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Advances in Peptide Research: From Chemistry to Therapeutics

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 1568

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Biological Sciences, Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Interests: antibody-drug conjugates; bioconjugate chemistry; peptide therapeutics; cancer targeted therapy; peptide chemistry
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The evolution of peptide synthesis techniques has profoundly transformed the foundation of peptide research. Initial methods were laborious and produced limited peptide quantities. However, the modernization of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) marked a revolutionary turning point by enabling an automated and efficient peptide production. This advancement not only elevated yields but also facilitated the creation of longer and more intricate peptide structures. Furthermore, the introduction of novel protective groups, coupling agents, and orthogonal chemistry has expanded the range of amino acids that can be incorporated into peptides. This expansion has empowered the design of peptides with diverse structures, properties, and functions, spanning from simple linear to complex cyclic and branched arrangements. These achievements have played a pivotal role in catalyzing the development of over 80 peptide-based drugs that have made their way to the market, effectively addressing an extensive range of diseases. These encompass, among others, cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, infectious diseases, pain management, dermatological disorders, neurological disorders, and renal disorders. As research continues to advance, peptides are poised to play an increasingly substantial role in shaping the trajectory of medicine and biotechnology. In this context, the objective of this Special Issue of IJMS is to capture the captivating realm surrounding the progress in peptide research, spanning the spectrum from chemistry to therapeutics.

Dr. Iman Kavianinia
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 4075 KiB  
Article
Structural Analyses of Designed α-Helix and β-Sheet Peptide Nanofibers Using Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Introduction of Structure-Based Metal-Responsive Properties
by Shota Nakagawa, Minami Kurokawa, Ohki Kambara, Toshiaki Takei, Kengo Daidoji, Akira Naito, Mao Takita, Akihiro Kawamoto, Mika Hirose and Atsuo Tamura
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021111 - 16 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1158
Abstract
The 21-residue peptide α3, which is artificially designed and consists of three repeats of 7 residues, is known to rapidly assemble into the α-helix nanofiber. However, its molecular structure within the fiber has not yet been fully elucidated. Thus, we conducted a thorough [...] Read more.
The 21-residue peptide α3, which is artificially designed and consists of three repeats of 7 residues, is known to rapidly assemble into the α-helix nanofiber. However, its molecular structure within the fiber has not yet been fully elucidated. Thus, we conducted a thorough investigation of the fiber’s molecular structure using solid-state NMR and other techniques. The molecules were found to be primarily composed of the α-helix structure, with some regions near the C- and N-terminal adopting a 310-helix structure. Furthermore, it was discovered that β-sheet hydrogen bonds were formed between the molecules at both ends. These intermolecular interactions caused the molecules to assemble parallelly in the same direction, forming helical fibers. In contrast, we designed two molecules, CaRP2 and βKE, that can form β-sheet intermolecular hydrogen bonds using the entire molecule instead of just the ends. Cryo-EM and other measurements confirmed that the nanofibers formed in a cross β structure, albeit at a slow rate, with the formation times ranging from 1 to 42 days. To create peptide nanofibers that instantaneously respond to changes in the external environment, we designed several molecules (HDM1-3) based on α3 by introducing metal-binding sites. One of these molecules was found to be highly responsive to the addition of metal ions, inducing α-helix formation and simultaneously assembling into nanofibers. The nanofibers lost their structure upon removal of the metal ion. The change occurred promptly and was reversible, demonstrating that the intended level of responsiveness was attained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Peptide Research: From Chemistry to Therapeutics)
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