Toolbox of Diverse Linkers for Navigating the Cellular Efficacy Landscape of Stapled Peptides

ACS Chem Biol. 2019 Mar 15;14(3):526-533. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00063. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Abstract

Stapled peptides have great potential as modulators of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). However, there is a vast landscape of chemical features that can be varied for any given peptide, and identifying a set of features that maximizes cellular uptake and subsequent target engagement remains a key challenge. Herein, we present a systematic analysis of staple functionality on the peptide bioactivity landscape in cellular assays. Through application of a "toolbox" of diversified dialkynyl linkers to the stapling of MDM2-binding peptides via a double-click approach, we conducted a study of cellular uptake and p53 activation as a function of the linker. Minor changes in the linker motif and the specific pairing of linker with peptide sequence can lead to substantial differences in bioactivity, a finding which may have important design implications for peptide-based inhibitors of other PPIs. Given the complexity of the structure-activity relationships involved, the toolbox approach represents a generalizable strategy for optimization when progressing from in vitro binding assays to cellular efficacy studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes / chemistry
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Peptides
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2