Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Native Chemical Ligation (native + chemical_ligation)
Selected AbstractsProtein Synthesis Assisted by Native Chemical Ligation at LeucineCHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 9 2010Ziv Harpaz Triggering leucine: A new ligation strategy of using ,-mercaptoleucine coupled with desulfurization at leucine sites was developed, and its applicability in protein synthesis is presented. The efficiency of our Leu-NCL was examined in several model peptides and utilized for the first total synthesis of HIV-1 Tat protein. [source] A Designed Well-Folded Monomeric Four-Helix Bundle Protein Prepared by Fmoc Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis and Native Chemical Ligation,CHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 5 2006Gunnar T. Dolphin Dr. Abstract The design and total chemical synthesis of a monomeric native-like four-helix bundle protein is presented. The designed protein, GTD-Lig, consists of 90 amino acids and is based on the dimeric structure of the de novo designed helix-loop-helix GTD-43. GTD-Lig was prepared by the native chemical ligation strategy and the fragments (45 residues long) were synthesized by applying standard fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry. The required peptide,thioester fragment was prepared by anchoring the free ,-carboxy group of Fmoc-Glu-allyl to the solid phase. After chain elongation the allyl moiety was orthogonally removed and the resulting carboxy group was functionalized with a glycine,thioester followed by standard trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) cleavage to produce the unprotected peptide,thioester. The structure of the synthetic protein was examined by far- and near-UV circular dichroism (CD), sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation, and NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The spectroscopic methods show a highly helical and native-like monomeric protein consistent with the design. Heat-induced unfolding was studied by tryptophan absorbance and far-UV CD. The thermal unfolding of GTD-Lig occurs in two steps; a cooperative transition from the native state to an intermediate state and thereafter by noncooperative melting to the unfolded state. The intermediate exhibits the properties of a molten globule such as a retained native secondary structure and a compact hydrophobic core. The thermodynamics of GuHCl-induced unfolding were evaluated by far-UV CD monitoring and the unfolding exhibited a cooperative transition that is well-fitted by a two-state mechanism from the native to the unfolded state. GTD-Lig clearly shows the characteristics of a native protein with a well-defined structure and typical unfolding transitions. The design and synthesis presented herein is of general applicability for the construction of large monomeric proteins. [source] Cover Picture: Semisynthesis and Characterization of the First Analogues of Pro-Neuropeptide Y (ChemBioChem 5/2003)CHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 5 2003Regula von Eggelkraut-Gottanka Dipl.-Pharm. Abstract The cover picture shows how a combination of recombinant synthesis and chemical synthesis has been used to obtain chemically modified proteins. N-terminal protein segments of pro-neuropeptide Y (proNPY) were produced as intein-fusion proteins in Escherischia coli in order to obtain thioesters. C-terminal segments were synthesized by parallel automated peptide synthesis and derivatized to obtain carboxyfluorescein- (CF) and biotin-labeled peptides. Native chemical ligation yielded chemically modified full-length analogues of proNPY that can be used to monitor the biosynthesis of neuropeptide Y. Futher information can be found in the article by Beck-Sickinger and co-workers on p. 425 ff. [source] Synthesis of Peptide-PNA-Peptide Conjugates by Semi-Solid-Phase Chemical Ligation Combined with Deactivation/Capture of Excess ReactantsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2004Martijn C. de Koning Abstract An expeditious route to peptide-PNA-peptide conjugates following a two-step native chemical ligation (NCL) strategy is described. A cys-PNA-thioester is immobilized on PEGA-aldehyde resin by thiazolidine formation, followed by capping of excess resin aldehydes. The first NCL reaction is then performed with the immobilized PNA-thioester, to give, after release from the solid support, the cys-PNA-peptide intermediate with relatively high purity. The latter is then converted into the target compound by the second NCL reaction with a thioester peptide, the excess of which is captured using a cysteine-PEGA resin. The resulting peptide-PNA-peptide can then be readily isolated by a simple purification step. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004) [source] Protein immobilization on liposomes and lipid-coated nanoparticles by protein trans -splicing,JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 10 2010Nam Ky Chu Abstract A plethora of methods exist to link proteins to surfaces in order to generate functionalized materials. However, general tools that lead to functional immobilization of recombinantly expressed proteins on membranes such as liposomes or lipid-coated nanoparticles are rare. Here we present an approach that takes advantage of a double-palmitoylated peptide that mediates stable membrane anchoring in combination with protein trans -splicing for efficient immobilization of recombinant proteins fused to split intein segments. Two different DnaE split inteins from Synechocystis and Nostoc punctiforme are tested and compared to immobilization via direct native chemical ligation using a protein thioester. Protein trans -splicing proceeds at low protein concentrations and leads to functionalized vesicles and membrane-coated silica nanoparticles. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Microwave-assisted Boc-solid phase peptide synthesis of cyclic cysteine-rich peptidesJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008Abstract In this study we describe the first protocols for the synthesis of cystine-rich peptides in the presence of microwave radiation with Boc-solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). This method is exemplified for macrocyclic peptides known as cyclotides, which comprise ,30 amino acids and incorporate a cystine knot arrangement of their three disulfide bonds. However, the method is broadly applicable for a wide range of peptides using Boc-SPPS, especially for SPPS of large peptides via native chemical ligation. Microwave radiation produces peptides in high yield and with high purity, and we were able to reduce the time for the assembly of ,30 mer peptide chains to an overnight reaction in the automated microwave-assisted synthesis. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Synthesis and use of a pseudo-cysteine for native chemical ligationJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2003David A. Alves Abstract The process of native chemical ligation (NCL) is well described in the literature. An N -terminal cysteine-containing peptide reacts with a C -terminal thioester-containing peptide to yield a native amide bond after transesterification and acyl transfer. An N -terminal cysteine is required as both the N -terminal amino function and the sidechain thiol participate in the ligation reaction. In certain circumstances it is desirable, or even imperative, that the N -terminal region of a peptidic reaction partner remain unmodified, for instance for the retention of biological activity after ligation. This work discusses the synthesis of a pseudo- N -terminal cysteine building block for incorporation into peptides using standard methods of solid phase synthesis. Upon deprotection, this building block affords a de factoN -terminal cysteine positioned on an amino acid sidechain, which is capable of undergoing native chemical ligation with a thioester. The syntheses of several peptides and structures containing this motif are detailed, their reactions discussed, and further applications of this technology proposed. Copyright © 2003 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A personal account of the role of peptide research in drug discovery: the case of hepatitis C,JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 1 2001Antonello Pessi Abstract Although peptides themselves are not usually the end products of a drug discovery effort, peptide research often plays a key role in many aspects of this process. This will be illustrated by reviewing the experience of peptide research carried out at IRBM in the course of our study of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The target of our work is the NS3/4A protease, which is essential for maturation of the viral polyprotein. After a thorough examination of its substrate specificity we fine-tuned several substrate-derived peptides for enzymology studies, high-throughput screening and as fluorescent probes for secondary binding assays. In the course of these studies we made the key observation: that the protease is inhibited by its own cleavage products. Single analog and combinatorial optimization then derived potent peptide inhibitors. The crucial role of the NS4A cofactor was also addressed. NS4A is a small transmembrane protein, whose central domain is the minimal region sufficient for enzyme activation. Structural studies were performed with a peptide corresponding to the minimal activation domain, with a series of product inhibitors and with both. We found that NS3/4A is an induced fit enzyme, requiring both the cofactor and the substrate to acquire its bioactive conformation; this explained some puzzling results of ,serine-trap' type inhibitors. A more complete study on NS3 activation, however, requires the availability of the full-length NS4A protein. This was prepared by native chemical ligation, after sequence engineering to enhance its solubility; structural studies are in progress. Current work is focused on the P, region of the substrate, which, at variance with the P region, is not used for ground state binding to the enzyme and might give rise to inhibitors showing novel interactions with the enzyme. Copyright © 2001 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Chemical synthesis and biotinylation of the thrombospondin domain TSR2PROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009Theresa K. Tiefenbrunn Abstract The type 1 repeat domain from thrombospondin has potent antiangiogenic activity and a structurally interesting fold, making it an attractive target for protein engineering. Chemical synthesis is an attractive approach for studying protein domains because it enables the use of unnatural amino acids for site-specific labeling and detailed structure-function analysis. Here, we demonstrate the first total chemical synthesis of the thrombospondin type 1 repeat domain by native chemical ligation. In addition to the natural domain, five sites for side chain modification were evaluated and two were found to be compatible with oxidative folding. Several challenges were encountered during peptide synthesis due to the functional complexity of the domain. These challenges were overcome by the use of new solid supports, scavengers, and the testing of multiple ligation sites. We also describe an unusual sequence-specific protecting group migration observed during cleavage resulting in +90 Da and +194 Da adducts. Synthetic access to this domain enables the synthesis of a number of variants that can be used to further our understanding of the biochemical interaction network of thrombospondin and provide insight into the structure and function of this important antitumorogenic protein domain. [source] Threading a peptide through a peptide: Protein loops, rotaxanes, and knotsPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 7 2007John W. Blankenship Abstract Proteins adopt complex folds in nature that typically avoid conformations that are knotted or "threaded" through closed loops. Is this the result of fundamental barriers to folding, or have proteins simply evolved to avoid threaded conformations? Organic synthesis has been used in supramolecular chemistry to install topological links in small molecules. By following these principles, we now show that it is possible to assemble a topologically linked protein complex by threading a linear protein through a cyclic protein to form a [2]pseudo-rotaxane. Subsequent ring closure using native chemical ligation cyclizes the linear protein, forming a [2]heterocatenane. Although the kinetics of protein threading are slower than the folding kinetics of the native protein, threading appears to be a highly efficient process. [source] Semisynthesis of unnatural amino acid mutants of paxillin: Protein probes for cell migration studiesPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 3 2007Elizabeth M. Vogel Abstract Caged phosphopeptides and phosphoproteins are valuable tools for dissecting the dynamic role of phosphorylation in complex signaling networks with temporal and spatial control. Demonstrating the broad scope of phosphoamino acid caging for studying signaling events, we report here the semisynthesis of a photolabile precursor to the cellular migration protein paxillin, which is a complex, multidomain phosphoprotein. This semisynthetic construct provides a powerful probe for investigating the influence that phosphorylation of paxillin at a single site has on cellular migration. The 61-kDa paxillin construct was assembled using native chemical ligation to install a caged phosphotyrosine residue at position 31 of the 557-residue protein, and the probe includes all other binding and localization determinants in the paxillin macromolecule, which are essential for creating a native environment to investigate phosphorylation. Following semisynthesis, paxillin variants were characterized through detailed biochemical analyses and by quantitative uncaging studies. [source] Ultra-Stable Peptide Scaffolds for Protein Engineering,Synthesis and Folding of the Circular Cystine Knotted Cyclotide Cycloviolacin O2CHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 1 2008Teshome Leta Aboye Abstract The cyclic cystine knot motif, as defined by the cyclotide peptide family, is an attractive scaffold for protein engineering. To date, however, the utilisation of this scaffold has been limited by the inability to synthesise members of the most diverse and biologically active subfamily, the bracelet cyclotides. This study describes the synthesis and first direct oxidative folding of a bracelet cyclotide,cycloviolacin O2,and thus provides an efficient method for exploring the most potent cyclic cystine knot peptides. The linear chain of cycloviolacin O2 was assembled by solid-phase Fmoc peptide synthesis and cyclised by thioester-mediated native chemical ligation, and the inherent difficulties of folding bracelet cyclotides were successfully overcome in a single-step reaction. The folding pathway was characterised and was found to include predominating fully oxidised intermediates that slowly converted to the native peptide structure. [source] From pro defensins to defensins: synthesis and characterization of human neutrophil pro ,-defensin-1 and its mature domainCHEMICAL BIOLOGY & DRUG DESIGN, Issue 2 2003Z. Wu Abstract: Human neutrophil ,-defensins (HNPs) are small, cationic, Cys-rich antimicrobial proteins that play important roles in innate immunity against infectious microbes such as bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. Synthesized as inactive precursors in vivo (pre-proHNPs), HNPs are activated through proteolytic removal of the inhibitory pro-peptide required for subcellular sorting and correct folding. We seek to understand the molecular basis for the recognition between the 45-residue pro-peptide and the C-terminal functional domain. Here we described, total chemical synthesis of the 75-residue human neutrophil pro ,-defensin-1 (proHNP1) via native chemical ligation. After oxidative folding, proHNP1 is cleaved by cyanogen bromide at the Met45,Ala46 peptide bond to release the mature form. The native disulfide connectivity in HNP1, i.e. Cys1,Cys6, Cys2,Cys4 and Cys3,Cys5, is verified by mass mapping of peptide fragments generated by proteolytic digestion and Edman degradation. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies and antimicrobial activity assays further support that synthetic proHNP1 and HNP1 are correctly folded. While largely unstructured in aqueous solution, the pro-peptide binds to HNP1 intermolecularly with an apparent Kd value of 6.2 ,m at pH 7.4, confirming the mode of intramolecular inactivation of human ,-defensin precursors. [source] Solid-Phase Synthesis of Peptide and Glycopeptide Thioesters through Side-Chain-Anchoring StrategiesCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 12 2008Simon Ficht Dr. Abstract An efficient new strategy for the synthesis of peptide and glycopeptide thioesters is described. The method relies on the side-chain immobilization of a variety of Fmoc-amino acids, protected at their C-termini, on solid supports. Once anchored, peptides were constructed using solid-phase peptide synthesis according to the Fmoc protocol. After unmasking the C-terminal carboxylate, either thiols or amino acid thioesters were coupled to afford, after cleavage, peptide and glycopeptide thioesters in high yields. Using this method a significant proportion of the proteinogenic amino acids could be incorporated as C-terminal amino acid residues, therefore providing access to a large number of potential targets that can serve as acyl donors in subsequent ligation reactions. The utility of this methodology was exemplified in the synthesis of a 28 amino acid glycopeptide thioester, which was further elaborated to an N-terminal fragment of the glycoprotein erythropoietin (EPO) by native chemical ligation. [source] | ||||||||||