Discovery and Folding Dynamics of a Fused Bicyclic Cysteine Knot Undecapeptide from the Marine Sponge Halichondria bowerbanki

J Org Chem. 2024 Sep 6;89(17):12748-12752. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c01104. Epub 2024 Aug 27.

Abstract

We describe the discovery and structure of an undecapeptide natural product from a marine sponge, termed halichondamide A, that is morphed into a fused bicyclic ring topology via two disulfide bonds. Molecular dynamics simulations allow us to posit that the installation of one disulfide bond biases the intermediate peptide conformation and predisposes the formation of the second disulfide bond. The natural product was found to be mildly cytotoxic against liver and breast cancer cell lines.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cysteine / chemistry
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Porifera* / chemistry
  • Protein Folding

Substances

  • Cysteine
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Peptides
  • Biological Products