Cellular functions of arrestins are determined in part by the pattern of phosphorylation on the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to which arrestins bind. Despite high-resolution structural data of arrestins bound to phosphorylated receptor C-termini, the functional role of each phosphorylation site remains obscure. Here, we employ a library of synthetic phosphopeptide analogues of the GPCR rhodopsin C-terminus and determine the ability of these peptides to bind and activate arrestins using a variety of biochemical and biophysical methods. We further characterize how these peptides modulate the conformation of arrestin-1 by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Our results indicate different functional classes of phosphorylation sites: ‘key sites’ required for arrestin binding and activation, an ‘inhibitory site’ that abrogates arrestin binding, and ‘modulator sites’ that influence the global conformation of arrestin. These functional motifs allow a better understanding of how different GPCR phosphorylation patterns might control how arrestin functions in the cell.

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of multiphosphorylated peptides is described. Such peptides are essential in elucidating the biological roles of the phosphorylation patterns and barcodes.

Advances in the synthesis of multiphosphorylated peptides and peptide libraries: tools for studying the effects of phosphorylation patterns on protein function and regulation.

We present a new approach for the covalent inhibition of HIV-1 integrase (IN) by an LEDGF/p75-derived peptide modified with an N-terminal succinimide group. The covalent inhibition is mediated by direct binding of the succinimide to the amine group of a lysine residue in IN. The peptide serves as a specific recognition sequence for the target protein, while the succinimide serves as the binding moiety. The combination of a readily synthesizable peptide precursor with easy and efficient binding to the target protein makes this approach a promising new strategy for designing lead compounds.

There is an urgent need for an effective treatment for metastatic prostate cancer (PC). Prostate tumors invariably overexpress prostate surface membrane antigen (PSMA). We designed a nonviral vector, PEI-PEG-DUPA (PPD), comprising polyethylenimine-polyethyleneglycol (PEI-PEG) tethered to the PSMA ligand, 2-[3-(1, 3-dicarboxy propyl)ureido] pentanedioic acid (DUPA), to treat PC. The purpose of PEI is to bind polyinosinic/polycytosinic acid (polyIC) and allow endosomal release, while DUPA targets PC cells. PolyIC activates multiple pathways that lead to tumor cell death and to the activation of bystander effects that harness the immune system against the tumor, attacking nontargeted neighboring tumor cells and reducing the probability of acquired resistance and disease recurrence. Targeting polyIC directly to tumor cells avoids the toxicity associated with systemic delivery. PPD selectively delivered polyIC into PSMA-overexpressing PC cells, inducing apoptosis, cytokine secretion, and the recruitment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PSMA-overexpressing tumors in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice with partially reconstituted immune systems were significantly shrunken following PPD/polyIC treatment, in all cases. Half of the tumors showed complete regression. PPD/polyIC invokes antitumor immunity, but unlike many immunotherapies does not need to be personalized for each patient. The potent antitumor effects of PPD/polyIC should spur its development for clinical use.

Cyclic peptide-peptoid hybrids possess improved stability and selectivity over linear peptides and are thus better drug candidates. However, their synthesis is far from trivial and is usually difficult to automate. Here we describe a new rapid and efficient approach for the synthesis of click-based cyclic peptide-peptoid hybrids. Our methodology is based on a combination between easily synthesized building blocks, automated microwave assisted solid phase synthesis and bioorthogonal click cyclization. We proved the concept of this method using the INS peptide, which we have previously shown to activate the HIV-1 integrase enzyme. This strategy enabled the rapid synthesis and biophysical evaluation of a library of cyclic peptide-peptoid hybrids derived from HIV-1 integrase in high yield and purity. The new cyclic hybrids showed improved biological activity and were significantly more stable than the original linear INS peptide.

Phosphorylation of proteins at multiple sites creates different phosphorylation patterns that are essential for their biological activity. For example, such patterns contribute to the redirection of signalling to alternative pathways. Multi-phosphorylated peptides are excellent tools to systematically study the impact of unique phosphorylation patterns on signalling, but their synthesis is extremely difficult. Here we present an efficient and general method for the synthesis of multi-phosphorylated peptides, using a combination of different tailor-made coupling conditions. The method was demonstrated for the synthesis of a library of Rhodopsin C terminal peptides with distinct phosphorylation patterns containing up to seven phosphorylated Ser (pSer) and Thr (pThr) residues in close proximity to one another. Our method can be used to synthesize peptides incorporating multiple phosphorylated amino acids at high efficiency. It does not require any special expertise and can be performed in any standard peptide laboratory. This approach opens the way for quantitative mechanistic studies of phosphorylation patterns and their biological roles.

Permanent protecting groups are essential for oligosaccharide synthesis. However, the removal of the traditionally used protecting groups is not trivial and demands considerable expertise. Using photolabile protecting groups as permanent protection for glycan can overcome many limitations associated with the traditional oligosaccharide synthesis approach. It is demonstrated here that up to eight photolabile protecting groups can be readily removed from a single glycan using a benchtop LED setup that is very easy to operate. This report suggests that further development of the strategy will offer an attractive alternative for oligosaccharide synthesis.