A peptide isolated from phage display libraries is a structural and functional mimic of an RGD-binding site on integrins

Many integrins recognize short RGD-containing amino acid sequences and such peptide sequences can be identified from phage libraries by panning with an integrin. Here, in a reverse strategy, we have used such libraries to isolate minimal receptor sequences that bind to fibronectin and RGD-containing fibronectin fragments in affinity panning. A predominant cyclic motif, *CWDDG/LWLC*, was obtained (the asterisks denote a potential disulfide bond). Studies using the purified phage and the corresponding synthetic cyclic peptides showed that *CWDDGWLC*-expressing phage binds specifically to fibronectin and to fibronectin fragments containing the RGD sequence. The binding did not require divalent cations and was inhibited by both RGD and *CWDDGWLC*-containing synthetic peptides. Conversely, RGD-expressing phage attached specifically to immobilized *CWDDGWLC*-peptide and the binding could be blocked by the respective synthetic peptides in solution. Moreover, fibronectin bound to a *CWDDGWLC*-peptide affinity column, and could be eluted with an RGD-containing peptide. The *CWDDGWLC*-peptide inhibited RGD-dependent cell attachment to fibronectin and vitronectin, but not to collagen. A region of the beta subunit of RGD-binding integrins that has been previously demonstrated to be involved in ligand binding includes a polypeptide stretch, KDDLW (in beta 3) similar to WDDG/LWL. Synthetic peptides corresponding to this region in beta 3 were found to bind RGD-displaying phage and conversion of its two aspartic residues into alanines greatly reduced the RGD binding. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the *CWDDGWLC*- peptide recognized beta 1 and beta 3 in immunoblots. These data indicate that the *CWDDGWLC*-peptide is a functional mimic of ligand binding sites of RGD-directed integrins, and that the structurally similar site in the integrin beta subunit is a binding site for RGD.     

在肽库中筛选抗磷脂抗体的小肽抑制剂

β２糖蛋白Ⅰ（ｂｅｔａ－２－ｇｌｙｃｏｐｒｏｔｅｉｎ Ⅰ,β２ＧＰＩ）是一分子量为５０ ｋＤ的糖蛋白．从抗磷脂抗体综合症（Ａｎｔｉｐｈｏｓｐｈｏｌｉｐｉｄ ａｎｔｉｂｏｄｉｅｓ ｓｙｎｄｒｏｍ ,ＡＰＳ）患者身上获得的抗体可直接与β２ＧＰＩ作用．以β２ＧＰＩ为目标分子,在噬菌体十五肽库中筛选抗β２糖蛋白Ⅰ抗体的小肽抑制剂．通过四轮亲和性筛选,噬菌体的回收率从１．２６×１０－ ４％ 增加到３．１９×１０－ ２％ ．随机挑取噬菌体克隆测定其与β２ＧＰＩ的结合活性及其对β２ＧＰＩ与自身抗体结合的抑制活性,其中部分噬菌体克隆表现出４０％ 的抑制活性．经ＤＮＡ 序列测定,得到一组相关序列．该结果为研究β２ＧＰＩ的抗原表位奠定了良好的基础．     

Peptides targeting caspase inhibitors

Here we report on the identification of peptides targeting the X-inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). XIAP functions as a caspase inhibitor and is a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins. IAPs are often overexpressed in cancers and leukemias and are associated with an unfavorable clinical prognosis. We have selected peptides from a phage library by using recombinant full-length human XIAP or a fragment containing only the baculovirus IAP repeat 2 (BIR2) domain. A consensus motif, C(D/E/P)(W/F/Y)-acid/basic-XC, was recovered from two independent screenings by using different libraries. Phage-displaying variations of the consensus sequence bound specifically to the BIR2 domain of XIAP but not to other IAPs. The interaction was specific as it could be blocked by the cognate synthetic peptides in a dose-dependent manner. Phage displaying the XIAP-binding motif CEFESC bound to the BIR2 domain of XIAP with an estimated dissociation constant of 1.8 nm as determined by surface plasmon resonance. Protein-protein interaction assays revealed that caspase-3 and caspase-7 (but not caspase-8) blocked the binding of the CEFESC phage to XIAP, indicating that this peptide targets a domain within XIAP that is related to the caspase-binding site. In fact, the sequence EFES is homologous to a loop unique to the executioner caspase-3 and caspase-7 that are targeted by XIAP. Finally, we demonstrated that an internalizing version of the XIAP-binding peptide identified in our screenings (PFKQ) can induce programmed cell death in leukemia cells. Peptides interacting with XIAP could serve as prototypes for the design of low molecular weight modulators of apoptosis.     

Specific blocking to improve biopanning in biological samples such as serum and hybridoma supernatants

Screening phage-displayed peptide libraries (biopanning) is an important technique for acquiring peptide ligands and for mapping peptide epitopes recognized by antibodies (Ab). In biological samples, other materials, not only contaminants but also natural constituents, often interfere with biopanning. Capture methods use anchoring Abs that reduce the need for purification of the intended panning target from a crude sample. This capture method is analogous to sandwich ELISA. However, when the target molecule concentration is low in the initial mixture, the panning of a captured target often yields epitopes that bind to the capture antibody rather than the target of interest. We have developed a methodology that utilizes specific blocking reagents of the capture Ab to extend the sensitivity and applicability of the capture approach to phage panning. A flowchart is presented to enable the worker to begin panning with the simplest approach and then to employ sandwich capture and specific blocking reagents as necessary.     

噬菌体展示技术筛选bFGF模拟短肽

目的：通过噬菌体展示技术筛选得到与FGFR结合的bFGF模拟短肽,为bFGF肽类抑制剂的研发提供实验基础。方法：以Balb/c 3T3细胞为靶标,以COS-7细胞作消减,对噬菌体随机七肽库进行4轮生物淘洗,再采用ELISA检测单克隆噬菌体对Balb/c 3T3亲和性和特异性,选取阳性克隆进行DNA测序分析。结果：从富集的噬菌体中获得12个阳性克隆,获得一组疏水性七肽及共同基序PR。结论：利用肽类新药开发的重要工具--噬菌体展示技术,得到2段bFGF的受体结合模拟肽,可望作为bFGF抑制剂的先导肽。     

Identification of calmodulin isoform-specific binding peptides from a phage-displayed random 22-mer peptide library

Plants express numerous calmodulin (CaM) isoforms that exhibit differential activation or inhibition of CaM-dependent enzymes in vitro; however, their specificities toward target enzyme/protein binding are uncertain. A random peptide library displaying a 22-mer peptide on a bacteriophage surface was constructed to screen peptides that specifically bind to plant CaM isoforms (soybean calmodulin (ScaM)-1 and SCaM-4 were used in this study) in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The deduced amino acid sequence analyses of the respective 80 phage clones that were independently isolated via affinity panning revealed that SCaM isoforms require distinct amino acid sequences for optimal binding. SCaM-1-binding peptides conform to a 1-5-10 ((FILVW)XXX(FILV) XXXX(FILVW)) motif (where X denotes any amino acid), whereas SCaM-4-binding peptide sequences conform to a 1-8-14 ((FILVW)XXXXXX(FAILVW)XXXXX(FILVW)) motif. These motifs are classified based on the positions of conserved hydrophobic residues. To examine their binding properties further, two representative peptides from each of the SCaM isoform-binding sequences were synthesized and analyzed via gel mobility shift assays, Trp fluorescent spectra analyses, and phosphodiesterase competitive inhibition experiments. The results of these studies suggest that SCaM isoforms possess different binding sequences for optimal target interaction, which therefore may provide a molecular basis for CaM isoform-specific function in plants. Furthermore, the isolated peptide sequences may serve not only as useful CaM-binding sequence references but also as potential reagents for studying CaM isoform-specific function in vivo.     

Screening and Identification of a Specific Binding Peptide to Ovarian Cancer Cells from a Phage-Displayed Peptide Library

To select specific binding peptides for imaging and detection of human ovarian cancer. The phage 12-mer peptide library was used to select specific phage clones to ovarian cancer cells. After four rounds of biopanning, the binding specificity of randomly selected phage clones to ovarian cancer cells was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). DNA sequencing and homology analysis were performed on specifically bound phages. The binding ability of the selected peptides to SKOV3 cells was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. After four rounds of optimized biological panning, phage recovery was 34-fold higher than that of the first round, and the specific phage clones bound to SKOV3 cells were significantly enriched. A total of 32 positive phage clones were preliminarily identified by ELISA from 54 randomly selected clones, and the positive rate was 59.3%. S36 was identified as the clone with best affinity to SKOV3 cells via fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. A representative clone of OSP2, S36 is expected to be an effective probe for diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

     

Selection and characterization of colorectal cancer cell-specific peptides

To develop a novel peptide probe for imaging detection of colorectal cancer, a 12-mer phage display library was used to select peptides that bind specifically to the human colorectal cancer cell line Caco-2. After four rounds of panning, four phage clones that bound specifically to the Caco-2 cells were selected. The phage clone SP-2 had a particularly high affinity and specificity for Caco-2 cells. This clone was identified using a series of methods. The peptide SP-2 that was displayed on phage SP-2 exhibited a high specificity to Caco-2 cells. Thus, the peptide SP-2 could be a candidate probe for the detection of colorectal cancer.     

趋化因子受体 CCR5 亲合短肽的筛选

趋化因子受体 5 (CCR5) 是 HIV-1 与宿主细胞结合的辅助因子之一,其功能缺失或被 CCR5 拮抗剂封闭则会阻止 HIV-1 感染细胞 . 为得到与 CCR5 特异结合的肽类拮抗剂,采用噬菌体展示技术,以稳定表达 CCR5 的 CHO 细胞 (CHO/CCR5) 作为靶标,通过噬菌体随机 12 肽库筛选与 CCR5 特异结合的多肽;经过四轮筛选后,挑选 20 个阳性噬菌体克隆进行测序,从中得到 11 个含有 AFDWTFVPSLIL 序列的小分子肽 . 含该序列的噬菌体能与抗人 CCR5 单抗 (2D7) 竞争性结合 CCR5 ,且合成肽 AFDWTFVPSLIL 对趋化因子 RANTES 与 CHO/CCR5 的结合具有明显的抑制作用,初步证明该小肽与 CCR5 具有特异性结合作用 .     

A filamentous phage display system for N-linked glycoproteins

We have developed a filamentous phage display system for the detection of asparagine-linked glycoproteins in Escherichia coli that carry a plasmid encoding the protein glycosylation locus (pgl) from Campylobacter jejuni. In our assay, fusion of target glycoproteins to the minor phage coat protein g3p results in the display of glycans on phage. The glyco-epitope displayed on phage is the product of biosynthetic enzymes encoded by the C. jejuni pgl pathway and minimally requires three essential factors: a pathway for oligosaccharide biosynthesis, a functional oligosaccharyltransferase, and an acceptor protein with a D/E-X₁-N-X₂-S/T motif. Glycosylated phages could be recovered by lectin chromatography with enrichment factors as high as 2 × 10⁵ per round of panning and these enriched phages retained their infectivity after panning. Using this assay, we show that desired glyco-phenotypes can be reliably selected by panning phage-displayed glycoprotein libraries on lectins that are specific for the glycan. For instance, we used our phage selection to identify permissible residues in the −2 position of the bacterial consensus acceptor site sequence. Taken together, our results demonstrate that a genotype–phenotype link can be established between the phage-associated glyco-epitope and the phagemid-encoded genes for any of the three essential components of the glycosylation process. Thus, we anticipate that our phage display system can be used to isolate interesting variants in any step of the glycosylation process, thereby making it an invaluable tool for genetic analysis of protein glycosylation and for glycoengineering in E. coli cells.     

Evaluation of Phage Display Discovered Peptides as Ligands for Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)

The aim of this study was to identify potential ligands of PSMA suitable for further development as novel PSMA-targeted peptides using phage display technology. The human PSMA protein was immobilized as a target followed by incubation with a 15-mer phage display random peptide library. After one round of prescreening and two rounds of screening, high-stringency screening at the third round of panning was performed to identify the highest affinity binders. Phages which had a specific binding activity to PSMA in human prostate cancer cells were isolated and the DNA corresponding to the 15-mers were sequenced to provide three consensus sequences: GDHSPFT, SHFSVGS and EVPRLSLLAVFL as well as other sequences that did not display consensus. Two of the peptide sequences deduced from DNA sequencing of binding phages, SHSFSVGSGDHSPFT and GRFLTGGTGRLLRIS were labeled with 5-carboxyfluorescein and shown to bind and co-internalize with PSMA on human prostate cancer cells by fluorescence microscopy. The high stringency requirements yielded peptides with affinities K_D∼1 µM or greater which are suitable starting points for affinity maturation. While these values were less than anticipated, the high stringency did yield peptide sequences that apparently bound to different surfaces on PSMA. These peptide sequences could be the basis for further development of peptides for prostate cancer tumor imaging and therapy.     

轮换淘选法筛选凝血酶特异的噬菌体抗体

以抗原为选择剂,通过淘选可以从噬菌体抗体库中获得特异的单链抗体克隆。采用液相一固相轮换淘选的方法,从鼠源噬菌体抗体库中淘选出与凝血酶特异结合的单链抗体。首先,用光敏生物素将凝血酶生物素化,然后用链亲和素磁珠法淘选与凝血酶特异结合的重组噬菌体。噬菌体扩增后使用酶标板进行第2轮淘选,以除去上一轮中非特异结合的重组噬菌体。经4轮轮换淘选,最后从23个单克隆噬菌体抗体中分离出4个凝血酶特异的噬菌体抗体。     

Identification of the HIV-1 gp41 core-binding motif--HXXNPF

The HIV-1 gp41 core, a six-helix bundle formed between the N- and C-terminal heptad repeats, plays a critical role in fusion between the viral and target cell membranes. Using N36(L8)C34 as a model of the gp41 core to screen phage display peptide libraries, we identified a common motif, HXXNPF (X is any of the 20 natural amino acid residues). A selected positive phage clone L7.8 specifically bound to N36(L8)C34 and this binding could be blocked by a gp41 core-specific monoclonal antibody (NC-1). JCH-4, a peptide containing HXXNPF motif, effectively inhibited HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein-mediated syncytium-formation. The epitope of JCH-4 was proven to be linear and might locate in the NHR regions of the gp41 core. These data suggest that HXXNPF motif may be a gp41 core-binding sequence and HXXNPF motif-containing molecules can be used as probes for studying the role of the HIV-1 gp41 core in membrane fusion process.     

Mouse thymus targeted peptide isolated by in vivo phage display can inhibit bioactivity of thymus output in vivo

Heterogeneity of the vasculature in different organs has been well documented by the method of in vivo phage display. Using this technology, several peptide ligands that home to tissue-specific vascular endothelial cell have been isolated. Such peptide ligands directed against specific vascular surface molecules can be used as targeted therapeutic compounds or imaging agents to the vasculature of the specific organ in vivo. In this study, the authors perform in vivo selection in mice using a phage display random peptide library and separated phage peptides homing to mouse thymus by 3 rounds of in vivo panning. Sequence analysis showed that CHAQGSAEC is the dominant peptide sequence. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that the phage peptide CHAQGSAEC can bind specifically to thymus blood vessels in mice. Furthermore, phage peptide CHAQGSAEC and free peptide CHAQGSAEC can inhibit the bioactivity of thymus output in vivo. These results indicate the feasibility of the targeted peptide for possible function as a kind of tool to inhibit thymus bioactivity or as a targeted compound for targeted medicine.     

利用噬菌体肽库筛选与HIV-1p24抗原结合的多肽

通过噬菌体展示技术筛选出与HIV-1p24抗原结合的多肽,为用多肽辅助p24抗原检测提供实验基础.以重组p24抗原为靶蛋白,对噬菌体随机七肽库进行三轮筛选,用EUSA鉴定第三轮筛选到的噬菌体克隆与p24重组抗原的结合能力,再对噬菌体克隆进行测序分析,同时研究了ELISA中噬菌体加入量及多种封闭剂对噬菌体特异性结合能力的...     

99mTc标记丝状噬菌体肽库及其在正常小鼠体内的分布

利用噬菌体展示技术已选出了多条与靶结合的肽.然而,即使是体内直接筛选得到的,肽与肿瘤或靶器官的体内结合并不理想.为了更好地理解噬菌体在体内的循环,通过MAG399mTc标记噬菌体肽库,研究了肽库在体内分布.体内分布实验结果显示,99mTc-噬菌体主要分布在肝和脾中,而心脏、肌肉、脑和胰腺这些器官或组织中的分布非常低.99mTc-噬菌体在胃、肠和骨中的累积,随着时间延长在不断升高,其他器官中的吸收则在不断降低.从5min到30min,99mTc-噬菌体在血中清除迅速.当噬菌体在体内循环足够长的时间后,一些噬菌体颗粒可以穿透血管进入并内化在器官或组织中.总之,为了筛选具有高特异性和亲和性的肽,应该根据靶器官和筛选部位的不同,在筛选前确定合适的噬菌体在体内的循环时间.     

细胞间粘附分子1特异结合肽的筛选及其生物功能

采用两种方法对噬菌体展示随机十五肽库进行亲和淘选 .ELISA法筛选特异结合高亲和力的阳性噬菌体单克隆 ,测序 ,得到 6个与人细胞间粘附分子 1(ICAM 1)高亲和力的噬菌体展示十五肽单克隆 .再经ELISA法从这 6个噬菌体单克隆中选择与ICAM 1亲和力最高的单克隆 ,同时利用蛋白空间结构位象模拟技术对小肽与ICAM 1的亲和力进行模拟研究 .最终获取目的小肽的氨基酸序列为GRGEFRGRDNSVSVV .目的单克隆噬菌体与ICAM - 1的亲和常数Ka 为 7 87× 10 7L mol .体外合成、纯化并标记目的小肽 .ELISA法验证目的小肽与人ICAM 1的结合呈浓度依赖性 ,抗ICAM 1多抗不能拮抗目的小肽与ICAM 1的结合 .采用免疫组化方法证实 ,此目的小肽具有与炎症组织中高表达的ICAM 1特异性结合的功能 .在动物体内 ,荧光标记的目的小肽具有向高表达ICAM 1的炎症部位特异性聚集的功能 .说明此目的肽可尝试作为以ICAM 1为靶的“肽导向药物”的前导肽 .     

Identification of a Cardiac Specific Protein Transduction Domain by In Vivo Biopanning Using a M13 Phage Peptide Display Library in Mice

Background

A peptide able to transduce cardiac tissue specifically, delivering cargoes to the heart, would be of significant therapeutic potential for delivery of small molecules, proteins and nucleic acids. In order to identify peptide(s) able to transduce heart tissue, biopanning was performed in cell culture and in vivo with a M13 phage peptide display library.

Methods and Results

A cardiomyoblast cell line, H9C2, was incubated with a M13 phage 12 amino acid peptide display library. Internalized phage was recovered, amplified and then subjected to a total of three rounds of in vivo biopanning where infectious phage was isolated from cardiac tissue following intravenous injection. After the third round, 60% of sequenced plaques carried the peptide sequence APWHLSSQYSRT, termed cardiac targeting peptide (CTP). We demonstrate that CTP was able to transduce cardiomyocytes functionally in culture in a concentration and cell-type dependent manner. Mice injected with CTP showed significant transduction of heart tissue with minimal uptake by lung and kidney capillaries, and no uptake in liver, skeletal muscle, spleen or brain. The level of heart transduction by CTP also was greater than with a cationic transduction domain.

Conclusions

Biopanning using a peptide phage display library identified a peptide able to transduce heart tissue in vivo efficiently and specifically. CTP could be used to deliver therapeutic peptides, proteins and nucleic acid specifically to the heart.     

Phage display identification of functional binding peptides against 4-acetamidophenol (Paracetamol): an exemplified approach to target low molecular weight organic molecules

Peptide-phage display has been widely used to explore protein-protein interactions, however, despite the potential range of applications the use of this technology to identify peptides that bind low molecular weight organic molecules has not been explored. In this current study, we identified a phage clone (PARA-061) displaying the cyclic 7-mer peptide sequence N' AC-NPNNLSH-CGGGS C' that binds the low molecular weight organic molecule 4-acetamidophenol (4-AAP; paracetamol). To avoid occupancy of key functional groups on the target 4-AAP molecule our panning strategy was directed against insoluble complexes of 4-AAP rather than against the target linked to a stationary support or bearing an affinity tag. To augment the panning procedure we deleted phage that also bound the 4-AAP isomers, 2-AAP and 3-AAP. The identified PARA-061 peptide-phage clone displayed functional binding properties against 4-AAP in solution, able in a peptide sequence-dependant manner to prevent the in vitro hepatotoxicity of 4-AAP and reduce ( approximately 20%) the permeability of 4-AAP across a semi-permeable membrane. Molecular dynamic simulations generated a stable binding conformation between the PARA-061 peptide sequence and 4-AAP. In conclusion, we show that a phage display library can be used to identify peptide sequence-specific clones able to modulate the functional binding of a low molecular weight organic molecule. Such peptides may be expected to find utility in the next generation of hybrid polymer-based biosensing devices.     

Identification and immunogenicity of immunodominant mimotopes of outer membrane protein U (OmpU) of Vibrio mimicus from phage display peptide library

Vibrio mimicus (V. mimicus) is the causative agent of ascites disease in aquatic animals. Outer membrane protein U (OmpU) is an important antigen of V. mimicus, but its protective epitopes are still unclear. A random 12-mer phage-displayed peptide library was used to screen and identify immunodominant mimotopes of the OmpU protein in V. mimicus by panning against purified OmpU-specific polyclonal antibody. Then the immunogenicity and immunoprotection in fish of these mimotopes was evaluated. Nine positive phage clones presented seven different 12- peptide sequences and more than 50% of them carried a consensus core motif of DSSK–P. These positive clones reacted with the target antibody and this interaction could be blocked, in a dose-dependent manner, by OmpU protein. Intraperitoneal injection of seven positive phage clones into fish induced a speci?c antibody response to OmpU protein. The fish immunized respectively with the positive phage clones C17, C24, C60 and C66 obtained 100% immunoprotective effect against experimental V. mimicus challenge. Taken together, these mimotopes presented by clone C17, C24, C60 and C66 were immunodominant mimotopes of the OmpU protein and exhibited a more appropriate candidate as epitope-based vaccine against V. mimicus infection in aquatic animals.