RESUMO
A DNA-encoded macrocyclic peptide library was designed and synthesized with 2.4 × 1012 members composed of 4-20 natural and non-natural amino acids. Affinity-based selection was performed against two therapeutic targets, VHL and RSV N protein. On the basis of selection data, some peptides were selected for resynthesis without a DNA tag, and their activity was confirmed.
Assuntos
Biblioteca de Peptídeos , Peptídeos Cíclicos/química , Peptídeos Cíclicos/farmacologia , Proteínas Virais/metabolismo , Proteína Supressora de Tumor Von Hippel-Lindau/metabolismo , Aminoácidos/química , DNA/química , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos/métodos , Terapia de Alvo Molecular , Peptídeos Cíclicos/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Vírus Sinciciais Respiratórios , Proteínas Virais/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Virais/química , Proteína Supressora de Tumor Von Hippel-Lindau/químicaRESUMO
Stapled α-helical peptides have emerged as a promising new modality for a wide range of therapeutic targets. Here, we report a potent and selective dual inhibitor of MDM2 and MDMX, ATSP-7041, which effectively activates the p53 pathway in tumors in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, ATSP-7041 binds both MDM2 and MDMX with nanomolar affinities, shows submicromolar cellular activities in cancer cell lines in the presence of serum, and demonstrates highly specific, on-target mechanism of action. A high resolution (1.7-Å) X-ray crystal structure reveals its molecular interactions with the target protein MDMX, including multiple contacts with key amino acids as well as a role for the hydrocarbon staple itself in target engagement. Most importantly, ATSP-7041 demonstrates robust p53-dependent tumor growth suppression in MDM2/MDMX-overexpressing xenograft cancer models, with a high correlation to on-target pharmacodynamic activity, and possesses favorable pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution properties. Overall, ATSP-7041 demonstrates in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept that stapled peptides can be developed as therapeutically relevant inhibitors of protein-protein interaction and may offer a viable modality for cancer therapy.