Ribosomal translation of beta-amino acids in high-throughput drug discovery

Columbia Univ New York Morningside, New York NY

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this proposal is the expansion of ribosomal translation to include ¿-peptides as a means for the development of new protease inhibitors. Current therapeutics, split between small molecule drugs and biologics (such as monoclonal antibodies), leave many disease-relevant protein targets as being undruggable. This deficiency presents an urgent need for new methods drug discovery. We propose the application of ribosomal translation using unnatural beta-amino acids to develop small molecules that mimic natural short peptides. These beta-amino acids can bestow valuable properties on peptides, improving their stability to degradation by proteases and, in some cases, targeting proteases as strong inhibitors. Because ribosome display technology allows high-throughput screening of translated peptides, the translation of beta-amino-acid-containing peptides provides a unique opportunity to develop and screen libraries of protease-inhibiting small molecules. To realize this goal, we will demonstrate and optimize the incorporation of beta-amino acids by the ribosome. We will then establish ribosome display for these beta-amino-acid-containing translation products, targeting the protein beta-secretase 1 (BACE1), the protease responsible for producing the amyloid-¿ proteins that aggregate in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. In targeting BACE1-inhibitors with this ribosome display technology, we aim to identify new therapeutics while also establishing technology which can be applied generally in the screening of beta-amino acid containing peptidomimetics.