Receptor subtype discrimination using extensive shape complementary designed interfaces

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2019 Jun;26(6):407-414. doi: 10.1038/s41594-019-0224-z. Epub 2019 May 13.

Abstract

To discriminate between closely related members of a protein family that differ at a limited number of spatially distant positions is a challenge for drug discovery. We describe a combined computational design and experimental selection approach for generating binders targeting functional sites with large, shape complementary interfaces to read out subtle sequence differences for subtype-specific antagonism. Repeat proteins are computationally docked against a functionally relevant region of the target protein surface that varies in the different subtypes, and the interface sequences are optimized for affinity and specificity first computationally and then experimentally. We used this approach to generate a series of human Frizzled (Fz) subtype-selective antagonists with extensive shape complementary interaction surfaces considerably larger than those of repeat proteins selected from random libraries. In vivo administration revealed that Wnt-dependent pericentral liver gene expression involves multiple Fz subtypes, while maintenance of the intestinal crypt stem cell compartment involves only a limited subset.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ankyrins / chemistry
  • Ankyrins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Discovery
  • Duodenum / cytology
  • Duodenum / metabolism
  • Frizzled Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Frizzled Receptors / chemistry
  • Frizzled Receptors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Docking Simulation*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Ankyrins
  • Frizzled Receptors