Pseudo-Complementary G:C Base Pair for Mixed Sequence dsDNA Invasion and Its Applications in Diagnostics (SARS-CoV-2 Detection).

Pseudo-complementary oligonucleotides contain artificial nucleobases designed to reduce duplex formation in the pseudo-complementary pair without compromising duplex formation to targeted (complementary) oligomers. The development of a pseudo-complementary A:T base pair, Us:D, was important in achieving dsDNA invasion. Herein, we report pseudo-complementary analogues of the G:C base pair leveraged on steric and electrostatic repulsion between the cationic phenoxazine analogue of cytosine (G-clamp, C+) and N-7 methyl guanine (G+), which is also cationic. We show that while complementary peptide nucleic acids (PNA) form a much more stable homoduplex than the PNA:DNA heteroduplex, oligomers based on pseudo-C:G complementary PNA favor PNA:DNA hybridization. We show that this enables dsDNA invasion at physiological salt concentration and that stable invasion complexes are obtained with low equivalents of PNAs (2-4 equiv). We harnessed the high yield of dsDNA invasion for the detection of RT-RPA amplicon using a lateral flow assay (LFA) and showed that two strains of SARS-CoV-2 can be discriminated owing to single nucleotide resolution.

Withaferin A, a polyfunctional pharmacophore that includes covalent engagement of IPO5, is an inhibitor of influenza A replication.

Withaferin A, a natural steroidal lactone found in the extracts of Withania somnifera, is used extensively in traditional medicine and part of an ancient remedy in ayurvedic medicine. Prior investigations into its mode of action have shown withaferin to be a polyfunctional pharmacophore with the covalent engagement of a multitude of therapeutic targets. Herein, we report that withaferin A is also a covalent inhibitor of IPO5, an importin that translocates cargos from the cytosol to the nucleus. We show that withaferin inhibits influenza A replication in epithelial cells (A549). Using a panel of inhibitors that selectively recapitulate part of withaferin A's pharmacological profile (goyazensolide, withaferin A derivatives, FiVe1, and bardoxolone methyl), we show that IPO5 inhibition contributes to the influenza replication inhibition but is not essential for the observed activity of withaferin A. We show that bardoxolone methyl, a semisynthetic triterpenoid in clinical development to treat chronic kidney disease and that shares some of the pharmacological profile of withaferin, also inhibits influenza A replication effectively. The inhibitory activity against influenza A replication should stimulate further studies to repurpose this therapeutic.

Combining recombinase polymerase amplification and DNA-templated reaction for SARS-CoV-2 sensing with dual fluorescence and lateral flow assay output.

The early phase of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic was exacerbated by a diagnostic challenge of unprecedented magnitude. In the absence of effective therapeutics or vaccines, breaking the chain of transmission through early disease detection and patient isolation was the only means to control the growing pandemic. While polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods and rapid-antigen tests rose to the occasion, the analytical challenge of rapid and sequence-specific nucleic acid-sensing at a point-of-care or home setting stimulated intense developments. Herein we report a method that combines recombinase polymerase amplification and a DNA-templated reaction to achieve a dual readout with either fluorescence (microtiter plate) or naked eye (lateral flow assay: LFA) detection. The nucleic acid templated reaction is based on an SN Ar that simultaneously transfers biotin from one Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) strand to another PNA strand, enabling LFA detection while uncaging a coumarin for fluorescence readout. This methodology has been applied to the detection of a DNA or RNA sequence uniquely attributed to the SARS-CoV-2.

A mating mechanism to generate diversity for the Darwinian selection of DNA-encoded synthetic molecules.

DNA-encoded library technologies enable the screening of synthetic molecules but have thus far not tapped into the power of Darwinian selection with iterative cycles of selection, amplification and diversification. Here we report a simple strategy to rapidly assemble libraries of conformationally constrained peptides that are paired in a combinatorial fashion (suprabodies). We demonstrate that the pairing can be shuffled after each amplification cycle in a process similar to DNA shuffling or mating to regenerate diversity. Using simulations, we show the benefits of this recombination in yielding a more accurate correlation of selection fitness with affinity after multiple rounds of selection, particularly if the starting library is heterogeneous in the concentration of its members. The method was validated with selections against streptavidin and applied to the discovery of PD-L1 binders. We further demonstrate that the binding of self-assembled suprabodies can be recapitulated by smaller (∼7 kDa) synthetic products that maintain the conformational constraint of the peptides.

Suprastapled Peptides: Hybridization-Enhanced Peptide Ligation and Enforced α-Helical Conformation for Affinity Selection of Combinatorial Libraries.

Stapled peptides with an enforced α-helical conformation have been shown to overcome major limitations in the development of short peptides targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs). While the growing arsenal of methodologies to staple peptides facilitates their preparation, stapling methodologies are not broadly embraced in synthetic library screening. Herein, we report a strategy leveraged on hybridization of short PNA-peptide conjugates wherein nucleobase driven assembly facilitates ligation of peptide fragments and constrains the peptide's conformation into an α-helix. Using native chemical ligation, we show that a mixture of peptide fragments can be combinatorially ligated and used directly in affinity selection against a target of interest. This approach was exemplified with a focused library targeting the p-53/MDM2 interaction. One hundred peptides were obtained in a one-pot ligation reaction, selected by affinity against MDM2 immobilized on beads, and the best binders were identified by mass spectrometry.

SARS-CoV-2 infection as a trigger of humoral response against apolipoprotein A-1.

BACKGROUND: Unravelling autoimmune targets triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection may provide crucial insights into the physiopathology of the disease and foster the development of potential therapeutic candidate targets and prognostic tools. We aimed at determining (a) the association between anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-apoA-1 humoral response and (b) the degree of linear homology between SARS-CoV-2, apoA-1 and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) epitopes. DESIGN: Bioinformatics modelling coupled with mimic peptides engineering and competition experiments were used to assess epitopes sequence homologies. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-apoA-1 IgG as well as cytokines were assessed by immunoassays on a case-control (n = 101), an intensive care unit (ICU; n = 126) and a general population cohort (n = 663) with available samples in the pre and post-pandemic period. RESULTS: Using bioinformatics modelling, linear sequence homologies between apoA-1, TLR2 and Spike epitopes were identified but without experimental evidence of cross-reactivity. Overall, anti-apoA-1 IgG levels were higher in COVID-19 patients or anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositive individuals than in healthy donors or anti-SARS-CoV-2 seronegative individuals (P < .0001). Significant and similar associations were noted between anti-apoA-1, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, cytokines and lipid profile. In ICU patients, anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-apoA-1 seroconversion rates displayed similar 7-day kinetics, reaching 82% for anti-apoA-1 seropositivity. In the general population, SARS-CoV-2-exposed individuals displayed higher anti-apoA-1 IgG seropositivity rates than nonexposed ones (34% vs 16.8%; P = .004). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 induces a marked humoral response against the major protein of high-density lipoproteins. As a correlate of poorer prognosis in other clinical settings, such autoimmunity signatures may relate to long-term COVID-19 prognosis assessment and warrant further scrutiny in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Identification of a Covalent Importin-5 Inhibitor, Goyazensolide, from a Collective Synthesis of Furanoheliangolides.

Sesquiterpenes are a rich source of covalent inhibitors with a long history in traditional medicine and include several important therapeutics and tool compounds. Herein, we report the total synthesis of 16 sesquiterpene lactones via a build/couple/pair strategy, including goyasensolide. Using an alkyne-tagged cellular probe and proteomics analysis, we discovered that goyazensolide selectively targets the oncoprotein importin-5 (IPO5) for covalent engagement. We further demonstrate that goyazensolide inhibits the translocation of RASAL-2, a cargo of IPO5, into the nucleus and perturbs the binding between IPO5 and two specific viral nuclear localization sequences.

Dual Bcl-XL /Bcl-2 inhibitors discovered from DNA-encoded libraries using a fragment pairing strategy.

A dual Bcl-XL / Bcl-2 inhibitor was discovered from DNA-encoded libraries using a two steps process. In the first step, DNA was used to pair PNA-encoded fragments exploring > 250 000 combinations. In the second step, a focused library combining the selected fragments with linkers of different lengths and geometries led to the identification of tight binding adducts that were further investigated for their selective target engagement in pull-down assays, for their affinity by SPR, and their selectivity in a cytotoxicity assay. The best compound showed comparable cellular activity to venetoclax, the first-in-class therapeutic targeting Bcl-2.

Experimental Identification of Immuno- dominant B-cell Epitopes from SARS-CoV-2.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current public health crisis with devastating consequences to our societies. This COVID-19 pandemic has become the most serious threat to global public health in recent history. Given the unprecedented economic and social impact that it is causing, identification of immunodominant epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 is of great interest, not only to gain better insight into the adaptive immune response, but also for the development of vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tools. In this review, we summarize the already published or preprinted reports on the experimental identification of B-cell linear epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Six different epitopes leading to neutralizing antibodies have been identified. Moreover, a summary of peptide candidates to be used for diagnostic tools is also included.

Identification of immunodominant linear epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 patient plasma.

A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is the source of a current pandemic (COVID-19) with devastating consequences in public health and economic stability. Using a peptide array to map the antibody response of plasma from healing patients (12) and heathy patients (6), we identified three immunodominant linear epitopes, two of which correspond to key proteolytic sites on the spike protein (S1/S2 and S2') known to be critical for cellular entry. We show biochemical evidence that plasma positive for the epitope adjacent to the S1/S2 cleavage site inhibits furin-mediated proteolysis of spike.

PNA-Based Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries (PDCL) and screening of lectins.

Selections from dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCL) benefit from the dynamic nature of the library that can change constitution upon addition of a selection pressure, such as ligands binding to a protein. This technology has been predominantly used with small molecules interacting with each other through reversible covalent interaction. However, application of this technology in biomedical research and drug discovery has been limited by the reversibility of covalent exchange and the analytical deconvolution of small molecule fragments. Here we report a supramolecular approach based on the use of a constant short PNA tag to direct the combinatorial pairing of fragment. This PNA tag yields fast exchange kinetics, while still delivering the benefits of cooperativity, and provides favourable properties for analytical deconvolution by MALDI. A selection from >6,000 assemblies of glycans (mono-, di-, tri-saccharides) targeting AFL, a lectin from pathogenic fungus, yielded a 95 nM assembly, nearly three orders of magnitude better in affinity than the corresponding glycan alone (41 µM).

Kilian Muñiz (1970-2020).

Kilian Muñiz passed away unexpectedly on March 16th, 2020, at the age of only 49. Kilian was a leading figure in the field of catalytic (di-)amination reactions. He will be remembered as one of the finest, most passionate chemists, a dear colleague, and, most of all, as a close friend.

PNA-Encoded Synthesis (PES) and DNA Display of Small Molecule Libraries.

DNA-encoded library technologies have emerged as a powerful platform to rapidly screen for binders to a protein of interest. These technologies are underpinned by the ability to encode a rich diversity of small molecules. While large libraries are accessible by cycles of mix and split synthesis, libraries based on single chemistries tend to be redundant. Furthermore, the quality of libraries generally decreases with the number of synthetic transformations performed in its synthesis. An alternative approach is to use hybridization to program the combinatorial assembly of fragment pairs onto a library of DNA templates. A broad molecular diversity is more easily sampled since it arises from the pairing of diverse fragments. Upon identification of productive fragment pairs, a focused library covalently linking the fragments is prepared. This focused library includes linker of different length and geometry and offers the opportunity to enrich the selected fragment set with close neighbors. Herein we describe detailed protocols to covalently link diverse fragments and screen fragment-based libraries using commercially available microarray platform.

Small-Molecule Modulators of the ATPase VCP/p97 Affect Specific p97 Cellular Functions.

VCP/p97 belongs to the AAA+ ATPase family and has an essential role in several cellular processes ranging from cell division to protein homeostasis. Compounds targeting p97 inhibit the main ATPase domain and cause cell death. Here, using PNA-encoded chemical libraries, we have identified two small molecules that target the regulatory domain of p97, comprising the N-terminal and the D1 ATPase domains, and do not cause cell death. One molecule, NW1028, inhibits the degradation of a p97-dependent reporter, whereas the other, NW1030, increases it. ATPase assays show that NW1028 and NW1030 do not affect the main catalytic domain of p97. Mapping of the binding site using a photoaffinity conjugate points to a cleft at the interface of the N-terminal and the D1 ATPase domains. We have therefore discovered two new compounds that bind to the regulatory domain of p97 and modulate specific p97 cellular functions. Using these compounds, we have revealed a role for p97 in the regulation of mitotic spindle orientation in HeLa cells.

Probing for Thiol-Mediated Uptake into Bacteria.

Cellular uptake mediated by cyclic oligochalcogenides (COCs) is emerging as a conceptually innovative method to penetrate mammalian cells. Their mode of action is based on dynamic covalent oligochalcogenide exchange with cellular thiols. To test thiol-mediated uptake in bacteria, five antibiotics have been equipped with up to three different COCs: One diselenolane and two dithiolanes. We found that the COCs do not activate antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria. In Gram-positive bacteria, the COCs inactivate antibiotics that act in the cytoplasm and reduce the activity of antibiotics that act on the cell surface. These results indicate that thiol-mediated uptake operates in neither of the membranes of bacteria. COCs are likely to exchange with thiols on the inner, maybe also on the outer membrane, but do not move on. Concerning mammalian cells, the absence of a COC-mediated uptake into bacteria observed in this study disfavors trivial mechanisms, such as passive diffusion, and supports the existence of more sophisticated, so far poorly understood uptake pathways.

Novel PTP1B inhibitors identified by DNA display of fragment pairs.

DNA display of PNA-encoded libraries was used to pair fragments containing different phosphotyrosine surrogates with diverse triazoles. Microarray-based screening of the combinatorially paired fragment sets (62,500 combinations) against a prototypical phosphatase, PTP1B, was used to identify the fittest fragments. A focused library (10,000 members) covalently pairing identified fragments with linkers of different length and geometry was synthesized. Screening of the focused library against PTP1B and closely related TCPTP revealed orthogonal inhibitors. The selectivity of the identified inhibitors for PTP1B versus TCPT was confirmed by enzymatic inhibition assay.

PNA as a Biosupramolecular Tag for Programmable Assemblies and Reactions.

The programmability of oligonucleotide hybridization offers an attractive platform for the design of assemblies with emergent properties or functions. Developments in DNA nanotechnologies have transformed our thinking about the applications of nucleic acids. Progress from designed assemblies to functional outputs will continue to benefit from functionalities added to the nucleic acids that can participate in reactions or interactions beyond hybridization. In that respect, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are interesting because they combine the hybridization properties of DNA with the modularity of peptides. In fact, PNAs form more stable duplexes with DNA or RNA than the corresponding natural homoduplexes. The high stability achieved with shorter oligomers (an 8-mer is sufficient for a stable duplex at room temperature) typically results in very high sequence fidelity in the hybridization with negligible impact of the ionic strength of the buffer due to the lack of electrostatic repulsion between the duplex strands. The simple peptidic backbone of PNA has been shown to be tolerant of modifications with substitutions that further enhance the duplex stability while providing opportunities for functionalization. Moreover, the metabolic stability of PNAs facilitates their integration into systems that interface with biology. Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in using PNAs as biosupramolecular tags to program assemblies and reactions. A series of robust templated reactions have been developed with functionalized PNA. These reactions can be used to translate DNA templates into functional polymers of unprecedented complexity, fluorescent outputs, or bioactive small molecules. Furthermore, cellular nucleic acids (mRNA or miRNA) have been harnessed to promote assemblies and reactions in live cells. The tolerance of PNA synthesis also lends itself to the encoding of small molecules that can be further assembled on the basis of their nucleic acid sequences. It is now well-established that hybridization-based assemblies displaying two or more ligands can interact synergistically with a target biomolecule. These assemblies have now been shown to be functional in vivo. Similarly, PNA-tagged macromolecules have been used to prepare bioactive assemblies and three-dimensional nanostructures. Several technologies based on DNA-templated synthesis of sequence-defined polymers or DNA-templated display of ligands have been shown to be compatible with reiterative cycles of selection/amplification starting with large libraries of DNA templates, bringing the power of in vitro evolution to synthetic molecules and offering the possibility of exploring uncharted molecular diversity space with unprecedented scope and speed.

Identification of Covalent Bromodomain Binders through DNA Display of Small Molecules.

The regulation of transcriptional programs by epigenetic readers (bromodomains) has been linked to the development of several pathologies. Notably, it has been implicated in the regulation of cellular growth and evasion of apoptosis, in cancer as well as in inflammation. The discovery of small-molecule probes to dissect the role of bromodomains is thus important. We demonstrate that specific cysteine residues conserved across the bromodomains can be harnessed for covalent trapping. We report the discovery of two small molecules that form a covalent bond with cysteine residues conserved across the bromodomain family, analyze the subset of bromodomains that can be addressed through covalent binding, and show proteomic analyses enabled by the enrichment of bromodomains from native lysates.

PNA-encoded chemical libraries.

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-encoded chemical libraries along with DNA-encoded libraries have provided a powerful new paradigm for library synthesis and ligand discovery. PNA-encoding stands out for its compatibility with standard solid phase synthesis and the technology has been used to prepare libraries of peptides, heterocycles and glycoconjugates. Different screening formats have now been reported including selection-based and microarray-based methods that have yielded specific ligands against diverse target classes including membrane receptors, lectins and challenging targets such as Hsp70.

PNA-encoded synthesis (PES) of a 10 000-member hetero-glycoconjugate library and microarray analysis of diverse lectins.

Identification of selective and synthetically tractable ligands to glycan-binding proteins is important in glycoscience. Carbohydrate arrays have had a tremendous impact on profiling glycan-binding proteins and as analytical tools. We report a highly miniaturized synthetic format to access nucleic-acid-encoded hetero-glycoconjugate libraries with an unprecedented diversity in the combinations of glycans, linkers, and capping groups. Novel information about plant and bacterial lectin specificity was obtained by microarray profiling, and we show that a ligand identified on the array can be converted to a high-affinity soluble ligand by straightforward chemistry.