Screening and Identification of a Novel Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Binding Peptide by Using a Phage Display Library

The purpose of this study was to screen peptides that can specifically bind to human hepatocellular carcinoma （hHCC） cells using phage display of random peptide library in order to develope a peptide-based carrier for the diagnosis or therapy of hHCC. A peptide 12-mer phage display library was employed and 4 rounds of subtractive panning were performed using the hHCC cell line HepG2 as the target. After panning, the phages that specifically bound to and internalized in hHCC cells were selected. The selected phages demonstrated highly specific affinity to HepG2 cells analyzed by ELISA and immunofluorescence analysis. 57.3% of the selected phage clones displayed repeated sequence FLLEPHLMDTSM, and 4 amino acid residues, FLEP were extremely conservative. Based on the sequencing results, a 16-mer peptide （WH-16） was synthesized. The competitive EL1SA showed that the binding of the phage clones displayed sequence FLLEPHLMDTSM to HepG2 cells was efficiently inhibited by WH-16. Our findings indicate that cellular binding of phage is mediated via its displayed peptide and the synthesized 16-mer peptide may have the potential to be a delivery carrier in target diagnosis or therapy for hHCC.

Identification and Characterization of Peptides Binding AgEG1 from a Phage Display Library

Endoglucanases are the main cellulolytic enzymes digestion as well as its good kinetic properties make it an attractive of Anoplophora glabripennis. Their high activities in cellulose target for development of cellulase inhibitors. In this study, random pepfide phage display technology was employed to identify peptides that bound the AgEG1, a member of endoglucanase isozymes. Phage clones with peptide LPPNPTK and XPP （X is residue T, L, A or H） motif frequently occurred in the selected phage population and showed a higher phage recovery than other clones. Peptide LPPNPTK was chemically synthesized and characterized tor its binding activities to AgEG1. The synthetic peptide exhibited high specificity for AgEG1. The peptide LPPNPTK has the potential to be developed into inhibitors of the endoglucanase of A. glabripennis.

Screening of Peptide Inhibitors of TACE from a Phage Display Random 15-Peptide Library by Recombinant TACE Ectodomain

Tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α-converting enzyme(TACE)is the major protease responsible for processing pro-TNF-αfrom membrane-anchored precursors to secreted TNF-α.In the present study,a 15-peptide library was used to identify potential TACE antagonists.To obtain the recombinant TACE ectodomain and to use it as a selective molecule for the screening of peptide inhibitors of TACE,cDNA coding for the catalytic domain(T800)and full-length ectodomain(T1300)of TACE were amplified by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.The expression plasmid were constructed by inserting T800/T1300 into plasmid pET-28a/c respectively and were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3).Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDSPAGE)andWestern blot analysis revealed that T800/T1300 were highly expressed in the form of an inclusion body induced by isopropylthiogalactoside.After Ni2+–NTA resin affinity chromatography,the purity of the recombinant T800/T1300 protein was more than 90%.T800 and T1300 proteins were used in the screening of T800/T1300-binding peptides from a phage display random 15-peptide library.After four rounds of biopanning,the positive phage clones were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,competitive inhibition assay(ELESA),and DNA sequencing.A common amino acid sequence(TRWLVYFS RPYLVAT)was confirmed and synthesized.A synthetic peptide was shown to bind to TACE and to inhibit TNF-αrelease from lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)by up to 60.3%.Fluorescence-activated cell sorter(FACS)analysis revealed that the peptide mediated the accumulation of TNF-αon an LPS-stimulated PBMC surface.These results demonstrate that the TACE-binding peptide is an effective antagonist of TACE and that the deduced motif might be applied to the molecular design of anti-inflammatory drugs.