Development of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinase

Abstract Mirror-image proteins, composed of d-amino acids, are an attractive therapeutic modality, as they exhibit high metabolic stability and lack immunogenicity. Development of mirror-image binding proteins is achieved through chemical synthesis of d-target proteins, phage display library selecti...

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Main Authors: Nina Schmidt, Amit Kumar, Lukas Korf, Adrian Valentin Dinh-Fricke, Frank Abendroth, Akiko Koide, Uwe Linne, Magdalena Rakwalska-Bange, Shohei Koide, Lars-Oliver Essen, Olalla Vázquez, Oliver Hantschel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-12-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54901-y
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author Nina Schmidt
Amit Kumar
Lukas Korf
Adrian Valentin Dinh-Fricke
Frank Abendroth
Akiko Koide
Uwe Linne
Magdalena Rakwalska-Bange
Shohei Koide
Lars-Oliver Essen
Olalla Vázquez
Oliver Hantschel
author_facet Nina Schmidt
Amit Kumar
Lukas Korf
Adrian Valentin Dinh-Fricke
Frank Abendroth
Akiko Koide
Uwe Linne
Magdalena Rakwalska-Bange
Shohei Koide
Lars-Oliver Essen
Olalla Vázquez
Oliver Hantschel
author_sort Nina Schmidt
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mirror-image proteins, composed of d-amino acids, are an attractive therapeutic modality, as they exhibit high metabolic stability and lack immunogenicity. Development of mirror-image binding proteins is achieved through chemical synthesis of d-target proteins, phage display library selection of l-binders and chemical synthesis of (mirror-image) d-binders that consequently bind the physiological l-targets. Monobodies are well-established synthetic (l-)binding proteins and their small size (~90 residues) and lack of endogenous cysteine residues make them particularly accessible to chemical synthesis. Here, we develop monobodies with nanomolar binding affinities against the d-SH2 domain of the leukemic tyrosine kinase BCR::ABL1. Two crystal structures of heterochiral monobody-SH2 complexes reveal targeting of the pY binding pocket by an unconventional binding mode. We then prepare potent d-monobodies by either ligating two chemically synthesized d-peptides or by self-assembly without ligation. Their proper folding and stability are determined and high-affinity binding to the l-target is shown. d-monobodies are protease-resistant, show long-term plasma stability, inhibit BCR::ABL1 kinase activity and bind BCR::ABL1 in cell lysates and permeabilized cells. Hence, we demonstrate that functional d-monobodies can be developed readily. Our work represents an important step towards possible future therapeutic use of d-monobodies when combined with emerging methods to enable cytoplasmic delivery of monobodies.
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spelling doaj-art-a94e9c2c9c8d495c80cae1346c9eb3062025-08-20T02:43:33ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-12-0115111910.1038/s41467-024-54901-yDevelopment of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinaseNina Schmidt0Amit Kumar1Lukas Korf2Adrian Valentin Dinh-Fricke3Frank Abendroth4Akiko Koide5Uwe Linne6Magdalena Rakwalska-Bange7Shohei Koide8Lars-Oliver Essen9Olalla Vázquez10Oliver Hantschel11Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps University of MarburgInstitute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps University of MarburgFaculty of Chemistry and Unit for Structural Biology, Philipps University of MarburgInstitute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps University of MarburgFaculty of Chemistry and Unit for Chemical Biology, Philipps University of MarburgDepartment of Medicine, New York University School of MedicineFaculty of Chemistry and Unit for Mass Spectrometry, Philipps University of MarburgInstitute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps University of MarburgLaura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone HealthFaculty of Chemistry and Unit for Structural Biology, Philipps University of MarburgFaculty of Chemistry and Unit for Chemical Biology, Philipps University of MarburgInstitute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps University of MarburgAbstract Mirror-image proteins, composed of d-amino acids, are an attractive therapeutic modality, as they exhibit high metabolic stability and lack immunogenicity. Development of mirror-image binding proteins is achieved through chemical synthesis of d-target proteins, phage display library selection of l-binders and chemical synthesis of (mirror-image) d-binders that consequently bind the physiological l-targets. Monobodies are well-established synthetic (l-)binding proteins and their small size (~90 residues) and lack of endogenous cysteine residues make them particularly accessible to chemical synthesis. Here, we develop monobodies with nanomolar binding affinities against the d-SH2 domain of the leukemic tyrosine kinase BCR::ABL1. Two crystal structures of heterochiral monobody-SH2 complexes reveal targeting of the pY binding pocket by an unconventional binding mode. We then prepare potent d-monobodies by either ligating two chemically synthesized d-peptides or by self-assembly without ligation. Their proper folding and stability are determined and high-affinity binding to the l-target is shown. d-monobodies are protease-resistant, show long-term plasma stability, inhibit BCR::ABL1 kinase activity and bind BCR::ABL1 in cell lysates and permeabilized cells. Hence, we demonstrate that functional d-monobodies can be developed readily. Our work represents an important step towards possible future therapeutic use of d-monobodies when combined with emerging methods to enable cytoplasmic delivery of monobodies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54901-y
spellingShingle Nina Schmidt
Amit Kumar
Lukas Korf
Adrian Valentin Dinh-Fricke
Frank Abendroth
Akiko Koide
Uwe Linne
Magdalena Rakwalska-Bange
Shohei Koide
Lars-Oliver Essen
Olalla Vázquez
Oliver Hantschel
Development of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinase
Nature Communications
title Development of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinase
title_full Development of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinase
title_fullStr Development of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinase
title_full_unstemmed Development of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinase
title_short Development of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinase
title_sort development of mirror image monobodies targeting the oncogenic bcr abl1 kinase
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54901-y
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