Miniaturized proteins: The backbone cyclic proteinomimetic approach

Ron Kasher, Deena A. Oren, Yaniv Barda, Chaim Gilon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

The field of proteinomimetics utilizes peptide-based molecules to mimic native protein functions. We describe a novel general method for mimicking proteins by small cyclic peptides for the purpose of drug design, and demonstrate its applicability on bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). These unique cyclic peptides, which both embody discontinuous residues of proteins in their bio-active conformation and ensure an induced fit, may overcome some of the pharmacological drawbacks attributed to proteins and peptides. This method, which we call the backbone cyclic (BC) proteinomimetic approach, combines backbone cyclization of peptides with a suitable selection method, cycloscan. Following this procedure, we have prepared a bicyclic nonapeptide, which mimics the binding region of BPTI. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex trypsin:mimetic, as well as kinetic studies, show that the BPTI mimetic binds to the specificity pocket of trypsin in a similar manner to BPTI. Inhibition measurements of various constructs revealed that backbone cyclization imposed the conformation crucial to binding.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)421-429
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Molecular Biology
Volume292
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 17 Sep 1999

Keywords

  • Backbone cyclic peptides
  • Backbone cyclization
  • Bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor
  • Cycloscan
  • Proteinomimetic

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