Two new amide isosteres of Ser-cis-Pro and Ser-trans-Pro dipeptides were designed and stereoselectively synthesized to be incorporated into potential inhibitors of the phosphorylation-dependent peptidylprolyl isomerase Pin1, an essential regulator of the cell cycle. The cis mimic, the (Z)-alkene isomer, was formed through the use of a Still-Wittig [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement, while the trans mimic, the (E)-alkene, was synthesized through the use of an Ireland-Claisen [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. Starting from N-Boc-Ser(OBn)-N(OMe)Me, both mimics were synthesized in Boc-protected form suitable for peptide synthesis with an overall yield of 20% in 10 steps for the cis mimic and 13% in eight steps for the trans mimic.

The Pin1 peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) catalyzes isomerization of pSer/pThr-Pro motifs in regulating the cell cycle. Peptide substrates, Ac–Phe–Phe–phosphoSer–Pro–Arg–p-nitroaniline, were synthesized in unlabeled form, and with deuterium labeled Ser-d3 and Pro-d7 amino acids. Kinetic data was collected as a function of Pin1 concentration to measure kinetic isotope effects (KIE) on catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km). The normal secondary (2°) KIE value measured for the Ser-d3 substrate (kH/kD = 1.6 ± 0.2) indicates that the serine carbonyl does not rehybridize from sp2 to sp3 in the rate-determining step, ruling out a nucleophilic addition mechanism. The normal 2° KIE can be explained by hyperconjugation between Ser α-C–H/D and C=O, and release of steric strain upon rotation of the amide bond from cis to syn-exo. The inverse 2° KIE value (kH/kD = 0.86 ± 0.08) measured for the Pro-d7 substrate indicates rehybridization of the prolyl nitrogen from sp2 to sp3 during the rate-limiting step of isomerization. No solvent kinetic isotope was measured by NMR exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) (kH2O/kD2O = 0.92 ± 0.12), indicating little or no involvement of exchangeable protons in the mechanism. These results support the formation of a simple twisted-amide transition state as the mechanism for peptidyl prolyl isomerization catalyzed by Pin1. A model of the reaction mechanism is presented using crystal structures of Pin1 with ground state analogues and an inhibitor that resembles a twisted amide transition state.

PURPOSE. DARPin molecules are a novel class of small proteins that contain engineered ankyrin repeat domain(s) and bind to target proteins with high specificity and affinity. Abicipar-pegol (abicipar), a DARPin molecule targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), is currently under evaluation in patients with age-related macular degeneration. The pharmacodynamic properties of abicipar were characterized using in vivo and in vitro assays. METHODS. The binding affinity of abicipar was assessed using a kinetic exclusion assay (KinExA). In vitro assays evaluated abicipar effects on VEGF-A 165-induced calcium mobilization and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Abicipar was tested in vivo in a mouse model of corneal neovascularization and a rabbit model of chronic retinal neovascularization. The efficacies of abicipar and ranibizumab were compared in a rabbit model of VEGF-A 165-induced retinal vasculopathy. RESULTS. Abicipar has a high affinity for the soluble isoforms of VEGF-A; binding affinities for human VEGF-A 165 are approximately 100-fold greater than those of ranibizumab and bevacizumab and are similar for rat VEGF-A 164 but approximately 20-fold lower for rabbit VEGF-A 165. Abicipar was effective in cell-based and in vivo models of angiogenesis and vascular leak, blocking neovascularization in a mouse model of corneal neovascularization and vascular permeability in a rabbit model of chronic neovascularization. In a rabbit model of VEGF-A 165-induced vasculopathy, the duration of effect of abicipar was longer than ranibizumab when the two compounds were administered at molar-equivalent doses. CONCLUSIONS. These data support the testing of abicipar as a treatment for retinal diseases characterized by neovascularization and vascular leak.

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