Chemoselective small molecules that covalently modify one lysine in a non-enzyme protein in plasma.
A small molecule that could bind selectively to and then react chemoselectively with a non-enzyme protein in a complex biological fluid, such as blood, could have numerous practical applications. Herein, we report a family of designed stilbenes that selectively and covalently modify the prominent plasma protein transthyretin in preference to more than 4,000 other human plasma proteins. They react chemoselectively with only one of eight lysine e-amino groups within transthyretin. The crystal structure confirms the expected binding orientation of the stilbene substructure and the anticipated conjugating amide bond. These covalent transthyretin kinetic stabilizers exhibit superior amyloid inhibition potency compared to their noncovalent counterparts, and they prevent cytotoxicity associated with amyloidogenesis. Though there are a few prodrugs that, upon metabolic activation, react with a cysteine residue inactivating a specific non-enzyme, we are unaware of designed small molecules that react with one lysine e-amine within a specific non-enzyme protein in a complex biological fluid.
Choi
Sungwook
S
Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
Connelly
Stephen
S
Reixach
Natàlia
N
Wilson
Ian A
IA
Kelly
Jeffery W
JW
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008239:Lysine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
D011228:Prealbumin; D013267:Stilbenes; D008239:Lysine