De Novo Design and Synthesis of a γ-Turn Peptidomimetic Scaffold and Its Application as JNK3 Allosteric Ligand.

As a way to develop a neuroprotective agent for the JNK3-JIP1-binding site, peptidomimetics of JIP-1 as JNK3 allosteric regulators have been examined. The study consisted of in silico scaffold hopping, molecular docking, solution and solid-phase peptide syntheses, and Kd measurements using surface plasmon resonance. As a peptidomimetic of JIP1, heptamer mimetic 16 (Kd =2.72 μm) displayed a higher affinity than decamer JIP1 (Kd =23.6 μm). The high affinity of 16 implies that the characteristic γ-turn mimetic structure, ""Φ-X-Φ" hydrophobic motif in 16, increased its affinity toward the JIP-site of JNK3.