A Protein-Capsid-Based System for Cell Delivery of Selenocysteine

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 Jul 18;29(7):2332-2342. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00302. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Abstract

Selenocysteine (Sec) has received a lot of attention as a potential anticancer drug. However, its broad cytotoxicity limits its therapeutic usefulness. Thus, Sec is an attractive candidate for targeted drug delivery. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that an engineered version of the capsid formed by Aquifex aeolicus lumazine synthase (AaLS) can act as a nanocarrier for delivery of Sec to cells. Specifically, a previously reported variant of AaLS (AaLS-IC), which contains a single cysteine per subunit that projects into the capsid interior, was modified by reaction with the diselenide dimer of Sec (Sec2) to generate a selenenylsulfide conjugate between the capsid and Sec (AaLS-IC-Sec). Importantly, it was determined that the structural context of the reactive cysteine was important for efficient capsid loading. Further, the encapsulated Sec could be quantitatively released from AaLS-IC-Sec by reducing agents such as glutathione or dithiothreitol. To assess cellular penetrance capabilities of AaLS-IC-Sec and subsequent cytotoxic response, six different cells line models were examined. Across the cell lines analyzed, cytotoxic sensitivity correlated with cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking patterns. Together these findings suggest that the engineered AaLS-IC capsid is a promising vehicle for targeted cell delivery of Sec.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Biological Transport
  • Capsid / chemistry*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Cysteine
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Drug Liberation
  • Humans
  • Multienzyme Complexes / genetics
  • Protein Engineering / methods
  • Selenocysteine / administration & dosage*
  • Selenocysteine / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Selenocysteine
  • 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine synthase
  • Cysteine