Design of a DNA-Programmed Plasminogen Activator

J Am Chem Soc. 2018 Nov 14;140(45):15516-15524. doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b10166. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Abstract

Although the functional specificity and catalytic versatility of enzymes have been exploited in numerous settings, controlling the spatial and temporal activity of enzymes remains challenging. Here we describe an approach for programming the function of streptokinase (SK), a protein that is clinically used as a blood "clot buster" therapeutic. We show that the fibrinolytic activity resulting from the binding of SK to the plasma proenzyme plasminogen (Pg) can be effectively regulated (turned "OFF" and "ON") by installing an intrasteric regulatory feature using a DNA-linked protease inhibitor modification. We describe the design rationale, synthetic approach, and functional characterization of two generations of intrasterically regulated SK-Pg constructs and demonstrate dose-dependent and sequence-specific temporal control in fibrinolytic activity in response to short predesignated DNA inputs. The studies described establish the feasibility of a new enzyme-programming approach and serves as a step toward advancing a new generation of programmable enzyme therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / pharmacology*
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Plasminogen Activators / chemical synthesis
  • Plasminogen Activators / chemistry
  • Plasminogen Activators / pharmacology*
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Streptokinase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Streptokinase / metabolism

Substances

  • Protease Inhibitors
  • DNA
  • Streptokinase
  • Plasminogen Activators