Abstract:
Derivatives of the antimalarial agent artemisinin, compositions comprising the derivatives, methods for preparing the derivatives, and their uses in pharmaceutical compositions intended for the treatment of parasitic infections are provided. Methods are provided for the production of artemisinin derivatives via functionalization of positions C7 and C6a, and optionally, in conjunction with modifications at positions C10 and C9, via chemoenzymatic methods. Recombinant cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided for use in the methods. The artemisinin derivatives can be used for the treatment of malaria and other parasitic infections, alone or in combination with other antiparasitic drugs.
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting protein- protein interactions with cap-binding protein 80 (CBP80). In one embodiment, the invention provides compositions comprising linear and macrocylic peptides. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for treating cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, obesity, diabetes, or chronic inflammation disorders associated with the PGC1 family of co-activators.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for the generation of parthenolide derivatives functionalized at carbon atoms C9 and C14. Natural cytochrome P450 enzymes, and engineered variants of these enzymes, are used to carry out the hydroxylation of these sites in parthenolide. These P450-catalyzed C-H hydroxylation reactions are coupled to chemical interconversion of the enzymatically introduced hydroxyl group to install a broad range of functionalities at these otherwise unreactive sites of the molecule. The methods can also be used to produce bifunctionalized parthenolide derivatives, which in addition to modifications at the level of carbon atom C9 or C14, are also functionalized at the level of carbon atom C13.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for carrying out carbene transfer transformations such as olefin cyclopropanation reactions, carbene heteroatom-H insertion reactions (heteroatom = N, S, Si), sigmatropic rearrangement reactions, and aldehyde olefination reactions with high efficiency and selectivity by using a novel class of myoglobin-based biocatalysts. These methods are useful for the synthesis of a variety of organic compounds which contain one or more new carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom (N, S, or Si) bond. The methods can be applied for conducting these transformations in vitro (i.e., using the biocatalyst in isolated form) and in vivo (i.e., using the biocatalyst in a whole cell system).
Abstract:
Methods and systems for evaluating and predicting the reactivity of natural and engineered monooxygenase enzymes are provided. Methods are provided for acquiring a functional profile (fingerprint) of monooxygenases that encode information regarding the active site configuration of such monooxygenases. Methods are also provided for carrying out analysis of a monooxygenase fingerprint, to formulate predictions regarding the reactivity properties (e.g., substrate reactivity, chemo-, regio, and stereoselectivity properties) of the fingerprinted monooxygenases.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to derivatives of the sesquiterpene lactone micheliolide, methods and compositions for their preparation, and methods for using the micheliolide derivatives in pharmaceutical compositions as anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents. The invention also relates to methods for producing micheliolide derivatives modified at positions C2 and C14. The invention also relates to methods for producing parthenolide derivatives modified at positions C2 and C14 in conjunction with modifications at position C13, via chemoenzymatic methods. The invention further relates to methods for using parthenolide derivatives for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Abstract:
Cyclic peptide compounds are provided that can bind to one or more homologs of Hedghehog signaling proteins and block their interaction with the Patched receptor. These compounds are useful for suppressing Hedgehog-dependent stimulation of the Hedgehog pathway in cells and in living organisms. Methods for using the cyclic peptide compounds, and compositions comprising them, for treatment of cancers and other diseases which are characterized by aberrant Hedgehog-dependent activation of the Hedgehog pathway and/or which can benefit from chemical suppression of Hedgehog-dependent signaling are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for generating macrocyclic peptides constrained by side-chain-to-C-terminus non-peptidic tethers for use as functional and structural mimics of α-helical motifs, including in therapeutic applications. These methods can be used to produce libraries of conformationally constrained peptidomimetics to identify compounds with desired activity properties.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for generating macrocyclic peptides from genetically encoded, ribosomally produced polypeptide precursors. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, and methods for generating combinatorial libraries of macrocyclic peptides. These methods can be used to produce vast libraries of conformationally constrained peptide ligands as well as facilitate the functional screening of these libraries to identify compound(s) with desired activity properties.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for covalently linking a chemical species to a recombinant or synthetic polypeptide. The methods involve the reaction of a thioester-comprising polypeptide with a reagent comprising a reactive amino-thiol group connected to the chemical species which is to be covalently linked to the polypeptide, via a linker. Such chemical species can be a functional group, a label or tag molecule, a biological molecule, a ligand, or a solid support. Efficient and catalyst-free methods for C-terminal protein labeling are also provided. The methods expand current capabilities in the area of protein functionalization, providing useful and complementary tools for the isolation, detection, characterization, and analysis of proteins in a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications.