Stapling mimics noncovalent interactions of γ-carboxyglutamates in conantokins, peptidic antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors.
J Biol Chem
; 287(24): 20727-36, 2012 Jun 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22518838
ABSTRACT
Conantokins are short peptides derived from the venoms of marine cone snails that act as antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor family of excitatory glutamate receptors. These peptides contain γ-carboxyglutamic acid residues typically spaced at i,i+4 and/or i,i+7 intervals, which by chelating divalent cations induce and stabilize helical conformation of the peptide. Introduction of a dicarba bridge (or a staple) can covalently stabilize peptide helicity and improve its pharmacological properties. To test the hypothesis that stapling can effectively replace γ-carboxyglutamic acid residues in stabilizing the helical conformation of conantokins, we designed, synthesized, and characterized several stapled analogs of conantokin G (conG), with varying connectivities in terms of staple length and location along the face of the α-helix. NMR studies confirmed that the ring-closing metathesis reaction yielded a single product with the Z configuration of the olefinic bond. Based on circular dichroism and molecular modeling, the stapled analogs exhibited significantly enhanced helicity compared with the native peptide in a metal-free environment. Stapling i,i+4 was benign with respect to effects on in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties. One analog, namely conG[11-15,S(i,i+4)S(8)], blocked NR2B-containing NMDA receptors with IC(50) = 0.7 µm and provided significant protection in the 6-Hz psychomotor model of pharmacoresistant epilepsy in mice. Remarkably, unlike native conG, conG[11-15,S(i,i+4)S(8)] produced no behavioral motor toxicity. Our results extend the applications of peptide stapling to helical peptides with extracellular targets and provide a means for engineering conantokins with improved pharmacological properties.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ácido 1-Carboxiglutâmico
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Receptores de N-Metil-D-Aspartato
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Antagonistas de Aminoácidos Excitatórios
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Conotoxinas
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Epilepsia
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Biol Chem
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos