Incorporation of amino lactams into biologically active peptides has been commonly used to restrict conformational mobility, enhance selectivity, and increase potency. A solid-phase method using a Fmoc-protection strategy has been developed for the systematic synthesis of peptides containing configurationally defined alpha- and beta-amino gamma-lactams. N-Alkylation of N-silyl peptides with five- and six-member cyclic sulfamidates 9 and 8 minimized bis-alkylation and provided N-alkyl peptides, which underwent lactam annulation under microwave heating. Employing this solid-phase protocol on the growth hormone secretagogue GHRP-6, as well as on the allosteric modulator of the IL-1 receptor 101.10, has furnished 16 lactam derivatives and validated the effectiveness of this approach on peptides bearing aliphatic, aromatic, branched, charged, and heteroatomic side chains. The binding affinity IC(50) values of the GHRP-6 lactam analogues on both the GHS-R1a and CD36 receptors are reported as well as inhibition of thymocyte proliferation measurements for the 101.10 lactam analogues. In these cases, lactam analogues were prepared exhibiting similar or improved properties compared with the parent peptide. Considering the potential for amino lactams to induce peptide turn conformations, the effective method described herein for their supported construction on growing peptides, and for the systematical amino lactam scan of peptides, has proven useful for the rapid identification of the secondary structure necessary for peptide biological activity.
Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) binds to the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) and is a key cytokine mediator of inflammasome activation. IL-1β signaling leads to parturition in preterm birth (PTB) and contributes to the retinal vaso-obliteration characteristic of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) of premature infants. Therapeutics targeting IL-1β and IL-1R are approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis; however, all are large proteins with clinical limitations including immunosuppression, due in part to inhibition of NF-κB signaling, which is required for immuno-vigilance and cytoprotection. The all-D-amino acid peptide 1 (101.10, H- d -Arg- d -Tyr- d -Thr- d -Val- d -Glu- d -Leu- d -Ala-NH 2 ) is an allosteric IL-1R modulator, which exhibits functional selectivity and conserves NF-κB signaling while inhibiting other IL-1-activated pathways. Peptide 1 has proven effective in experimental models of PTB and OIR. Seeking understanding of the structural requirements for the activity and biased signaling of 1 , a panel of twelve derivatives was synthesized employing the various stereochemical isomers of α-amino-γ-lactam (Agl) and α-amino-β-hydroxy-γ-lactam (Hgl) residues to constrain the D-Thr-D-Val dipeptide residue. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, the peptide conformation in solution was observed to be contingent on Agl, Hgl, and Val stereochemistry. Moreover, the lactam mimic structure and configuration influenced biased IL-1 signaling in an in vitro panel of cellular assays as well as in vivo activity in murine models of PTB and OIR. Remarkably, all Agl and Hgl analogs of peptide 1 did not inhibit NF-κB signaling but blocked other pathways, such as JNK and ROCK2 phosphorylation contingent on structure and configuration. Efficacy in preventing preterm labor correlated with a capacity to block IL-1β-induced IL-1β synthesis. Furthermore, the importance of inhibition of JNK and ROCK2 phosphorylation for enhanced activity was highlighted for prevention of vaso-obliteration in the OIR model. Taken together, lactam mimic structure and stereochemistry strongly influenced conformation and biased signaling. Selective modulation of IL-1 signaling was proven to be particularly beneficial for curbing inflammation in models of preterm labor and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). A class of biased ligands has been created with potential to serve as selective probes for studying IL-1 signaling in disease. Moreover, the small peptide mimic prototypes are promising leads for developing immunomodulatory therapies with easier administration and maintenance of beneficial effects of NF-κB signaling.
The relationship between the conformation and biological activity of the peptide allosteric modulator of the interleukin-1 receptor 101.10 (D-Arg-D-Tyr-D-Thr-D-Val-D-Glu-D-Leu-D-Ala-NH₂) has been studied using (R)- and (S)-Bgl residues. Twelve Bgl peptides were synthesized using (R)- and (S)-cyclic sulfamidate reagents derived from L- and D-aspartic acid in an optimized Fmoc-compatible protocol for efficient lactam installment onto the supported peptide resin. Examination of these (R)- and (S)-Bgl 101.10 analogs for their potential to inhibit IL-1β-induced thymocyte cell proliferation using a novel fluorescence assay revealed that certain analogs exhibited retained and improved potency relative to the parent peptide 101.10. In light of previous reports that Bgl residues may stabilize type II'β-turn-like conformations in peptides, CD spectroscopy was performed on selected compounds to identify secondary structure necessary for peptide biological activity. Results indicate that the presence of a fold about the central residues of the parent peptide may be important for activity.
The insertion of lactams into peptide analogs can enhance potency and improve receptor selectivity. The synthesis of lactam-bridged peptide sequences has been accomplished by a solid-phase approach on SynPhase lanterns using cyclic (R)- and (S)-oxathiazinane ester (2) to annulate the amino lactam residue onto the peptide chain. Parallel synthesis of alpha-amino gamma-lactam analogs of the allosteric modulator of IL-1 receptor 101.10 (D-Arg-D-Tyr-D-Thr-D-Val-D-Glu-D-Leu-D-Ala: rytvela) was performed by split-mix chemistry on the lanterns. In particular, the double insertion of alpha-amino gamma-lactams in the same peptide sequence has been accomplished by this effective method for the solid-supported combinatorial synthesis of lactam-bridged peptides. Peptides bearing an Agl residue exhibited curve shapes indicative of turn conformations in their circular dichroism spectra.
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