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Aslan A, Ari Yuka S. Therapeutic peptides for coronary artery diseases: in silico methods and current perspectives. Amino Acids 2024; 56:37. [PMID: 38822212 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-024-03397-3] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Many drug formulations containing small active molecules are used for the treatment of coronary artery disease, which affects a significant part of the world's population. However, the inadequate profile of these molecules in terms of therapeutic efficacy has led to the therapeutic use of protein and peptide-based biomolecules with superior properties, such as target-specific affinity and low immunogenicity, in critical diseases. Protein‒protein interactions, as a consequence of advances in molecular techniques with strategies involving the combined use of in silico methods, have enabled the design of therapeutic peptides to reach an advanced dimension. In particular, with the advantages provided by protein/peptide structural modeling, molecular docking for the study of their interactions, molecular dynamics simulations for their interactions under physiological conditions and machine learning techniques that can work in combination with all these, significant progress has been made in approaches to developing therapeutic peptides that can modulate the development and progression of coronary artery diseases. In this scope, this review discusses in silico methods for the development of peptide therapeutics for the treatment of coronary artery disease and strategies for identifying the molecular mechanisms that can be modulated by these designs and provides a comprehensive perspective for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayca Aslan
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey
- Health Biotechnology Joint Research and Application Center of Excellence, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selcen Ari Yuka
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Health Biotechnology Joint Research and Application Center of Excellence, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey.
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2
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Chen Z, Li Y, Wang X, Qiu X, Wang C, Wang Z, Chen X, Wang J. A high-throughput molecular dynamics screening (HTMDS) approach to the design of novel cyclopeptide inhibitors of ATAD2B based on the non-canonical combinatorial library. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:2809-2824. [PMID: 37194299 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2212796] [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: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides (CPs) are a promising class of drugs because of their high biological activity and specificity. However, the design of CP remains challenging due to their conformational flexibility and difficulties in designing stable binding conformation. Herein, we present a high-throughput MD screening (HTMDS) process for the iterative design of stable CP binders with a combinatorial CP library composed of canonical and non-canonical amino acids. As a proof of concept, we apply our methods to design CP inhibitors for the bromodomain (BrD) of ATAD2B. 698,800 CP candidates with a total of 25,570 ns MD simulations were performed to study the protein-ligand binding interactions. The binding free energies (ΔGbind) estimated by MM/PBSA approach for eight lead CP designs were found to be low. CP-1st.43 was the best CP candidate with an estimated ΔGbind of -28.48 kcal/mol when compared to the standard inhibitor C-38 which has been experimentally validated and shown to exhibit ΔGbind of -17.11 kcal/mol. The major contribution of binding sites for BrD of ATAD2B involved the hydrogen-bonding anchor within the Aly-binding pocket, salt bridging, and hydrogen-bonding mediated stabilization of the ZA loop and BC loop, and the complementary Van der Waals attraction. Our methods demonstrate encouraging results by yielding conformationally stable and high-potential CP binders that should have potential applicability in future CP drug development.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yongxiao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinpei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaohui Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenglin Wang
- Shenzhen Qiyu Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junqing Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
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Mwangi J, Kamau PM, Thuku RC, Lai R. Design methods for antimicrobial peptides with improved performance. Zool Res 2023; 44:1095-1114. [PMID: 37914524 PMCID: PMC10802102 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.246] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The recalcitrance of pathogens to traditional antibiotics has made treating and eradicating bacterial infections more difficult. In this regard, developing new antimicrobial agents to combat antibiotic-resistant strains has become a top priority. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), a ubiquitous class of naturally occurring compounds with broad-spectrum antipathogenic activity, hold significant promise as an effective solution to the current antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Several AMPs have been identified and evaluated for their therapeutic application, with many already in the drug development pipeline. Their distinct properties, such as high target specificity, potency, and ability to bypass microbial resistance mechanisms, make AMPs a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. Nonetheless, several challenges, such as high toxicity, lability to proteolytic degradation, low stability, poor pharmacokinetics, and high production costs, continue to hamper their clinical applicability. Therefore, recent research has focused on optimizing the properties of AMPs to improve their performance. By understanding the physicochemical properties of AMPs that correspond to their activity, such as amphipathicity, hydrophobicity, structural conformation, amino acid distribution, and composition, researchers can design AMPs with desired and improved performance. In this review, we highlight some of the key strategies used to optimize the performance of AMPs, including rational design and de novo synthesis. We also discuss the growing role of predictive computational tools, utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, in the design and synthesis of highly efficacious lead drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Mwangi
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Rebecca Caroline Thuku
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Centre for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511458, China. E-mail:
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Kim JH, Jeong HS, Hwang J, Kweon DH, Choi CH, Park JP. Affinity Peptide-Tethered Suspension Hydrogel Sensor for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Influenza Virus. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37903089 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are known to cause pandemic flu outbreaks through both inter-human and animal-to-human transmissions. Therefore, the rapid and accurate detection of such pathogenic viruses is crucial for effective pandemic control. Here, we introduce a novel sensor based on affinity peptide-immobilized hydrogel microspheres for the selective detection of influenza A virus (IAV) H3N2. To enhance the binding affinity performance, we identified novel affinity peptides using phage display and further optimized their design. The functional hydrogel microspheres were constructed using the drop microfluidic technique, employing a structure composed of natural (chitosan) and synthetic (poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and PEG 6 kDa) polymers with the activation of azadibenzocyclooctyne for the subsequent click chemistry reaction. The binding peptide-immobilized hydrogel microsphere (BP-Hyd) was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and exhibited selective detection capability for the IAV H3N2. To capture the detected IAV H3N2, a Cy3-labeled IAV hemagglutinin antibody was utilized. By incorporating the affinity peptide with hydrogel microspheres, we achieved quantitative and selective detection of IAV H3N2 with a detection limit of 1.887 PFU mL-1. Furthermore, the developed suspension sensor exhibited excellent reproducibility and showed reusability potential. Our results revealed that the BP-Hyd-based fluorescence sensor platform could be feasibly employed to detect other pathogens because the virus-binding peptides can be easily replaced with other peptides through phage display, enabling selective and sensitive binding to different targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hong Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Seon Jeong
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyeon Hwang
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyuk Kweon
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hyung Choi
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Pil Park
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Republic of Korea
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5
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Cui J, Feng Y, Yang T, Wang X, Tang H. Computer-Aided Designing Peptide Inhibitors of Human Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D2 Synthase Combined Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation. Molecules 2023; 28:5933. [PMID: 37570903 PMCID: PMC10421073 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155933] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase (HPGDS) is involved in the production of prostaglandin D2, which participates in various physiological processes, including inflammation, allergic reactions, and sleep regulation. Inhibitors of HPGDS have been investigated as potential anti-inflammatory agents. For the investigation of potent HPGDS inhibitors, we carried out a computational modeling study combining molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation for selecting and virtual confirming the designed binders. We selected the structure of HPGDS (PDB ID: 2CVD) carrying its native inhibitor compound HQL as our research target. The random 5-mer peptide library was created by building the 3-D structure of random peptides using Rosetta Buildpeptide and performing conformational optimization. Molecular docking was carried out by accommodating the peptides into the location of their native binder and then conducting docking using FlexPepDock. The two peptides RMYYY and VMYMI, which display the lowest binding energy against HPGDS, were selected to perform a comparative study. The interaction of RMYYY and VMYMI against HPGDS was further confirmed using molecular dynamics simulation and aligned with its native binder, HQL. We show the selected binders to have stronger binding energy and more frequent interactions against HPGDS than HQL. In addition, we analyzed the solubility, hydrophobicity, charge, and bioactivity of the generated peptides, and we show that the selected strong binder may be further used as therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cui
- Wuxi Food Safety Inspection and Test Center, 35-210 South Changjiang Road, Wuxi 214142, China (T.Y.)
- Technology Innovation Center of Special Food for State Market Regulation, 35-302 South Changjiang Road, Wuxi 214142, China
| | - Yongwei Feng
- Wuxi Food Safety Inspection and Test Center, 35-210 South Changjiang Road, Wuxi 214142, China (T.Y.)
- Technology Innovation Center of Special Food for State Market Regulation, 35-302 South Changjiang Road, Wuxi 214142, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Wuxi Food Safety Inspection and Test Center, 35-210 South Changjiang Road, Wuxi 214142, China (T.Y.)
- Technology Innovation Center of Special Food for State Market Regulation, 35-302 South Changjiang Road, Wuxi 214142, China
| | - Xinglong Wang
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi 214122, China;
| | - Heng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
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6
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Kazmirchuk TDD, Bradbury-Jost C, Withey TA, Gessese T, Azad T, Samanfar B, Dehne F, Golshani A. Peptides of a Feather: How Computation Is Taking Peptide Therapeutics under Its Wing. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1194. [PMID: 37372372 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061194] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leveraging computation in the development of peptide therapeutics has garnered increasing recognition as a valuable tool to generate novel therapeutics for disease-related targets. To this end, computation has transformed the field of peptide design through identifying novel therapeutics that exhibit enhanced pharmacokinetic properties and reduced toxicity. The process of in-silico peptide design involves the application of molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning algorithms. Three primary approaches for peptide therapeutic design including structural-based, protein mimicry, and short motif design have been predominantly adopted. Despite the ongoing progress made in this field, there are still significant challenges pertaining to peptide design including: enhancing the accuracy of computational methods; improving the success rate of preclinical and clinical trials; and developing better strategies to predict pharmacokinetics and toxicity. In this review, we discuss past and present research pertaining to the design and development of in-silico peptide therapeutics in addition to highlighting the potential of computation and artificial intelligence in the future of disease therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas David Daniel Kazmirchuk
- Department of Biology, and the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Calvin Bradbury-Jost
- Department of Biology, and the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Taylor Ann Withey
- Department of Biology, and the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Tadesse Gessese
- Department of Biology, and the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Taha Azad
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1E 4K8, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS), Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Bahram Samanfar
- Department of Biology, and the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre (ORDC), Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada
| | - Frank Dehne
- School of Computer Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Ashkan Golshani
- Department of Biology, and the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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7
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Kong N, Ma H, Pu Z, Wan F, Li D, Huang L, Lian J, Huang X, Ling S, Yu H, Yao Y. De Novo Design and Synthesis of Polypeptide Immunomodulators for Resetting Macrophage Polarization. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2023; 5:0006. [PMID: 37849457 PMCID: PMC10521685 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0006] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Modulating the extracellular matrix microenvironment is critical for achieving the desired macrophage phenotype in immune investigations or tumor therapy. Combining de novo protein design and biosynthesis techniques, herein, we designed a biomimetic polypeptide self-assembled nano-immunomodulator to trigger the activation of a specific macrophage phenotype. It was intended to be made up of (GGSGGPGGGPASAAANSASRATSNSP)n, the RGD motif from collagen, and the IKVAV motif from laminin. The combination of these domains allows the biomimetic polypeptide to assemble into extracellular matrix-like nanofibrils, creating an extracellular matrix-like milieu for macrophages. Furthermore, changing the concentration further provides a facile route to fine-tune macrophage polarization, which enhances antitumor immune responses by precisely resetting tumor-associated macrophage immune responses into an M1-like phenotype, which is generally considered to be tumor-killing macrophages, primarily antitumor, and immune-promoting. Unlike metal or synthetic polymer-based nanoparticles, this polypeptide-based nanomaterial exhibits excellent biocompatibility, high efficacy, and precise tunability in immunomodulatory effectiveness. These encouraging findings motivate us to continue our research into cancer immunotherapy applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Kong
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hongru Ma
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China
| | - Zhongji Pu
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China
| | - Fengju Wan
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Dongfang Li
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
| | - Lei Huang
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China
| | - Jiazhang Lian
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shengjie Ling
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Haoran Yu
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China
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