Smac-Derived Aza-Peptide As an Aminopeptidase-Resistant XIAP BIR3 Antagonist

Title:Smac-Derived Aza-Peptide As an Aminopeptidase-Resistant XIAP BIR3 Antagonist

Volume: 22 Issue: 9

Author(s): Mohamed A. Elsawy, Irina G. Tikhonova, Lorraine Martin and Brian Walker

Affiliation:

Keywords: Aminopeptidases, Apoptosis, Aza-peptides, Caspase 9, IAPs, Smac.

Abstract: The peptidic nature of anti-IAPs N-terminus Smac-derived peptides precludes their utilization as potential therapeutic anticancer agents. Recent advances in the development of novel Smacderived peptidomimetics and non-peptidic molecules with improved anti-IAPs activity and resistance to proteolytic cleavage have been reported and led to a number of candidates that are currently in clinical trials including LCL-161, SM-406/AT-406, GDC-0512/GDC-0917, and birinapant. As an attempt to improve the proteolytic stability of Smac peptides, we developed the Aza-peptide AzaAla- Val-Pro-Phe-Tyr-NH₂ (2). Unlike unmodified peptide Ala-Val-Pro-Phe-Tyr-NH₂ (1), analogue (2) exhibited resistance towards proteolytic cleavage by two aminopeptidases; LAP and DPP-IV, while retaining its IAP inhibitory activity. This was due to the altered planar geometry of the P1 residue side chain. Our findings showed that using aza-isosteres of bioactive peptide sequences imbue the residue with imperviousness to proteolysis; underscoring a potential approach for developing a new generation of Smac-derived Aza-peptidomimetics.

Cite this article as:

Elsawy A. Mohamed, Tikhonova G. Irina, Martin Lorraine and Walker Brian, Smac-Derived Aza-Peptide As an Aminopeptidase-Resistant XIAP BIR3 Antagonist, Protein & Peptide Letters 2015; 22 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929866522666150622101626