Noncovalent Peptide Stapling Using Alpha-Methyl-l-Phenylalanine for α-Helical Peptidomimetics

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Sep 20;145(37):20242-20247. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c02743. Epub 2023 Jul 13.

Abstract

Peptides and peptidomimetics are attractive drug candidates because of their high target specificity and low-toxicity profiles. Developing peptidomimetics using hydrocarbon (HC)-stapling or other stapling strategies has gained momentum because of their high stability and resistance to proteases; however, they have limitations. Here, we take advantage of the α-methyl group and an aromatic phenyl ring in a unique unnatural amino acid, α-methyl-l-phenylalanine (αF), and propose a novel, noncovalent stapling strategy to stabilize peptides. We utilized this strategy to create an α-helical B-chain mimetic of a complex insulin-like peptide, human relaxin-3 (H3 relaxin). Our comprehensive data set (in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo) confirmed that the new high-yielding B-chain mimetic, H3B10-27(13/17αF), is remarkably stable in serum and fully mimics the biological function of H3 relaxin. H3B10-27(13/17αF) is an excellent scaffold for further development as a drug lead and an important tool to decipher the physiological functions of the neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Peptidomimetics*
  • Phenylalanine
  • Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Relaxin* / chemistry
  • Relaxin* / metabolism

Substances

  • Relaxin
  • Peptidomimetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Phenylalanine
  • RXFP3 protein, human