Protein-protein interactions(PPIs) are recognized as attractive therapeutic targets. However targeting PPIs especially intracellular ones has been proven extremely difficult for conventional drug-like small molecules,...Protein-protein interactions(PPIs) are recognized as attractive therapeutic targets. However targeting PPIs especially intracellular ones has been proven extremely difficult for conventional drug-like small molecules, and biological drugs such as monoclonal antibodies have difficulty in reaching intracellular targets. Macrocyclic peptides are promising candidates of PPI regulators for their potential in combining high potency and biological stability together. Cell permeability of macrocyclic peptides may also be achieved by structural modifications or conjugation to a cell-penetrating sequence. Significant progress has been made in this research area in recent years. Important technology progress and recent examples of macrocyclic peptide PPI modulators are reviewed.展开更多
Peptides are a particular molecule class with inherent attributes of some small-molecule drugs and macromolecular biologics,thereby inspiring continuous searches for peptides with therapeutic and/or agrochemical poten...Peptides are a particular molecule class with inherent attributes of some small-molecule drugs and macromolecular biologics,thereby inspiring continuous searches for peptides with therapeutic and/or agrochemical potentials.However,the success rate is decreasing,presumably because many interesting but less-abundant peptides are so scarce or labile that they are likely‘overlooked’during the characterization effort.Here,we present the biochemical characterization and druggability improvement of an unprecedented minor fungal RiPP(ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide),named acalitide,by taking the relevant advantages of metabolomics approach and disulfide-bridged substructure which is more frequently imprinted in the marketed peptide drug molecules.Acalitide is biosynthetically unique in the macrotricyclization via two disulfide bridges and a protease(AcaB)-catalyzed lactamization of AcaA,an unprecedented precursor peptide.Such a biosynthetic logic was successfully re-edited for its sample supply renewal to facilitate the identification of the in vitro and in vivo antiparkinsonian efficacy of acalitide which was further confirmed safe and rendered brain-targetable by the liposome encapsulation strategy.Taken together,the work updates the mining strategy and biosynthetic complexity of RiPPs to unravel an antiparkinsonian drug candidate valuable for combating Parkinson’s disease that is globally prevailing in an alarming manner.展开更多
基金supported by Principle Training Program of Education Department of Sichuan Province (No. 18CZ0042)Fundamental Research Fund of Chengdu University (No. 2081916027)Undergraduate Innovation Programm of Chengdu University (Nos. CDU_CX_2018250, CDU_CX_2018251)
文摘Protein-protein interactions(PPIs) are recognized as attractive therapeutic targets. However targeting PPIs especially intracellular ones has been proven extremely difficult for conventional drug-like small molecules, and biological drugs such as monoclonal antibodies have difficulty in reaching intracellular targets. Macrocyclic peptides are promising candidates of PPI regulators for their potential in combining high potency and biological stability together. Cell permeability of macrocyclic peptides may also be achieved by structural modifications or conjugation to a cell-penetrating sequence. Significant progress has been made in this research area in recent years. Important technology progress and recent examples of macrocyclic peptide PPI modulators are reviewed.
基金co-financed by the NSFC(81991524,81991523,and 22193071,China)MOST grants(STI2030-Major Project-2022ZD0211804,China).
文摘Peptides are a particular molecule class with inherent attributes of some small-molecule drugs and macromolecular biologics,thereby inspiring continuous searches for peptides with therapeutic and/or agrochemical potentials.However,the success rate is decreasing,presumably because many interesting but less-abundant peptides are so scarce or labile that they are likely‘overlooked’during the characterization effort.Here,we present the biochemical characterization and druggability improvement of an unprecedented minor fungal RiPP(ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide),named acalitide,by taking the relevant advantages of metabolomics approach and disulfide-bridged substructure which is more frequently imprinted in the marketed peptide drug molecules.Acalitide is biosynthetically unique in the macrotricyclization via two disulfide bridges and a protease(AcaB)-catalyzed lactamization of AcaA,an unprecedented precursor peptide.Such a biosynthetic logic was successfully re-edited for its sample supply renewal to facilitate the identification of the in vitro and in vivo antiparkinsonian efficacy of acalitide which was further confirmed safe and rendered brain-targetable by the liposome encapsulation strategy.Taken together,the work updates the mining strategy and biosynthetic complexity of RiPPs to unravel an antiparkinsonian drug candidate valuable for combating Parkinson’s disease that is globally prevailing in an alarming manner.