Project description
Stabling and de-stabling unprotected peptides
Linear peptides are degradation-prone and do not penetrate cells easily. Stapled peptides are more stable and enter cells more readily but are often less bioactive. Reversible stapling offers an attractive solution: extracellular stability and permeability are enhanced and intracellular de-stapling restores potency. Researchers are now developing reversible stapling strategies. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the STAPLE-De-STAPLE project aims to introduce a cost-effective catalytic peptide stapling method. The products can be de-stapled by a process triggered by hydrogen peroxide, an increase in the concentration of which signals the onset of cancer. These studies bring together the state-of-the-art in catalysis and drug development. Moreover, the work is closely aligned with EU’s sustainable development strategy by promoting greener and more efficient chemical processes.
Objective
Cyclic (stapled) peptides often possess superior biological activity compared to their linear counterparts and are more attractive leads in drug development. This is for several reasons: conformational rigidity (enhanced binding to target molecules and receptor selectivity), resistance to degradation by peptidases (increased stability and potency), and greater cell permeability. Reliable strategies for peptide stapling are therefore in high demand, especially if cyclizations are reversible under certain controllable conditions. The reason is that a linear peptide can be biologically more active. If de-stapling can be triggered by an intracellular signal, then once the cyclic peptide has entered the cytosol, it can be converted to its more active acyclic form.
We propose to develop a robust, practical, and broadly applicable catalytic method for stabling of peptides. Cyclizations, which will be promoted by inexpensive and easily available Cu(I) catalysts, are inspired by recent findings by the host group in Strasbourg. The Hoveyda group has shown that a highly functional group tolerant catalytic click reaction can be used to link a drug-bound allene to a ketone that is bound to unprotected penetratin, a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). The process was completed in just 3-5 hours in aqueous media and at ambient temperature. Also inspired by the recent discoveries in the host group, de-stapling will be triggered by a reactive oxygen species (ROS) and specifically H2O2, higher concentration of which have been shown to signal the onset of diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
The results of these studies are expected to have an immediate impact on catalytic chemical synthesis, aiding in the elucidation of biological mechanisms and accelerating drug development and discovery. Additionally, the proposed work will significantly contribute to environmentally responsible and green chemistry, aligning with the EU sustainable development strategy.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry ketones
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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67081 Strasbourg
France
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