New compstatin peptides containing N-terminal extensions and non-natural amino acids exhibit potent complement inhibition and improved solubility characteristics

J Med Chem. 2015 Jan 22;58(2):814-26. doi: 10.1021/jm501345y. Epub 2014 Dec 29.

Abstract

Compstatin peptides are complement inhibitors that bind and inhibit cleavage of complement C3. Peptide binding is enhanced by hydrophobic interactions; however, poor solubility promotes aggregation in aqueous environments. We have designed new compstatin peptides derived from the W4A9 sequence (Ac-ICVWQDWGAHRCT-NH2, cyclized between C2 and C12), based on structural, computational, and experimental studies. Furthermore, we developed and utilized a computational framework for the design of peptides containing non-natural amino acids. These new compstatin peptides contain polar N-terminal extensions and non-natural amino acid substitutions at positions 4 and 9. Peptides with α-modified non-natural alanine analogs at position 9, as well as peptides containing only N-terminal polar extensions, exhibited similar activity compared to W4A9, as quantified via ELISA, hemolytic, and cell-based assays, and showed improved solubility, as measured by UV absorbance and reverse-phase HPLC experiments. Because of their potency and solubility, these peptides are promising candidates for therapeutic development in numerous complement-mediated diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Complement Inactivating Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Complement Inactivating Agents / pharmacology
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology*
  • Rabbits
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / drug effects
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Complement Inactivating Agents
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • compstatin