Abstract B201: Selective peptides for targeting EphA2 in cancer cells

Abstract

Abstract EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase is highly overexpressed in tumors and is rapidly emerging as a promising new therapeutic target in cancer. Agents that target EphA2 have been shown to deliver cytotoxins/drugs selectively to cells expressing EphA2 and to decrease tumor growth and metastasis in animal models. We have recently isolated two peptides (YSA and SWL) by phage display that selectively target EphA2, and show the ability to deliver quantum dots and phage particles to cancer cells overexpressing EphA2. Furthermore, we elucidated the structure-activity relationship of one of the EphA2 agonistic peptides (YSA) by alanine scanning mutagenesis, characterized the SWL peptide and a series of related peptides, all of which retain their selectivity for EphA2. The selectivity of the peptides was determined by measuring the ability of the Eph receptors to bind immobilized peptide, and their potency was measured using an ELISA assay that monitors the inhibition of ephrin-A1 binding to EphA2. Our analysis revealed that only 4 of the 12 amino acids are critical for binding of YSA, and a 5-mer peptide derived from YSA retains selectivity for EphA2. All these peptides are reasonably stable in conditioned cell culture medium and rat liver microsomal preparations. In addition, at least some of these peptides show the ability to activate the EphA2 receptor inducing its phosphorylation and inhibit serum-induced phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/Erk2 MAP kinases, which are key mediators in major oncogenic pathways. Therefore, our results indicate that in addition to selectively targeting cancer cells, these peptides can also lead to inhibition of oncogenic pathways. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):B201.