Journal
MOLECULES
Volume 25, Issue 6, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061439
Keywords
proteasome; activation; allostery; peptides; beta turn; proteasome dynamics; atomic force microscopy
Funding
- William and Ella Owens Foundation for Medical Research
- NIH/NIGMS [R01 GM069819]
- NIH/NIA [R56 AG061051]
- American Federation for Aging Research
- Voelcker Foundation
- San Antonio Nathan Shock Center
- National Science Center Grant [UMO-2019/33/B/NZ7/00112]
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The proteasome is a pivotal element of controlled proteolysis, responsible for the catabolic arm of proteostasis. By inducing apoptosis, small molecule inhibitors of proteasome peptidolytic activities are successfully utilized in treatment of blood cancers. However, the clinical potential of proteasome activation remains relatively unexplored. In this work, we introduce short TAT peptides derived from HIV-1 Tat protein and modified with synthetic turn-stabilizing residues as proteasome agonists. Molecular docking and biochemical studies point to the alpha 1/alpha 2 pocket of the core proteasome alpha ring as the binding site of TAT peptides. We postulate that the TATs' pharmacophore consists of an N-terminal basic pocket-docking activation anchor connected via a beta turn inducer to a C-terminal specificity clamp that binds on the proteasome alpha surface. By allosteric effects-including destabilization of the proteasomal gate-the compounds substantially augment activity of the core proteasome in vitro. Significantly, this activation is preserved in the lysates of cultured cells treated with the compounds. We propose that the proteasome-stimulating TAT pharmacophore provides an attractive lead for future clinical use.
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