The PA207 peptide inhibitor of LIM-only protein 2 (Lmo2) targets Zinc Finger domains in a non-specific manner

Protein Pept Lett. 2014;21(2):132-9. doi: 10.2174/09298665113206660116.

Abstract

Peptide aptamers of LIM-only protein 2 (Lmo2) were previously used to successfully treat Lmo2-induced tumours in a mouse model of leukaemia. Here we show that the Lmo2 aptamer PA207, either as a free peptide or fused to thioredoxin Trx-PA207, causes purified Lmo2 to precipitate rather than binding to a defined surface on the protein. Stabilisation of Lmo2 through interaction with LIM domain binding protein 1 (Ldb1), a normal binding partner of Lmo2, abrogates this effect. The addition of free zinc causes Trx-PA207 to self associate, suggesting that PA207 destabilises Lmo2 by modulating normal zinc-coordination in the LIM domains. GST-pulldown experiments with other Lmo and Gata proteins indicates that PA207 can bind to a range of zinc finger proteins. Thus, PA207 and other cysteine-containing peptide aptamers for Lmo2 may form a class of general zinc finger inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Protein Multimerization / drug effects
  • Protein Stability / drug effects
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Unfolding / drug effects
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Zinc / pharmacology
  • Zinc Fingers / drug effects*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Transcription Factors
  • Zinc