Peptide inhibitors of the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction with improved binding and cellular activity

Org Biomol Chem. 2013 Jun 7;11(21):3553-7. doi: 10.1039/c3ob40249e. Epub 2013 Apr 24.

Abstract

Inhibitors of the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) have been proposed as potential anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. Such compounds have the potential to increase the intracellular concentrations of Nrf2 in a reversible manner and consequently increase the expression of a battery of gene products with antioxidant response elements (AREs) in their promoter region. In this manuscript we describe the development of peptide inhibitors with modified C- and N-termini and reduced overall charge. The activity of the compounds in inhibiting the PPI and in cellular assays of Nrf2 function are described. Compound 10 has potent activity (IC50 = 22 nM) in a cell-free fluorescence polarisation assay and induced the expression of Nrf2 dependent gene products in cells, suggesting that it has potential as a lead molecule for the development of peptidomimetic inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Colorimetry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Protein Binding / drug effects

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Peptides