New Minor Cyclic Peptides from Brachystemma calycinum

From the ethanol extract of the roots of Brachystemma calycinum D. Don, a Chinese folk herb, four new minor cyclic peptides namely brachystemin A, B, C and D (1 - 4) have been isolated. Their structures were established as cyclo (Pro(1)-Phe-Leu-Ala(1)-Thr-Pro(2)-Ala(2)-Gly) (1), cyclo (Pro(1)-Ala-Phe-Trp-Asp-Pro(2)-Leu-Gly) (2), cyclo (Pro(1)-Ile-Gly-Pro(2)-Val-Ala(1)-Ala(2)-Tyr) (3) and cyclo ( Pro-OMet-Trp-Ile-Gly-Ala-Leu-Asp) (4) respectively by means of extensive spectral methods.

Two New Cyclic Peptides from Psammosilene tunicoides

From Psammosilene tunicoides W. C. Wu et C. Y Wu, two cyclic octapeptides (namedpsammosilenins A and B) were isolated. Their structures were determined as cyclo(-Pro1-phe1-Pro2-Phe2-Phe3-Ala-Pro3-Leu-) and cyclo(-Pro1-Gly-Phe1-Val-Pro2-Phe2-Thr-Ile) by spectroscopicmethods.

Two Cyclic Peptides Produced by the Endophytic Fungus # 2221 from Castaniopsis fissa on the South China Sea Coast

New cyclic peptides 1 and 2 were isolated from the endophytic fungus #2221 fromCastaniopsis fissa on the south China sea coast. By 2D NMR methods and chiral HPLC technique,their structures were elucidated as cyclo (L-Val-L-Leu-L-Val-L-Leu) and cyclo(L-Leu-L-Ala-L-Leu-L-Ala), respectively.

Investigation of the interaction between HIV-1 DNA and cyclic peptides by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The interaction between HIV-1 DNA and five cyclic peptides （CP1-CP5） was investigated using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry （ESI-MS）. It revealed that CP1 [c（Ala-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Gly）] and CP4 [c（Pro-D-Tyr-Leu-D-Ala-Gly）] have the higher binding affinity with the duplex DNA among the five cyclic peptides.

Software-aided detection and structural characterization of cyclic peptide metabolites in biological matrix by high-resolution mass spectrometry

Compared to their linear counterparts,cyclic peptides show better biological activities,such as antibacterial,immunosuppressive,and anti-tumor activities,and pharmaceutical properties due to their conformational rigidity.However,cyclic peptides could form numerous putative metabolites from potential hydrolytic cleavages and their fragments are very difficult to interpret.These characteristics pose a great challenge when analyzing metabolites of cyclic peptides by mass spectrometry.This study was to assess and apply a software-aided analytical workflow for the detection and structural characterization of cyclic peptide metabolites.Insulin and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP)as model cyclic peptides were incubated with trypsin/chymotrypsin and/or rat liver S9,followed by data acquisition using TripleTOF?5600.Resultant full-scan MS and MS/MS datasets were automatically processed through a combination of targeted and untargeted peak finding strategies.MS/MS spectra of predicted metabolites were interrogated against putative metabolite sequences,in light of a,b,y and internal fragment series.The resulting fragment assignments led to the confirmation and ranking of the metabolite sequences and identification of metabolic modification.As a result,29 metabolites with linear or cyclic structures were detected in the insulin incubation with the hydrolytic enzymes.Sequences of twenty insulin metabolites were further determined,which were consistent with the hydrolytic sites of these enzymes.In the same manner,multiple metabolites of insulin and ANP formed in rat liver S9 incubation were detected and structurally characterized,some of which have not been previously reported.The results demonstrated the utility of software-aided data processing tool in detection and identification of cyclic peptide metabolites.

SYNTHESIS OF CYCLIC PEPTIDES USING BBC REAGENT

We report here the synthesis of cyclic peptides using benzotriazolyloxy-bis(pyrrolidino)-carbonium hexafluoro- phosphate(BBC)as a coupling reagent with high yield and speed even in low concentration compared with the other usual coupling reagents.

Rh(Ⅲ)-catalyzed late-stage C-H alkenylation and macrolactamization for the synthesis of cyclic peptides with unique Trp(C7)-alkene crosslinks

Heterocycle-braced cyclic peptides have demonstrated enhanced metabolic stability,increased potency and selectivity.Here,we present a rapid synthesis method for constructing Trp(C7)-alkene(E)-crosslinked cyclic peptides with potent anti-proliferative activities against cancer cells,through C-H alkenylation and macrolactamization.This report addresses critical challenges associated with the installation and removal of the directing group N-Piv,configuration selectivity of the olefin,and intramolecular cyclization.No-tably,this method exhibits mild reaction conditions,traceless removal of the directing group,and high configuration selectivity.

A novel cyclic peptide targeting LAG-3 for cancer immunotherapy by activating antigenspecific CD8^+ T cell responses

PD-1 and CTLA-4 antibodies offer great hope for cancer immunotherapy.However,many patients are incapable of responding to PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade and show low response rates due to insufficient immune activation.The combination of checkpoint blockers has been proposed to increase the response rates.Besides,antibody drugs have disadvantages such as inclined to cause immune-related adverse events and infiltration problems.In this study,we developed a cyclic peptide C25 by using Ph.D.-C7C phage display technology targeting LAG-3.As a result,C25 showed a relative high affinity with human LAG-3 protein and could effectively interfere the binding between LAG-3 and HLA-DR(MHC-II).Additionally,C25 could significantly stimulate CD8^+T cell activation in human PBMCs.The results also demonstrated that C25 could inhibit tumor growth of CT26,B16 and B 16-OVA bearing mice,and the infiltration of CD8^+T cells was significantly increased while FOXP3^+Tregs significantly decreased in the tumor site.Furthermore,the secretion of IFN-γby CD8^+T cells in spleen,draining lymph nodes and especially in the tumors was promoted.Simultaneously,we exploited T cells depletion models to study the anti-tumor mechanisms for C25 peptide,and the results combined with MTT assay confirmed that C25 exerted anti-tumor effects via CD8+T cells but not direct killing.In conclusion,cyclic peptide C25 provides a rationale for targeting the immune checkpoint,by blockade of LAG-3/HLA-DR interaction in order to enhance anti-tumor immunity,and C25 may provide an alternative for cancer immunotherapy besides antibody drugs.

Blocking of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction by a novel cyclic peptide inhibitor for cancer immunotherapy

The interaction of PD-1/PD-L1 allows tumor cells to escape from immune surveillance.Clinical success of the antibody drugs has proven that blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy.Here,we developed a cyclic peptide C8 by using Ph.D.-C7 C phage display technology.C8 showed high binding affinity with h PD-1 and could effectively interfere the interaction of PD-1/PD-L1.Furthermore,C8 could stimulate CD8^(+)T cell activation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs).We also observed that C8 could suppress tumor growth in CT26 and B16-OVA,as well as anti-PD-1 antibody resistant B16 mouse model.CD8^(+)T cells infiltration significantly increased in tumor microenvironment,and IFN-γsecretion by CD8^(+)T cells in draining lymph nodes also increased.Simultaneously,we exploited T cells depletion models and confirmed that C8 exerted anti-tumor effects via activating CD8^(+)T cells dependent manner.The interaction model of C8 with h PD-1 was simulated and confirmed by alanine scanning.In conclusion,C8 shows anti-tumor capability by blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction,and C8 may provide an alternative candidate for cancer immunotherapy.

Synthesis of a highly hydrophobic cyclic decapeptide by solid-phase synthesis of linear peptide and cyclization in solution

A general method was described to synthesize a highly hydrophobic cyclic peptide,cyclo[LWLWLWLWLQ]where underlines indicate D-configuration of the amino acid,by a two-step solid-phase/solution synthesis strategy.The linear decapeptide was assembled by standard Boc chemistry on solid-phase and subsequently cyclized in solution with high efficiency and reproducibility. In subsequent purification by semi-preparative HPLC,50%(v/v) DMF/H_2O was employed as the solvent to overcome the difficulty of solubilization...

Self-Assembly of Constrained Cyclic Peptides Controlled by Ring Size

The de novo design of new peptide assemblies that expands the repertoire of biomaterial nanostructures has been of a tremendous challenge.Hence,it is evident that a successful research achievement in this area would increase the understanding of molecular interactions in supramolecules and create novel scaffolds exploitable in biotechnology and synthetic biology.The manipulation of cyclic peptide self-assembly is particularly intriguing for this purpose.Herein,we report that a novel type of cyclic peptides,referred to as chiral tether constrained cyclic peptides(CCP),shows promising self-assembly properties.CCPs are the first example of a controllable assembly of all-L-α-cyclic peptides with different ring sizes.A noteworthy feature of the CCP system is good tolerance of different secondary structures,ring size,and peptide sequence.Based on this system,a variety of nanostructures could be constructed,which display different physical properties,rendering it an excellent platform for molecular interaction studies.Further,demonstrate potential applications of these peptide assemblies in bioimaging and energy storage.

Synthesis of cyclic peptide reniochalistatin E and conformational isomers

Here, we report a convenient and efficient synthesis strategy for the total synthesis of cyclic peptide reniochalistatin E and its conformational isomers with 32% overall yield. We found the linear peptide precursor without side chain gave better cyclization yield.

Use of a Removable Backbone Modification Strategy to Prevent Aspartimide Formation in the Synthesis of Asp Lactam Cyclic Peptides

The synthesis of an Asp lactam derivative of A-183,a selective inhibitor of Factor 7a with good anticoagulant and antithrombotic activity,is described.Our synthesis depends on the use of a removable backbone modification(RBM)strategy to prevent aspartimide formation,which thwarted all attempts to synthesize this target using direct solid-phase peptide synthesis.Validation of the RBM strategy in the synthesis of a second Asp lactam derivative was also accomplished.The RBM strategy is therefore proposed as a general method for the synthesis of Asp lactam cyclic peptides.

Synthesis and Crystallization of a Cyclic Decapeptide GG-110824

A highly hydrophobic cyclic peptide GG-110824,cyclo（Gly-Leu-Val-Leu-LeuVal-Pro-Ile-Gly-Leu）（C49H86N10O10）,has been synthesized by a strategy combined with solid-phase synthesis（SPPS） of linear peptide and cyclization in solution.The structure including the absolute configuration of synthesized GG-110824 was confirmed by CuK radiation X-ray crystallography in the monoclinic system,space group P21 with a = 11.4966（10）,b = 18.5286（2）,c = 13.3943（10）,= 95.03o,V = 2842.20（4）3,F（000） = 1080 and Z = 2.

Cyclic heptapeptides with metal binding properties isolated from the fungus Cadophora malorum from Antarctic soil

The Antarctic fungus Cadophora malorum produces previously undescribed cyclic heptapeptides(cadophorin A and B)containing an anthranilic acid residue.The planar structure of these peptides was determined by high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.The absolute configuration of the amino acids was determined by Marfey’s method,with HPLC analysis of FDVA(Nα-(2,4-dinitro-5-fluorphenyl)-l-valinamide)derivatives making use of a PFP column.Remarkably,cadophorin 2 possesses both the uncommon d-Ile and d-allo-Ile in its structure.The peptides have metal binding properties as shown by LCMS with post column addition of metal salt solutions.These results were supported by DFT calculations.

Dock-able linear and homodetic di, tri, tetra and pentapeptide library from canonical amino acids: SARS-CoV-2 Mpro as a case study

Peptide-based therapeutics are increasingly pushing to the forefront of biomedicine with their promise of high specificity and low toxicity.Although noncanonical residues can always be used,employing only the natural 20 residues restricts the chemical space to a finite dimension allowing for comprehensive in silico screening.Towards this goal,the dataset comprising all possible di-,tri-,and tetra-peptide combinations of the canonical residues has been previously reported.However,with increasing computational power,the comprehensive set of pentapeptides is now also feasible for screening as the comprehensive set of cyclic peptides comprising four or five residues.Here,we provide both the complete and prefiltered libraries of all di-,tri-,tetra-,and penta-peptide sequences from 20 canonical amino acids and their homodetic(N-to-C-terminal)cyclic homologues.The FASTA,simplified molecular-input line-entry system(SMILES),and structure-data file(SDF)-three dimension(3D)libraries can be readily used for screening against protein targets.We also provide a simple method and tool for conducting identity-based filtering.Access to this dataset will accelerate small peptide screening workflows and encourage their use in drug discovery campaigns.As a case study,the developed library was screened against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)main protease to identify potential small peptide inhibitors.

Non-invasively differentiate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by visualizing hepatic integrinαvβ3 expression with a targeted molecular imaging modality

BACKGROUND Non-invasive methods to diagnose non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),an inflammatory subtype of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),are currently unavailable.AIM To develop an integrinαvβ3-targeted molecular imaging modality to differentiate NASH.METHODS Integrinαvβ3 expression was assessed in Human LO2 hepatocytes Scultured with palmitic and oleic acids(FFA).Hepatic integrinαvβ3 expression was analyzed in rabbits fed a high-fat diet(HFD)and in rats fed a high-fat,high-carbohydrate diet(HFCD).After synthesis,cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid peptide(cRGD)was labeled with gadolinium(Gd)and used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)performed on mice fed with HFCD.RESULTS Integrinαvβ3 was markedly expressed on FFA-cultured hepatocytes,unlike the control hepatocytes.Hepatic integrinαvβ3 expression significantly increased in both HFD-fed rabbits and HFCD-fed rats as simple fatty liver(FL)progressed to steatohepatitis.The distribution of integrinαvβ3 in the liver of NASH cases largely overlapped with albumin-positive staining areas.In comparison to mice with simple FL,the relative liver MRI-T1 signal value at 60 minutes post-injection of Gd-labeled cRGD was significantly increased in mice with steatohepatitis(P<0.05),showing a positive correlation with the NAFLD activity score(r=0.945;P<0.01).Hepatic integrinαvβ3 expression was significantly upregulated during NASH development,with hepatocytes being the primary cells expressing integrinαvβ3.CONCLUSION After using Gd-labeled cRGD as a tracer,NASH was successfully distinguished by visualizing hepatic integrinαvβ3 expression with MRI.

Solvent Effect on Conformation of a Cycloheptapeptide,Stylopeptide 1,Evaluated by Molecular Dynamics in Methonal and Aqueous Environments

Stylopeptide 1 synthesized and isolated from different sources exhibits a large activity difference in inhibitory effect on the growth of a cancer cell.Based on the different amounts of methanol and water during synthesis,isolation and purification of the cyclic peptides,molecular dynamics(MD) was employed to simulate the conformation of stylopeptide 1 in methanol and aqueous environments.The comparative results show that the backbone ring was more rigid in methanol than in water.In methanol,two β-turns and three hydrogen bonds were well conserved throughout the simulation,whereas no hydrogen bonds or turns were preserved in water.The activity difference of stylopeptide 1 seemed to be attributed to the solvent effect on its conformation.

Synthetic Channel-forming Peptides and Ion Selectivity

Introduction Peptides made up of alternating L- and D- amino acids can form β-helices as in gramicidin A or cyclic peptides that aggregate to form tubes In both cases the structures are hollow with all the side chains projecting outwards. Kennedy et al. postulated that. peptides having the （LLLD）n configuration could form helices with every fourth side chain projecting inward. It is a fact that synthetic N-formyl- （LeuSerLeuGly） 6- OH, when added to a lipid bilayer, dimerizes, to form ion channels having conductances greater than that of gramicidin.

Total synthesis of cyclic heptapeptide euryjanicin B

The first synthesis of the naturally occurring cyclic peptide euryjanicin B has been achieved.A general method was described to synthesize the cyclic peptide by a two-step solid-phase/solution synthesis strategy.All the amino acids in this study are L-configuration. The linear heptapeptide was assembled by standard Fmoc chemistry on solid-phase and subsequently cyclization was carried out by solution method.