Cyclic Peptide Linker Design and Optimization by Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Cyclic peptides are an emerging therapeutic modality that can target protein-protein interaction sites with high affinity and selectivity. A common medicinal chemistry strategy for the optimization of peptide hits is conformational stabilization through macrocyclization. We present a method based on explicit solvent enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations for estimating the impact of varying linker lengths and chemistry on the conformational stability of a peptide. The method is demonstrated on three cyclic peptide series that bind to proteins PCSK9, trypsin, and MDM2 adopting loop, ß-sheet, and helical secondary structures. In general, the simulations show greater solution stability of the receptor-bound conformation for the higher-affinity peptides, consistent with the idea that preorganizing a ligand for binding can enhance binding affinity. The impact of the force field and sampling is discussed for one series that does not follow this trend. We have successfully applied this method to internal discovery programs to design peptides with increased potency and chemical stability.

JNJ-77242113, a highly potent, selective peptide targeting the IL-23 receptor, provides robust IL-23 pathway inhibition upon oral dosing in rats and humans.

The interleukin (IL)-23 pathway is a pathogenic driver in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Currently, no oral therapeutics selectively target this pathway. JNJ-77242113 is a peptide targeting the IL-23 receptor with high affinity (KD: 7.1 pM). In human cells, JNJ-77242113 potently and selectively inhibited proximal IL-23 signaling (IC50: 5.6 pM) without impacting IL-12 signaling. JNJ-77242113 inhibited IL-23-induced interferon (IFN)γ production in NK cells, and in blood from healthy donors and psoriasis patients (IC50: 18.4, 11 and 9 pM, respectively). In a rat trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis model, oral JNJ-77242113 attenuated disease parameters at doses ≥ 0.3 mg/kg/day. Pharmacologic activity beyond the gastrointestinal tract was also demonstrated. In blood from rats receiving oral JNJ-77242113, dose-dependent inhibition of ex vivo IL-23-stimulated IL-17A production was observed. In an IL-23-induced rat skin inflammation model, JNJ-77242113 inhibited IL-23-induced skin thickening and IL-17A, -17F and -22 gene induction. Oral dosing of JNJ-77242113 in healthy human volunteers inhibited ex vivo IL-23-stimulated IFNγ production in whole blood. Thus, JNJ-77242113 provided selective, systemic IL-23 pathway inhibition in preclinical models which translated to pharmacodynamic activity in healthy human volunteers, supporting the potential for JNJ-77242113 as a selective oral therapy for IL-23-driven immune-mediated diseases.

Native chemical ligation derived method for recombinant peptide/protein C-terminal amidation.

C-terminal amidation is often a requisite structural feature for peptide hormone bio-activity. We report a chemical amidation method that converts peptide/protein thioesters into their corresponding C-terminal amides. The peptide/protein thioester is treated with 1-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-mercaptoethyl auxiliary (1b) in a native chemical ligation (NCL) reaction to form an intermediate, which upon removal of the auxiliary with TFA, yields the peptide/protein amide. We have demonstrated the general utility of the approach by successfully converting several synthetic peptide thioesters to peptide amides with high conversion rates. Preliminary results of converting a recombinant peptide thioester to its amide form are also reported.

Guiding Chemically Synthesized Peptide Drug Lead Optimization by Derisking Mast Cell Degranulation-Related Toxicities of a NaV1.7 Peptide Inhibitor.

Studies have shown that some peptides and small molecules can induce non IgE-mediated anaphylactoid reactions through mast cell activation. Upon activation, mast cells degranulate and release vasoactive and proinflammatory mediators, from cytoplasmic granules into the extracellular environment which can induce a cascade of severe adverse reactions. This study describes a lead optimization strategy to select NaV1.7 inhibitor peptides that minimize acute mast cell degranulation (MCD) toxicities. Various in vitro, in vivo, and PKPD models were used to screen candidates and guide peptide chemical modifications to mitigate this risk. Anesthetized rats dosed with peptides demonstrated treatment-related decreases in blood pressure and increases in plasma histamine concentrations which were reversible with a mast cell stabilizer, supporting the MCD mechanism. In vitro testing in rat mast cells with NaV1.7 peptides demonstrated a concentration-dependent increase in histamine. Pharmacodynamic modeling facilitated establishing an in vitro to in vivo correlation for histamine as a biomarker for blood pressure decline via the MCD mechanism. These models enabled assessment of structure-activity relationship (SAR) to identify substructures that contribute to peptide-mediated MCD. Peptides with hydrophobic and cationic characteristics were determined to have an elevated risk for MCD, which could be reduced or avoided by incorporating anionic residues into the protoxin II scaffold. Our analyses support that in vitro MCD assessment in combination with PKPD modeling can guide SAR to improve peptide lead optimization and ensure an acceptable early in vivo tolerability profile with reduced resources, cycle time, and animal use.

Development of ProTx-II Analogues as Highly Selective Peptide Blockers of Nav1.7 for the Treatment of Pain.

Inhibitor cystine knot peptides, derived from venom, have evolved to block ion channel function but are often toxic when dosed at pharmacologically relevant levels in vivo. The article describes the design of analogues of ProTx-II that safely display systemic in vivo blocking of Nav1.7, resulting in a latency of response to thermal stimuli in rodents. The new designs achieve a better in vivo profile by improving ion channel selectivity and limiting the ability of the peptides to cause mast cell degranulation. The design rationale, structural modeling, in vitro profiles, and rat tail flick outcomes are disclosed and discussed.

Synthesis, characterization, and reaction of a ketone-derived 1,4-dienolate compound.

The tetrahydrofuran tetrasolvated dimeric lithium dienolate derived from 2,2,7,7-tetramethyloctan-3,6-dione is characterized in the solid state by X-ray diffraction analysis and in solution by diffusion NMR. This dienolate was reacted with tropanone to yield two new products that are also described.

Characterization of a chiral enolate aggregate and observation of 6Li-1H scalar coupling.

A chiral enolate aggregate 1 containing a lithium enolate and a chiral lithium amide was systematically investigated by various NMR techniques. (1)H and (13)C DOSY at 25 and -78 degrees C provide its solution structure, aggregation number, and formula weight. Multiple 2D (6)Li NMR techniques, such as (6)Li-(6)Li EXSY, (6)Li-(1)H HOESY, were utilized to investigate its stereochemical structure. The configuration of the enolate in complex 1 was confirmed by (6)Li-(1)H HOESY and trapping with TMS-Cl. A unique (6)Li-(1)H coupling through the Li-N-C-H network was observed. This scalar coupling was corroborated by (6)Li-(1)H HMQC, deuterium labeling experiments, and selective (1)H decoupling (6)Li NMR. The stereostructure of 1 provides a model for the origin of enantioselectivity of chiral lithium amide-induced enolate addition reactions.

Targeting cell-impermeable prodrug activation to tumor microenvironment eradicates multiple drug-resistant neoplasms.

The tumor microenvironment is notably enriched with a broad spectrum of proteases. The proteolytic specificities of peptide substrates provide modular chemical tools for the rational design of cell-impermeable prodrugs that are specifically activated by proteases extracellularly in the tumor microenvironment. Targeting cell-impermeable prodrug activation to tumor microenvironment will significantly reduce drug toxicity to normal tissues. The activated prodrug attacks both tumor and stroma cells through a "bystander effect" without selectively deleting target-producing cells, therefore further minimizing resistance and toxicity. Here, we showed that legumain, the only asparaginyl endopeptidase of the mammalian genome, is highly expressed by neoplastic, stromal, and endothelial cells in solid tumors. Legumain is present extracellularly in the tumor microenvironment, associated with matrix as well as cell surfaces and functional locally in the reduced pH of the tumor microenvironment. A novel legumain-activated, cell-impermeable doxorubicin prodrug LEG-3 was designed to be activated exclusively in the tumor microenvironment. Upon administration, there is a profound increase of the end-product doxorubicin in nuclei of cells in tumors but little in other tissues. This tumor microenvironment-activated prodrug completely arrested growth of a variety of neoplasms, including multidrug-resistant tumor in vivo and significantly extended survival without evidence of myelosuppression or cardiac toxicity. The tumor microenvironment-activated prodrug design can be extended to other proteases and chemotherapeutic compounds and provides new potentials for the rational development of more effective functionally targeted cancer therapeutics.

Overexpression of legumain in tumors is significant for invasion/metastasis and a candidate enzymatic target for prodrug therapy.

Expression of legumain, a novel asparaginyl endopeptidase, in tumors was identified from gene expression profiling and tumor tissue array analysis. Legumain was demonstrated in membrane-associated vesicles concentrated at the invadopodia of tumor cells and on cell surfaces where it colocalized with integrins. Legumain was demonstrated to activate progelatinase A. Cells overexpressing legumain possessed increased migratory and invasive activity in vitro and adopted an invasive and metastatic phenotype in vivo, inferring significance of legumain in tumor invasion and metastasis. A prodrug strategy incorporating a legumain-cleavable peptide substrate onto doxorubicin was developed. The prototype compound, designated legubicin, exhibited reduced toxicity and was effectively tumoricidal in vivo in a murine colon carcinoma model.

A human single-chain antibody specific for integrin alpha3beta1 capable of cell internalization and delivery of antitumor agents.

Selective antitumor chemotherapy can be achieved by using antibody-drug conjugates that recognize surface proteins upregulated in cancer cells. One such receptor is integrin alpha3beta1, which is overexpressed on malignant melanoma, prostate carcinoma, and glioma cells. We previously identified a human single-chain Fv antibody (scFv), denoted Pan10, specific for integrin alpha3beta1 that is internalized by human pancreatic cancer cells. Herein, we describe the chemical introduction of reactive thiol groups onto Pan10, the specific conjugation of the modified scFv to maleimide-derivatized analogs of the potent cytotoxic agent duocarmycin SA, and the properties of the resultant conjugates. Our findings provide evidence that Pan10-drug conjugates maintain the internalizing capacity of the parent scFv and are cytotoxic at nanomolar concentrations. Our Pan10-drug conjugates may be promising candidates for targeted chemotherapy of malignant diseases associated with overexpression of integrin alpha3beta1.

Solid-phase synthesis of anandamide analogues.

The endocannabinoids are amides and esters of arachidonic acid that can mimic the pharmacological properties of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC). Anandamide, the most prominent of the endocannabinoids, has been implicated in both metabolic/physiological roles of the central nervous system, making it an attractive medicinal target. As such, we report the first solid-phase methodology that expedites access to various anandamide analogues. Our synthesis features a repetitive Cu-mediated coupling reaction between terminal alkynes and propargyl halides or allylic halides.

Bifunctional PEGylated exenatide-amylinomimetic hybrids to treat metabolic disorders: an example of long-acting dual hormonal therapeutics.

Peptide hybrids (phybrids) comprising covalently linked peptide hormones can leverage independent biological pathways for additive or synergistic metabolic benefits. PEGylation of biologics offers enhanced stability, duration, and reduced immunogenicity. These two modalities can be combined to produce long-acting therapeutics with dual pharmacology and enhanced efficacy. Compound 10 is composed of an exenatide (AC2993) analogue, AC3174, and an amylinomimetic, davalintide (AC2307), with an intervening 40 kD PEG moiety. It displayed dose-dependent and prolonged efficacy for glucose control and body weight reduction in rodents with superior in vitro and in vivo activities compared to those of a side-chain PEGylated phybrid 6. In diet-induced obese (DIO) rats, the weight-loss efficacy of 10 was similar to that of a combination of PEG-parents 3 and 4. A single dose of 10 elicited sustained body weight reduction in DIO rats for at least 21 days. Compound 10's terminal half-life of ~27 h should translate favorably to weekly dosing in humans.

Improved glucose control and reduced body weight in rodents with dual mechanism of action peptide hybrids.

Combination therapy is being increasingly used as a treatment paradigm for metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. In the peptide therapeutics realm, recent work has highlighted the therapeutic potential of chimeric peptides that act on two distinct receptors, thereby harnessing parallel complementary mechanisms to induce additive or synergistic benefit compared to monotherapy. Here, we extend this hypothesis by linking a known anti-diabetic peptide with an anti-obesity peptide into a novel peptide hybrid, which we termed a phybrid. We report on the synthesis and biological activity of two such phybrids (AC164204 and AC164209), comprised of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1-R) agonist, and exenatide analog, AC3082, covalently linked to a second generation amylin analog, davalintide. Both molecules acted as full agonists at their cognate receptors in vitro, albeit with reduced potency at the calcitonin receptor indicating slightly perturbed amylin agonism. In obese diabetic Lep(ob)/Lep (ob) mice sustained infusion of AC164204 and AC164209 reduced glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) equivalently but induced greater weight loss relative to exenatide administration alone. Weight loss was similar to that induced by combined administration of exenatide and davalintide. In diet-induced obese rats, both phybrids dose-dependently reduced food intake and body weight to a greater extent than exenatide or davalintide alone, and equal to co-infusion of exenatide and davalintide. Phybrid-mediated and exenatide + davalintide-mediated weight loss was associated with reduced adiposity and preservation of lean mass. These data are the first to provide in vivo proof-of-concept for multi-pathway targeting in metabolic disease via a peptide hybrid, demonstrating that this approach is as effective as co-administration of individual peptides.

Analysis of an asymmetric addition with a 2:1 mixed lithium amide/n-butyllithium aggregate.

A 2:1 lithium amide/ n-butyllithium aggregate 1 is investigated as an asymmetric addition template in hydrocarbon solvents. Several different chiral lithium amides were synthesized from l-valine and tested in the asymmetric addition of n-BuLi to various aldehydes. Enantiomeric excesses up to 83% were obtained in the case of the addition of n-BuLi to pivaldehyde at -116 degrees C in pentane. (1)H and (13)C INEPT DOSY were utilized to characterize a new trimeric complex 12 between 2 equiv of lithium amide and 1 equiv of lithium alkoxide. This mixed aggregate strongly indicates the possibility of product-induced chirality inhibition that is detrimental to the enantioselectivity of asymmetric addition reaction.

A sulfated, phosphorylated 7 kDa secreted peptide characterized by direct analysis of cell culture media.

An unusual sulfotyrosine-, phosphoserine-containing motif was mapped on a differentially post-translationally modified 60 residue antimicrobial neuroendocrine peptide called chrombacin. The study was performed by high resolution FT MS using complementary fragmentation techniques. The peptide was analyzed at low levels directly from cell culture media in contrast to previous reports that required extensive purification and proteolytic digestion. The sulfation site was not previously described nor predicted by informatic analysis of the peptide's precursor sequence.

Aggregation studies of complexes containing a chiral lithium amide and n-Butyllithium.

A system consisting of a chiral lithium amide and n-BuLi in tol-d(8) solution was investigated with (1)H and (13)C INEPT DOSY, (6)Li and (15)N NMR, and other 2D NMR techniques. A mixed 2:1 trimeric complex was identified as the major species as the stoichiometry approached 1.5 equiv of n-BuLi to 1 equiv of amine compound. (1)H and (13)C INEPT DOSY spectra confirmed this lithium aggregate in the solution. The formula weight of the aggregate, correlated with diffusion coefficients of internal references, indicated the aggregation number of this complex. Plots of log D(rel) vs log FW are linear (r > 0.9900). (6)Li and (15)N NMR titration experiments also corroborated these results. These NMR experiments indicate that this mixed aggregate is the species that is responsible for asymmetric addition of n-BuLi to aldehydes.

Prevention of drug-induced memory impairment by immunopharmacotherapy.

One approach to treating drug abuse uses antidrug antibodies to immunize subjects against the illicit substance rather than administering therapeutics that target the specific CNS site of action. At present, passive vaccination has recognized efficacy in treating certain gross symptoms of drug misuse, namely, motor activation, self-administration, and overdose. However, the potential for antibodies to prevent drug-induced changes involving finer cognitive processes, such as benzodiazepine-associated amnesia, remains unexplored. To address this concept, a flunitrazepam hapten was synthesized and employed in the generation of a panel of high affinity monoclonal antibodies. Anti-flunitrazepam mAb RCA3A3 ( K d,app = 200 nM) was tested in a mouse model of passive immunization and subsequent mole-equivalent challenge with flunitrazepam. Not only was flunitrazepam-induced sedation prevented but immunization also conferred protection to memory consolidation as assessed through contextual and cued fear conditioning paradigms. These results provide evidence that immunopharmacotherapeutic blockade of drug intoxication also preserves complex cognitive function.

The design, synthesis, and evaluation of two universal doxorubicin-linkers: preparation of conjugates that retain topoisomerase II activity.

The design, synthesis, and evaluation of two N-alkylmaleimide aldehydes have been achieved, which upon reductive alkylation with the C3'-amino group of doxorubicin (DOX) permits the preparation of DOX conjugates via Michael addition of thiol-containing vectors. This method enables the mild, facile, and high-throughput preparation of DOX conjugates that retain the basic C3'-nitrogen, a pre-requisite for topoisomerase II inhibition. Seven DOX-amino acid conjugates were prepared, each displaying similar inhibitory activity as the parent drug.