Multivalent Cluster Nanomolecules for Inhibiting Protein-Protein Interactions

Bioconjug Chem. 2019 Oct 16;30(10):2594-2603. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00526. Epub 2019 Sep 23.

Abstract

Multivalent protein-protein interactions serve central roles in many essential biological processes, ranging from cell signaling and adhesion to pathogen recognition. Uncovering the rules that govern these intricate interactions is important not only to basic biology and chemistry but also to the applied sciences where researchers are interested in developing molecules to promote or inhibit these interactions. Here we report the synthesis and application of atomically precise inorganic cluster nanomolecules consisting of an inorganic core and a covalently linked densely packed layer of saccharides. These hybrid agents are stable under biologically relevant conditions and exhibit multivalent binding capabilities, which enable us to study the complex interactions between glycosylated structures and a dendritic cell lectin receptor. Importantly, we find that subtle changes in the molecular structure lead to significant differences in the nanomolecule's protein-binding properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate an example of using these hybrid nanomolecules to effectively inhibit protein-protein interactions in a human cell line. Ultimately, this work reveals an intricate interplay between the structural design of multivalent agents and their biological activities toward protein surfaces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / chemistry
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Engineering
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / chemistry
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / metabolism
  • Lectins, C-Type / chemistry
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • gp120 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1