Designing Fluorescent Nuclear Permeable Peptidomimetics to Target Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen

J Med Chem. 2023 Aug 10;66(15):10354-10363. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00471. Epub 2023 Jul 25.

Abstract

Human proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a critical mediator of DNA replication and repair, acting as a docking platform for replication proteins. Disrupting these interactions with a peptidomimetic agent presents as a promising avenue to limit proliferation of cancerous cells. Here, a p21-derived peptide was employed as a starting scaffold to design a modular peptidomimetic that interacts with PCNA and is cellular and nuclear permeable. Ultimately, a peptidomimetic was produced which met these criteria, consisting of a fluorescein tag and SV40 nuclear localization signal conjugated to the N-terminus of a p21 macrocycle derivative. Attachment of the fluorescein tag was found to directly affect cellular uptake of the peptidomimetic, with fluorescein being requisite for nuclear permeability. This work provides an important step forward in the development of PCNA targeting peptidomimetics for use as anti-cancer agents or as cancer diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / metabolism
  • DNA Replication
  • Fluoresceins
  • Humans
  • Peptidomimetics* / pharmacology
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / genetics
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism

Substances

  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • Peptidomimetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Fluoresceins