Structure-Based Design and Synthesis of Stapled 10Panx1 Analogues for Use in Cardiovascular Inflammatory Diseases

J Med Chem. 2023 Sep 28;66(18):13086-13102. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01116. Epub 2023 Sep 13.

Abstract

Following a rational design, a series of macrocyclic ("stapled") peptidomimetics of 10Panx1, the most established peptide inhibitor of Pannexin1 (Panx1) channels, were developed and synthesized. Two macrocyclic analogues SBL-PX1-42 and SBL-PX1-44 outperformed the linear native peptide. During in vitro adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release and Yo-Pro-1 uptake assays in a Panx1-expressing tumor cell line, both compounds were revealed to be promising bidirectional inhibitors of Panx1 channel function, able to induce a two-fold inhibition, as compared to the native 10Panx1 sequence. The introduction of triazole-based cross-links within the peptide backbones increased helical content and enhanced in vitro proteolytic stability in human plasma (>30-fold longer half-lives, compared to 10Panx1). In adhesion assays, a "double-stapled" peptide, SBL-PX1-206 inhibited ATP release from endothelial cells, thereby efficiently reducing THP-1 monocyte adhesion to a TNF-α-activated endothelial monolayer and making it a promising candidate for future in vivo investigations in animal models of cardiovascular inflammatory disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Connexins* / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Peptides / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Connexins
  • Peptides
  • Adenosine Triphosphate