1
|
Tian X, Sun Z, Zhong Y, Yang H, Cheng M, Liu Y. Synthesis and Antitumor Activity Evaluation of Novel Echinatin Derivatives with a 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Moiety. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2254. [PMID: 38396931 PMCID: PMC10889159 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042254] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A series of novel echinatin derivatives with 1,3,4-oxadiazole moieties were designed and synthesized. Most of the newly synthesized compounds exhibited moderate antiproliferative activity against the four cancer cell lines. Notably, Compound T4 demonstrated the most potent activity, with IC50 values ranging from 1.71 µM to 8.60 µM against the four cancer cell lines. Cell colony formation and wound healing assays demonstrated that T4 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and inhibited migration. We discovered that T4 exhibited moderate binding affinity with the c-KIT protein through reverse docking. The results were effectively validated through subsequent molecular docking and c-KIT enzyme activity assays. In addition, Western blot analysis revealed that T4 inhibits the phosphorylation of downstream proteins of c-KIT. The results provide valuable inspiration for exploring novel insights into the design of echinatin-related hybrids as well as their potential application as c-KIT inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China; (X.T.); (Z.S.); (Y.Z.); (H.Y.); (M.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Perez AR, Lee Y, Colvin ME, Merg AD. Interhelical E@g-N@a interactions modulate coiled coil stability within a de novo set of orthogonal peptide heterodimers. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3540. [PMID: 37690796 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3540] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The designability of orthogonal coiled coil (CC) dimers, which draw on well-established design rules, plays a pivotal role in fueling the development of CCs as synthetically versatile assembly-directing motifs for the fabrication of bionanomaterials. Here, we aim to expand the synthetic CC toolkit through establishing a "minimalistic" set of orthogonal, de novo CC peptides that comprise 3.5 heptads in length and a single buried Asn to prescribe dimer formation. The designed sequences display excellent partner fidelity, confirmed via circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and Ni-NTA binding assays, and are corroborated in silico using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Detailed analysis of the MD conformational data highlights the importance of interhelical E@g-N@a interactions in coordinating an extensive 6-residue hydrogen bonding network that "locks" the interchain Asn-Asn' contact in place. The enhanced stability imparted to the Asn-Asn' bond elicits an increase in thermal stability of CCs up to ~15°C and accounts for significant differences in stability within the collection of similarly designed orthogonal CC pairs. The presented work underlines the utility of MD simulation as a tool for constructing de novo, orthogonal CCs, and presents an alternative handle for modulating the stability of orthogonal CCs via tuning the number of interhelical E@g-N@a contacts. Expansion of CC design rules is a key ingredient for guiding the design and assembly of more complex, intricate CC-based architectures for tackling a variety of challenges within the fields of nanomedicine and bionanotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R Perez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Yumie Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Colvin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Andrea D Merg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tafech B, Mohabatpour F, Hedtrich S. Surface modification of lipid nanoparticles for gene therapy. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3642. [PMID: 38043928 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3642] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies have the potential to target and effectively treat a variety of diseases including cancer as well as genetic, neurological, and autoimmune disorders. Although we have made significant advances in identifying non-viral strategies to deliver genetic cargo, certain limitations remain. In general, gene delivery is challenging for several reasons including the instabilities of nucleic acids to enzymatic and chemical degradation and the presence of restrictive biological barriers such as cell, endosomal and nuclear membranes. The emergence of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) helped overcome many of these challenges. Despite its success, further optimization is required for LNPs to yield efficient gene delivery to extrahepatic tissues, as LNPs favor accumulation in the liver after systemic administration. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of current preclinical approaches in that LNP surface modification was leveraged for cell and tissue targeting by conjugating aptamers, antibodies, and peptides among others. In addition to their cell uptake and efficiency-enhancing effects, we outline the (dis-)advantages of the different targeting moieties and commonly used conjugation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belal Tafech
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Mohabatpour
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah Hedtrich
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center of Biological Design, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gostaviceanu A, Gavrilaş S, Copolovici L, Copolovici DM. Membrane-Active Peptides and Their Potential Biomedical Application. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2091. [PMID: 37631305 PMCID: PMC10459175 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082091] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane-active peptides (MAPs) possess unique properties that make them valuable tools for studying membrane structure and function and promising candidates for therapeutic applications. This review paper provides an overview of the fundamental aspects of MAPs, focusing on their membrane interaction mechanisms and potential applications. MAPs exhibit various structural features, including amphipathic structures and specific amino acid residues, enabling selective interaction with multiple membranes. Their mechanisms of action involve disrupting lipid bilayers through different pathways, depending on peptide properties and membrane composition. The therapeutic potential of MAPs is significant. They have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi, making them promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. MAPs can selectively target cancer cells and induce apoptosis, opening new avenues in cancer therapeutics. Additionally, MAPs serve as drug delivery vectors, facilitating the transport of therapeutic cargoes across cell membranes. They represent a fascinating class of biomolecules with significant potential in basic research and clinical applications. Understanding their mechanisms of action and designing peptides with enhanced selectivity and efficacy will further expand their utility in diverse fields. Exploring MAPs holds promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies against infections, cancer, and drug delivery challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Gostaviceanu
- Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, and Institute for Research, Development and Innovation in Technical and Natural Sciences, Aurel Vlaicu University, Elena Drăgoi St., No. 2, 310330 Arad, Romania; (A.G.); (S.G.); (L.C.)
- Biomedical Sciences Doctoral School, University of Oradea, University St., No. 1, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Simona Gavrilaş
- Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, and Institute for Research, Development and Innovation in Technical and Natural Sciences, Aurel Vlaicu University, Elena Drăgoi St., No. 2, 310330 Arad, Romania; (A.G.); (S.G.); (L.C.)
| | - Lucian Copolovici
- Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, and Institute for Research, Development and Innovation in Technical and Natural Sciences, Aurel Vlaicu University, Elena Drăgoi St., No. 2, 310330 Arad, Romania; (A.G.); (S.G.); (L.C.)
| | - Dana Maria Copolovici
- Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, and Institute for Research, Development and Innovation in Technical and Natural Sciences, Aurel Vlaicu University, Elena Drăgoi St., No. 2, 310330 Arad, Romania; (A.G.); (S.G.); (L.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Walther R, Westermann LM, Carmali S, Jackson SE, Brötz-Oesterhelt H, Spring DR. Identification of macrocyclic peptides which activate bacterial cylindrical proteases. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1186-1191. [PMID: 37360394 PMCID: PMC10285738 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00136a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The caseinolytic protease complex ClpXP is an important house-keeping enzyme in prokaryotes charged with the removal and degradation of misfolded and aggregated proteins and performing regulatory proteolysis. Dysregulation of its function, particularly by inhibition or allosteric activation of the proteolytic core ClpP, has proven to be a promising strategy to reduce virulence and eradicate persistent bacterial infections. Here, we report a rational drug-design approach to identify macrocyclic peptides which increase proteolysis by ClpP. This work expands the understanding of ClpP dynamics and sheds light on the conformational control exerted by its binding partner, the chaperone ClpX, by means of a chemical approach. The identified macrocyclic peptide ligands may, in the future, serve as a starting point for the development of ClpP activators for antibacterial applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raoul Walther
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road CB2 1EW Cambridge UK
| | - Linda M Westermann
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Dept. of Bioactive Compounds, University of Tübingen Auf der Morgenstelle 28 72076 Tübingen Germany
| | - Sheiliza Carmali
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast BT9 7BL Belfast UK
| | - Sophie E Jackson
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road CB2 1EW Cambridge UK
| | - Heike Brötz-Oesterhelt
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Dept. of Bioactive Compounds, University of Tübingen Auf der Morgenstelle 28 72076 Tübingen Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections Germany
| | - David R Spring
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road CB2 1EW Cambridge UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cheng W, Wang H, Zhao G, Adeel K, Zhang J, Li J. Combining a protein-targeting small molecule and a thiol-targeting small molecule for detecting a serum risk marker of liver tumor recurrence. Talanta 2023; 263:124675. [PMID: 37257240 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124675] [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: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This work proposes a novel bioassay designed to detect the 2B receptor of serotonin in serum samples, which can serve as a risk marker for cancer recurrence after surgical resection. Traditional methods for detecting this marker are often costly and time-consuming, requiring specialized reagents and equipment. The new bioassay is designed to enable direct and reagent-less detection of the 2B receptor in serum samples, without the need of antibodies or enzymes. The assay uses a small molecule ligand for the 2B receptor combined with a thiol-targeting fluorescent dye on a compact peptide-based molecular frame. This design allows for a rapid and specific readout of the fluorescent signal upon probe-protein interaction. In addition, the covalent biosensing process used in the assay allows for signal enhancement by electrochemical cross-linking of serum proteins. The bioassay was successfully used to detect the 2B receptor in serum samples from hepatocarcinoma patients, indicating its potential as a powerful tool for early cancer detection and monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing 211300, China
| | - Huali Wang
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China
| | - Guiping Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing 211300, China
| | - Khan Adeel
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Jianchun Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing 211300, China
| | - Jinlong Li
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Identification of Novel Artemisinin Hybrids Induce Apoptosis and Ferroptosis in MCF-7 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415768. [PMID: 36555409 PMCID: PMC9779727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole-artemisinin hybrids have been designed and synthesized. An MTT assay revealed that most of tested hybrids showed more enhanced anti-proliferative activities than artemisinin, among which A8 had the superior potency with IC50 values ranging from 4.07 μM to 9.71 μM against five tested cancer cell lines. Cell colony formation assays showed that A8 could inhibit significantly more cell proliferation than artemisinin and 5-fluorouracil. Further mechanism studies reveal that A8 induces apoptosis and ferroptosis in MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and CYPs inhibition assays reveal that A8 has a moderate inhibitory effect on CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in the human body at 10 μM. The present work indicates that hybrid A8 may merit further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent.
Collapse
|
8
|
Engineered protein-small molecule conjugates empower selective enzyme inhibition. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:328-338.e4. [PMID: 34363759 PMCID: PMC8807807 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Potent, specific ligands drive precision medicine and fundamental biology. Proteins, peptides, and small molecules constitute effective ligand classes. Yet greater molecular diversity would aid the pursuit of ligands to elicit precise biological activity against challenging targets. We demonstrate a platform to discover protein-small molecule (PriSM) hybrids to combine unique pharmacophore activities and shapes with constrained, efficiently engineerable proteins. In this platform, a fibronectin protein library is displayed on yeast with a single cysteine coupled to acetazolamide via a maleimide-poly(ethylene glycol) linker. Magnetic and flow cytometric sorts enrich specific binders to carbonic anhydrase isoforms. Isolated PriSMs exhibit potent, specific inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isoforms with efficacy superior to that of acetazolamide or protein alone, including an 80-fold specificity increase and 9-fold potency gain. PriSMs are engineered with multiple linker lengths, protein conjugation sites, and sequences against two different isoforms, which reveal platform flexibility and impacts of molecular designs. PriSMs advance the molecular diversity of efficiently engineerable ligands.
Collapse
|
9
|
Van Deventer JA. Liven Up That Linker. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2521-2522. [PMID: 33635077 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James A Van Deventer
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Room 148, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| |
Collapse
|