Abstract Efficient and site‐specific modification of native peptides and proteins is desirable for synthesizing antibody‐drug conjugates as well as for constructing chemically modified peptide libraries using genetically encoded platforms such as phage display. In particular, there is much interest in efficient multicyclization of native peptides due to the appeals of multicyclic peptides as therapeutics. However, conventional approaches for multicyclic peptide synthesis require orthogonal protecting groups or non‐proteinogenic clickable handles. Herein, we report a cysteine‐directed proximity‐driven strategy for the constructing bicyclic peptides from simple natural peptide precursors. This linear to bicycle transformation initiates with rapid cysteine labeling, which then triggers proximity‐driven amine‐selective cyclization. This bicyclization proceeds rapidly under physiologic conditions, yielding bicyclic peptides with a Cys‐Lys‐Cys, Lys‐Cys‐Lys or N‐terminus‐Cys‐Cys stapling pattern. We demonstrate the utility and power of this strategy by constructing bicyclic peptides fused to proteins as well as to the M13 phage, paving the way to phage display of novel bicyclic peptide libraries.
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Fast and Cysteine‐Specific Modification of Peptides, Proteins and Bacteriophage Using Chlorooximes
Abstract This work reports a novel chlorooxime mediated modification of native peptides and proteins under physiologic conditions. This method features fast reaction kinetics (apparentk2=306±4 M−1s−1for GSH) and exquisite selectivity for cysteine residues. This cysteine conjugation reaction can be carried out with just single‐digit micromolar concentrations of the labeling reagent. The conjugates show high stability towards acid, base, and external thiol nucleophiles. A nitrile oxide species generated in situ is likely involved as the key intermediate. Furthermore, a bis‐chlorooxime reagent is synthesized to enable facile Cys‐Cys stapling in native peptides and proteins. This highly efficient cysteine conjugation and stapling was further implemented on bacteriophage to construct chemically modified phage libraries.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1904874
- PAR ID:
- 10365088
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Chemistry – A European Journal
- Volume:
- 28
- Issue:
- 20
- ISSN:
- 0947-6539
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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