permeation of Peptides: Physical Models and Sampling Methods Compared. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24055021. [PMID: 36902455 PMCID: PMC10003141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24055021] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The early characterization of drug membrane permeability is an important step in pharmaceutical developments to limit possible late failures in preclinical studies. This is particularly crucial for therapeutic peptides whose size generally prevents them from passively entering cells. However, a sequence-structure-dynamics-permeability relationship for peptides still needs further insight to help efficient therapeutic peptide design. In this perspective, we conducted here a computational study for estimating the permeability coefficient of a benchmark peptide by considering and comparing two different physical models: on the one hand, the inhomogeneous solubility-diffusion model, which requires umbrella-sampling simulations, and on the other hand, a chemical kinetics model which necessitates multiple unconstrained simulations. Notably, we assessed the accuracy of the two approaches in relation to their computational cost.
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14
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Xi H, Xu B, Fang A, Li X, Huang Z, Qin S, Xiao W, Li G, Tian M, Fan N, Song X. A cascade-responsive nanoplatform with tumor cell-specific drug burst release for chemotherapy. Acta Biomater 2023; 162:120-134. [PMID: 36828165 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Most of the nanomedicines can reduce the side effects of anti-tumor chemical drugs but do not have good enough therapeutic efficacy, largely due to the sustained drug release profile. It might be a promising alternative strategy to develop a cascade-responsive nanoplatform against tumor with the burst release of chemotherapeutics based on the highly efficient tumor cell targeting delivery. In this work, we constructed innovative nanoparticles (PMP/WPH-NPs) consisting of two functional polymers. PMP contained the MMP-2 enzyme sensitive linker and disulfide bond, which could respond to the tumor-overexpressing enzyme MMP-2 and high-level glutathione. While WPH promoted tumor penetration and acid-responsive drug release by modifying cellular penetrating peptides and polymerizing L-histidine. PMP/WPH-NPs exhibited outstanding features including longer blood circulation time, promoted tumor-specific accumulation, enhanced tumor penetration and efficient escape from lysosomes. Subsequently, the model drug paclitaxel (PTX), widely used in the tumor chemotherapy, was encapsulated into PMP/WPH-NPs via an emulsion solvent evaporation method. Within a short period of time, PTX-PMP/WPH-NP in simulated tumor cellular microenvironment could release 8 times more PTX than that in the physiological environment, demonstrating a good potential in tumor cell-specific burst drug release. In addition, PTX-PMP/WPH-NPs exhibited stronger anti-tumor activity than PTX in vitro and in vivo, which also had good biocompatibility according to the hemolysis assay and H&E staining. In summary, our work has succeeded in designing an original polymeric nanoplatform for programmed burst drug release based on the tailored tumor targeting delivery system. This new approach would facilitate the clinical translation of more anti-tumor nanomedicines. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biomaterials responsive to the tumor-specific stimulus has conventionally used in the targeted-delivery of anti-tumor drugs. However, the levels of common stimulus are not uniformly distributed and not high enough to effectively trigger drug release. In an effort to achieve a better specific drug release and promote the chemotherapeutic efficacy, we constructed a cascade responsive nanoplatform with tumor cell-specific drug burst release profile. The tailored biomaterial could overcome the bio-barriers in vivo and succeeded in the programmed burst drug release based on the tumor cell-specific delivery of chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Xi
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bei Xu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, China
| | - Aiping Fang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibetan autonomous Region, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiying Huang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shugang Qin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wen Xiao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guohong Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Miaomiao Tian
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Na Fan
- Sichuan University West China Hospital
| | - Xiangrong Song
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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15
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Choe S. Translocation of a single Arg[Formula: see text] peptide across a DOPC/DOPG(4:1) model membrane using the weighted ensemble method. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1168. [PMID: 36670187 PMCID: PMC9860060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28493-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
It is difficult to observe a spontaneous translocation of cell-penetrating peptides(CPPs) within a short time scale (e.g., a few hundred ns) in all-atom molecular dynamics(MD) simulations because the time required for the translocation of usual CPPs is on the order of minutes or so. In this work, we report a spontaneous translocation of a single Arg[Formula: see text](R9) across a DOPC/DOPG(4:1) model membrane within an order of a few tens ns scale by using the weighted ensemble(WE) method. We identify how water molecules and the orientation of Arg[Formula: see text] play a role in translocation. We also show how lipid molecules are transported along with Arg[Formula: see text]. In addition, we present free energy profiles of the translocation across the membrane using umbrella sampling and show that a single Arg[Formula: see text] translocation is energetically unfavorable. We expect that the WE method can help study interactions of CPPs with various model membranes within MD simulation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Choe
- Department of Energy Science & Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988 South Korea
- Energy Science & Engineering Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988 South Korea
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16
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Gao Y, Liu X, Chen N, Yang X, Tang F. Recent Advance of Liposome Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010178. [PMID: 36678807 PMCID: PMC9864445 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy, as an emerging therapeutic approach, has shown remarkable advantages in the treatment of some major diseases. With the deepening of genomics research, people have gradually realized that the emergence and development of many diseases are related to genetic abnormalities. Therefore, nucleic acid drugs are gradually becoming a new boon in the treatment of diseases (especially tumors and genetic diseases). It is conservatively estimated that the global market of nucleic acid drugs will exceed $20 billion by 2025. They are simple in design, mature in synthesis, and have good biocompatibility. However, the shortcomings of nucleic acid, such as poor stability, low bioavailability, and poor targeting, greatly limit the clinical application of nucleic acid. Liposome nanoparticles can wrap nucleic acid drugs in internal cavities, increase the stability of nucleic acid and prolong blood circulation time, thus improving the transfection efficiency. This review focuses on the recent advances and potential applications of liposome nanoparticles modified with nucleic acid drugs (DNA, RNA, and ASO) and different chemical molecules (peptides, polymers, dendrimers, fluorescent molecules, magnetic nanoparticles, and receptor targeting molecules). The ability of liposome nanoparticles to deliver nucleic acid drugs is also discussed in detail. We hope that this review will help researchers design safer and more efficient liposome nanoparticles, and accelerate the application of nucleic acid drugs in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongguang Gao
- Tangshan Key Laboratory of Green Speciality Chemicals, Department of Chemistry, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Tangshan Key Laboratory of Green Speciality Chemicals, Department of Chemistry, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, China
| | - Na Chen
- Tangshan Key Laboratory of Green Speciality Chemicals, Department of Chemistry, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, China
| | - Xiaochun Yang
- Tangshan Key Laboratory of Green Speciality Chemicals, Department of Chemistry, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, China
| | - Fang Tang
- The Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE, Future Technologies), Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
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17
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Ouyang J, Sheng Y, Wang W. Recent Advances of Studies on Cell-Penetrating Peptides Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244016. [PMID: 36552778 PMCID: PMC9776715 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
With the ability to transport cargo molecules across cell membranes with low toxicity, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have become promising candidates for next generation peptide-based drug delivery vectors. Over the past three decades since the first CPP was discovered, a great deal of work has been done on the cellular uptake mechanisms and the applications for the delivery of therapeutic molecules, and significant advances have been made. But so far, we still do not have a precise and unified understanding of the structure-activity relationship of the CPPs. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a method to reveal peptide-membrane interactions at the atomistic level and have become an effective complement to experiments. In this paper, we review the progress of the MD simulations on CPP-membrane interactions, including the computational methods and technical improvements in the MD simulations, the research achievements in the CPP internalization mechanism, CPP decoration and coupling, and the peptide-induced membrane reactions during the penetration process, as well as the comparison of simulated and experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ouyang
- School of Public Courses, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yuebiao Sheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- High Performance Computing Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (W.W.)
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18
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Allen JK, Sutherland TC, Prater AR, Geoffroy CG, Pellois JP. In vivo peptide-based delivery of a gene-modifying enzyme into cells of the central nervous system. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo2954. [PMID: 36170360 PMCID: PMC9519033 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo2954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We report on the successful delivery of the Cre recombinase enzyme in the neural cells of mice in vivo by simple coinjection with peptides derived from HIV-TAT. Cre delivery activates the expression of a reporter gene in both neurons and astrocytes of the cortex without tissue damage and with a transduction efficiency that parallels or exceeds that of a commonly used adeno-associated virus. Our data indicate that the delivery peptides mediate efficient endosomal leakage and cytosolic escape in cells that have endocytosed Cre. The peptides, therefore, act in trans and do not require conjugation to the payload, greatly simplifying sample preparation. Moreover, the delivery peptides are exclusively composed of natural amino acids and are consequently readily degradable and processed by cells. We envision that this approach will be beneficial to applications that require the transient introduction of proteins into cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason K. Allen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Theresa C. Sutherland
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Austin R. Prater
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Cédric G. Geoffroy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Pellois
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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19
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Odahara M, Horii Y, Itami J, Watanabe K, Numata K. Functional peptide-mediated plastid transformation in tobacco, rice, and kenaf. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:989310. [PMID: 36212290 PMCID: PMC9539840 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.989310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In plant engineering, plastid transformation is more advantageous than nuclear transformation because it results in high levels of protein expression from multiple genome copies per cell and is unaffected by gene silencing. The common plastid transformation methods are biolistic bombardment that requires special instruments and PEG-mediated transformation that is only applicable to protoplast cells. Here, we aimed to establish a new plastid transformation method in tobacco, rice, and kenaf using a biocompatible fusion peptide as a carrier to deliver DNA into plastids. We used a fusion peptide, KH-AtOEP34, comprising a polycationic DNA-binding peptide (KH) and a plastid-targeting peptide (AtOEP34) to successfully deliver and integrate construct DNA into plastid DNA (ptDNA) via homologous recombination. We obtained transformants in each species using selection with spectinomycin/streptomycin and the corresponding resistance gene aadA. The constructs remained in ptDNA for several months after introduction even under non-selective condition. The transformants normally flowered and are fertile in most cases. The offspring of the transformants (the T1 generation) retained the integrated construct DNA in their ptDNA, as indicated by PCR and DNA blotting, and expressed GFP in plastids from the integrated construct DNA. In summary, we successfully used the fusion peptide method for integration of foreign DNA in tobacco, rice, and kenaf ptDNA, and the integrated DNA was transmitted to the next generations. Whereas optimization is necessary to obtain homoplasmic plastid transformants that enable stable heterologous expression of genes, the plastid transformation method shown here is a novel nanomaterial-based approach distinct from the conventional methods, and we propose that this easy method could be used to target a wide variety of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Odahara
- Biomacromolecule Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Yoko Horii
- Biomacromolecule Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Jun Itami
- Biomacromolecule Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Kenta Watanabe
- Biomacromolecule Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Keiji Numata
- Biomacromolecule Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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20
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Hao M, Zhang L, Chen P. Membrane Internalization Mechanisms and Design Strategies of Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169038. [PMID: 36012300 PMCID: PMC9409441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been discovered to deliver chemical drugs, nucleic acids, and macromolecules to permeate cell membranes, creating a novel route for exogenous substances to enter cells. Up until now, various sequence structures and fundamental action mechanisms of CPPs have been established. Among them, arginine-rich peptides with unique cell penetration properties have attracted substantial scientific attention. Due to the positively charged essential amino acids of the arginine-rich peptides, they can interact with negatively charged drug molecules and cell membranes through non-covalent interaction, including electrostatic interactions. Significantly, the sequence design and the penetrating mechanisms are critical. In this brief synopsis, we summarize the transmembrane processes and mechanisms of arginine-rich peptides; and outline the relationship between the function of arginine-rich peptides and the number of arginine residues, arginine optical isomers, primary sequence, secondary and ternary structures, etc. Taking advantage of the penetration ability, biomedical applications of arginine-rich peptides have been refreshed, including drug/RNA delivery systems, biosensors, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Understanding the membrane internalization mechanisms and design strategies of CPPs will expand their potential applications in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minglu Hao
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L3G1, Canada
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (P.C.)
| | - Pu Chen
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L3G1, Canada
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (P.C.)
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21
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Liu Y, Zhao Z, Li M. Overcoming the cellular barriers and beyond: Recent progress on cell penetrating peptide modified nanomedicine in combating physiological and pathological barriers. Asian J Pharm Sci 2022; 17:523-543. [PMID: 36105313 PMCID: PMC9458999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex physiological and pathological conditions form barriers against efficient drug delivery. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), a class of short peptides which translocate drugs across cell membranes with various mechanisms, provide feasible solutions for efficient delivery of biologically active agents to circumvent biological barriers. After years of development, the function of CPPs is beyond cell penetrating. Multifunctional CPPs with bioactivity or active targeting capacity have been designed and successfully utilized in delivery of various cargoes against tumor, myocardial ischemia, ocular posterior segment disorders, etc. In this review, we summarize recent progress in CPP-functionalized nano-drug delivery systems to overcome the physiological and pathological barriers for the applications in cardiology, ophtalmology, mucus, neurology and cancer, etc. We also highlight the prospect of clinical translation of CPP-functionalized drug delivery systems in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingke Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhihe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Man Li
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Corresponding authors.
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22
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Mechanisms of selective monocyte targeting by liposomes functionalized with a cationic, arginine-rich lipopeptide. Acta Biomater 2022; 144:96-108. [PMID: 35314364 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Stimulation of monocytes with immunomodulating agents can harness the immune system to treat a long range of diseases, including cancers, infections and autoimmune diseases. To this end we aimed to develop a monocyte-targeting delivery platform based on cationic liposomes, which can be utilized to deliver immunomodulators and thus induce monocyte-mediated immune responses while avoiding off-target side-effects. The cationic liposome design is based on functionalizing the liposomal membrane with a cholesterol-anchored tri-arginine peptide (TriArg). We demonstrate that TriArg liposomes can target monocytes with high specificity in both human and murine blood and that this targeting is dependent on the content of TriArg in the liposomal membrane. In addition, we show that the mechanism of selective monocyte targeting involves the CD14 co-receptor, and selectivity is compromised when the TriArg content is increased, resulting in complement-mediated off-target uptake in granulocytes. The presented mechanistic findings of uptake by peripheral blood leukocytes may guide the design of future drug delivery systems utilized for immunotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Monocytes are attractive targets for immunotherapies of cancers, infections and autoimmune diseases. Specific delivery of immunostimulatory drugs to monocytes is typically achieved using ligand-targeted drug delivery systems, but a simpler approach is to target monocytes using cationic liposomes. To achieve this, however, a deep understanding of the mechanisms governing the interactions of cationic liposomes with monocytes and other leukocytes is required. We here investigate these interactions using liposomes incorporating a cationic arginine-rich lipopeptide. We demonstrate that monocyte targeting can be achieved by fine-tuning the lipopeptide content in the liposomes. Additionally, we reveal that the CD14 receptor is involved in the targeting process, whereas the complement system is not. These mechanistic findings are critical for future design of monocyte-targeting liposomal therapies.
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23
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Szabó I, Yousef M, Soltész D, Bató C, Mező G, Bánóczi Z. Redesigning of Cell-Penetrating Peptides to Improve Their Efficacy as a Drug Delivery System. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050907. [PMID: 35631493 PMCID: PMC9146218 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are promising tools for the transport of a broad range of compounds into cells. Since the discovery of the first members of this peptide family, many other peptides have been identified; nowadays, dozens of these peptides are known. These peptides sometimes have very different chemical–physical properties, but they have similar drawbacks; e.g., non-specific internalization, fast elimination from the body, intracellular/vesicular entrapment. Although our knowledge regarding the mechanism and structure–activity relationship of internalization is growing, the prediction and design of the cell-penetrating properties are challenging. In this review, we focus on the different modifications of well-known CPPs to avoid their drawbacks, as well as how these modifications may increase their internalization and/or change the mechanism of penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Szabó
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (Z.B.)
| | - Mo’ath Yousef
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Dóra Soltész
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Csaba Bató
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Zoltán Bánóczi
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (Z.B.)
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24
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Cardenas AE, Drexler CI, Nechushtai R, Mittler R, Friedler A, Webb LJ, Elber R. Peptide Permeation across a Phosphocholine Membrane: An Atomically Detailed Mechanism Determined through Simulations and Supported by Experimentation. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:2834-2849. [PMID: 35388695 PMCID: PMC9074375 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c10966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) facilitate translocation across biological membranes and are of significant biological and medical interest. Several CPPs can permeate into specific cells and organelles. We examine the incorporation and translocation of a novel anticancer CPP in a dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) lipid bilayer membrane. The peptide, NAF-144-67, is a short fragment of a transmembrane protein, consisting of hydrophobic N-terminal and charged C-terminal segments. Experiments using fluorescently labeled NAF-144-67 in ∼100 nm DOPC vesicles and atomically detailed simulations conducted with Milestoning support a model in which a significant barrier for peptide-membrane entry is found at the interface between the aqueous solution and membrane. The initial step is the insertion of the N-terminal segment and the hydrophobic helix into the membrane, passing the hydrophilic head groups. Both experiments and simulations suggest that the free energy difference in the first step of the permeation mechanism in which the hydrophobic helix crosses the phospholipid head groups is -0.4 kcal mol-1 slightly favoring motion into the membrane. Milestoning calculations of the mean first passage time and the committor function underscore the existence of an early polar barrier followed by a diffusive barrierless motion in the lipid tail region. Permeation events are coupled to membrane fluctuations that are examined in detail. Our study opens the way to investigate in atomistic resolution the molecular mechanism, kinetics, and thermodynamics of CPP permeation to diverse membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo E Cardenas
- Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Chad I Drexler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Rachel Nechushtai
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat-Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Ron Mittler
- The Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 Rollins Street, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Assaf Friedler
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat-Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Lauren J Webb
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Ron Elber
- Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States.,Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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25
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de Oliveira ECL, da Costa KS, Taube PS, Lima AH, Junior CDSDS. Biological Membrane-Penetrating Peptides: Computational Prediction and Applications. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:838259. [PMID: 35402305 PMCID: PMC8992797 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.838259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides comprise a versatile class of biomolecules that present a unique chemical space with diverse physicochemical and structural properties. Some classes of peptides are able to naturally cross the biological membranes, such as cell membrane and blood-brain barrier (BBB). Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and blood-brain barrier-penetrating peptides (B3PPs) have been explored by the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries to develop new therapeutic molecules and carrier systems. The computational prediction of peptides’ penetration into biological membranes has been emerged as an interesting strategy due to their high throughput and low-cost screening of large chemical libraries. Structure- and sequence-based information of peptides, as well as atomistic biophysical models, have been explored in computer-assisted discovery strategies to classify and identify new structures with pharmacokinetic properties related to the translocation through biomembranes. Computational strategies to predict the permeability into biomembranes include cheminformatic filters, molecular dynamics simulations, artificial intelligence algorithms, and statistical models, and the choice of the most adequate method depends on the purposes of the computational investigation. Here, we exhibit and discuss some principles and applications of these computational methods widely used to predict the permeability of peptides into biomembranes, exhibiting some of their pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewerton Cristhian Lima de Oliveira
- Institute of Technology, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Kauê Santana da Costa, ; Ewerton Cristhian Lima de Oliveira,
| | - Kauê Santana da Costa
- Laboratory of Computational Simulation, Institute of Biodiversity, Federal University of Western Pará, Santarém, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Kauê Santana da Costa, ; Ewerton Cristhian Lima de Oliveira,
| | - Paulo Sérgio Taube
- Laboratory of Computational Simulation, Institute of Biodiversity, Federal University of Western Pará, Santarém, Brazil
| | - Anderson H. Lima
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
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26
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Du Y, Lin X, Feng Q, Pan X, Song S, Yang J. Inhibition of human lung cancer cells by anti-p21Ras scFv mediated by the activatable cell-penetrating peptide. Anticancer Drugs 2022; 33:e562-e572. [PMID: 34338241 PMCID: PMC8670359 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Activatable cell-penetrating peptide (ACPP) is a tumour-targeting cell-penetrating peptide. Here, we used ACPP to carry anti-p21Ras scFv for Ras-driven cancer therapy. The ACPP-p21Ras scFv fusion protein was prepared by a prokaryotic expression system and Ni-NTA column purification. The human tumour cell lines A549, SW480, U251 and Huh7 and the normal cell line BEAS 2B were used to study the tumor-targeting and membrane-penetrating ability of ACPP-p21Ras scFv. The antitumour activity of ACPP-p21Ras scFv on A549 cells and H1299 cells in vitro was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, scratch wound healing, plate cloning and apoptosis assays. The penetration pathway of ACPP was determined by enhanced green fluorescent protein. The ACPP-p21Ras scFv fusion protein was successfully obtained at a concentration of 1.8 mg/ml. We found that ACPP-p21Ras scFv could penetrate tumour cell membranes with high expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), effectively inhibit the migration and proliferation of A549 cells and H1299 cells, and promote the apoptosis of A549 cells and H1299 cells. The membrane penetration experiment demonstrated that ACPP could enter A549 cells by direct penetration. The ability of ACPP to penetrate the membrane was affected by the addition of a membrane affinity inhibitor and a change in the potential difference across the cell membrane but not by the addition of endocytosis inhibitors and a change in temperature. The ACPP-p21Ras scFv fusion protein can penetrate tumour cells with MMP-2 expression and has antitumour activity against A549 cells and H1299 cells in vitro. This molecule is expected to become a potential antitumour drug for Ras gene-driven lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Du
- Department of Pathology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming
- Department of Pathology, 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Xinrui Lin
- Department of Pathology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming
| | - Qiang Feng
- Department of Pathology, 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Xinyan Pan
- Department of Pathology, 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Shuling Song
- Department of Pathology, 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Julun Yang
- Department of Pathology, 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
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27
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Horn JM, Obermeyer AC. Genetic and Covalent Protein Modification Strategies to Facilitate Intracellular Delivery. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:4883-4904. [PMID: 34855385 PMCID: PMC9310055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protein-based therapeutics represent a rapidly growing segment of approved disease treatments. Successful intracellular delivery of proteins is an important precondition for expanded in vivo and in vitro applications of protein therapeutics. Direct modification of proteins and peptides for improved cytosolic translocation are a promising method of increasing delivery efficiency and expanding the viability of intracellular protein therapeutics. In this Review, we present recent advances in both synthetic and genetic protein modifications for intracellular delivery. Active endocytosis-based and passive internalization pathways are discussed, followed by a review of modification methods for improved cytosolic delivery. After establishing how proteins can be modified, general strategies for facilitating intracellular delivery, such as chemical supercharging or inclusion of cell-penetrating motifs, are covered. We then outline protein modifications that promote endosomal escape. We finally examine the delivery of two potential classes of therapeutic proteins, antibodies and associated antibody fragments, and gene editing proteins, such as cas9.
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28
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Choe S. Free Energy Analyses of Cell-Penetrating Peptides Using the Weighted Ensemble Method. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11120974. [PMID: 34940475 PMCID: PMC8706838 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11120974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely used for drug-delivery agents; however, it has not been fully understood how they translocate across cell membranes. The Weighted Ensemble (WE) method, one of the most powerful and flexible path sampling techniques, can be helpful to reveal translocation paths and free energy barriers along those paths. Within the WE approach we show how Arg9 (nona-arginine) and Tat interact with a DOPC/DOPG(4:1) model membrane, and we present free energy (or potential mean of forces, PMFs) profiles of penetration, although a translocation across the membrane has not been observed in the current simulations. Two different compositions of lipid molecules were also tried and compared. Our approach can be applied to any CPPs interacting with various model membranes, and it will provide useful information regarding the transport mechanisms of CPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Choe
- Department of Energy Science & Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea;
- Energy Science & Engineering Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
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29
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Lützenburg T, Burdina N, Scholz MS, Neundorf I. Improving Membrane Activity and Cargo Delivery Efficacy of a Cell-Penetrating Peptide by Loading with Carboranes. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:2075. [PMID: 34959356 PMCID: PMC8709211 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have emerged as versatile tools to increase the intracellular accumulation of different kinds of cargoes. For an efficient cellular uptake and drug delivery, their organization into a distinct and stable secondary structure at the outer surface of the plasma membrane is a hallmark and supports optimal lipid-peptide interactions. Incorporation of hydrophobic moieties, such as carboranes (CBs), has the potential to increase the lipophilicity of peptides, and thus, to facilitate the formation of secondary structures. Herein, we present synthesis and biophysical as well as biological characterization of carborane-CPP conjugates having incorporated one or more CB clusters. Our results highlight the possibility to modulate the secondary structure of CPPs by the addition of CB's leading to constructs with altered membrane activity and promising use in terms of nucleic acid delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Lützenburg
- Institute for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany; (T.L.); (N.B.)
| | - Nele Burdina
- Institute for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany; (T.L.); (N.B.)
| | - Matthias S. Scholz
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry I & II, Pharmaceutical Institute, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Ines Neundorf
- Institute for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany; (T.L.); (N.B.)
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30
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Sun S, Xia Y, Liu J, Dou Y, Yang K, Yuan B, Kang Z. Real-time monitoring the interfacial dynamic processes at model cell membranes: Taking cell penetrating peptide TAT as an example. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 609:707-717. [PMID: 34839914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.11.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A real-time and molecule-level monitoring of the interfacial dynamic interactions between molecules and a cell membrane is of vital importance. Herein, taking TAT, one of the most representative cell penetrating peptides, as an example, a photo-voltage transient technique and a dynamic giant bistratal vesicle (GBV) leakage method were combined with the traditional giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) leakage assays, to provide a molecule-level understanding of the dynamic membrane interaction process performed in a low ionic strength and neutral pH condition. The photo-voltage test based on supported phospholipid bilayers showed a quick disturbance (<1 min) followed by a continuous reconstruction of the membrane by peptides, leading to a slight destruction (at TAT concentrations lower than 1 μg mL-1, i.e., 0.64 μM) or strong damage (e.g. at 10 μg mL-1, i.e., 6.4 μM) of the bilayer structure. The GUV/GBV leakage assays further demonstrated the TAT-induced membrane deformation and transmembrane diffusion of dyes, which occurred in an immediate, linear, and TAT-concentration dependent manner. Moreover, the flux of dye across the substrate-immobilized membranes was approximately three times of that across the substrate-free ones. This work gives information on time and molecular mechanism of the TAT-membrane interactions, demonstrates the different permeabilizing effects of TAT on immobilized and free membranes. Overall, it provides useful strategies to investigate the nano-bio interfacial interactions in a simple, global and real-time way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqing Sun
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaojiao Liu
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering & Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yujiang Dou
- School of Electronic and Information Engineer, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China; Suzhou Weimu Intelligent System Co. Ltd., Suzhou 215163, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Kai Yang
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bing Yuan
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhenhui Kang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Advanced Materials, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China.
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31
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Ovcherenko SS, Chinak OA, Chechushkov AV, Dobrynin SA, Kirilyuk IA, Krumkacheva OA, Richter VA, Bagryanskaya EG. Uptake of Cell-Penetrating Peptide RL2 by Human Lung Cancer Cells: Monitoring by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. Molecules 2021; 26:5442. [PMID: 34576913 PMCID: PMC8470091 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RL2 is a recombinant analogue of a human κ-casein fragment, capable of penetrating cells and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells with no toxicity to normal cells. The exact mechanism of RL2 penetration into cells remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of RL2 penetration into human lung cancer A549 cells by a combination of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. EPR spectra of A549 cells incubated with RL2 (sRL2) spin-labeled by a highly stable 3-carboxy-2,2,5,5-tetraethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl radical were found to contain three components, with their contributions changing with time. The combined EPR and confocal-microscopy data allowed us to assign these three forms of sRL2 to the spin-labeled protein sticking to the membrane of the cell and endosomes, to the spin-labeled protein in the cell interior, and to spin labeled short peptides formed in the cell because of protein digestion. EPR spectroscopy enabled us to follow the kinetics of transformations between different forms of the spin-labeled protein at a minimal spin concentration (3-16 μM) in the cell. The prospects of applications of spin-labeled cell-penetrating peptides to EPR imaging, DNP, and magnetic resonance imaging are discussed, as is possible research on an intrinsically disordered protein in the cell by pulsed dipolar EPR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey S. Ovcherenko
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (S.S.O.); (S.A.D.); (I.A.K.)
| | - Olga A. Chinak
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (O.A.C.); (A.V.C.); (V.A.R.)
| | - Anton V. Chechushkov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (O.A.C.); (A.V.C.); (V.A.R.)
| | - Sergey A. Dobrynin
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (S.S.O.); (S.A.D.); (I.A.K.)
| | - Igor A. Kirilyuk
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (S.S.O.); (S.A.D.); (I.A.K.)
| | | | - Vladimir A. Richter
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (O.A.C.); (A.V.C.); (V.A.R.)
| | - Elena G. Bagryanskaya
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (S.S.O.); (S.A.D.); (I.A.K.)
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32
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Sajid MI, Moazzam M, Stueber R, Park SE, Cho Y, Malik NUA, Tiwari RK. Applications of amphipathic and cationic cyclic cell-penetrating peptides: Significant therapeutic delivery tool. Peptides 2021; 141:170542. [PMID: 33794283 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A new class of peptides, cyclic cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), has great potential for delivering a vast variety of therapeutics intracellularly for treating diverse ailments. CPPs have been used previously; however, their further use is limited due to instability, toxicity, endosomal degradation, and insufficient cellular penetration. Cyclic CPPs are being investigated in delivering therapeutics to treat various ailments, including multi-drug resistant microbial infections, HIV, and cancer. They can act as a carrier for a variety of cargos and target intracellularly. Approximately 40 cyclic peptides-based therapeutics are available in the market, and annually one cyclic peptide-based drug enters the market. Numerous research and review articles have been published in the last decade about linear and cyclic peptides separately. This review is the first to provide a comprehensive deliberation about cationic and amphipathic cyclic CPPs. Herein, we highlights their structures, significant advantages, translocation mechanisms, and delivery application in the area of biomedical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Imran Sajid
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Moazzam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Ryan Stueber
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Shang Eun Park
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Yeseom Cho
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Noor Ul Ain Malik
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Rakesh K Tiwari
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA.
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Segan D, Stanley G, Messina P, Swiecicki J, Ngo K, Vivier V, Buriez O, Labbé E. Interaction of Redox Probes and Ferrocene‐labelled Peptides with Lipid Bilayers Observed at Lipid Bilayer‐Modified Electrodes. ChemElectroChem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202100501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Segan
- PASTEUR Département de chimie École Normale Supérieure PSL University Sorbonne Université CNRS 75005 Paris France
| | - George Stanley
- Laboratoire des biomolécules (LBM) Département de chimie École Normale supérieure PSL University Sorbonne Université CNRS 75005 Paris France
| | - Pierluca Messina
- PASTEUR Département de chimie École Normale Supérieure PSL University Sorbonne Université CNRS 75005 Paris France
| | - Jean‐Marie Swiecicki
- Laboratoire des biomolécules (LBM) Département de chimie École Normale supérieure PSL University Sorbonne Université CNRS 75005 Paris France
| | - Kieu Ngo
- Laboratoire Interfaces et Systèmes Électrochimiques (LISE) Sorbonne Université CNRS 75005 Paris France
| | - Vincent Vivier
- Laboratoire Interfaces et Systèmes Électrochimiques (LISE) Sorbonne Université CNRS 75005 Paris France
| | - Olivier Buriez
- PASTEUR Département de chimie École Normale Supérieure PSL University Sorbonne Université CNRS 75005 Paris France
| | - Eric Labbé
- PASTEUR Département de chimie École Normale Supérieure PSL University Sorbonne Université CNRS 75005 Paris France
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34
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Galassi VV, Wilke N. On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological Membranes. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:478. [PMID: 34203412 PMCID: PMC8306103 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11070478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cell membrane structure is proposed as a lipid matrix with embedded proteins, and thus, their emerging mechanical and electrostatic properties are commanded by lipid behavior and their interconnection with the included and absorbed proteins, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix and ionic media. Structures formed by lipids are soft, dynamic and viscoelastic, and their properties depend on the lipid composition and on the general conditions, such as temperature, pH, ionic strength and electrostatic potentials. The dielectric constant of the apolar region of the lipid bilayer contrasts with that of the polar region, which also differs from the aqueous milieu, and these changes happen in the nanometer scale. Besides, an important percentage of the lipids are anionic, and the rest are dipoles or higher multipoles, and the polar regions are highly hydrated, with these water molecules forming an active part of the membrane. Therefore, electric fields (both, internal and external) affects membrane thickness, density, tension and curvature, and conversely, mechanical deformations modify membrane electrostatics. As a consequence, interfacial electrostatics appears as a highly important parameter, affecting the membrane properties in general and mechanical features in particular. In this review we focus on the electromechanical behavior of lipid and cell membranes, the physicochemical origin and the biological implications, with emphasis in signal propagation in nerve cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Viviana Galassi
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza M5500, Argentina;
- Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas (ICB), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Mendoza M5500, Argentina
| | - Natalia Wilke
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, CONICET, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina
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35
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Pirtskhalava M, Vishnepolsky B, Grigolava M, Managadze G. Physicochemical Features and Peculiarities of Interaction of AMP with the Membrane. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:471. [PMID: 34067510 PMCID: PMC8156082 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are anti-infectives that have the potential to be used as a novel and untapped class of biotherapeutics. Modes of action of antimicrobial peptides include interaction with the cell envelope (cell wall, outer- and inner-membrane). A comprehensive understanding of the peculiarities of interaction of antimicrobial peptides with the cell envelope is necessary to perform a rational design of new biotherapeutics, against which working out resistance is hard for microbes. In order to enable de novo design with low cost and high throughput, in silico predictive models have to be invoked. To develop an efficient predictive model, a comprehensive understanding of the sequence-to-function relationship is required. This knowledge will allow us to encode amino acid sequences expressively and to adequately choose the accurate AMP classifier. A shared protective layer of microbial cells is the inner, plasmatic membrane. The interaction of AMP with a biological membrane (native and/or artificial) has been comprehensively studied. We provide a review of mechanisms and results of interactions of AMP with the cell membrane, relying on the survey of physicochemical, aggregative, and structural features of AMPs. The potency and mechanism of AMP action are presented in terms of amino acid compositions and distributions of the polar and apolar residues along the chain, that is, in terms of the physicochemical features of peptides such as hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and amphiphilicity. The survey of current data highlights topics that should be taken into account to come up with a comprehensive explanation of the mechanisms of action of AMP and to uncover the physicochemical faces of peptides, essential to perform their function. Many different approaches have been used to classify AMPs, including machine learning. The survey of knowledge on sequences, structures, and modes of actions of AMP allows concluding that only possessing comprehensive information on physicochemical features of AMPs enables us to develop accurate classifiers and create effective methods of prediction. Consequently, this knowledge is necessary for the development of design tools for peptide-based antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Pirtskhalava
- Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia; (B.V.); (M.G.); (G.M.)
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36
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Guille-Collignon M, Delacotte J, Lemaître F, Labbé E, Buriez O. Electrochemical Fluorescence Switch of Organic Fluorescent or Fluorogenic Molecules. CHEM REC 2021; 21:2193-2202. [PMID: 33656794 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This short review is aimed at emphasizing the most prominent recent works devoted to the fluorescence modulation of organic fluorescent or fluorogenic molecules by electrochemistry. This still expanding research field not only addresses the smart uses of known molecules or the design of new ones, but also investigates the development of instrumentation providing time- and space-resolved information at the molecular level. Important considerations including fluorescent/fluorogenic probes, reversible/irreversible fluorescence switch, direct/indirect fluorescence modulation, or environment properties are especially scrutinized in recent works dealing with bioanalysis perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Guille-Collignon
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Delacotte
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Lemaître
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Eric Labbé
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Buriez
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
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Sakurai H, Nishimura K, Yamamoto S, Maruyama T, Tamura A. Molecular Design of pH-Responsive Helix Peptides That Can Damage Tumor Cells Selectively. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:2442-2452. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Sakurai
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Kobe University, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Kanon Nishimura
- Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Kobe University, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Shota Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Kobe University, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Maruyama
- Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Kobe University, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Atsuo Tamura
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Kobe University, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
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38
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Converting peptides into drugs targeting intracellular protein-protein interactions. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:1521-1531. [PMID: 33524603 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are gaining increasing attention as therapeutics to target intracellular protein-protein interactions that are involved in disease progression. In this review, we discuss how peptides that are able to bind and inhibit a therapeutic target can be translated into drug leads. We discuss the advantages of using peptides as therapeutics to target intracellular protein-protein interactions, chemical strategies to generate macrocyclic peptides that are resistant to proteolytic enzymes, high-throughput screening approaches to identify peptides that have high affinity for therapeutic targets, strategies that permit these peptides to cross cell membranes and so reach intracellular targets, and the importance of investigating their mode-of-action in guiding the development of novel therapeutics.
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39
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Chiarpotti MV, Longo GS, Del Pópolo MG. Nanoparticles modified with cell penetrating peptides: Assessing adsorption on membranes containing acidic lipids. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 197:111373. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.111373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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40
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Via MA, Wilke N, Mayorga LS, Del Pópolo MG. Surface charge density and fatty acids enhance the membrane permeation rate of CPP-cargo complexes. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:9890-9898. [PMID: 33020785 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00673d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The CPP-effect makes reference to the process by which the membrane translocation rate of a cargo is enhanced by chemical functionalization with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). In this work we combine a simple kinetic model with free-energy calculations to explore the energetic basis of the CPP-effect. Two polyglicines are selected as model hydrophilic cargoes, and nona-arginine as a prototypical CPP. We assess the cargo carrying efficiency of nona-arginine by comparing the adsorption and insertion energies of the cargoes, the cargo-free CPPs, and the CPP-cargo complexes, into lipid membranes of varying composition. We also analyze the effect of modifying the type and concentration of anionic lipids, and the implication of these factors on the translocation rate of the CPP-cargo complex. Of particular interest is the evaluation of the catalytic role of palmitic acid (palmitate) as a promoter of the CPP-effect. We also analyse the influence of the size of the cargo on the membrane adsorption and insertion energies. Our results show that the efficiency of nona-arginine as a transmembrane carrier of simple hydrophilic molecules is modulated by the size of the cargo, and is strongly enhanced by increasing the concentration of anionic lipids and of ionized fatty acids in the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías A Via
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, CP5500, Argentina.
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41
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Skwarecki AS, Nowak MG, Milewska MJ. Synthetic strategies in construction of organic low molecular-weight carrier-drug conjugates. Bioorg Chem 2020; 104:104311. [PMID: 33142423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Inefficient transportation of polar metabolic inhibitors through cell membranes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells precludes their direct use as drug candidates in chemotherapy. One of the possible solutions to this problem is application of the 'Trojan horse' strategy, i.e. conjugation of an active substance with a molecular carrier of organic or inorganic nature, facilitating membrane penetration. In this work, the synthetic strategies used in rational design and preparation of conjugates of bioactive agents with three types of organic low molecular-weight carriers have been reviewed. These include iron-chelating agents, siderophores and cell-penetrating peptides. Moreover, a less known but very promising "molecular umbrella" conjugation strategy has been presented. Special attention has been paid on appropriate linking strategies, especially these allowing intracellular drug release after internalisation of a conjugate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej S Skwarecki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Gabriela Narutowicza Street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Michał G Nowak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Gabriela Narutowicza Street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Maria J Milewska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Gabriela Narutowicza Street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
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42
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Gehan P, Kulifaj S, Soule P, Bodin J, Amoura M, Walrant A, Sagan S, Thiam A, Ngo K, Vivier V, Cribier S, Rodriguez N. Penetratin translocation mechanism through asymmetric droplet interface bilayers. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183415. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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43
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Hemmati S, Behzadipour Y, Haddad M. Decoding the proteome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for cell-penetrating peptides involved in pathogenesis or applicable as drug delivery vectors. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 85:104474. [PMID: 32712315 PMCID: PMC7378008 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic or natural derived cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are vastly investigated as tools for the intracellular delivery of membrane-impermeable molecules. As viruses are intracellular obligate parasites, viral originated CPPs have been considered as suitable intracellular shuttling vectors for cargo transportation. A total of 310 CPPs were identified in the proteome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Screening the proteome of the cause of COVID-19 reveals that SARS-CoV-2 CPPs (SCV2-CPPs) span the regions involved in replication, protein-nucleotide and protein-protein interaction, protein-metal ion interaction, and stabilization of homo/hetero-oligomers. However, to find the most appropriate peptides as drug delivery vectors, one might face several hurdles. Computational analyses showed that 94.3% of the identified SCV2-CPPs are non-toxins, and 38% are neither antigenic nor allergenic. Interestingly, 36.70% of SCV2-CPPs were resistant to all four groups of protease families. Nearly 1/3 of SCV2-CPPs had sufficient inherent or induced helix and sheet conformation leading to increased uptake efficiency. Heliquest lipid-binding discrimination factor revealed that 44.30% of the helical SCV2-CPPs are lipid-binding helices. Although Cys-rich derived CPPs of helicase (NSP13) can potentially fold into a cyclic conformation in endosomes with a higher rate of endosomal release, the most optimal SCV2-CPP candidates as vectors for drug delivery were SCV2-CPP118, SCV2-CPP119, SCV2-CPP122, and SCV2-CPP129 of NSP12 (RdRp). Ten experimentally validated viral-derived CPPs were also used as the positive control to check the scalability and reliability of our protocol in SCV2-CPP retrieval. Some peptides with a cell-penetration ability known as bioactive peptides are adopted as biotherapeutics themselves. Therefore, 59.60%, 29.63%, and 32.32% of SCV2-CPPs were identified as potential antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungals, respectively. While 63.64% of SCV2-CPPs had immuno-modulatory properties, 21.89% were recognized as anti-cancers. Conclusively, the workflow of this study provides a platform for profound screening of viral proteomes as a rich source of biotherapeutics or drug delivery carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Hemmati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Yasaman Behzadipour
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Haddad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Hedegaard SF, Bruhn DS, Khandelia H, Cárdenas M, Nielsen HM. Shuffled lipidation pattern and degree of lipidation determines the membrane interaction behavior of a linear cationic membrane-active peptide. J Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 578:584-597. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.05.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Fenton D, Phillips D, Maddison A, H George C, Ryves J, D Jones H. Cupid, a cell permeable peptide derived from amoeba, capable of delivering GFP into a diverse range of species. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13725. [PMID: 32792509 PMCID: PMC7426420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell permeating peptides (CPPs) are attracting great interest for use as molecular delivery vehicles for the transport of biologically active cargo across the cell membrane. The sequence of a novel CPP sequence, termed ‘Cupid’, was identified from the genome of Dictyostelium discoideum. A Cupid-Green Fluorescent Protein (Cupid-GFP) fusion protein was tested on mammalian, whole plant cells, plant leaf protoplast and fungal cell cultures and observed using confocal microscopy. GFP fluorescence builds up within the cell cytosol in 60 min, demonstrating Cupid-GFP has permeated them and folded correctly into its fluorescent form. Our combined data suggest Cupid can act as a molecular vehicle capable of delivering proteins, such as GFP, into the cytosol of a variety of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fenton
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales, UK
| | - Dylan Phillips
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales, UK
| | - Anne Maddison
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales, UK
| | - Christopher H George
- Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park Campus, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Jonathan Ryves
- Cupid Peptides, Cardiff Medicentre, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4UJ, Wales, UK.
| | - Huw D Jones
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales, UK.
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46
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Li J, Wang J, Yao Q, Li T, Yan Y, Li Z, Zhang J. Why synthetic virus-like nanoparticles can achieve higher cellular uptake efficiency? NANOSCALE 2020; 12:14911-14918. [PMID: 32638793 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr03234d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Experimental studies in recent years have demonstrated that the cellular uptake properties of nanoparticles can be improved by mimicking the spiky surfaces of viruses; however, little is known on how the surface topological structure of nanoparticles affects their translocation across the cell membrane. Here, by employing dissipative particle dynamics simulations, the interactions between virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) and the lipid bilayer are investigated. The analysis of critical force for penetration demonstrates that VLPs with relatively longer and sparser spikes have better penetrability. The internalization pathway of VLPs illustrates that the spikes of VLPs can perturb the bilayer structure after VLPs adhere onto the bilayer. Furthermore, by comparing the translocation process of VLPs and spherical nanoparticles, it is found that the presence of spikes can help to increase the lateral defects in the bilayer, decrease the vertical deformation of the bilayer, and lower the density of nearby lipids during the translocation process. These effects of spikes jointly contribute to the superior penetrability of VLPs. It is expected that these findings not only enrich our understanding of how the surface topological structure affects the cellular uptake, but also pave the way for further development of VLPs for versatile biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China. and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Junfeng Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China.
| | - Qiang Yao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China.
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore and Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, Shandong, China
| | - Youguo Yan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China. and Institute of Advanced Materials, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China
| | - Zhen Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China. and Institute of Advanced Materials, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China
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47
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Komin A, Bogorad MI, Lin R, Cui H, Searson PC, Hristova K. A peptide for transcellular cargo delivery: Structure-function relationship and mechanism of action. J Control Release 2020; 324:633-643. [PMID: 32474121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The rate of transport of small molecule drugs across biological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier, is often a limiting factor in achieving a therapeutic dose. One proposed strategy to enhance delivery across endothelial or epithelial monolayers is conjugation to cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs); however, very little is known about the design of CPPs for efficient transcellular transport. Here, we report on transcellular transport of a CPP, designated the CL peptide, that increases the delivery of small-molecule cargoes across model epithelium approximately 10-fold. The CL peptide contains a helix-like motif and a polyarginine tail. We investigated the effect of cargo, helix-like motif sequence, polyarginine tail length, and peptide stereochemistry on cargo delivery. We showed that there is an optimal helix-like motif sequence (RLLRLLR) and polyarginine tail length (R7) for cargo delivery. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the peptide-cargo conjugate is cleaved by cells in the epithelium at the site of a two-amino acid linker. The cleavage releases the cargo with the N-terminal linker amino acid from the peptide prior to transport out of the epithelium. These studies provide new insight into the sequence requirements for developing novel CPPs for transcellular delivery of cargo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Komin
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Maxim I Bogorad
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Ran Lin
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Peter C Searson
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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48
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Maksoudian C, Soenen SJ, Susumu K, Oh E, Medintz IL, Manshian BB. A Multiparametric Evaluation of Quantum Dot Size and Surface-Grafted Peptide Density on Cellular Uptake and Cytotoxicity. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:1077-1087. [PMID: 32208650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite the progress in nanotechnology for biomedical applications, great efforts are still being employed in optimizing nanoparticle (NP) design parameters to improve functionality and minimize bionanotoxicity. In this study, we developed CdSe/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell quantum dots (QDs) that are compact ligand-coated and surface-functionalized with an HIV-1-derived TAT cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) analog to improve both biocompatibility and cellular uptake. Multiparametric studies were performed in different mammalian and murine cell lines to compare the effects of varying QD size and number of surface CPPs on cellular uptake, viability, generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial health, cell area, and autophagy. Our results showed that the number of cell-associated NPs and their respective toxicity are higher for the larger QDs. Meanwhile, increasing the number of surface CPPs also enhanced cellular uptake and induced cytotoxicity through the generation of mitoROS and autophagy. Thus, here we report the optimal size and surface CPP combinations for improved QD cellular uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy Maksoudian
- NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefaan J Soenen
- NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Bella B Manshian
- NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
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49
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Drug Conjugation Induced Modulation of Structural and Membrane Interaction Features of Cationic Cell-Permeable Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062197. [PMID: 32235796 PMCID: PMC7139830 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides might have great potential for enhancing the therapeutic effect of drug molecules against such dangerous pathogens as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which causes a major health problem worldwide. A set of cationic cell-penetration peptides with various hydrophobicity were selected and synthesized as drug carrier of isoniazid (INH), a first-line antibacterial agent against tuberculosis. Molecular interactions between the peptides and their INH-conjugates with cell-membrane-forming lipid layers composed of DPPC and mycolic acid (a characteristic component of Mtb cell wall) were evaluated, using the Langmuir balance technique. Secondary structure of the INH conjugates was analyzed and compared to that of the native peptides by circular dichroism spectroscopic experiments performed in aqueous and membrane mimetic environment. A correlation was found between the conjugation induced conformational and membrane affinity changes of the INH-peptide conjugates. The degree and mode of interaction were also characterized by AFM imaging of penetrated lipid layers. In vitro biological evaluation was performed with Penetratin and Transportan conjugates. Results showed similar internalization rate into EBC-1 human squamous cell carcinoma, but markedly different subcellular localization and activity on intracellular Mtb.
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50
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Abstract
The combination of supramolecular functional systems with biomolecular chemistry has been a fruitful exercise for decades, leading to a greater understanding of biomolecules and to a great variety of applications, for example, in drug delivery and sensing. Within these developments, the phospholipid bilayer membrane, surrounding live cells, with all its functions has also intrigued supramolecular chemists. Herein, recent efforts from the supramolecular chemistry community to mimic natural functions of lipid membranes, such as sensing, molecular recognition, membrane fusion, signal transduction, and gated transport, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Barba-Bon
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mohamed Nilam
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hennig
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
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