The azido-modified biosensor peptide (sequence B(biotin)-eGvndneeGffsarK-(FAM)dGGPLGVRGKK-(N3)) was synthesized by CPC Scientific with >90% purity.
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics are an emerging class of medicines that selectively target mRNA transcripts to silence protein production and combat disease. Despite the recent progress, a generalizable approach for monitoring the efficacy of RNAi therapeutics without invasive biopsy remains a challenge. Here, we describe the development of a self-reporting, theranostic nanoparticle that delivers siRNA to silence a protein that drives cancer progression while also monitoring the functional activity of its downstream targets. Our therapeutic target is the transcription factor SMARCE1, which was previously identified as a key driver of invasion in early-stage breast cancer. Using a doxycycline-inducible shRNA knockdown in OVCAR8 ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, we demonstrate that SMARCE1 is a master regulator of genes encoding proinvasive proteases in a model of human ovarian cancer. We additionally map the peptide cleavage profiles of SMARCE1-regulated proteases so as to design a readout for downstream enzymatic activity. To demonstrate the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of our approach, we engineered self-assembled layer-by-layer nanoparticles that can encapsulate nucleic acid cargo and be decorated with peptide substrates that release a urinary reporter upon exposure to SMARCE1-related proteases. In an orthotopic ovarian cancer xenograft model, theranostic nanoparticles were able to knockdown SMARCE1 which was in turn reported through a reduction in protease-activated urinary reporters. These LBL nanoparticles both silence gene products by delivering siRNA and noninvasively report on downstream target activity by delivering synthetic biomarkers to sites of disease, enabling dose-finding studies as well as longitudinal assessments of efficacy.
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Development of a selective, sensitive and robust oxyntomodulin dual monoclonal antibody immunoassay.
Umberger, T.S., Ming, W., Cox, J.M., Konrad, R.J. and Siegel, R.W. Bioanalysis 14, no. 18 (2022): 1229-1239.
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, IN46285, USA
Human K2 EDTA and P800 plasma (500 μl) was spiked with proglucagon 33–61, 35–61 and 36–61 stable-isotope-labeled internal standard peptides (CPC Scientific, custom order) and diluted with I buffer (25 mmol/l Tris-HCl, 25 mmol/l HEPES, 300 mmol/l NaCl, 0.1% (v/v) octyl β-D-glucopyranoside, pH 7.5).
Line, J.E.; Seal, B.S.; Garrish, J.K. Appl. Microbiol. 2022, 2, 688–700.
Peptides were synthesized using standard solid-phase(Fmoc) chemistry with a peptide synthesizer (CPC Scientific Inc., Sunnyvale, CA 94089,USA, C12K-2β12 [..]
Kirk, N.S., Chen, Q., Wu, Y.G., Asante, A.L., Hu, H., Espinosa, J.F., Martínez-Olid, F., Margetts, M.B., Mohammed, F.A., Kiselyov, V.V. and Barrett, D.G. Nature Communications 13, no. 1 (2022): 5695.
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA.
Peptides were synthesized under contract by CPC Scientific, except for the N-terminally acetylated version of IM172N22 and the Glu3Arg, Glu3Ala, Glu4Arg, Glu4Ala, Glu5Ala, Glu5Arg, Trp6Ala, Gln8Ala, Ile9Ala, Glu10Ala, Glu10Arg and Tyr14Ala mutants of IM172N22
Coskun, T., Urva, S., Roell, W.C., Qu, H., Loghin, C., Moyers, J.S., O’Farrell, L.S., Briere, D.A., Sloop, K.W., Thomas, M.K. and Pirro, V. Cell Metabolism 34, no. 9 (2022): 1234-1247.
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
Homologous and heterologous competition experiments were performed with non-radioactive peptide analogues[127I]-Tyr1-GIP(1-42) and [127]-Tyr10-GIP(1-42) to ensure quantification of the high-affinity binding site of the GIPR. Peptide analogues were generated using synthetic [127I]-Tyr amino acid building blocks (CPC Scientific).
Cecil, D.L., Curtis, B., Gad, E., Gormley, M., Timms, A.E., Corulli, L., Bos, R., Damle, R.N., Sepulveda, M.A. and Disis, M.L. Scientific Reports 12, no. 1 (2022): 13618.
- Cancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Bld., 2nd Floor, Box 358050, Seattle, WA 98195-8050, USA.
- Janssen Research and Development LLC, Spring House, PA, USA.
- Janssen Vaccines and Prevention, Leiden, The Netherlands.
The peptides were constructed and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (> 90% pure; CPC Scientific).
Zonari, A., Brace, L.E., Alencar-Silva, T., Porto, W.F., Foyt, D., Guiang, M., Cruz, E.A.O., Franco, O.L., Oliveira, C.R., Boroni, M. and Carvalho, J.L. Toxicology Reports 9 (2022): 1632-1638.
Peptide 14 (ETAKHWLKGI) (Sup. Fig. 1) was purchased from CPC Scientific Inc. (USA), which synthesized the peptide by solid phase (Fmoc) on a Rink amide resin, with > 95% purity, in the form of acetate salt.
CPC Scientific Inc., a leading global peptide CRDMO (Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization) has invested in a new peptide API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) manufacturing site, bringing many new jobs to Rocklin, California. The 41,000 sq ft facility located at 3880 Atherton Rd, Rocklin, CA 95765 will be utilized to manufacture clinical to commercial grade peptide products for increased manufacturing capacity and will diversify CPC Scientific’s supply chain.
CPC Scientific is entering an exciting period of growth and innovation for peptide and oligonucleotide therapeutic development and manufacturing, and we will continue to provide therapeutic APIs to pharmaceutical and biotech companies around the world. We are very pleased to partner with the City of Rocklin, California to bring manufacturing and Life-Science jobs to local American workers,” said Shawn Lee, PhD, CEO.
Ikeda, Z., Kakegawa, K., Kikuchi, F., Itono, S., Oki, H., Yashiro, H., Hiyoshi, H., Tsuchimori, K., Hamagami, K., Watanabe, M. and Sasaki, M. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 65, no. 12 (2022): 8456-8477.
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
Subsequently, 5FAM–Abu–Gly–Asp–Asp–Asp–Lys–Ile–Val–Gly–Gly–Lys(CPQ2)–Lys–Lys–NH2 (purity: 97.2%, CPC Scientific, Inc.) was diluted with an assay buffer to prepare a 2.1 μM substrate solution.
The transferred energy from a fluorescent donor is converted into molecular vibrations if the acceptor is a non-fluorescent dye (quencher). When the FRET is terminated (by separating donor and acceptor), an increase of donor fluorescence can be detected. The design and synthesis work at CPC for FRET and TR-FRET peptide substrates include modification of sequences, selection of donor/quencher pairs, improvement of FRET substrate solubility and quenching efficiency.