Inhibiting EGFR dimerization using triazolyl-bridged dimerization arm mimics

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 19;10(3):e0118796. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118796. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in multiple carcinomas and is the focus of a variety of targeted therapies. Here we report the design of peptide-based compounds that mimic the EGFR dimerization arm and inhibit allosteric activation of EGFR. These peptides are modified to contain a triazolyl bridge between the peptide strands to constrain the EGFR dimerization arm β-loop. In this study, we demonstrate that these peptides have significantly improved proteolytic stability over the non-modified peptide sequence, and their inhibitory effects are dependent on the number of the methylene units and orientation of the introduced triazolyl bridge. We identified a peptide, EDA2, which downregulates receptor phosphorylation and dimerization and reduces cell viability. This is the first example of a biologically active triazolyl-bridged peptide targeting the EGFR dimerization interface that effectively downregulates EGFR activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation / physiology*
  • Carcinoma / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Ectodysplasins / biosynthesis*
  • Ectodysplasins / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • Triazoles / chemistry

Substances

  • Ectodysplasins
  • Triazoles
  • ErbB Receptors