Selective fluorescence probes for dipeptidyl peptidase activity-fibroblast activation protein and dipeptidyl peptidase IV.

Development of suitable tools to assess enzyme activity directly from their complex cellular environment has a dramatic impact on understanding the functional roles of proteins as well as on the discovery of new drugs. In this study, a novel fluorescence-based chemosensor strategy for the direct readout of dipeptidase activities within intact living cells is described. Selective activity-based probes were designed to sense two important type II transmembrane serine proteases, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). These serine proteases have been implicated in diverse cellular activities, including blood coagulation, digestion, immune responses, wound healing, tumor growth, tumor invasion, and metastasis. Here, we validated that Ac-GPGP-2SBPO and GPGP-2SBPO probes are excellent reporters of both proteolytic activities. Furthermore, the novel probes can differentiate between FAP and DPP-IV proteolytic activities in cellular assay. Potentially, this assay platform is immediately useful for novel drug discovery.

A self-immolative reporter for beta-galactosidase sensing.

A dual fluorogenic and chromogenic probe, Gal-2SBPO, has been developed based on a synthesized water-soluble dye, 9-di-3-sulfonyl-propylaminobenzo[a]phenoxazonium perchloride (2SPBO, lambda(ex/em)=630/670 nm). beta-D-Galactopyranoside, the substrate of beta-galactosidase, was conjugated to 2SBPO through a para-substituted benzyloxycarbonyl group and a glycine residue, which serve as a self-immolative spacer and as a molecular blocker to mask the optical signal of 2SBPO, respectively. Gal-2SBPO was soluble and stable under physiological conditions. Enzymatic cleavage of the beta-D-galactopyranoside triggered a series of spontaneous reactions that resulted in a release of optically active 2SBPO. The beta-galactosidase activity was assayed by monitoring the absorbance at 630 nm and fluorescence at 670 nm.

Development of a dual fluorogenic and chromogenic dipeptidyl peptidase IV substrate.

A new far-red dual fluorogenic and chromogenic substrate, 5-glycylprolylglycylprolyl-9-di-3-sulfonyl-propylaminobenza[a]phenoxazonium perchlorate (GPGP-2SBPO), was developed for dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) sensing. The glycylprolylglycylprolyl tetrapeptide was chosen as the recognition sequence due to its stability under physiological conditions. In contrast, the truncated substrate, GP-2SBPO, containing only a glycylprolyl peptide, is unstable. Proteolysis of GPGP-2SBPO was assayed by monitoring the absorbance and fluorescence signals from the released fluorochrome, 2SBPO, at 625 and 670nm, respectively.

Molecular imaging of factor XIIIa activity in thrombosis using a novel, near-infrared fluorescent contrast agent that covalently links to thrombi.

BACKGROUND: Activated factor XIII (FXIIIa) mediates fibrinolytic resistance and is a hallmark of newly formed thrombi. In vivo imaging of FXIIIa activity could further elucidate the role of this molecule in thrombosis and other biological processes and aid in the clinical detection of acute thrombi. METHODS AND RESULTS: An FXIIIa-sensitive near-infrared fluorescence imaging agent (A15) was engineered by conjugating a near-infrared fluorochrome to a peptide ligand derived from the amino terminus of alpha2-antiplasmin. To evaluate the molecular specificity of A15 for FXIIIa, a control agent (C15) was also synthesized by modifying a single key glutamine residue in A15. Fluorescence imaging experiments with A15 demonstrated stronger thrombosis enhancement in human plasma clots in vitro (P<0.001 versus C15 clots and other controls). A15 was found to be highly specific for the active site of FXIIIa and was covalently bound to fibrin. In vivo murine experiments with A15 demonstrated significant signal enhancement in acute intravascular thrombi (P<0.05 versus C15 group). Minimal A15 enhancement was seen in older aged thrombi (>24 hours), consistent with an expected decline of FXIIIa activity over time. Imaging results were confirmed on correlative histopathology and fluorescence microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: A15 is a novel optical imaging agent that is specifically crosslinked to fibrin by FXIIIa, permitting detection of FXIIIa activity in experimental thrombi in vivo. This agent should permit assessment of FXIIIa activity in a broad range of biological processes and could aid in the clinical diagnosis of acute thrombi.

Synthesis and biologic evaluation of a radioiodinated quinazolinone derivative for enzyme-mediated insolubilization therapy.

We have developed a new strategy that aims to concentrate therapeutic radionuclides within solid tumors. This approach, which we have named EMIT (enzyme-mediated insolubilization therapy), is a method for enzyme-dependent, site-specific, in vivo precipitation of a radioactive molecule (from a water-soluble precursor) within the extracellular space of solid tumors. The prodrug, ammonium 2-(2'-phosphoryloxyphenyl)-6-iodo-4-(3H)-quinazolinone, labeled with iodine-125 ((125)IPD) and its authentic compound labeled with iodine-127 (IPD) have been synthesized, purified, and characterized. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-mediated conversion of these water-soluble nonfluorescent prodrugs to the water-insoluble fluorescent species, iodine-125-labeled 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-6-iodo-4-(3H)-quinazolinone ((125)ID) and its iodine-127-labeled derivative (ID), has been demonstrated in vitro. Biodistribution studies in mice indicate that both (125)IPD and (125)ID are minimally retained by most tissues and organs. In addition, following its intravenous injection in mice, (125)IPD is localized in ALP-rich regions and converted to (125)ID, which remains indefinitely within the tissues where it is produced. We believe that EMIT is a strategy that will lead to the active and specific concentration and entrapment of therapeutic radionuclides within solid tumors, the consequent protracted irradiation of tumor cells within the range of the emitted particles, and the effective therapy of solid tumors.