Sense-and-Release Logic-Gated Molecular Network Responding to Dimeric Cell Surface Proteins

J Am Chem Soc. 2020 Jul 15;142(28):12333-12340. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c04469. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Abstract

Dimeric proteins are prominent in biology, and receptor dimerization (homo- or heterodimerization) is central to signal transduction. Herein, we report a network that responds to a membrane-associated dimeric protein with the uncaging of a powerful cytotoxic. The network is based on two ligands functionalized with peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) (templating strand and catalyst-functionalized strand, respectively) and a substrate with the caged cytotoxic (monomethyl auristatin E: MMAE; a high-affinity tubulin ligand). In the presence of the dimeric protein, the network yields a cooperative supramolecular assembly with a hybridization architecture that enhances the templated reaction and enables the uncaging of a substrate. The network was tested on cells that express a cancer biomarker, carbonic anhydrase IX, in response to hypoxia. The output of the network correlates with the expression of carbonic anhydrase IX, and this biomarker was harnessed to uncage a potent cytotoxic agent.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / chemistry*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX / chemistry*
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX / genetics
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX / metabolism
  • Cell Hypoxia / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids / pharmacology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids
  • CA9 protein, human
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX
  • monomethyl auristatin E