Light-activated azobenzene peptide inhibitor of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction

Deanne Hayward; Zoë R Goddard; Marco M D Cominetti; Mark Searcey; Andrew M Beekman

doi:10.1039/d4cc01249f

Light-activated azobenzene peptide inhibitor of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction

Chem Commun (Camb). 2024 Aug 1;60(63):8228-8231. doi: 10.1039/d4cc01249f.

Authors

Deanne Hayward¹, Zoë R Goddard¹, Marco M D Cominetti¹, Mark Searcey¹, Andrew M Beekman¹

Affiliation

¹ School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR47TJ, UK. [email protected].

Abstract

Inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 protein-protein interaction is a key immunotherapy for cancer. Antibodies dominate the clinical space but are costly, with limited applicability and immune side effects. We developed a photo-controlled azobenzene peptide that selectively inhibits the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction when in the cis isomer only. Activity is demonstrated in in vitro and cellular assays.

MeSH terms

Azo Compounds* / chemistry
Azo Compounds* / pharmacology
B7-H1 Antigen* / antagonists & inhibitors
B7-H1 Antigen* / metabolism
Humans
Light*
Peptides* / chemistry
Peptides* / pharmacology
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / antagonists & inhibitors
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / metabolism
Protein Binding

Substances

Azo Compounds
azobenzene
Peptides
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
B7-H1 Antigen
PDCD1 protein, human
CD274 protein, human