New insights into short peptides derived from the collagen NC1 α1, α2, and α3 (IV) domains: An experimental and MD simulations study

Biochim Biophys Acta Proteins Proteom. 2022 Apr 1;1870(4):140769. doi: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2022.140769. Epub 2022 Feb 11.

Abstract

Proteolytically cleavage of the collagen NC1 α1 to α3 (IV) domains leads to antiangiogenic proteins called Arresten, Canstatin, and Tumstatin, respectively. The research identified that the two overlapping peptides derived from Tumstatin are more effective than other fragments and amino acids L78, V82, and D84 are essential for their activity. In the present study, the efficacy of a nine amino acid peptide derived from Tumstatin (Tum), containing amino acids L78, V82, and D84 was compared to the corresponding sequence in Arresten (Ars) and Canstatin (Can) in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CD spectroscopy, MD, and docking simulations were performed to evaluate the structure and the interaction of peptides to integrin αvβ3, respectively. Results demonstrated that peptides inhibit viability, migration, and tube formation in vitro, as well as the growth of tumor in vivo and Canstatin-derived peptide was more potent than others. CD measurement and DSSP calculation revealed that Can had more coil conformation. According to MD simulations, Can had more fluctuation, less intramolecular interactions, and less structural compactness compared to Tum and Ars. It can be assumed that amino acid variations lead to a more flexible and loose structure compared to the other peptides. The Canstatin-derived peptide interacts with the integrin αvβ3 extremely close to RGD binding site by the most negative binding energy and more interactions. In conclusion, we for the first time identified an active peptide derived from Canstatin and showed that the sequence affected structure and thereby interaction of peptide to its receptor.

Keywords: Angiogenesis inhibitor; Canstatin; Collagen IV; Docking; Peptide.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids
  • Binding Sites
  • Collagen
  • Humans
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3*
  • Neoplasms*
  • Peptides

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3
  • Peptides
  • Collagen