The design of efficient vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors is a high-priority research area aimed at the treatment of pathological angiogenesis. Among other compounds, v114∗ has been identified as a potent VEGF-binding peptide. In order to improve the affinity to VEGF, we built a conformational constrain in its structure. To this aim, Cα-tetrasubstituted amino acid Aib was introduced into the N-terminal tail, peptide loop, or C-terminal helix. NMR studies confirmed the stabilization of the helical conformation in proximity to the Aib residue. We found that the induction of the N-terminal helical structure or stabilization of the C-terminal helix can noticeably increase the peptide affinity to the VEGF. These peptides efficiently inhibited VEGF-stimulated cell proliferation as well. The insertion of the non-proteinogenic Aib residue significantly enhanced the stability of the peptides in the vitreous environment. Thus, these Aib-containing peptides are promising candidates for the design of VEGF inhibitors with improved properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10900-10907
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry
Volume64
Issue number15
Early online date16 Jul 2021
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 Aug 2021

    Research areas

  • ANGIOGENESIS, ASSAY, CIRCULAR-DICHROISM, COMPLEX, DESIGN, FIELD, MACULAR DEGENERATION, RECEPTOR, SPECTRA, SYSTEM

    Scopus subject areas

  • Drug Discovery
  • Molecular Medicine

ID: 82306289