Optimization of peptide-based inhibitors of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as targeted imaging agents for prostate cancer

Aaron M. LeBeau, Sangeeta R. Banerjee, Martin G. Pomper, Ronnie C. Mease, Samuel R. Denmeade

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a serine protease biomarker that may play a role in prostate cancer development and progression. The inhibition of PSA's enzymatic activity with small molecule inhibitors is an attractive and, as of yet, unexploited target. Previously, we reported a series of peptidyl aldehyde and boronic acid based inhibitors of PSA. In this study, the structural requirements in the P2 and P3 positions of peptide-based PSA inhibitors are explored through the substitution of a series of natural and unnatural amino acids in these positions. This analysis demonstrated a preference for hydrophobic residues in the P2 position and amino acids with the potential to hydrogen bond in the P3 position. Using this information, a peptide boronic acid inhibitor with the sequence Cbz-Ser-Ser-Gln-Nle-(boro)-Leu was identified with a Ki for PSA of 25 nM. The attachment of a bulky metal chelating group to the amino terminal of this peptide did not adversely affect PSA inhibition. This result suggests that a platform of PSA inhibitor chelates could be developed as SPECT or PET-based imaging agents for prostate cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4888-4893
Number of pages6
JournalBioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry
Volume17
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 15 2009

Keywords

  • Boronic acid
  • Chelate
  • Imaging
  • Prostate cancer
  • Prostate-specific antigen
  • Protease inhibitor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Drug Discovery
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Optimization of peptide-based inhibitors of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as targeted imaging agents for prostate cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this