Peptide Aldehyde Research Articles

Prostate-specific antigen is a "chymotrypsin-like" serine protease with unique P1 substrate specificity.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a serine protease belonging to the human kallikrein family, is best known as a prostate cancer biomarker. Emerging evidence suggests that PSA may also play a salient role in prostate cancer development and progression. With large amounts of enzymatically active PSA continuously and selectively produced by all stages of prostate cancer, PSA is an attractive target. PSA inhibitors, therefore, may represent a promising class of therapeutics and/or imaging agents. PSA displays chymotrypsin-like specificity, cleaving after hydrophobic residues, in addition to possessing a unique ability to cleave after glutamine in the P1 position. In this study, we investigated the structural motifs of the PSA S1 pocket that give it a distinct architecture and specificity when compared to the S1 pocket of chymotrypsin. Using the previously described PSA substrate Ser-Ser-Lys-Leu-Gln (SSKLQ) as a template, peptide aldehyde based inhibitors containing novel P1 aldehydes were made and tested against both proteases. Glutamine derivative aldehydes were highly specific for PSA while inhibitors with hydrophobic P1 aldehydes were potent inhibitors of both proteases with K(i) values <500 nM. The crystal structure of PSA was used to generate a model that allowed GOLD docking studies to be performed to further understand the critical interactions required for inhibitor binding to the S1 pockets of PSA and chymotrypsin. In conclusion, these results provide experimental and structural evidence that the S1 specificity pocket of PSA is distinctly different from that of chymotrypsin and that the development of highly specific PSA inhibitors is feasible.

Substrate based peptide aldehyde inhibits bacterial type I signal peptidase

Bacterial type I signal peptidase is a potential target for the development of novel antibacterial agents. In this study we demonstrate that a substrate based peptide aldehyde inhibits signal peptidases with a lower IC 50 value than the lipopeptides described to date. The length of the core lipopeptide could be reduced by removing several amino acids from both termini. Conversion of this peptide to an aldehyde resulted in a molecule with an IC 50 value of 0.09 μM when tested against Saccharomyces aureus SPase I, SpsB.

Inhibition of rat liver cathepsins B and L by the peptide aldehyde benzyloxycarbonyl-leucyl-leucyl-leucinal and its analogues

Cathepsins B and L belong to the papain superfamily of cysteine proteases and play important roles in various physiological and pathological processes. In the course of studies on their inhibitors, we examined the inhibitory effects of the peptide aldehyde benzyloxycarbonyl-leucyl-leucyl-leucinal (ZLLLal) and its analogues. As a result, rat liver cathepsins B and L were shown to be strongly inhibited by them. The concentration required for 50% inhibition (IC50) by ZLLLal was 88 nM for cathepsin B and 163 nM for cathepsin L. Moreover, various analogues of ZLLLal, including 2-furancarbonyl-, nicotinyl-, isonicotinyl- and 4-morpholinylsuccinyl-LLLals, and some acetyl-Pro (AcP)-containing analogues, AcPLLLal and AcPPLLLal, were shown to inhibit both enzymes more strongly than ZLLLal. Among them, isonicotinyl-LLLal was most inhibitory against both cathepsins B (IC50, 12 nM) and L (IC50, 20 nM). Several of these inhibitors were indicated to be somewhat more soluble in aqueous media than ZLLLal.

Effect of Inhibition of Proteasome-Mediated Proteolysis on Ligninolytic Activities of White-Rot Fungi

It has recently been established that most short- and long-lived cellular proteins (80-90%) are degrad- ed by a highly selective non-lysosomal pathway that requires ATP and a large (~2.5 MDa) multisubunit, multicatalytic proteinase complex known as the 26S proteasome. It degrades many important proteins involved in signaling pathway, in cell cycle control, and in general metabolism, including transcription fac- tors and key metabolic enzymes. Here, we demonstrated all distinct proteasome activities: chymotrypsin- like, trypsin-like, and caspase-like (peptidylglutamyl-peptide hydrolyzing) in mycelial extracts of the white-rot fungi Trametes versicolor and Phlebia radiata by monitoring cleavage of three different fluoro- genic peptide substrates: Suc-LLVY-MCA, Z-GGR-MCA, Z-LLE-βNA, respectively. We also found that this cleavage was ATP-dependent. Reagents that inhibit proteasome-mediated protein degradation in intact cells have recently become available, including substrate-related peptide aldehydes. These inhibitors are useful tools to demonstrate that a process exhibits proteasome-dependent biochemical regulation. In the present study, we report that in vivo Cbz-LLLal treatment strongly inhibited all tested proteasome activi- ties and affected ligninolytic activities in nutrient deprived cultures of both fungi.

Potent and Selective Peptidyl Boronic Acid Inhibitors of the Serine Protease Prostate-Specific Antigen

Prostate cancer cells produce high (microgram to milligram/milliliter) levels of the serine protease Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA is enzymatically active in the extracellular fluid surrounding prostate cancers but is found at 1,000- to 10,000-fold lower concentrations in the circulation, where it is inactivated due to binding to abundant serum protease inhibitors. The exclusive presence of high levels of active PSA within prostate cancer sites makes PSA an attractive candidate for targeted imaging and therapeutics. A synthetic approach based on a peptide substrate identified first peptide aldehyde and then boronic acid inhibitors of PSA. The best of these had the sequence Cbz-Ser-Ser-Lys-Leu-(boro)Leu, with a K(i) for PSA of 65 nM. The inhibitor had a 60-fold higher K(i) for chymotrypsin. A validated model of PSA's catalytic site confirmed the critical interactions between the inhibitor and residues within the PSA enzyme.

Designing of Substrates and Inhibitors of Bovine &amp;#945;-Chymotrypsin with Synthetic Phenylalanine Analogues in Position P1

The primary specificity residue of a substrate or an inhibitor, called the P(1) residue, is responsible for the proper recognition by the cognate enzyme. This residue enters the S(1) pocket of the enzyme and establishes contacts (up to 50%) inside the proteinase substrate cavity, strongly affecting its specificity. To analyze the influence on bovine alpha-chymotrypsin substrate activity, aromatic non-proteinogenic amino acid residues in position P(1) with the sequence Ac-Phe-Ala-Thr-X-Anb(5,2)-NH(2) were introduced: L-pyridyl alanine (Pal), 4-nitrophenylalanine - Phe(p-NO(2)), 4-aminophenylalanine - Phe(p-NH(2)), 4-carboxyphenylalanine Phe(p-COOH), 4-guanidine phenylalanine - Phe(p-guanidine), 4-methyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanine - Phe(p-COOMe), 4-cyanophenylalanine - Phe(p-CN), Phe, Tyr. The effect of the additional substituent at the phenyl ring of the Phe residue was investigated. All peptides contained an amide of 5-amino-2-nitrobenzoic acid, which served as a chromophore. Kinetic parameters (k(cat), K(M) and k(cat)/K(M)) of the peptides synthesized with bovine alpha-chymotrypsin were determined. The highest value of the specificity constant k(cat)/K(M), reaching 6.0 x 10(5) [M(-1)xs(-1)], was obtained for Ac-Phe-Ala-Thr-Phe(p-NO(2))-Anb(5,2)-NH(2). The replacement of the acetyl group with benzyloxycarbonyl moiety yielded a substrate with the value of k(cat) more than three times higher. Peptide aldehydes were synthesized with selected residues (Phe, Pal, Tyr, Phe(p-NO(2)) in position P(1) and potent chymotrypsin inhibitors were obtained. The dissociation constant (K(i)) with the experimental enzyme determined for the most active peptide, Tos-Phe-Ala-Thr-Phe(p-NO(2))-CHO, amounted to 1.12 x 10(-8) M.

Synthesis, Radiosynthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Proteasome Inhibitors in a Tumor Targeting Approach

Proteasome inhibition is a new strategy in cancer therapy. We synthesized three new peptide aldehyde inhibitors linked to the benzamide derivative structure to use their cytotoxic activity against malignant melanoma cells. Of these, 10 displayed the highest cytotoxicity (0.18 +/- 0.16 microM). A radiosynthesis of the iodine aldehyde was performed. Its drug biodistribution showed that some selectivity of the benzamide group toward malignant melanoma tissue was conserved.

Cellular Proteasome Activity Facilitates Herpes Simplex Virus Entry at a Postpenetration Step

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) entry into cells is a multistep process that engages the host cell machinery. The proteasome is a large, ATP-dependent, multisubunit protease that plays a critical role in the maintenance of cell homeostasis. A battery of assays were used to demonstrate that proteasome inhibitors blocked an early step in HSV entry that occurred after capsid penetration into the cytosol but prior to capsid arrival at the nuclear periphery. Proteasome-dependent viral entry was not reliant on host or viral protein synthesis. MG132, a peptide aldehyde that competitively inhibits the degradative activity of the proteasome, had a reversible inhibitory effect on HSV entry. HSV can use endocytic or nonendocytic pathways to enter cells. These distinct entry routes were both dependent on proteasome-mediated proteolysis. In addition, HSV successfully entered cells in the absence of a functional host ubiquitin-activating enzyme, suggesting that viral entry is ubiquitin independent. We propose that proteasomal degradation of virion and/or host proteins is required for efficient delivery of incoming HSV capsids to the nucleus.

Novel approaches for the treatment of NHL: Proteasome inhibition and immune modulation

Proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) have demonstrated clinical potential as novel therapies for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Bortezomib, a peptide aldehyde derivative that inhibits the proteasome by binding directly to its active sites, is the most extensively studied agent in the clinical setting. Single-agent bortezomib is effective in several lymphoid malignancies, and is recommended for second-line treatment of mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL). Ongoing trials are investigating the combination of bortezomib with chemotherapy, and with agents that target Bcl-2 proteins. Although proteasome inhibitors are potentially potent anti-tumor drugs, the pleotropic nature of their biological effects means that further research is required to elucidate the optimal combinations, doses and schedules. In addition to proteasome inhibitors, the IMiDs, such as lenalidomide, have the potential to improve outcomes for patients with NHL. These drugs inhibit cell growth and proliferation by several mechanisms, including blocking the effect of growth factors and stimulating T cells and natural killer cells. Lenalidomide is particularly effective in lymphoproliferative disorders such as multiple myeloma, and is active in patients with various forms of NHL, with a favourable side-effect profile. Complimentary clinical and pharmacological features suggest that lenalidomide may be effective when combined with monoclonal antibodies. Ongoing and future studies will provide further information.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency Caused by Ubiquitination and Proteasome-mediated Degradation of the E1β Subunit

Congenital deficiencies of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex are considered to be due to loss of function mutations in one of the component enzymes. Here we describe a case of PDH deficiency associated with the PDH E1beta subunit (PDHB) gene. The clinical phenotype of the patient was consistent with reported cases of PDH deficiency. Cultured skin fibroblasts demonstrated a 55% reduction in PDH activity and markedly decreased immunoreactivity for PDHB protein, compared with healthy controls. Surprisingly, nucleotide sequence analyses of cDNAs corresponding to the patient PDH E1alpha (PDHA1) and PDHB genes revealed no pathological mutations. Moreover, the relative expression level of PDHB mRNA and the rates of transcription and translation of the PDHB gene were normal. However, PDC activity could be restored in cells from this patient following treatment with MG132, a specific proteasome inhibitor, and normal levels of E1beta could be detected in MG132-treated cells. Similar results were obtained following treatment with Tyr-phostin 23 (Tyr23), a specific inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor-protein-tyrosine kinase (EGFR-PTK), which also restored E1beta protein levels to those in cells from healthy subjects or from patients with PDHA1 deficiency. The index patient's cells contained a high basal level of EGFR-PTK activity that correlated with the high level of ubiquitination of cellular proteins, although the total EGFR protein levels were similar to those in cells from Elalpha-deficient subjects and healthy subjects. These data indicate that PDH deficiency in our patient involves a post-translational modification in which EGFR-PTK-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the E1beta protein leads to enhanced ubiquitination followed by proteasome-mediated degradation. They also provide a novel mechanism accounting for congenital deficiency of the PDH complex and perhaps other inborn errors of metabolism.

Aspartic protease inhibitors via C 1-homologation of peptidic aldehydes and studies on reduced amide isosteres

( R)-Configured isophthalic hydroxyethylamines play an important role in the inhibition of β-secretase (BACE1). We present the synthesis of a number of ( S)-configured hydroxyethylamine derivatives via 2-iodoethanol intermediates and the comparison with the ( R)-analogues. An N-substituted indole was investigated as a substitute for the isophthalamide moiety.

Synthesis of Peptide Aldehydes

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Novel tetra-acridine derivatives as dual inhibitors of topoisomerase II and the human proteasome

Acridine derivatives, such as amsacrine, represent a well known class of multi-targeted anti-cancer agents that generally interfere with DNA synthesis and inhibit topoisomerase II. But in addition, these tricyclic molecules often display secondary effects on other biochemical pathways including protein metabolism. In order to identify novel anti-cancer drugs, we evaluated the mechanism of action of a novel series of bis- and tetra-acridines. As expected, these molecules were found to interact with DNA and inhibit the topoisomerase II-mediated DNA decatenation. Interestingly when tested on human tumour cells either sensitive (HL-60) or resistant (HL-60/MX2) to topoisomerase II inhibitors, these molecules proved equicytotoxic against the two cell lines, suggesting that they do not only rely on topoisomerase II inhibition to exert their cytotoxic effects. In order to identify alternative targets, we tested the capacity of acridines 1– 9 to inhibit the proteasome machinery. Four tetra-acridines inhibited the proteasome in vitro, with IC 50 values up to 40 times lower than that of the reference proteasome inhibitor lactacystin. Moreover, unlike peptide aldehydes used as reference inhibitors for the proteasome, these new acridine compounds demonstrated a good selectivity towards the proteasome, when tested against four unrelated proteases. A cellular assay based on the degradation of a proteasome protein substrate indicated that at least two of the tetra-acridines maintained this proteasome inhibition activity in a cellular context. This is the first report of tetra-acridines that demonstrate dual topoisomerase II and proteasome inhibition properties. This new dual activity could represent a novel anti-cancer approach to circumvent certain forms of tumour resistance.

A Novel Oxazolidine Linker for the Synthesis of Peptide Aldehydes

A reliable method for solid-phase synthesis of peptide aldehydes by using a new oxazolidine linker is described. Based on a comparative study using the usual cleavage protocol as is used for the Fmoc-based peptide synthesis, we found that this new linker is more appropriate for the synthesis of peptide aldehydes compared with the precedent acetal, semicarbazone or threonine linker. Whereas N-Acylated oxazolidines might be partially deprotected to non-N-acylated intermediates in the TFA cocktail containing several soft nucleophiles which cause significant side reactions, the new oxazolidine linker could produce the desired peptide aldehydes by simple Et2O washing and subsequent aqueous workup in high chemical yields and purity. We demonstrate the new method is useful especially for the preparation of highly functionalized long-chain peptide aldehydes which require several scavenger chemicals in the final deprotection step.

Proteasome inhibition-induces endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction and cell death of human cholangiocarcinoma cells

To determine if proteasome inhibition induces apoptosis in human cholangiocarcinoma cells, and if so, to elucidate the cellular mechanisms. Studies were performed in the human KMCH, KMBC, and Mz-ChA-1 cholangiocarcinoma, and normal rat cell lines. MG132, a peptide aldehyde, which inhibits the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome was employed for this study. Apoptosis was assessed morphologically by 4'-6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) nuclear staining and fluorescence microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential was examined using a fluorescent unquenching assay. Ultrastructural changes during cell death were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Caspase 3/7 activity was assessed using an enzymatic-based fluorescent assay. Cytosolic-free calcium concentrations were measured using Fura-2 and digitized fluorescent microscopy. MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, induced apoptosis in all the cholangiocarcinoma cell lines examined. In contrast, minimal cytotoxicity was observed in normal rat cholangiocytes. Apoptosis was time- and -concentration-dependent. There was no change in the mitochondrial membrane potential between treated and untreated cells. Ultrastructural examination by transmission electron microscopy displayed the classic features of apoptosis, but in addition, there was also dramatic vacuolization of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Unexpectedly, no increase in caspase 3/7 activity was observed in MG132 treated cells, nor did the pancaspase inhibitor, Q-VD-OPh prevent cell death. The protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, blocked apoptosis induced by proteasome inhibitor indicating that ER dysfunction was dependent upon the formation of new proteins. Proteasome inhibition induces ER dysfunction and caspase-independent cell death selectively in human cholangiocarcinoma cells. Proteasome inhibitors warrant evaluation as anticancer agents for the treatment of human cholangiocarcinoma.

Peptide Macrocyclization: The Reductase of the Nostocyclopeptide Synthetase Triggers the Self-Assembly of a Macrocyclic Imine

Many biologically active natural products have macrocyclic structures. In nonribosomal peptides macrocyclization is commonly achieved via the formation of intramolecular ester or amide bond catalyzed by thioesterase domains during biosynthesis. A unique and so far unknown type of peptide cyclization occurs in the nostocyclopeptide, a macrocyclic imine produced by the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. ATCC53789. In this work we show that a C-terminal reductase domain of the nostocyclopeptide nonribosomal peptide synthetase catalyzes the reductive release of a linear peptide aldehyde and thereby triggers the spontaneous formation of a stable imino head-to-tail linkage. This type of molecular self-assembly induced by the reductive release of reactive aldehydes may be more commonplace in other complex nonribosomal peptides than originally thought.

Degradation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-linked Mutant Cu,Zn-Superoxide Dismutase Proteins by Macroautophagy and the Proteasome

Mutations in the Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene cause approximately 20% of familial cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). Accumulating evidence indicates that a gain of toxic function of mutant SOD1 proteins is the cause of the disease. It has also been shown that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays a role in the clearance and toxicity of mutant SOD1. In this study, we investigated the degradation pathways of wild-type and mutant SOD1 in neuronal and nonneuronal cells. We provide here the first evidence that wild-type and mutant SOD1 are degraded by macroautophagy as well as by the proteasome. Based on experiments with inhibitors of these degradation pathways, the contribution of macroautophagy to mutant SOD1 clearance is comparable with that of the proteasome pathway. Using assays that measure cell viability and cell death, we observed that under conditions where expression of mutant SOD1 alone does not induce toxicity, macroautophagy inhibition induced mutant SOD1-mediated cell death, indicating that macroautophagy reduces the toxicity of mutant SOD1 proteins. We therefore propose that both macroautophagy and the proteasome are important for the reduction of mutant SOD1-mediated neurotoxicity in fALS. Inhibition of macroautophagy also increased SOD1 levels in detergent-soluble and -insoluble fractions, suggesting that both detergent-soluble and -insoluble SOD1 are degraded by macroautophagy. These findings may provide further insights into the mechanisms of pathogenesis of fALS.

Synthesis of peptide aldehydes

The functionalization of peptides and proteins by aldehyde groups has become the subject of intensive research since the discovery of the inhibition properties of peptide aldehydes towards various enzymes. Furthermore, peptide aldehydes are of great interest for peptide backbone modification or ligation reactions. This review focuses upon their synthesis, which has been developed following two main strategies. The first strategy consists of prior synthesis of the peptide, followed by the introduction of the aldehyde function. The second possible strategy uses alpha-amino aldehydes as starting materials. After protection of the aldehyde, peptide elongation occurs. At the end of the synthesis, the aldehyde function can be unmasked.

인체 유방암세포에서 calpain protease에 의한 cyclin D3의 발현 조절

<TEX>$Ca^{2+}$</TEX>-농도 의존적으로 활성화되는 neutral protease calpain에 의한 단백질 분해는 세포의 성장을 조절하는데 중요한 단백질들의 역할에 매우 중요한 역할을 한다. Cyclin의 분해는 세포주기의 진행을 위한 필연적인 과정이다. D-type cyclins는 외부자극이나 신호에 의하여 세포주기의 G1 초기에 합성이 된 후 cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk4 및 cdk6)와의 결합하여 세포주기 S기 진입을 촉진하는 역할을 한다. 본 연구에서는 MDA-MB-231 인체 유방암세포에서 cyclin D3 단백질이 calpain protease에 의하여 전사 후 수준에서 조절 받고 있음을 제시하였다. 본 실험의 조건에서 lovastatin과 actinomycin D가 처리된 MDA-MB-231 세포에서 cyclin D3 단백질의 발현이 완전히 사라졌지만, calpain inhibitor인 LLnL의 처리에 의하여 정상 수준으로 회복되었음을 알 수 있었다. 그러나 26S proteasome의 선택적 억제제인 lactacystin, the lysosome 억제제인 ammonium chloride 및 chloroquine, serine protease 억제제인 PMSF는 동일 조건에서 lovastatin과 actinomycin D 처리에 의한 cyclin D3의 발현저하를 억제하지는 못하였다. In vitro 조건에서 순수 분리된 calpain은 cyclin D3 단백질을 <TEX>$Ca^{2+}$</TEX> 농도 의존적으로 분해하였으며, cyclin D3 단백질의 half-life는 LLnL 처리에 의하여 매우 유의적으로 증가되었다. 이러한 결과는 cyclin D3 단백질이 <TEX>$Ca^{2+}$</TEX>에 의해 활성화 되는 protease calpain에 의해 조절됨을 보여준다. The <TEX>$Ca^{2+}-activated$</TEX> neutral protease calpain induced proteolysis has been suggested to play a role in certain cell growth regulatory proteins. Cyclin proteolysis is essential for cell cycle progression. D-type cyclins, which form an assembly with cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk4 and cdk6), are synthesized earlier in G1 of the cell cycle and seem to be induced in response to external signals that promote entry into the cell cycle. Here we show that cyclin D3 protein levels are regulated at the posttranscriptional level by calpain protease. Treatment of human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells with lovastatin and actinomycin D resulted in a loss of cyclin D3 protein that was completely reversible by the peptide aldehyde calpain inhibitor, LLnL. The specific inhibitor of the 26S proteasome, lactacystin, the lysosome inhibitors, ammonium chloride and chloroquine, and the serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF), did not block the degradation of cyclin D3 by lovastatin and actinomycin D. Results of in vitro degradation of cyclin D3 by purified calpain showed that cyclin D3 protein is degraded in a <TEX>$Ca^{2+}-dependent$</TEX> manner, and the half-life of cyclin D3 protein was dramatically increased in LLnL treated cells. These data suggested that cyclin D3 protein is regulated by the <TEX>$Ca^{2+}-activated$</TEX> protease calpain.

Neurotrophic peptide aldehydes: Solid phase synthesis of fellutamide B and a simplified analog

A combination of solid phase and solution phase synthetic methods have been used to complete the total synthesis of the neurotrophic lipopeptide aldehyde fellutamide B ( 2). The β-hydroxy aliphatic tail was prepared by regioselective reductive opening of a cyclic sulfate, and later coupled to a solid phase resin. The synthetic compound was then examined in cytotoxicity and nerve growth factor (NGF) induction assays. A simplified analog of fellutamide B also showed activity.