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Oshiro KGN, Freitas CDP, Rezende SB, Orozco RMQ, Chan LY, Lawrence N, Lião LM, Macedo MLR, Craik DJ, Cardoso MH, Franco OL. Deciphering the structure and mechanism of action of computer-designed mastoparan peptides. FEBS J 2024; 291:865-883. [PMID: 37997610 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17010] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Mastoparans are cationic peptides with multifunctional pharmacological properties. Mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were computationally designed based on native mastoparan-L from wasps and have improved therapeutic potential for the control of bacterial infections. Here, we evaluated whether these peptides maintain their activity against Escherichia coli strains under a range of salt concentrations. We found that mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 preserved their activity under the conditions tested, including having antibacterial activities at physiological salt concentrations. The overall structure of the peptides was investigated using circular dichroism spectroscopy in a range of solvents. No significant changes in secondary structure were observed (random coil in aqueous solutions and α-helix in hydrophobic and anionic environments). The three-dimensional structures of mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were elucidated through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, revealing amphipathic α-helical segments for Leu3-Ile13 (mastoparan-R1) and Leu3-Ile14 (mastoparan-R4). Possible membrane-association mechanisms for mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were investigated through surface plasmon resonance and leakage studies with synthetic POPC and POPC/POPG (4:1) lipid bilayers. Mastoparan-L had the highest affinity for both membrane systems, whereas the two analogs had weaker association, but improved selectivity for lysing anionic membranes. This finding was also supported by molecular dynamics simulations, in which mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were found to have greater interactions with bacteria-like membranes compared with model mammalian membranes. Despite having a few differences in their functional and structural profiles, the mastoparan-R1 analog stood out with the highest activity, greater bacteriostatic potential, and selectivity for lysing anionic membranes. This study reinforces the potential of mastoparan-R1 as a drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen G N Oshiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Carlos D P Freitas
- Laboratório de RMN, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Samilla B Rezende
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Raquel M Q Orozco
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lai Y Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Luciano M Lião
- Laboratório de RMN, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Maria L R Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
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2
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Philippe GJB, Huang YH, Mittermeier A, Brown CJ, Kaas Q, Ramlan SR, Wang CK, Lane D, Loewer A, Troeira Henriques S, Craik DJ. Delivery to, and Reactivation of, the p53 Pathway in Cancer Cells Using a Grafted Cyclotide Conjugated with a Cell-Penetrating Peptide. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1197-1208. [PMID: 38174919 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01682] [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: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Peptides are promising drug modalities that can modulate protein-protein interactions, but their application is hampered by their limited ability to reach intracellular targets. Here, we improved the cytosolic delivery of a peptide blocking p53:MDM2/X interactions using a cyclotide as a stabilizing scaffold. We applied several design strategies to improve intracellular delivery and found that the conjugation of the lead cyclotide to the cyclic cell-penetrating peptide cR10 was the most effective. Conjugation allowed cell internalization at micromolar concentration and led to elevated intracellular p53 levels in A549, MCF7, and MCF10A cells, as well as inducing apoptosis in A549 cells without causing membrane disruption. The lead peptide had >35-fold improvement in inhibitory activity and increased cellular uptake compared to a previously reported cyclotide p53 activator. In summary, we demonstrated the delivery of a large polar cyclic peptide in the cytosol and confirmed its ability to modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions involved in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Jean-Baptiste Philippe
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Anna Mittermeier
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christopher J Brown
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Siti Radhiah Ramlan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David Lane
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Alexander Loewer
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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3
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Nadal-Bufí F, Chan LY, Mohammad HH, Mason JM, Salomon C, Lai A, Thompson EW, Craik DJ, Kaas Q, Henriques ST. Peptide-based LDH5 inhibitors enter cancer cells and impair proliferation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:606. [PMID: 36436181 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lactate dehydrogenase 5 (LDH5) is overexpressed in many cancers and is a potential target for anticancer therapy due to its role in aerobic glycolysis. Small-molecule drugs have been developed as competitive inhibitors to bind substrate/cofactor sites of LDH5, but none reached the clinic to date. Recently, we designed the first LDH5 non-competitive inhibitor, cGmC9, a peptide that inhibits protein-protein interactions required for LDH5 enzymatic activity. Peptides are gaining a large interest as anticancer agents to modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions not targetable by small molecules; however, delivery of these peptides to the cytosol, where LDH5 and other anticancer targets are located, remains a challenge for this class of therapeutics. In this study, we focused on the cellular internalisation of cGmC9 to achieve LDH5 inhibition in the cytosol. We designed cGmC9 analogues and compared them for LDH5 inhibition, cellular uptake, toxicity, and antiproliferation against a panel of cancer cell lines. The lead analogue, [R/r]cGmC9, specifically impairs proliferation of cancer cell lines with high glycolytic profiles. Proteomics analysis showed expected metabolic changes in response to decreased glycolysis. This is the first report of a peptide-based LDH5 inhibitor able to modulate cancer metabolism and kill cancer cells that are glycolytic. The current study demonstrates the potential of using peptides as inhibitors of intracellular protein-protein interactions relevant for cancer pathways and shows that active peptides can be rationally designed to improve their cell permeation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Nadal-Bufí
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Lai Y Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Hadi H Mohammad
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.,Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Knowledge University, Erbil, 44001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Jody M Mason
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Carlos Salomon
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia.,Departamento de Investigación, Postgrado y Educación Continua (DIPEC), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Alba, 8320000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrew Lai
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia T Henriques
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia. .,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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4
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Zorko M, Jones S, Langel Ü. Cell-penetrating peptides in protein mimicry and cancer therapeutics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 180:114044. [PMID: 34774552 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Extensive research has been undertaken in the pursuit of anticancer therapeutics. Many anticancer drugs require specificity of delivery to cancer cells, whilst sparing healthy tissue. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), now well established as facilitators of intracellular delivery, have in recent years advanced to incorporate target specificity and thus possess great potential for the targeted delivery of anticancer cargoes. Though none have yet been approved for clinical use, this novel technology has already entered clinical trials. In this review we present CPPs, discuss their classification, mechanisms of cargo internalization and highlight strategies for conjugation to anticancer moieties including their incorporation into therapeutic proteins. As the mainstay of this review, strategies to build specificity into tumor targeting CPP constructs through exploitation of the tumor microenvironment and the use of tumor homing peptides are discussed, whilst acknowledging the extensive contribution made by CPP constructs to target specific protein-protein interactions integral to intracellular signaling pathways associated with tumor cell survival and progression. Finally, antibody/antigen CPP conjugates and their potential roles in cancer immunotherapy and diagnostics are considered. In summary, this review aims to harness the potential of CPP-aided drug delivery for future cancer therapies and diagnostics whilst highlighting some of the most recent achievements in selective delivery of anticancer drugs, including cytostatic drugs, to a range of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Zorko
- University of Ljubljana, Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sarah Jones
- University of Wolverhampton, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK.
| | - Ülo Langel
- University of Stockholm, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Svante Arrhenius väg 16, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, Tartu, Estonia 50411, Estonia.
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5
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Amiss AS, von Pein JB, Webb JR, Condon ND, Harvey PJ, Phan MD, Schembri MA, Currie BJ, Sweet MJ, Craik DJ, Kapetanovic R, Henriques ST, Lawrence N. Modified horseshoe crab peptides target and kill bacteria inside host cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:38. [PMID: 34971427 PMCID: PMC11071844 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04041-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria that occupy an intracellular niche can evade extracellular host immune responses and antimicrobial molecules. In addition to classic intracellular pathogens, other bacteria including uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) can adopt both extracellular and intracellular lifestyles. UPEC intracellular survival and replication complicates treatment, as many therapeutic molecules do not effectively reach all components of the infection cycle. In this study, we explored cell-penetrating antimicrobial peptides from distinct structural classes as alternative molecules for targeting bacteria. We identified two β-hairpin peptides from the horseshoe crab, tachyplesin I and polyphemusin I, with broad antimicrobial activity toward a panel of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria in planktonic form. Peptide analogs [I11A]tachyplesin I and [I11S]tachyplesin I maintained activity toward bacteria, but were less toxic to mammalian cells than native tachyplesin I. This important increase in therapeutic window allowed treatment with higher concentrations of [I11A]tachyplesin I and [I11S]tachyplesin I, to significantly reduce intramacrophage survival of UPEC in an in vitro infection model. Mechanistic studies using bacterial cells, model membranes and cell membrane extracts, suggest that tachyplesin I and polyphemusin I peptides kill UPEC by selectively binding and disrupting bacterial cell membranes. Moreover, treatment of UPEC with sublethal peptide concentrations increased zinc toxicity and enhanced innate macrophage antimicrobial pathways. In summary, our combined data show that cell-penetrating peptides are attractive alternatives to traditional small molecule antibiotics for treating UPEC infection, and that optimization of native peptide sequences can deliver effective antimicrobials for targeting bacteria in extracellular and intracellular environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Amiss
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jessica B von Pein
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, IMB Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jessica R Webb
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, NT, 0811, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Condon
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation/Institute for Molecular Bioscience Cancer Biology Imaging Facility, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Minh-Duy Phan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark A Schembri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bart J Currie
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, NT, 0811, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Northern Territory Medical Program, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, 0811, Australia
| | - Matthew J Sweet
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, IMB Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ronan Kapetanovic
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, IMB Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058, Basel, BS, Switzerland.
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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6
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Schneider AFL, Kallen J, Ottl J, Reid PC, Ripoche S, Ruetz S, Stachyra TM, Hintermann S, Dumelin CE, Hackenberger CPR, Marzinzik AL. Discovery, X-ray structure and CPP-conjugation enabled uptake of p53/MDM2 macrocyclic peptide inhibitors. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1661-1668. [PMID: 34977581 PMCID: PMC8637822 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00056j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2, Hdm2) is an important negative regulator of the tumor suppressor p53. Using a mRNA based display technique to screen a library of >1012 in vitro-translated cyclic peptides, we have identified a macrocyclic ligand that shows picomolar potency on MDM2. X-Ray crystallography reveals a novel binding mode utilizing a unique pharmacophore to occupy the Phe/Trp/Leu pockets on MDM2. Conjugation of a cyclic cell-penetrating peptide (cCPP) to the initially non cell-permeable ligand enables cellular uptake and a pharmacodynamic response in SJSA-1 cells. The demonstrated enhanced intracellular availability of cyclic peptides that are identified by a display technology exemplifies a process for the application of intracellular tools for drug discovery projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anselm F L Schneider
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10 Berlin 13125 Germany
| | - Joerg Kallen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus Basel CH-4056 Switzerland
| | - Johannes Ottl
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus Basel CH-4056 Switzerland
| | - Patrick C Reid
- PeptiDream, 3-25-23 Tonomachi Kawasaki-Ku Kanagawa 210-0821 Japan
| | - Sebastien Ripoche
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus Basel CH-4056 Switzerland
| | - Stephan Ruetz
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus Basel CH-4056 Switzerland
| | | | - Samuel Hintermann
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus Basel CH-4056 Switzerland
| | - Christoph E Dumelin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus Basel CH-4056 Switzerland
| | - Christian P R Hackenberger
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10 Berlin 13125 Germany .,Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Chemie, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2 Berlin 12489 Germany
| | - Andreas L Marzinzik
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus Basel CH-4056 Switzerland
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7
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Philippe GJB, Mittermeier A, Lawrence N, Huang YH, Condon ND, Loewer A, Craik DJ, Henriques ST. Angler Peptides: Macrocyclic Conjugates Inhibit p53:MDM2/X Interactions and Activate Apoptosis in Cancer Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:414-428. [PMID: 33533253 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are being developed as targeted anticancer drugs to modulate cytosolic protein-protein interactions involved in cancer progression. However, their use as therapeutics is often limited by their low cell membrane permeation and/or inability to reach cytosolic targets. Conjugation to cell penetrating peptides has been successfully used to improve the cytosolic delivery of high affinity binder peptides, but cellular uptake does not always result in modulation of the targeted pathway. To overcome this limitation, we developed "angler peptides" by conjugating KD3, a noncell permeable but potent and specific peptide inhibitor of p53:MDM2 and p53:MDMX interactions, with a set of cyclic cell-penetrating peptides. We examined their binding affinity for MDM2 and MDMX, the cell entry mechanism, and role in reactivation of the p53 pathway. We identified two angler peptides, cTAT-KD3 and cR10-KD3, able to activate the p53 pathway in cancer cells. cTAT-KD3 entered cells via endocytic pathways, escaped endosomes, and activated the p53 pathway in breast (MCF7), lung (A549), and colon (HCT116) cancer cell lines at concentrations in the range of 1-12 μM. cR10-KD3 reached the cytosol via direct membrane translocation and activated the p53 pathway at 1 μM in all the tested cell lines. Our work demonstrates that nonpermeable anticancer peptides can be delivered into the cytosol and inhibit intracellular cancer pathways when they are conjugated with stable cell penetrating peptides. The mechanistic studies suggest that direct translocation leads to less toxicity, higher cytosol delivery at lower concentrations, and lower dependencies on the membrane of the tested cell line than occurs for an endocytic pathway with endosomal escape. The angler strategy can rescue high affinity peptide binders identified from high throughput screening and convert them into targeted anticancer therapeutics, but investigation of their cellular uptake and cell death mechanisms is essential to confirming modulation of the targeted cancer pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire J.-B. Philippe
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nicholas D. Condon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia T. Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation and Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
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8
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Benfield AH, Henriques ST. Mode-of-Action of Antimicrobial Peptides: Membrane Disruption vs. Intracellular Mechanisms. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:610997. [PMID: 35047892 PMCID: PMC8757789 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.610997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are an attractive alternative to traditional antibiotics, due to their physicochemical properties, activity toward a broad spectrum of bacteria, and mode-of-actions distinct from those used by current antibiotics. In general, antimicrobial peptides kill bacteria by either disrupting their membrane, or by entering inside bacterial cells to interact with intracellular components. Characterization of their mode-of-action is essential to improve their activity, avoid resistance in bacterial pathogens, and accelerate their use as therapeutics. Here we review experimental biophysical tools that can be employed with model membranes and bacterial cells to characterize the mode-of-action of antimicrobial peptides.
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