Cullin3-BTB interface: a novel target for stapled peptides

PLoS One. 2015 Apr 7;10(4):e0121149. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121149. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Cullin3 (Cul3), a key factor of protein ubiquitination, is able to interact with dozens of different proteins containing a BTB (Bric-a-brac, Tramtrack and Broad Complex) domain. We here targeted the Cul3-BTB interface by using the intriguing approach of stabilizing the α-helical conformation of Cul3-based peptides through the "stapling" with a hydrocarbon cross-linker. In particular, by combining theoretical and experimental techniques, we designed and characterized stapled Cul3-based peptides embedding the helix 2 of the protein (residues 49-68). Intriguingly, CD and NMR experiments demonstrate that these stapled peptides were able to adopt the helical structure that the fragment assumes in the parent protein. We also show that some of these peptides were able to bind to the BTB of the tetrameric KCTD11, a substrate adaptor involved in HDAC1 degradation, with high affinity (~ 300-600 nM). Cul3-derived staple peptides are also able to bind the BTB of the pentameric KCTD5. Interestingly, the affinity of these peptides is of the same order of magnitude of that reported for the interaction of full-length Cul3 with some BTB containing proteins. Moreover, present data indicate that stapling endows these peptides with an increased serum stability. Altogether, these findings indicate that the designed stapled peptides can efficiently mimic protein-protein interactions and are potentially able to modulate fundamental biological processes involving Cul3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cullin Proteins / chemistry*
  • Cullin Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary

Substances

  • CUL3 protein, human
  • Cullin Proteins
  • Peptides

Associated data

  • PDB/2MYL
  • PDB/2MYM

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Italian MIUR for financial support (FIRB RBAP114AMK 006). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.