Caloxin-derived peptides for the inhibition of plasma membrane calcium ATPases.

Plasma membrane calcium ATPases (PMCAs) are a family of transmembrane proteins responsible for the extrusion of cytosolic Ca2+ to the extracellular milieu. They are important players of the calcium homeostasis possibly implicated in some important diseases. The reference inhibitors of PMCA extruding activity are on one hand ortho-vanadate (IC50 in the 30 mM range), and on the other a series of 12- to 20-mer peptides named caloxins (IC50 in the 100 µM scale). As for all integral membrane proteins, biochemistry and pharmacology are difficult to study on isolated and/or purified proteins. Using a series of reference blockers, we assessed a pharmacological window with which we could study the functionality of PMCAs in living cells. Using this system, we screened for alternative versions of caloxins, aiming at shortening the peptide backbone, introducing non-natural amino acids, and overall trying to get a glimpse at the structure-activity relationship between those new peptides and the protein in a cellular context. We describe a short series of equipotent 5-residue long analogues with IC50 in the low µM range.

MCH-R1 Antagonist GPS18169, a Pseudopeptide, Is a Peripheral Anti-Obesity Agent in Mice.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a 19 amino acid long peptide found in the brain of animals, including fishes, batrachians, and mammals. MCH is implicated in appetite and/or energy homeostasis. Antagonists at its receptor (MCH-R1) could be major tools (or ultimately drugs) to understand the mechanism of MCH action and to fight the obesity syndrome that is a worldwide societal health problem. Ever since the deorphanisation of the MCH receptor, we cloned, expressed, and characterized the receptor MCH-R1 and started a vast medicinal chemistry program aiming at the discovery of such usable compounds. In the present final work, we describe GPS18169, a pseudopeptide antagonist at the MCH-R1 receptor with an affinity in the nanomolar range and a Ki for its antagonistic effect in the 20 picomolar range. Its metabolic stability is rather ameliorated compared to its initial parent compound, the antagonist S38151. We tested it in an in vivo experiment using high diet mice. GPS18169 was found to be active in limiting the accumulation of adipose tissues and, correlatively, we observed a normalization of the insulin level in the treated animals, while no change in food or water consumption was observed.

Fluorescent Peptide Biosensor for Probing CDK6 Kinase Activity in Lung Cancer Cell Extracts.

CDK6 kinase regulates cell-cycle progression in G1, together with CDK4, but has cell-, tissue- and developmentally distinct functions associated with transcription, angiogenesis and metabolism. Although CDK6 makes an attractive cancer biomarker and target, there are no means of assessing its activity in a complex environment. In this study, we describe the design, engineering and characterisation of a fluorescent peptide biosensor derived from 6-phosphofructokinase that reports on CDK6 kinase activity through sensitive changes in fluorescence intensity. This biosensor can report on CDK6 activity in a dose-dependent fashion, thereby enabling quantification of differences in kinase activity in complex and physiologically relevant environments. Further implementation of this biosensor in different lung and melanoma cell lines, as well as in mesothelioma cell lines derived from patients together with a CDK4 biosensor highlighted differences in kinase activity between CDK6 and CDK4 kinase. This work demonstrates the utility of these selective tools for monitoring two closely related kinases comparatively and simultaneously in the same samples, thereby offering attractive perspectives for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

VHH characterization. Comparison of recombinant with chemically synthesized anti-HER2 VHH.

In the continuous exploration of the VHH chemistry, biochemistry and therapeutic future use, we investigated two different production strategies of this small antibody-like protein, using an anti-HER2 VHH as a model. The total chemical synthesis of the 125 amino-acid peptide was performed with reasonable yield, even if optimization will be necessary to upgrade this kind of production. In parallel, we expressed the same sequence in two different hosts: Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. Both productions were successful and led to a fair amount of VHHs. The integrity and conformation of the VHH were characterized by complementary mass spectrometry approaches, while surface plasmon resonance experiments were used to assess the VHH recognition capacity and affinity toward its "antigen." Using this combination of orthogonal techniques, it was possible to show that the three VHHs-whether synthetic or recombinant ones-were properly and similarly folded and recognized the "antigen" HER2 with similar affinities, in the nanomolar range. This opens a route toward further exploration of modified VHH with unnatural amino acids and subsequently, VHH-drug conjugates.

Screening ubiquitin specific protease activities using chemically synthesized ubiquitin and ubiquitinated peptides.

Ubiquitin, a 76 amino acid protein, is a key component that contributes to cellular protein homeostasis. The specificity of this modification is due to a series of enzymes: ligases, attaching the ubiquitin to a lysine, and deubiquitinases, which remove it. More than a hundred of such proteins are implicated in the regulation of protein turnover. Their specificities are only partially understood. We chemically synthesized ubiquitin, attached it to lysines belonging to the protein sequences known to be ubiquitinated. We chose the model protein "murine double minute 2" (mdm2), a ubiquitin ligase, itself ubiquitinated and deubiquitinated. We folded the ubiquitinated peptides and checked their tridimensional conformation. We assessed the use of these substrates with a series of fifteen deubiquitinases to show the potentiality of such an enzymological technique. By manipulating the sequence of the peptide on which ubiquitin is attached, we were able to detect differences in the enzyme/substrate recognition, and to determine that these differences are deubiquitinase-dependent. This approach could be used to understand the substrate/protein relationship between the protagonists of this reaction. The methodology could be customized for a given substrate and used to advance our understanding of the key amino acids responsible for the deubiquitinase specificities.

Total chemical synthesis, refolding, and crystallographic structure of fully active immunophilin calstabin 2 (FKBP12.6).

Synthetic biology (or chemical biology) is a growing field to which the chemical synthesis of proteins, particularly enzymes, makes a fundamental contribution. However, the chemical synthesis of catalytically active proteins (enzymes) remains poorly documented because it is difficult to obtain enough material for biochemical experiments. We chose calstabin, a 107-amino-acid proline isomerase, as a model. We synthesized the enzyme using the native chemical ligation approach and obtained several tens of milligrams. The polypeptide was refolded properly, and we characterized its biophysical properties, measured its catalytic activity, and then crystallized it in order to obtain its tridimensional structure after X-ray diffraction. The refolded enzyme was compared to the recombinant, wild-type enzyme. In addition, as a first step of validating the whole process, we incorporated exotic amino acids into the N-terminus. Surprisingly, none of the changes altered the catalytic activities of the corresponding mutants. Using this body of techniques, avenues are now open to further obtain enzymes modified with exotic amino acids in a way that is only barely accessible by molecular biology, obtaining detailed information on the structure-function relationship of enzymes reachable by complete chemical synthesis.

The novel nonapeptide acein targets angiotensin converting enzyme in the brain and induces dopamine release.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Using an in-house bioinformatics programme, we identified and synthesized a novel nonapeptide, H-Pro-Pro-Thr-Thr-Thr-Lys-Phe-Ala-Ala-OH. Here, we have studied its biological activity, in vitro and in vivo, and have identified its target in the brain. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The affinity of the peptide was characterized using purified whole brain and striatal membranes from guinea pigs and rats . Its effect on behaviour in rats following intra-striatal injection of the peptide was investigated. A photoaffinity UV cross-linking approach combined with subsequent affinity purification of the ligand covalently bound to its receptor allowed identification of its target. KEY RESULTS: The peptide bound with high affinity to a single class of binding sites, specifically localized in the striatum and substantia nigra of brains from guinea pigs and rats. When injected within the striatum of rats, the peptide stimulated in vitro and in vivo dopamine release and induced dopamine-like motor effects. We purified the target of the peptide, a ~151 kDa protein that was identified by MS/MS as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE I). Therefore, we decided to name the peptide acein. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The synthetic nonapeptide acein interacted with high affinity with brain membrane-bound ACE. This interaction occurs at a different site from the active site involved in the well-known peptidase activity, without modifying the peptidase activity. Acein, in vitro and in vivo, significantly increased stimulated release of dopamine from the brain. These results suggest a more important role for brain ACE than initially suspected.

Heating and microwave assisted SPPS of C-terminal acid peptides on trityl resin: the truth behind the yield.

Despite correct purity of crude peptides prepared on trityl resin by Fmoc/tBu microwave assisted solid phase peptide synthesis, surprisingly, lower yields than those expected were obtained while preparing C-terminal acid peptides. This could be explained by cyclization/cleavage through diketopiperazine formation during the second amino acid deprotection and third amino acid coupling. However, we provide here evidence that this is not the case and that this yield loss was due to high temperature promoted hydrolysis of the 2-chlorotrityl ester, yielding premature cleavage of the C-terminal acid peptides.

Microwave-mediated reduction of disulfide bridges with supported (tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine) as resin-bound reducing agent.

We report on the synthesis and use of a new supported reagent consisting in tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) immobilized on hydrophilic PEG based resin beads. Used in conjunction with a 5 min microwave (MW) irradiation, "supported TCEP" reduced disulfide bridges in free thiols in peptides having two or more cysteine residues. Separation of reaction products from reducing agent was easily performed by simple filtration.

Supported oligomethionine sulfoxide and Ellman's reagent for cysteine bridges formation.

A large number of bioactive peptides are cyclized through a disulfide bridge. This structural feature is very important for both bioactivity and stability. The oxidation of cysteine side chains is challenging not only to avoid intermolecular reaction leading to oligomers and oxidation of other residues but also to remove solvents and oxidant such as dimethyl sulfoxide. Supported reagents advantageously simplify the work-up of such disulfide bond formation, but may lead to a significant decrease in yield of the oxidized product. In this study, two resins working through different mechanisms were evaluated: Clear-Ox, a supported version of Ellman's reagent and Oxyfold, consisting in a series of oxidized methionine residues. The choice of the supported reagent is discussed on the light of reaction speed, side-products formation and yield considerations.

Oxyfold: a simple and efficient solid-supported reagent for disulfide bond formation.

The synthesis and use of novel polymer-supported reagents for disulfide bond formation is described. This family of supported reagents consists of a series of oxidized methionines grafted onto a solid support. Their cost and the simplicity of their preparation through N-carboxyanhydride polymerization on beads make them reactants of choice for the formation of disulfide bridges in peptides.

A multiplex assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against 15 Plasmodium falciparum and Anopheles gambiae saliva antigens.

BACKGROUND: Assessment exposure and immunity to malaria is an important step in the fight against the disease. Increased malaria infection in non-immune travellers under anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis, as well as the implementation of malaria elimination programmes in endemic countries, raises new issues that pertain to these processes. Notably, monitoring malaria immunity has become more difficult in individuals showing low antibody (Ab) responses or taking medications against the Plasmodium falciparum blood stages. Commonly available techniques in malaria seroepidemiology have limited sensitivity, both against pre-erythrocytic, as against blood stages of the parasite. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a sensitive tool to assess the exposure to malaria or to bites from the vector Anopheles gambiae, despite anti-malarial prophylactic treatment. METHODS: Ab responses to 13 pre-erythrocytic P. falciparum-specific peptides derived from the proteins Lsa1, Lsa3, Glurp, Salsa, Trap, Starp, CSP and Pf11.1, and to 2 peptides specific for the Anopheles gambiae saliva protein gSG6 were tested. In this study, 253 individuals from three Senegalese areas with different transmission intensities and 124 European travellers exposed to malaria during a short period of time were included. RESULTS: The multiplex assay was optimized for most but not all of the antigens. It was rapid, reproducible and required a small volume of serum. Proportions of Ab-positive individuals, Ab levels and the mean number of antigens (Ags) recognized by each individual increased significantly with increases in the level of malaria exposure. CONCLUSION: The multiplex assay developed here provides a useful tool to evaluate immune responses to multiple Ags in large populations, even when only small amounts of serum are available, or Ab titres are low, as in case of travellers. Finally, the relationship of Ab responses with malaria endemicity levels provides a way to monitor exposure in differentially exposed autochthonous individuals from various endemicity areas, as well as in travellers who are not immune, thus indirectly assessing the parasite transmission and malaria risk in the new eradication era.

Bioinformatics-based discovery and identification of new biologically active peptides for GPCR deorphanization.

Owing to their involvement in many physiological and pathological processes, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are interesting targets for drug development. Approximately, 100 endoGPCRs lack their natural ligands and remain orphan (oGPCRs). Consequently, oGPCR deorphanization appears a promising research field for the development of new therapeutics. On the basis of the knowledge of currently known GPCR/ligand couples, some oGPCRs may be targeted by peptides. However, to find new drugs for GPCRs, Genepep has developed a dedicated bioinformatics platform to screen transcriptomic databases for the prediction of new GPCR ligands. The peptide lists generated include specific data, such as chemical and physical properties, the occurrence of post-translational modifications (PTMs) and an annotation referring to the location and expression level of the related putative genes. This information system allows a selection through series of biological criteria of approximately 10 000 natural peptides including already known GPCR ligands and potential new candidates for GPCR deorphanization. The most promising peptides for functional assay screening and future development as therapeutic agents are under evaluation.