Miniaturized proteins: the backbone cyclic proteinomimetic approach.

The field of proteinomimetics utilizes peptide-based molecules to mimic native protein functions. We describe a novel general method for mimicking proteins by small cyclic peptides for the purpose of drug design, and demonstrate its applicability on bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). These unique cyclic peptides, which both embody discontinuous residues of proteins in their bio-active conformation and ensure an induced fit, may overcome some of the pharmacological drawbacks attributed to proteins and peptides. This method, which we call the backbone cyclic (BC) proteinomimetic approach, combines backbone cyclization of peptides with a suitable selection method, cycloscan. Following this procedure, we have prepared a bicyclic nonapeptide, which mimics the binding region of BPTI. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex trypsin:mimetic, as well as kinetic studies, show that the BPTI mimetic binds to the specificity pocket of trypsin in a similar manner to BPTI. Inhibition measurements of various constructs revealed that backbone cyclization imposed the conformation crucial to binding. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.