Four decades, four places and four concepts.

Peptide chemistry has experienced enormous progress over the last decades, and the synthesis-oriented peptide scientist is confronted today with research domains at the interface of chemistry, biology and medicine. In this review, we look at some of our contributions over four decades, developed at four places in Germany and Switzerland. Special attention is given to four concepts which can be considered as nucleation seeds for some of today's research topics in peptide chemistry: (1) The use of polyethylene glycols (PEG) as solubilizing carriers in liquid-phase peptide synthesis which has resulted in the well known 'PEGylation' of peptides and proteins, (2) the construction of artificial proteins using topological templates, termed template-assembled synthetic proteins (TASP) which has stimulated the use of templates in peptide and protein design and mimicry, (3) pseudo-prolines which serve today as routine technology for the prevention of peptide self-association and beta-sheet formation in peptide synthesis, thus making accessible solid-phase synthesis of peptides up to the size of small proteins, and finally (4) studies on the onset of secondary structure and conformational transitions in designed oligo-peptides which resulted in the creation of 'switch-peptides' as folding precursors, allowing delineation of the molecular mechanism of protein folding and misfolding as an early step in peptide self-assembly and fibril formation relevant in degenerative diseases.

Tissue transglutaminase-mediated glutamine deamidation of beta-amyloid peptide increases peptide solubility, whereas enzymatic cross-linking and peptide fragmentation may serve as molecular triggers for rapid peptide aggregation.

Tissue transglutaminase (TGase) has been implicated in a number of cellular processes and disease states, where the enzymatic actions of TGase may serve in both, cell survival and apoptosis. To date, the precise functional properties of TGase in cell survival or cell death mechanisms still remain elusive. TGase-mediated cross-linking has been reported to account for the formation of insoluble lesions in conformational diseases. We report here that TGase induces intramolecular cross-linking of ß-amyloid peptide (Aß), resulting in structural changes of monomeric Aß. Using high resolution mass spectrometry (MS) of cross-linked Aß peptides, we observed a shift in mass, which is, presumably associated with the loss of NH3 due to enzymatic transamidation activity and hence intramolecular peptide cross-linking. We have observed that a large population of Aß monomers contained an 0.984 Da increase in mass at a glutamine residue, indicating that glutamine 15 serves as an indispensable substrate in TGase-mediated deamidation to glutamate 15. We provide strong analytical evidence on TGase-mediated Aß peptide dimerization, through covalent intermolecular cross-linking and hence the formation of Aß1-40 dimers. Our in depth analyses indicate that TGase-induced post-translational modifications of Aß peptide may serve as an important seed for aggregation.

Switch-peptides: design and characterization of controllable super-amyloid-forming host-guest peptides as tools for identifying anti-amyloid agents.

Several amyloid-forming proteins are characterized by the presence of hydrophobic and highly amyloidogenic core sequences that play critical roles in the initiation and progression of amyloid fibril formation. Therefore targeting these sequences represents a viable strategy for identifying candidate molecules that could interfere with amyloid formation and toxicity of the parent proteins. However, the highly amyloidogenic and insoluble nature of these sequences has hampered efforts to develop high-throughput fibrillization assays. Here we describe the design and characterization of host-guest switch peptides that can be used for in vitro mechanistic and screening studies that are aimed at discovering aggregation inhibitors that target highly amyloidogenic sequences. These model systems are based on a host-guest system where the amyloidogenic sequence (guest peptide) is flanked by two beta-sheet-promoting (Leu-Ser)(n) oligomers as host sequences. Two host-guest peptides were prepared by using the hydrophobic core of Abeta comprising residues 14-24 (HQKLVFFAEDV) as the guest peptide with switch elements inserted within (peptide 1) or at the N and C termini of the guest peptide (peptide 2). Both model peptides can be triggered to undergo rapid self-assembly and amyloid formation in a highly controllable manner and their fibrillization kinetics is tuneable by manipulating solution conditions (for example, peptide concentration and pH). The fibrillization of both peptides reproduces many features of the full-length Abeta peptides and can be inhibited by known inhibitors of Abeta fibril formation. Our results suggest that this approach can be extended to other amyloid proteins and should facilitate the discovery of small-molecule aggregation inhibitors and the development of more efficacious anti-amyloid agents to treat and/or reverse the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and systemic amyloid diseases.

Introduction of a cis-prolyl mimic in position 7 of the peptide hormone oxytocin does not result in antagonistic activity.

New insights into the structure-activity relationship of the peptide hormone oxytocin are presented. Incorporation of the novel cis-prolyl mimic 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (pseudoproline, PsiPro) at position 7 of the hormone yielded the analogue [Cys(Psi(Me,Me)pro)]7oxytocin (1) that showed a 92-95% induction of the cis peptide bond conformation between Cys6 and PsiPro7, as determined by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectra in water and in DMSO-d6. The impact of the dimethyl moiety regarding conformation and bioactivity was investigated by the synthesis of the corresponding dihydro compound, [Cys(Psi(H,H)pro)]7oxytocin (2). Biological tests of the uterotonic activity, the pressor activity, and the binding affinity to the rat and human oxytocin receptors were carried out. As a most significant result, no antagonistic activities were found for both the cis-constrained analogue 1 and analogue 2, suggesting that a cis conformation between residues 6 and 7 of the molecule does not result in antagonistic activity. However, the about 10-fold reduction in agonistic activity of 1 as compared to oxytocin is consistent with the reduction of the trans conformation from 90% for oxytocin to 5-8% for compound 1. Compound 1 retained a high binding affinity for the oxytocin receptor, with K(i) values of 8.0 and 1.9 nM for the rat and the human receptor, respectively. The correlation between the biological activities and the cis contents obtained from NMR analysis for compounds 1, 2, and oxytocin leads to the hypothesis that a cis/trans conformational change plays an important role in oxytocin receptor binding and activation.

Versatile synthesis of Boc protected hydrazinoacetic acid and its application to the chemoselective ligation of TASP molecules.

This paper describes a convenient synthesis of protected hydrazine derivatives, i.e. 1,2-bis-Boc-hydrazinoacetic acid, and its application for hydrazone ligation techniques in convergent template assembled synthetic protein (TASP) synthesis.

Identification of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides derived from sodium caseinate hydrolysates produced by Lactobacillus helveticus NCC 2765.

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was identified in milk proteins fermented with Lactobacillus (Lb.) helveticus NCC 2765 (Nestle Culture Collection, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Switzerland). Hydrolyzing sodium caseinate for 1 and 2 h inhibited ACE activity, as measured by an in vitro ACE inhibition test. The hydrolysates with the highest ACE inhibitory potential were fractionated by gel permeation chromatography and their low molecular weight fractions collected. These fractions were subsequently subfractionated by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Several hydrophobic subfractions showed high ACE inhibitory potential, and their peptide composition was determined using an ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with an elctrospray ionization source. Analysis of the low molecular weight fraction identified 14 peptides with known antihypertensive activity and 1 with previously described opioid activity. On the basis of the peptide composition of active subfractions, two potentially active novel sequences were defined, and the following synthetic peptides were synthesized: FVAPFPEVFG (alphaS1 39-48), ENLLRFFVAPFPEVFG (alphaS1 33-48), NENLLRFFVAPFPEVFG (alphaS1 32-48), LNENLLRFFVAPFPEVFG (alphaS1 31-48), NLHLPLPLL (beta 147-155), ENLHLPLPLL (beta 146-155), and VENLHLPLPLL (beta 145-155). The ACE inhibitory potential of these synthetic peptides was assessed, and IC50 values were determined. NLHLPLPLL (beta 147-155), which was the only synthetic peptide also present in the sodium caseinate hydrolysates, and NENLLRFFVAPFPEVFG (alphaS1 32-48) showed the highest inhibition of ACE activity, with IC50 values of 15 and 55 microM, respectively. Furthermore, the stability of all synthetic peptides was assessed using an in vitro model simulating gastric digestion. The beta-casein-derived peptides remained intact following the successive hydrolysis by pepsin and pancreatin, whereas alphaS1-casein-derived peptides were degraded by pepsin.

Functional Molecular Thin Films: Topological Templates for the Chemoselective Ligation of Antigenic Peptides to Self-Assembled Monolayers.

The combination of self-assembly and regioselective surface chemistry has made it possible to immobilize peptide recognition sites 1 on a template attached to a gold surface. Each of the seven individual reaction steps, including the final functional biomolecular recognition, was controlled in situ with surface-sensitive detection techniques. The presented strategy is of general importance for the formation of complex supramolecular structures with biologically interesting functionalities at the interfaces.

Switch-peptides as folding precursors in self-assembling peptides and amyloid fibrillogenesis.

The study of conformational transitions of peptides has obtained considerable attention recently because of their importance as a molecular key event in a variety of degenerative diseases. However, the study of peptide self-assembly into beta-sheets and amyloid beta (Abeta) fibrils is strongly hampered by their difficult synthetic access and low solubility. We have recently developed a new concept termed switch-peptides that allows the controlled onset of polypeptide folding and misfolding at physiologic conditions. As a major feature, the folding process is initiated by chemically or enzyme triggered O,N-acyl migration in flexible and soluble folding precursors containing Ser- or Thr-derived switch (S)-elements. The elaborated methodologies are exemplified for the in situ conversion of NPY- and Cyclosporine A-derived prodrugs, as well as for the onset and reversal of alpha and beta conformational transitions in Abeta peptides. In combining orthogonally addressable switch-elements, the consecutive switching on of S-elements gives new insights into the role of individual peptide segments (hot spots) in early processes of polypeptide self-assembly and fibrillogenesis. Finally, the well-known secondary structure disrupting effect of pseudoprolines (PsiPro) is explored for its use as a building block (S-element) in switch-peptides. To this end, synthetic strategies are described, allowing for the preparation of PsiPro-containing folding precursors, exhibiting flexible random-coil conformations devoid of fibril forming propensity. The onset of beta-sheet and fibril formation by restoring the native peptide chain in a single step classify PsiPro-units as the most powerful tool for inhibiting peptide self-assembly, and complement the present methodologies of the switch-concept for the study of fibrillogenesis.

Switch-peptides: controlling self-assembly of amyloid beta-derived peptides in vitro by consecutive triggering of acyl migrations.

The sequential triggering (Soff --> Son) of O, N-acyl migrations (AcM) by chemical and enzymatic methods (Ti) in peptides containing structure-disrupting switch-elements, S (switch-peptides), offers a novel tool for studying in statu nascendi the onset and inhibition of polypeptide folding and self-assembly as a key process in degenerative diseases.

Orientation modulation of a synthetic polypeptide in self-assembled monolayers: a TOF-SIMS study.

Structure and orientation of molecules are key properties of functionalized surfaces. Using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), here we investigate how to modulate these parameters upon the immobilization process varying the conditions of self-assembly. The molecule of interest, a template-assembled synthetic protein (TASP), consists of a central peptide ring with orthogonally arranged residues. Thioalkane chains allow the directed self-assembly of the molecule on a gold surface; four serine residues on the opposite side of the ring can be used as anchoring sites for various functional sensing molecules. The TASP conformation and its orientation in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) play a central role for the accessibility of these serine residues. To study the influence of the self-assembly conditions, two series of samples were prepared. Pure TASP monolayers of different surface densities are compared to mixed TASP/alkanethiol monolayers prepared by sequential adsorption varying sequence and particular incubation times as well as by coadsorption modifying incubation times and TASP/alkanethiol mass ratios. Switching the TASP orientation from a state where the molecules are lying flat on the surface to an upright orientation turned out to be possible by inserting the TASP into a preformed alkanethiol monolayer of an appropriate surface density. This study demonstrates that TOF-SIMS is an excellent tool not only to investigate the surface composition, but also the molecular structure of functionalized surfaces.

Vasopressin type 1A receptor up-regulation by cyclosporin A in vascular smooth muscle cells is mediated by superoxide.

Based on our previous results, we investigated whether cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced vasopressin type 1A receptor up-regulation was mediated by free radicals. We report that CsA analogues with different affinities for cyclophilin and calcineurin were able to up-regulate vasopressin type 1A receptor and to generate free radicals in smooth muscle cells independently of calcineurin. Further, we demonstrate that the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine blocked the increase in vasopressin type 1A receptor mRNA and protein levels induced by CsA and that low concentrations of prooxidants were able to directly increase vasopressin type 1A receptor mRNA and protein levels. In addition, short exposure to CsA or pro-oxidants was sufficient to significantly increase vasopressin type 1A receptor mRNA and protein levels. Using cell-permeable forms of superoxide dismutase and catalase, we finally show that superoxide mediates the CsA-induced effects on vasopressin type 1A receptor. These results provide strong evidence that CsA-induced superoxide generation is causally involved in vasopressin type 1A receptor expression and demonstrate for the first time that low physiological concentrations of radicals, most probably superoxide, are able to directly affect cellular signaling to increase vasopressin type 1A receptor expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Pharmacological profiles of peptide drug candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid plaques in brain, composed of aggregates of amyloid-beta peptide, play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and represent a good target for treatment. We have shown previously that a 5-amino acid beta-sheet breaker peptide (iA beta 5p), end-protected, has the ability to induce a dramatic reduction in amyloid deposition in two different transgenic Alzheimer's models (Permanne, B., Adessi, C., Saborio, G. P., Fraga, S., Frossard, M.-J., Dewachter, I., Van Dorpe, J., Banks, W. A., Van Leuven, F., and Soto, C. (2002) FASEB J. 16, 860-862). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical modifications of the peptide bonds at the metabolite cleavage sites on the pharmacological properties of iA beta 5p derivatives. Using a rational approach, peptide analogs were designed and tested for in vitro activity and enzymatic stability. One peptide analog containing a methyl group introduced at the nitrogen atom of one amide bond showed increased stability in vitro, a 10-fold higher in vivo half-life, and good brain uptake compared with iA beta 5p while maintaining a similar activity in vitro. Our results suggest that the pharmacological profile of beta-sheet breaker peptides can be improved to produce compounds with drug-like properties that might offer a new promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

A template-assembled synthetic protein surface mimetic of the von Willebrand factor A1 domain inhibits botrocetin-induced platelet aggregation.

Platelet adhesion, the initial step of platelet activation, is mediated by the interaction of von Willebrand factor (VWF) with its platelet receptor, the GPIb-IX complex. The binding of VWF to GPIb-IX is induced either by increased shear stress or by exogenous modulators, such as botrocetin. At a molecular level, this interaction takes place between the A1 domain of VWF and the GPIb alpha chain of the GPIb-IX complex. We report here the design and functional characteristics of a VWF template-assembled synthetic protein (TASP), a chimeric four-helix-bundle TASP scaffold mimicking the surface of the A1 domain. Twelve residues located on helices alpha 3 and alpha 4 in the native A1 domain were grafted onto a surface formed by two neighboring helices of the TASP. VWF TASP was found to inhibit specifically botrocetin-induced platelet aggregation and to bind both botrocetin and GPIb alpha. However, in contrast to the native A1 domain, VWF TASP did not bind simultaneously to both ligands. Modeling studies revealed that the relative orientation of the alpha helices in VWF TASP led to a clash of bound botrocetin and GPIb alpha. These results demonstrate that a chimeric four-helix-bundle TASP as a scaffold offers a suitable surface for presenting crucial residues of the VWF A1 domain; the potential of the TASP approach for de novo protein design and mimicry is thereby illustrated.