Pseudo-Isolated α-Helix Platform for the Recognition of Deep and Narrow Targets

J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Aug 31;144(34):15519-15528. doi: 10.1021/jacs.2c03858. Epub 2022 Aug 16.

Abstract

Although interest in stabilized α-helical peptides as next-generation therapeutics for modulating biomolecular interfaces is increasing, peptides have limited functionality and stability due to their small size. In comparison, α-helical ligands based on proteins can make steric clash with targets due to their large size. Here, we report the design of a monomeric pseudo-isolated α-helix (mPIH) system in which proteins behave as if they are peptides. The designed proteins contain α-helix ligands that do not require any covalent chemical modification, do not have frayed ends, and importantly can make sterically favorable interactions similar to isolated peptides. An optimal mPIH showed a more than 100-fold increase in target selectivity, which might be related to the advantages in conformational selection due to the absence of frayed ends. The α-helical ligand in the mPIH displayed high thermal stability well above human body temperature and showed reversible and rapid folding/unfolding transitions. Thus, mPIH can become a promising protein-based platform for developing stabilized α-helix pharmaceuticals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Humans
  • Peptides* / chemistry
  • Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Proteins*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Proteins