WO2019245012A1 - 網膜色素変性症治療用ペプチド - Google Patents
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- WO2019245012A1 WO2019245012A1 PCT/JP2019/024620 JP2019024620W WO2019245012A1 WO 2019245012 A1 WO2019245012 A1 WO 2019245012A1 JP 2019024620 W JP2019024620 W JP 2019024620W WO 2019245012 A1 WO2019245012 A1 WO 2019245012A1
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- A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
- A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
- A61K47/62—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being a protein, peptide or polyamino acid
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- C07K14/81—Protease inhibitors
- C07K14/8107—Endopeptidase (E.C. 3.4.21-99) inhibitors
- C07K14/811—Serine protease (E.C. 3.4.21) inhibitors
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- C12N9/64—Proteinases, e.g. Endopeptidases (3.4.21-3.4.25) derived from animal tissue
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- A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing various diseases including a peptide, a conjugate thereof, and the like, a method for identifying a peptide or the like for treating or preventing various diseases, and the like.
- HTRA1 High temperature requisite A serine peptidase 1
- PRSS11 trypsin-like serine protease
- HTRA1 belongs to the HTRA family including HTRA2, HTRA3, and HTRA4, and, like other HTRA molecules, exhibits reversibly active and inactive structures (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). Its expression is ubiquitous in the human body, and relatively high expression has been observed in cartilage, synovium, placenta and the like.
- HTRA1 cleaves many extracellular matrix components such as Amyloid precursor protein, Fibromodulin, Clusterin, ADAM9 and Vitronectin as substrates, and is known to be associated with diseases represented by arthritis and bone calcification (Non-patent Literature) 3, 4, 5, 6). Furthermore, when a gene polymorphism (rs11200638) is present in the HTRA1 promoter region, it is known that the transcription amount of HTRA1 increases, and the polymorphism and age-related macular degeneration (Age-Related Macular Degeneration: hereinafter AMD) ”) Has been clarified from genome-wide association analysis (Non-Patent Documents 7 and 8). However, there are few reports on the association with retinitis pigmentosa.
- AMD Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive retinal degenerative disease that begins with degeneration and shedding of rods in visual cells. Progressive night blindness, narrowing of the visual field, and photophobia are observed due to degeneration of photoreceptors, resulting in decreased visual acuity. It is a retinal degenerative disease that can cause premature blindness. Retinitis pigmentosa is known as a hereditary disease, and more than 3000 gene mutations causing retinitis pigmentosa have been identified to date (Non-Patent Document 9).
- Non-Patent Document 10 11 mechanisms leading to rod shedding have been proposed. Under these circumstances, it is extremely difficult to narrow down the target molecules for drug discovery, and this is considered to be a factor that makes it difficult to develop therapeutics for retinitis pigmentosa, and development of therapeutic methods that do not directly target genes Is desired.
- Non-Patent Document 9 There is no established drug for treating retinitis pigmentosa, but a number of animal experiments and human clinical trials have established the following ideas as possible treatments for retinitis pigmentosa. Ie; a) Small improvement of rod survival rate may lead to cone protection. b) Support of dysfunctional rods even in cones. c) Keeping only a few cones in the macula. If it is possible, for example, it is possible to keep the minimum visual acuity enough to be able to walk on its own.
- the present invention relates to (1) Retinitis pigmentosa comprising a SPINK2 mutant peptide, comprising an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 30 (FIG. 42) and inhibiting the protease activity of human HTRA1, a hereditary disease associated with photoreceptor cell degeneration, and / or A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a disease associated with PDE6 protein dysfunction, (2) In the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 30 (FIG.
- the first Xaa (X 1 ) is Asp, Glu, Ser, Gly, or Ile
- the second Xaa (X 2 ) is Ala , Gly, Leu, Ser or Thr
- the third Xaa (X 3 ) is Asp, His, Lys, Met or Gln
- the fourth Xaa (X 4 ) is Asp, Phe, His, Ser or Tyr
- the fifth Xaa (X 5 ) is Ala
- the sixth Xaa (X 6 ) is Met or Trp
- the seventh Xaa (X 7 ) is Gln, Trp, Tyr or Val
- the eighth Xaa (X 8) is Phe, Leu or Tyr
- 9 th Xaa (X 9) is Phe or Tyr
- 10 th XaaX 10) is Ala, Glu, Met or Val And
- 11 th Xaa (X 11) is Ala, is
- FIG. 33 and the pharmaceutical composition according to (1) or (2), comprising the amino acid sequence represented by any one of FIGS. (4) Any one of (1) to (3), wherein the peptide contains an amino acid sequence in which one to three amino acids are peptide-bonded to the amino terminal side of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 30 (FIG. 42).
- composition according to, (6) The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the peptide has three disulfide bonds and has a three-dimensional structure characterized by including a loop structure, an ⁇ helix, and a ⁇ sheet.
- Retinitis pigmentosa including a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence contained in the peptide according to any one of (1) to (6), a genetic disease involving photoreceptor cell degeneration, and / or A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a PDE6 protein dysfunction-related disease
- Retinitis pigmentosa comprising a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence contained in the peptide according to any one of (1) to (6), a genetic disease associated with photoreceptor cell degeneration, and / or PDE6
- a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a protein dysfunction-related disease (9) (1) a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence contained in the peptide according to any one of (1) to (6), or a cell comprising a vector comprising the nucleotide sequence, or any of (1) to (6)
- Retinitis pigmentosa including a conjugate obtained by linking the peptide according to any one of (1) to (6) with another moiety, a hereditary disease associated with photoreceptor cell degeneration, and / or PDE6 protein function
- a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing an abnormality-related disease (11) The pharmaceutical composition according to (10), wherein the conjugate is a polypeptide; (12) The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of (1) to (11), for treating or preventing retinitis pigmentosa.
- the peptide provided by the present invention and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same have HTRA1 inhibitory activity and are useful for treating or preventing retinitis pigmentosa.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram comparing the sequence similarity of human / mouse / rat / monkey HTRA1 (continued).
- each inhibitory peptide was evaluated in panel D using control wild-type SPINK2.
- the figure which evaluated the HTRA1 (full) inhibitory activity of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide using the decomposition rate of the peptide substrate as an index panels A to C).
- disassembly of a peptide substrate as an index (the 2).
- disassembly of a peptide substrate as an index (the 3).
- the inhibitory peptide was bound to each of the HTRA1 trimers formed by HTRA1 (cat).
- the inhibitory peptide bound to the region containing the HTRA1 (cat) active center.
- Amino acid sequence of H2-Opt SEQ ID NO: 54. “Mca-I” at the N-terminus represents N- (4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide) -isoleucine, “(Dnp) K” at the C-terminus represents N @ epsilon- (2,4-dinitrophenyl) -lysine, Meaning respectively.
- Amino acid sequence of human SPINK2 (SEQ ID NO: 1) Nucleotide sequence encoding amino acid sequence of human SPINK2 (SEQ ID NO: 2) Amino acid sequence of peptide H218 (SEQ ID NO: 3) Nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H218 (SEQ ID NO: 4) Amino acid sequence of peptide H223 (SEQ ID NO: 5) Nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H223 (SEQ ID NO: 6) Amino acid sequence of peptide H228 (SEQ ID NO: 7) Nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H228 (SEQ ID NO: 8) Amino acid sequence of peptide H308 (SEQ ID NO: 9) Nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H308 (SEQ ID NO: 10) Amino acid sequence of peptide H321 (SEQ ID NO: 11
- X 1 to X 11 represent any amino acids.
- Amino acid sequence consisting of S tag and linker (SEQ ID NO: 31) Amino acid sequence of C-terminal 6 mer (SEQ ID NO: 32) Nucleotide sequence of primer 1 (SEQ ID NO: 33) Nucleotide sequence of primer 2 (SEQ ID NO: 34) Nucleotide sequence of primer 3 (SEQ ID NO: 35) Nucleotide sequence of primer 4 (SEQ ID NO: 36) Nucleotide sequence of primer 5 (SEQ ID NO: 37) Nucleotide sequence of primer 6 (SEQ ID NO: 38) Nucleotide sequence of primer 7 (SEQ ID NO: 39) Nucleotide sequence of primer 8 (SEQ ID NO: 40) Nucleotide sequence of primer 9 (SEQ ID NO: 41) Nucleotide sequence of primer 10 (SEQ ID NO: 42) Nucleotide sequence of primer 11 (SEQ ID NO: 43) Nucleotide sequence of primer 12 (S
- disassembly of a peptide substrate as an index (the 1).
- disassembly of a peptide substrate as an index (the 2).
- disassembly of a peptide substrate as an index (the 3).
- the number of cases in each group was 6, and the dose of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308_D1G_S16A was 0.2 and 1 ⁇ g / eye.
- the number of cases in each group was 6, and the doses of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H321AT_D1G_S16A were 0.2 and 1 ⁇ g / eye.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram showing immunostaining of RPE cells in a 12-week-old rabbit, a 3-year-old rabbit, and a 3-year-old rabbit loaded with HFD-HQ using a ZO-1 antibody (Themo ⁇ Fisher ⁇ SCIENTIFIC).
- FIG. 4 is a diagram showing that mRNA of the third component of complement C3, which is an AMD-related factor, is upregulated in retinal tissue of a 3-year-old rabbit loaded with HFD-HQ.
- FIG. 5 shows the measurement of HTRA1 concentration in the vitreous humor of 12-week-old rabbits, 3-year-old rabbits, and 3-year-old rabbits loaded with HFD-HQ by LC-MS / MS.
- the term "gene” means a nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence contained in a protein or a complementary strand thereof, and is composed of a single strand, a double strand or three or more strands, and a DNA
- An association of a strand with an RNA strand, a mixture of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides on a single strand, and a double-stranded or triple-stranded or more nucleic acid molecule containing such a strand are also included in the meaning of “gene”.
- nucleic acid molecule is synonymous, and are not limited at all by the number of ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, nucleotides, nucleosides and the like, for example, DNA , RNA, mRNA, cDNA, cRNA, probes, oligonucleotides, primers and the like are also included in the scope.
- Nucleic acid molecule may be abbreviated as “nucleic acid”.
- polypeptide As described hereinafter, the inhibitory or inhibitory actions are collectively referred to as “X inhibitory activity”) is referred to as “X inhibitory peptide”. be able to.
- SPINK2 means SerineroProtease Inhibitor Kazal-type 2 and is a 7 kDa protein composed of a Kazal-like domain having three disulfide bonds. Preferred SPINK2 is of human origin. In the present invention, human SPINK2 is simply referred to as "SPINK2" unless otherwise specified.
- HTRA1 means high temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 and is a protein belonging to the HTRA family, which is composed of an N-terminal domain, a protease domain and a C-terminal PDZ domain composed of an IGFBP-like module and a Kazal module.
- Preferred HTRA1 is of human origin. In the present invention, human HTRA1 may be simply referred to as “HTRA1” unless otherwise specified.
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptide means a peptide that inhibits or suppresses one or more activities or functions of HTRA1.
- the scope of the “HTRA1 inhibitory peptide” includes fragments of the peptide, adducts of other moieties, or conjugates that maintain the HTRA1 inhibitory activity. That is, fragments, adducts, and modifications of the peptide that maintain HTRA1 inhibitory activity are also included in the “HTRA1 inhibitory peptide”.
- cells also include various cells derived from animal individuals, subcultured cells, primary cultured cells, cell lines, recombinant cells, yeast, microorganisms, and the like.
- the "site" to which the peptide binds that is, the "site” recognized by the peptide means a continuous or discontinuous partial amino acid sequence or partial higher-order structure on the target molecule to which the peptide binds or recognizes. .
- such a site can be referred to as an epitope or a binding site on the target molecule.
- SPINK2 variant refers to an amino acid sequence of wild-type SPINK2 in which one or more amino acids are substituted with amino acids different from wild-type, and one or more wild-type amino acids are deleted. And one or more non-wild-type amino acids are inserted and / or non-wild-type amino acids are added to the wild-type amino terminus (N-terminus) and / or carboxyl terminus (C-terminus) (Hereinafter, collectively referred to as "mutation”) means a peptide containing an amino acid sequence.
- “SPINK2 mutants” those having HTRA1 inhibitory activity are included in the HTRA1 inhibitory peptides.
- “insertion” may be included in the range of “addition”.
- “several” in “one to several” refers to three to ten.
- hybridize under stringent conditions means that hybridization is carried out at 65 ° C. in a solution containing 5 ⁇ SSC and then in an aqueous solution containing 2 ⁇ SSC-0.1% SDS. 20 minutes at 65 ° C. in an aqueous solution containing 0.5 ⁇ SSC-0.1% SDS at 65 ° C. for 20 minutes, and 65 ° C. in an aqueous solution containing 0.2 ⁇ SSC-0.1% SDS. For 20 minutes under washing conditions or equivalent conditions.
- SSC is an aqueous solution of 150 mM NaCl-15 mM sodium citrate, and nxSSC means n-fold concentration of SSC.
- an HTRA1-specific inhibitory peptide is synonymous with an HTRA1-selective inhibitory peptide.
- amino acid is an organic compound containing an amino group and a carboxyl group, and refers to an ⁇ -amino acid contained as a structural unit in a protein, more preferably in a natural protein.
- more preferred amino acids are Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr and Val. Yes, unless otherwise specified, "amino acid” refers to these 20 amino acids in total. These 20 amino acids in total can be referred to as “natural amino acids”.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention preferably contains a natural amino acid.
- amino acid residue may be abbreviated as “amino acid”.
- the amino acid is an L-amino acid, a D-amino acid, or a mixture thereof (DL-amino acid), and means an L-amino acid unless otherwise specified.
- Natural amino acids can be divided, for example, into the following groups based on their common side chain properties.
- Hydrophobic amino acid group Met, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile
- Neutral hydrophilic amino acid group Cys, Ser, Thr, Asn, Gln
- acidic amino acid group Asp
- Glu Basic amino acid group: His, Lys, Arg
- Aromatic amino acid group Trp, Tyr, Phe
- the classification of natural amino acids is not limited to these.
- natural amino acids may undergo conservative amino acid substitutions.
- Constant amino acid substitution means substitution with a functionally equivalent or similar amino acid.
- Conservative amino acid substitutions in a peptide result in static changes in the amino acid sequence of the peptide.
- one or more amino acids of similar polarity act functionally equivalently, resulting in a static change in the amino acid sequence of such a peptide.
- substitutions within a group can be considered conservative in structure and function.
- the role played by a particular amino acid residue can be determined in the context of the three-dimensional structure of the molecule containing that amino acid.
- a cysteine residue can take an oxidized (disulfide) form, which is less polar than a reduced (thiol) form.
- the long aliphatic portion of the arginine side chain can constitute structurally and functionally important features.
- side chains containing aromatic rings can contribute to ionic-aromatic or cation-pi interactions.
- the substitution of amino acids having these side chains with amino acids belonging to acidic or non-polar groups can be conservative in structure and function.
- Residues such as proline, glycine, cysteine (disulfide form) can have a direct effect on the backbone conformation and often cannot be substituted without structural distortion.
- Conservative amino acid substitutions are, as shown below, specific substitutions based on side-chain similarity (Leninja, Biochemistry, 2nd revised edition, 1975, pp. 73-75: L. Lehninger, Biochemistry, 2 nd). edition, pp 73-75, Worth Publisher, New York (1975)) and typical substitutions.
- Non-polar amino acid groups alanine (hereinafter referred to as “Ala” or simply “A”), valine (hereinafter referred to as “Val” or simply “V”), leucine (hereinafter “Leu” or simply “L”) L), isoleucine (hereinafter referred to as “Ile” or simply “I”), proline (hereinafter referred to as “Pro” or simply “P”), phenylalanine (hereinafter referred to as “Phe” or simply “F”) ), Tryptophan (hereinafter referred to as “Trp” or simply “W”), methionine (hereinafter referred to as “Met” or simply “M”)
- Uncharged polar amino acid group glycine (hereinafter, referred to as “Gly” or simply “G”), serine (hereinafter, referred to as “Ser” or simply “S”), threonine (hereinafter, “Thr” or simply) “T”), cysteine (
- amino acid may be an amino acid other than a natural amino acid.
- selenocysteine N-formylmethionine, pyrrolidine, pyroglutamic acid, cystine, hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine, thyroxine, O-phosphoserine, desmosin, ⁇ -alanine, sarcosine, ornithine, creatine, ⁇ found in natural peptides and proteins
- Examples include aminobutyric acid, opain, theanine, tricolominic acid, kainic acid, domoic acid, acromelic acid and the like, and N-terminals of norleucine, Ac-amino acid, Boc-amino acid, Fmoc-amino acid, Trt-amino acid, Z-amino acid and the like.
- C-terminal protected amino acids such as protected amino acids, amino acid t-butyl ester, benzyl ester, cyclohexyl ester, fluorenyl ester, etc., diamine, ⁇ amino acid, ⁇ amino acid, ⁇ amino acid, Tic induction of amino acid
- the amino acid include amino acids that are not found in the natural world, including conductors and aminophosphonic acid. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is collectively referred to as "natural amino acids.”
- the HRTA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention is a SPINK2 mutant in which the backbone of SPINK2 is at least partially maintained (hereinafter abbreviated as “SPINK2 mutant”), and HTRA1 or its enzyme activity is retained.
- SPINK2 mutant in which the backbone of SPINK2 is at least partially maintained
- HTRA1 or its enzyme activity is retained.
- the protease activity of a fragment hereinafter, referred to as “functional fragment” is inhibited or suppressed (hereinafter, such inhibition or suppression is collectively referred to as “HTRA1 inhibitory activity”).
- the HTRA1 that is the target of the inhibitory peptide of the present invention is preferably a mammalian, more preferably a primate, even more preferably a human HTRA1, and is a full-length mature human HTRA1 (hereinafter “HTRA1 (full)”).
- HTRA1 (full) has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 53 (FIG. 65).
- the amino acid sequence consists of Nos. 23 to 480 and does not include a signal sequence consisting of Nos. 1 to 22.
- the amino acid sequence of the functional fragment of human HTRA1 (hereinafter, referred to as “HTRA1 (cat)”) is not particularly limited as long as the protease activity is retained, but is not limited to SEQ ID NO: 53 (FIG. 65).
- HTRA1 and its functional fragments which are targets of the inhibitory peptides of the present invention, are also referred to as HTRA1 protease, and are preferably derived from vertebrates, more preferably mammals, even more preferably primates, optimally humans, It can be purified from these tissues or cells, or can be prepared by a method known to those skilled in the art as a method for preparing a protein such as gene recombination, in vitro translation, peptide synthesis, and the like.
- a signal sequence, an Fc region of an immunoglobulin, a tag, a label, and the like may be linked to HTRA1 and a functional fragment thereof.
- HTRA1 inhibitory activity can be evaluated using the protease activity of HTRA1 as an index. For example, when HTRA1 or a functional fragment thereof, a substrate and an inhibitory peptide of the present invention or a candidate thereof coexist, the protease activity of HTRA1 is lower than that in the presence of a control or in the absence of the inhibitor or the candidate thereof. When it is 70% or less, 50% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 1% or less, or 0%, HTRA1 inhibition occurs, and the inhibitory activity is 30% or more, respectively. 50% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 99% or more, or 100%.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory activity may vary depending on the reaction conditions, the type and concentration of the substrate, and the like.
- the reaction conditions can be exemplified by those described in Examples, but are not limited thereto.
- the fluorescence of the substrate peptide is detected, or the substrate protein is detected by SDS-PAGE, Western blot method, liquid chromatography, or the like.
- the enzyme activity can be evaluated.
- buffer examples include phosphate buffer saline (hereinafter referred to as “PBS”), borate buffer (50 mM boric acid, pH 7 to 9, for example, pH 8.5), and Tris buffer (50 mM tris, pH 6 to 9, for example, pH 8.0) and the like, and a surfactant such as NaCl (50 to 300 mM, for example, 150 mM) or CHAPS or Octyl @ ⁇ -D-glucopyranoside can be added, but not limited thereto.
- PBS phosphate buffer saline
- borate buffer 50 mM boric acid, pH 7 to 9, for example, pH 8.5
- Tris buffer 50 mM tris, pH 6 to 9, for example, pH 8.0
- a surfactant such as NaCl (50 to 300 mM, for example, 150 mM) or CHAPS or Octyl @ ⁇ -D-glucopyranoside can be added, but not limited thereto.
- the substrate of the protease of HTRA1 is not particularly limited, such as an endogenous substrate, an exogenous substrate, and a synthetic substrate.
- human endogenous substrates include vitronectin and the like.
- the synthetic substrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include H2-Opt (Mca-IRRVSYSFK (Dnp) K), ⁇ -Casein, and other HTRA1 substrates.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory activity (IC 50 or K i ) of the peptide of the present invention is 1 ⁇ M or less, preferably 100 nM or less.
- the inhibitory peptide of the present invention does not inhibit or suppress protease activities other than HTRA1, or the degree of inhibition or suppression of the activity is relatively weak.
- the inhibitory peptide of the present invention preferably has high HTRA1 specificity.
- Preferred inhibitory peptides of the present invention include proteases such as trypsin, ⁇ -chymotrypsin, tryptase, plasmin, thrombin, matriptase, protein C, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase (uPA), plasmin, plasma kallikrein and the like. The activity is not inhibited or suppressed, or the degree of inhibition or suppression is relatively weak.
- Such a preferred peptide of the present invention does not show any side effects due to inhibiting or suppressing other protease activities, and can be suitably used as a therapeutic or preventive agent for a disease (described below) relating to HTRA1.
- the target of the peptide of the invention, HTRA1 is derived from a vertebrate, preferably a mammal, more preferably a primate, even more preferably a human, but a non-human animal, such as a rat, It may be derived from primates such as rodents such as mice, cynomolgus monkeys, common marmosets, and rhesus monkeys.
- a peptide having an inhibitory activity on HTRA1 derived from a non-human animal can be used for diagnosis, examination, treatment or prevention of a disease relating to HTRA1 in such a non-human animal.
- a peptide also inhibits human HTRA1
- a pharmacology using such a non-human animal as an animal disease model is used. Tests, pharmacokinetic tests, safety tests and toxicity tests using healthy animals can be performed.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention has a smaller molecular weight than other biopolymers such as antibodies used in the art as drugs and diagnostics, and is relatively easy to produce (described later), It is excellent in physical properties such as penetrability to the drug, storage stability and heat stability, and has a wide selection of administration routes, administration methods, preparations, etc. when used as a pharmaceutical composition (described later).
- a known method such as addition of a biopolymer or a polymer
- the half-life in blood when used as a pharmaceutical composition can be adjusted to be longer. it can.
- Such HTRA1 inhibitory peptides of the invention have a molecular weight of less than 10,000, preferably less than 8,000, more preferably about 7,000 to 7,200.
- a portion containing six Cys of SEQ ID NO: 23 (FIG. 29)
- the molecular weight of the variable loop portion is less than 2,500, preferably about 1,800 to 2,000, and the molecular weight of the portion containing 6 Cys is It is less than 6,000, preferably about 5,300 to 5,500.
- SPINK2 mutant which is included in the range of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention and in which the skeleton of SPINK2 is at least partially maintained, may bind to HTRA1.
- HTRA1 Preferably mammalian, more preferably primate, even more preferably human HTRA1.
- target binding activity Such a peptide that binds to HTRA1 recognizes or binds to a partial peptide, a partial higher-order structure, or the like of HTRA1 (hereinafter, such a recognition or binding action is collectively referred to as “target binding activity”).
- the inhibitory peptides of the present invention can bind to immunogenic fragments of HTRA1.
- An immunogenic fragment of HTRA1 has one or more epitopes, mimotopes, or other antigenic determinants, and thus can elicit an immune response or produce antibodies against the fragment.
- the binding between the SPINK2 mutant and HTRA1 or an immunogenic fragment thereof can be determined by measuring the detectable binding affinity (ELISA method, Surface Plasmon Resonance (hereinafter, referred to as “SPR”)) analysis method (“BIAcore”).
- SPR Surface Plasmon Resonance
- BIOS Surface Plasmon Resonance
- ITC Isothermal Titration Calorimetry
- flow cytometry immunoprecipitation method, etc.
- a method of recognizing HTRA1 immobilized on a plate and detecting a bound HTRA1 inhibitory peptide can be mentioned.
- immobilization of HTRA1 not only biotin-streptavidin but also an antibody for solid phase recognizing a tag fused to HTRA1 can be used.
- a labeled detection antibody or the like that recognizes a tag fused to the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide can be used in addition to labeled streptavidin.
- methods that can be used for biochemical analysis such as HRP, alkaline phosphatase, and FITC can be used for labeling.
- TMB (3,3 ', 5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine), BCIP (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl @ phosphate), p-NPP (p-nitrophenyl @ phosphate), OPD (o-Phenylenediamine), ABTS (3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), a chromogenic substrate and QuantaBlu (TM) such as SuperSignal ELISA Pico Chemiluminescent substrate (Thermo Fisher Scientific) Fluorogenic Peroxidase substrate (Thermo Fisher Cientific) fluorescent substrate, and the like, and can be used chemiluminescent substrate.
- an absorption plate reader, a fluorescence plate reader, a luminescence plate reader, an RI liquid scintillation counter, or the like can be used.
- Instruments used for SPR analysis include BIAcore TM (GE Healthcare), ProteOn TM (BioRad), SPR-Navi TM (BioNavisOy), Spreeta TM (Texas Instruments), and SPRI-Plex II. (Horiba), Autolab @ SPR (trademark) (Metrohm) and the like. As an apparatus used in the BLI method, Octet (trademark) (Pall) can be exemplified.
- the immunoprecipitation method includes a method of detecting HTRA1 bound and recognized by an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide immobilized on beads.
- Magnetic beads and agarose beads can be used as the beads.
- biotin-streptavidin, an antibody recognizing the peptide or a tag fused to the peptide, protein A or protein G, or the like can be used.
- the beads are separated by a magnet, centrifugation or the like, and HTRA1 precipitated together with the beads is detected by SDS-PAGE or Western blot method.
- a labeled detection antibody or the like that recognizes a tag fused to HTRA1 can be used.
- methods that can be used for biochemical analysis such as HRP, alkaline phosphatase, and FITC can be used for labeling.
- HRP alkaline phosphatase
- FITC FITC
- HRP alkaline phosphatase
- FITC FITC
- HRP alkaline phosphatase
- FITC fluorescence phosphatase
- the same substrate as in the ELISA method can be used.
- ChemiDoc trademark
- BioRad BioRad
- LuminoGraph LuminoGraph
- binding means binding that is not nonspecific adsorption.
- Bond The criterion for determining whether a specific, for example, can be mentioned binding activity EC 50 in ELISA.
- K D values for HTRA1 of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention is 1 ⁇ 10 -4 M or less, 1 ⁇ 10 -5 M or less, 5 ⁇ 10 -6 M or less, 2 ⁇ 10 -6 M or less, or 1 ⁇ 10 -6 M or less, more preferably 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 M or less, 2 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 M or less, or 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 M or less, still more preferably 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 8 M or less, 2 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 8 M Or less, or 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 8 M or less, even more preferably 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 9 M or less, 2 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 9 M or less, or 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 9 M or less.
- an analysis result by an immunoprecipitation method can be given.
- a suitable HTRA1 inhibitory peptide according to the present invention is immobilized on beads, the beads are separated after adding HTRA1 and HTRA1 precipitated together with the beads is detected, and an HTRA1 signal is detected.
- the ability to bind to HTRA1 or an immunogenic fragment thereof is not essential for the SPINK2 mutant as the inhibitory peptide of the present invention, as long as it has HTRA1 inhibitory activity.
- the inhibitory peptides of the present invention may be competitive in binding the protease substrate to HTRA1.
- the inhibitory peptide of the present invention has a retinal protective effect.
- the preferred inhibitor of the present invention can suppress the decrease in the number of nuclei contained in the outer nuclear layer due to light irradiation.
- a larger amount of HTRA1 protein was detected in the vitreous humor of the light-irradiated group than in the non-irradiated group, indicating that HTRA1 is involved in retinal disorders, and that the HTRA1 inhibitory activity indicates that the retinal protective effect is higher.
- the present invention discloses to provide.
- the SPINK2 mutant as the inhibitory peptide of the present invention may have the above activities, properties, functions, characteristics, etc., while its full-length amino acid sequence has a high sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of human wild-type SPINK2. Having.
- the SPINK2 variant of the present invention has an amino acid sequence of human SPINK2 (SEQ ID NO: 1; FIG. 13) and 60% or more, 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, It has 98% or more or 99% or more sequence identity.
- Identity means a property that indicates the degree of similarity or relationship between two sequences.
- Amino acid sequence identity (%) is calculated by multiplying 100 by a value obtained by dividing the number of identical amino acids or amino acid residues by the total number of amino acids or amino acid residues.
- Gap means a gap in an alignment between sequences that is the result of a deletion and / or addition in at least one of the two or more sequences.
- mutated refers to substitution of one or more nucleotides or nucleotide residues or amino acids or amino acid residues in a nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence compared to a naturally occurring nucleic acid molecule or peptide, It means that a deletion or insertion has been made.
- the amino acid sequence of the SPINK2 variant of the present invention has one or more amino acids or amino acid residues mutated compared to the amino acid sequence of human SPINK2.
- the amino acid sequence of the SPINK2 variant is the amino acid sequence of human SPINK2 (SEQ ID NO: 1; FIG. 13): One, two, three, four, five, six or seven amino acids from Ser. No. 16 to Gly No. 22 have been substituted with another amino acid or amino acid residue; One, two, three, four or five amino acids of the 24th Pro-28th Asn have been replaced with another amino acid or amino acid residue; Regardless of whether one or two amino acids of the 39th Ala and the 43rd Thr are substituted with other amino acids or amino acid residues, or are wild-type, they are composed of amino acid residues such as the 16th to 30th amino acids.
- Cys No. 15, Cys No. 23, Cys No. 31, Cys No. 42, Cys No. 45, and Cys No. 63 are preferably Cys as in the wild type in order to maintain a natural disulfide bond. In order to eliminate disulfide bonds or to generate unnatural disulfide bonds, one, two, three, four, five or six of them are replaced with other amino acids. Is also good.
- Cys is maintained at the same 6 positions as in the natural type, and disulfide bonds are maintained.
- Cys # 15-Cys-45, Cys # 23-Cys 42, and Cys # 31-Cys 63 form a disulfide bond, respectively. .
- a loop structure consisting of Ser. No. 16 to No. 30 Val contained in the amino acid sequence of wild-type SPINK2, ⁇ consisting of Cys No. 31 and Gly No. 32 ⁇ -sheet composed of strand (1) and ⁇ -strand (2) consisting of 57th Ile to 59th Arg, ⁇ -helix consisting of 41Glu amino acids to 51th Gly, or similar or similar thereto Is preferably maintained to such an extent that the three-dimensional structure composed of a loop structure, a ⁇ -sheet, an ⁇ -helix and the like at least partially corresponding to (h) can exert HTRA1 inhibitory activity.
- amino acid residue may be simply referred to as “amino acid”.
- Xaa at positions 1 to 11 are any amino acids as long as they bind to HTRA1 and inhibit HTRA1 activity. There is no particular limitation as long as it exists.
- preferred amino acids X1 to X11 will be described.
- the same amino acids as those in the amino acid sequence of natural type, that is, wild-type human SPINK2 are included in those amino acids.
- No. 1 X1 is preferably Asp, Glu, Gly, Ser or Ile, more preferably Asp or Gly, even more preferably Gly;
- No. 16 X2 is preferably Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Lys, Leu, Met, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr or Tyr, more preferably Ala, Asp, Gly, His, Lys, Leu, Met, Gln, Arg, Ser or Thr, even more preferably Ala, Gly, Lys, Leu, Ser or Thr, even more preferably Ala, Gly, Leu, Ser or Thr, and even more.
- it is Ala or Ser; No.
- 17 X3 is preferably Ala, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr or Tyr, more preferably Asp, Gly, His, Lys, Leu , Met, Asn, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr or Tyr, even more preferably Asp, His, Lys, Met or Gln, even more preferably Asp or Gln; No.
- 18 X4 is preferably Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Asn, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr, more preferably Asp, Phe, His, Met, Asn, Gln, Ser or Tyr, even more preferably Asp, Phe, His, Ser or Tyr, even more preferably Phe or His; No.
- 19 X5 is preferably Ala, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Met, Asn, GIn, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or Tyr, more preferably Ala, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Lys, Met, Asn, Gln, Arg, Ser or Val, even more preferably Ala, Asp, Glu, Met or Asn, even more preferably Ala, Asp or Glu; No.
- 21 X6 is preferably Ala, Glu, Phe, Gly, Ile, Leu, Met, Gln, Arg, Ser, Trp or Tyr, more preferably Glu, Phe, Ile, Leu, Met, Gln, Arg or Trp, even more preferably Met or Trp, even more preferably Met;
- No. 24 X7 is preferably Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Lys, Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr, more preferably Asp, Glu, His, Pro, Gln, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr, even more preferably Gln, Trp, Tyr or Val, even more preferably Tyr or Val; No.
- 26 X8 is preferably Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Gln, Arg, Ser, Val or Tyr, more preferably Ala, Phe, His, Ile, Leu, Met, Gln, Arg, Ser, Val or Tyr, even more preferably Phe, Leu or Tyr, even more preferably Phe or Leu;
- No. 27 X9 is preferably Glu, Phe, Leu, Ser, Thr or Tyr, more preferably Phe, Leu, Ser, Thr or Tyr, even more preferably Phe or Tyr, even more preferably Preferably it is Tyr;
- No. 39 X10 is preferably Ala, Glu, Met or Val, more preferably Ala or Glu;
- No. 43 X11 is preferably Ala, Thr or Val, more preferably Thr or Val.
- X1 to X11 of the wild type are Asp, Ser, Gln, Tyr, Arg, Pro, Pro, His, Phe, Ala, and Thr, respectively.
- No. 20 is Leu
- No. 22 is Gly
- No. 25 is Arg
- No. 28 is Asn.
- amino acids may be further added to the N-terminal side of the first amino acid, and such added amino acids include, for example, Ser-Leu, S An amino acid sequence comprising a tag and a linker (SEQ ID NO: 31: FIG. 43) can be mentioned.
- one or several amino acids may be added to Cys 63 at the C-terminus.
- An amino acid sequence or the like can be given. Examples of such added amino acids include Gly-Gly, C-terminal 6-mer (SEQ ID NO: 32: FIG. 44), and the like.
- amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 30 (FIG. 42) or an amino acid sequence derived from SEQ ID NO: 30 in which another amino acid is added to the N-terminal and / or C-terminal, SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 to 29 (FIGS. 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 and 35 to 41) and SEQ ID NOs: 4, 6,
- SEQ ID NO: 3 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 to 29 (FIGS. 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 and 35 to 41) and SEQ ID NOs: 4, 6,
- the nucleotide sequence represented by any one of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 20 and 22 (FIGS. 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34) encodes Amino acid sequences are included in more preferred embodiments, and SEQ ID NOS: 24, 28 and 29 (FIGS. 36, 40 and 41) are included in even more preferred embodiments, respectively.
- the SPINK2 mutant peptide or the N-terminal and / or C-terminal adduct of the SPINK2 mutant peptide (hereinafter, referred to as “parent peptide”), one or more amino acids are substituted, added, and / or Alternatively, the deleted peptide may be referred to as “parent peptide derivative” or “parent peptide derivative” (for example, Example 6). Such “derivatives” are also included in the scope of the “peptide” of the present invention.
- the portion other than X1 to X11 that is, No. 2 Pro in the amino acid sequence of wild-type human SPINK2 (SEQ ID NO: 1: FIG. 13).
- Natural amino acids at positions Cys # 15, # 20 Pro, # 22 Gly, # 23 Cys, # 25 Arg, # 28 Asn to # 38 Tyr, 41Glu, # 42 Cys and # 44 Thr to # 63 Cys Alternatively, it can include a mutated amino acid or amino acid sequence.
- a SPINK2 variant may be mutated at one or more positions so long as it does not at least partially prevent or interfere with HTRA1 inhibitory activity or folding.
- Such mutations can be made using standard methods known to those skilled in the art.
- Typical mutations in the amino acid sequence include substitution, deletion or addition of one or more amino acids, and examples of the substitution include conservative substitutions.
- conservative substitutions certain amino acid residues are replaced by amino acid residues that have similar chemical characteristics, not only in bulk but also in polarity. Examples of conservative substitutions are described elsewhere herein.
- portions other than X1 to X11 may tolerate non-conservative substitution of one or more amino acids as long as they do not at least partially prevent or interfere with HTRA1 inhibitory activity or folding.
- X1 to X11 are preferably SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23 to SEQ ID NOs. 29 (FIGS. 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 and 35 to 41), more preferably SEQ ID NOS: 24, 28 and 29 (FIGS. 36, 40 and 41).
- the amino acids X1 to X11 in any one of the amino acids and the portion other than X1 to X11 may have an amino acid or an amino acid sequence that does not at least partially prevent or interfere with HTRA1 inhibitory activity or folding.
- examples of the amino acid sequence of the SPINK2 mutant as the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention include the amino acid sequences described in any one of the following (a) to (e): (A) SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 to 29 (FIGS.
- nucleic acid molecule encoding the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide is not limited to (a) to (e), and the amino acid sequence contained in the SPINK2 mutant having HTRA1 inhibitory activity, preferably SEQ ID NO: 30 (FIG. 42)
- a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence represented by is broadly encompassed by the nucleic acid molecule encoding the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide.
- a mutation into the inhibitory peptide of the present invention for the purpose of improving its folding stability, heat stability, storage stability, half-life in blood, water solubility, biological activity, pharmacological activity, side effects, etc.
- a new reactive group such as Cys can be introduced by mutation to conjugate to other substances such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydroxyethyl starch (HES), biotin, peptides or proteins.
- PEG polyethylene glycol
- HES hydroxyethyl starch
- biotin peptides or proteins.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide may be added to, linked to, or bound to other moieties, and such conjugates are collectively referred to as “HTRA1 inhibitory peptide conjugates”.
- conjugate means a molecule in which another portion is added, linked or bound to the peptide of the present invention or a fragment thereof.
- Conjugate or “conjugation” refers to a peptide of the present invention via a chemical moiety such as a cross-linking agent, or an agent suitable for linking a moiety to a side chain of an amino acid.
- a chemical moiety such as a cross-linking agent, or an agent suitable for linking a moiety to a side chain of an amino acid.
- At the N-terminal and / or C-terminal of the peptide of the present invention may be linked or bound to the peptide of the present invention by a synthetic chemical technique, a genetic engineering technique, or the like.
- portions examples include polyalkylene glycol molecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), fatty acid molecules such as hydroxyethyl starch and palmitic acid, Fc region of immunoglobulin, immunoglobulin , A CH4 domain of immunoglobulin, albumin or a fragment thereof, an albumin binding peptide, an albumin binding protein such as streptococcal protein G, and transferrin.
- PEG polyethylene glycol
- fatty acid molecules such as hydroxyethyl starch and palmitic acid
- Fc region of immunoglobulin immunoglobulin
- a CH4 domain of immunoglobulin albumin or a fragment thereof
- an albumin binding peptide such as streptococcal protein G
- transferrin transferrin.
- the peptide of the present invention can be linked to such "portion” via a linker such as a peptide linker.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention may be conjugated with another drug in order to exert or enhance pharmacological activity.
- Techniques and embodiments known to those skilled in the art as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in the antibody field form a part of the present invention by replacing the antibody with the peptide of the present invention.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention further comprises one or more moieties exhibiting binding affinity, inhibitory activity, antagonistic activity, agonist activity, etc. for a target molecule other than HTRA1, or conjugates to such moieties. It may be.
- a “portion” include an antibody or a fragment thereof, a protein having a skeleton other than the antibody such as a SPINK2 mutant, or a fragment thereof.
- Techniques and embodiments known to those skilled in the art as multispecific antibodies and bispecific antibodies (multispecific antibodies, bispecific antibodies) in the field of antibodies include the use of at least one of the two or more "antibodies" contained therein as the present invention. By replacing the peptide of the present invention, some embodiments of the conjugate of the present invention are provided.
- the peptide of the present invention or its precursor may include a signal sequence.
- the signal sequence present or added to the N-terminus of a polypeptide or its precursor may direct the polypeptide to a particular compartment of the cell, for example, the periplasm in E. coli or the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotic cells.
- Many signal sequences that are useful for delivery are known to those of skill in the art and can be selected depending on the host cell. Examples of a signal sequence for secreting a desired peptide into the periplasm of Escherichia coli include OmpA, and a form including a signal sequence may be included in the conjugate of the present invention as a partial embodiment thereof. .
- the peptide of the present invention may have, for example, biotin, Strep tag (trademark), Strep tag II (trademark), oligohistidine such as His6, polyhistidine, immunoglobulin domain, maltose binding protein, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), calmodulin-binding peptide (CBP), haptens such as digoxigenin and dinitrophenol, epitope tags such as FLAG TM, myc tag, HA tag (hereinafter collectively referred to as “affinity tags”). be able to.
- Tagged products may also be included in the conjugates of the invention as some embodiments thereof.
- the conjugate of the present invention may be a peptide (polypeptide) as a whole.
- the peptide of the present invention can include a moiety for labeling, specifically, an enzyme label, a radioactive label, a colored label, a fluorescent label, a colored label, a luminescent label, a hapten, digoxigenin, biotin, a metal complex, Labeled moieties such as metals, colloidal gold, etc. can be conjugated.
- a moiety for labeling specifically, an enzyme label, a radioactive label, a colored label, a fluorescent label, a colored label, a luminescent label, a hapten, digoxigenin, biotin, a metal complex, Labeled moieties such as metals, colloidal gold, etc.
- Embodiments that include a moiety for labeling may also be included in the conjugate of the present invention as some embodiments thereof.
- the inhibitory peptide of the present invention can contain both natural amino acids and unnatural amino acids in its peptide portion, and the natural amino acids can contain both L-amino acids and D-amino acids.
- the amino acid sequence of the inhibitory peptide of the present invention may include both natural amino acids and unnatural amino acids, and the natural amino acids may include both L-amino acids and D-amino acids.
- the inhibitory peptide of the present invention can exist as a monomer, dimer, trimer or higher oligomer or multimer.
- the oligomer and the multimer of the dimer, the trimer or more may be either a homo composed of a single monomer or a hetero composed of two or more different monomers.
- the monomer may, for example, diffuse quickly and have excellent penetration into tissue.
- Dimers, oligomers and multimers have excellent aspects such as, for example, having high affinity or binding activity to a target molecule locally, having a slow dissociation rate, or exhibiting high HTRA1 inhibitory activity. I can do it.
- oligomerization and multimerization can also be achieved by introducing a jun-fos domain, leucine zipper, etc. into the inhibitory peptide of the present invention. Can do it.
- the inhibitory peptide of the present invention is a monomer, dimer, trimer or higher oligomer or multimer, and can bind to one or more target molecules or inhibit the activity of the target molecule. .
- Possible forms of the inhibitory peptide of the present invention include isolated forms (freeze-dried preparations, solutions, etc.), conjugates described above, forms bound to other molecules (solid-phased forms, foreign molecules, , A form bound to a target molecule, etc.), but is not limited thereto, and a form suitable for expression, purification, use, storage, etc. can be arbitrarily selected.
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptide is an amino acid sequence of SPINK2 or an amino acid sequence of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention (for example, SEQ ID NOS: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 to 29, or an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of FIGS. 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 and 35 to 41), and encodes the amino acid sequence
- a nucleotide sequence a nucleic acid molecule containing the nucleotide sequence, or the like as a starting material, it can be identified by a method well known to those skilled in the art.
- HTRA1 inhibitory activity can be identified as an index from a human SPINK2 mutant library, and HTRA1 binding activity may be combined as an index.
- a nucleic acid molecule as a starting material can be subjected to mutagenesis and introduced into a suitable bacterial or eukaryotic host using recombinant DNA technology.
- the SPINK2 mutant library is known as a technique for identifying a binder or an inhibitor of a target molecule.
- the disclosure in WO2012 / 105616 is also included in the disclosure of the present invention by referring to the entirety thereof.
- a clone in which a SPINK2 mutant having desired properties, activities, functions, etc. is linked to the hereditary trait is enriched and purified from the library. And / or select and identify.
- a bacterial display method for the enrichment and / or selection of clones, a bacterial display method (Francisco, JA, et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA USA 90, 10444-10448).
- Yeast display method (Border, ET, et al. (1997) Nat. Biotechnol., Vol. 15, p. 553-557), mammalian cell display method (Ho M, et al. (2009) Methods Mol. Biol. 525: 337-52), phage display method (Smith, GP (1985) Science.
- ribosome display method (Mattheakis LC, et al., 1994) ) @Proc Natl., Acad., Sci., USA, Vol. 91, No. 19, pp. 902-9029), and nucleic acid display methods such as mRNA display (Nemoto, N., et al. (1997) FEBS, Lett., Vol. 405-408) and a colony screening method (Pini, A. et al. (2002) Comb. Chem. High ⁇ Throughput ⁇ Screen. # 5, 503-510).
- the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence is changed to the SPINK2 mutant contained in the clone, that is, the amino acid of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide. It can be determined as an array.
- SPINK2 mutant of the present invention can be obtained, for example, by inducing a mutation in naturally occurring SPINK2.
- “Mutation induction” refers to the substitution or deletion of one or more amino acids present at each position of a certain amino acid sequence with another amino acid, or the removal of an amino acid not present in the amino acid sequence. Means that it can be added or inserted. Such deletions or additions or insertions can change the sequence length.
- the mutagenesis can suitably occur at one or more positions of X1 to X11 in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 30 (FIG. 42).
- a naturally occurring amino acid ie, the same amino acid as exists at a particular position in the naturally occurring amino acid sequence
- a naturally occurring amino acid ie, the same amino acid as exists at a particular position in the naturally occurring amino acid sequence
- a natural amino acid is present at the position, that is, at a specific position in the natural amino acid sequence.
- the same amino acid that is maintained is also included in the scope of the mutant if at least one amino acid is mutated as a whole.
- inducing a random mutation is meant that, for a particular position in the sequence, one or more different amino acids are introduced at a certain probability at that position by mutagenesis, but at least 2 The probabilities of introducing two different amino acids may not all be the same. Further, in the present invention, it does not prevent at least two different amino acids from containing a natural amino acid (one kind), and such a case is also included in the scope of “random mutation induction”.
- a method for inducing random mutation at a specific position a standard method known to those skilled in the art can be used. For example, mutation can be induced at a specific position in the sequence by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using a mixture of synthetic oligonucleotides containing a degenerate nucleotide composition.
- VVS adenine, guanine or cytosine
- codon NMS adenine or cytosine
- Arg, Cys, Gly, Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Trp and Val are introduced, and the remaining 11 natural amino acids
- the introduction is mutagenized.
- Special codons, artificial codons and the like can be used to mutagenize the introduction of unnatural amino acids.
- Site-specific mutagenesis can also be performed using the structural information of a target having a higher-order structure and / or a peptide for the target or a wild-type peptide from which the peptide is derived.
- site-specific mutations are introduced by utilizing structural information including higher-order information of the target HTRA1 and / or the SPINK2 mutant or wild-type SPINK2 for the target, or a complex of both. be able to.
- a SPINK2 mutant having HTRA1 inhibitory activity is identified, a crystal of a complex of HTRA1 and the SPINK2 mutant is obtained, and X-ray crystal structure analysis is performed. Based on the analysis result, the SPINK2 mutant binds.
- HTRA1 inhibitory activity it is possible to find a correlation between HTRA1 inhibitory activity and structural information obtained, for example, by specifying a site on the HTRA1 molecule that is involved and an amino acid residue in the SPINK2 mutant involved in the interaction with the site. . Based on such a structure-activity relationship, substitution at a specific position with a specific amino acid, insertion or deletion of an amino acid at a specific position, etc. can be designed to actually confirm the HTRA1 activity.
- mutation can be induced using a nucleotide constituent unit whose base pair specificity such as inosine is modified.
- mutagenesis at random positions can be performed by an error-prone PCR method using a DNA polymerase that lacks a proofreading function and has a high error rate, such as Taq DNA polymerase, or chemical mutagenesis.
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptides can be obtained by those skilled in the art suitable for the respective screening methods such as phage libraries and colony libraries using bacterial display, yeast display, mammalian cell display, phage display, ribosome display, nucleic acid display, colony screening and the like. It can be enriched and / or selected from a known library.
- phagemids can be constructed for phage libraries, cosmids for colony screening, and the like, and can be constructed by vectors and methods known to those skilled in the art suitable for each library.
- Such a vector may be a virus or viral vector that infects prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells.
- These recombinant vectors can be prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as genetic manipulation.
- Bacterial display is a technique in which a desired protein is fused with a part of the outer membrane lipoprotein (Lpp) of E. coli and the outer membrane protein OmpA to display the desired protein on the E. coli surface.
- a DNA group obtained by inducing random mutation in the nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of a certain protein is introduced into a vector suitable for bacterial display, and bacterial cells are transformed with the vector.
- a library displaying a group of randomly mutagenized proteins can be obtained (Francisco, JA, et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 90). , 10444-10448).
- Yeast display is a technique in which a desired protein is fused to a protein such as ⁇ -agglutinin in the outer shell of the yeast cell surface and displayed on the yeast surface.
- ⁇ -Agglutinin contains a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) C-terminal hydrophobic region presumed to be an anchor attachment signal, a signal sequence, an active domain, a cell wall domain, and the like.
- GPI glycosylphosphatidylinositol
- the desired protein can be displayed.
- a DNA group obtained by inducing random mutation in a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of a certain protein is introduced into a vector suitable for yeast display, and the yeast cell is transformed with the vector.
- a library displaying a group of randomly mutagenized proteins can be obtained (Ueda, M. & @Tanaka, A., Biotechnol. Adv., Vol. 18, p. 121-2000, Ueda, M. & Tanaka, A., J. Biosci. Bioeng., Vol. 90, p. 125-, 2000, etc.).
- Animal cell display is performed by, for example, fusing a desired protein with a transmembrane region of a membrane protein represented by platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and applying the fused protein to the surface of a mammalian cell such as HEK293 or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell.
- PDGFR platelet-derived growth factor receptor
- CHO Chinese hamster ovary
- a DNA group obtained by inducing random mutation in a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of a certain protein is introduced into a vector suitable for animal cell display, and animal cells are transformed with the vector.
- a library displaying a group of randomly mutagenized proteins can be obtained (Ho M, et al. (2009) Methods Mol Biol. 525: 337-52).
- the desired library displayed on cells such as yeast, bacteria, and animal cells can be incubated in the presence of the target molecule or contacted with the target molecule.
- a carrier such as magnetic beads is added, the cells are separated from the carrier, and the carrier is washed, whereby non-specific adsorption is performed.
- the peptide group bound to the carrier HTRA1 bound to the carrier
- the peptide aggregate, or the concentrated peptide aggregate is displayed, and the cell group displaying the concentrated peptide aggregate can be collected.
- the carrier (HTRA1 bound to) or the peptide bound to HTRA1 can be collected.
- Non-specific adsorbate sites and / or binding sites can be, for example, blocked (saturated), and the blocking step can be incorporated if appropriate.
- the thus obtained peptide, a vector expressing the peptide aggregate or the concentrated peptide aggregate is collected, the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide inserted into the vector is determined, and the nucleotide sequence is encoded. Can be determined. Further, by introducing the vector into the host cell again and repeating the above operation once or several times as a cycle, the peptide aggregate that binds to the target molecule can be more highly concentrated.
- a phagemid is a bacterial plasmid that contains, in addition to the plasmid origin of replication, a second origin of replication derived from single-stranded bacteriophage.
- Cells having a phagemid are capable of replicating the phagemid via a single-stranded replication mode in superinfection with M13 or a similar helper bacteriophage. That is, single-stranded phagemid DNA is packaged in infectious particles coated with the bacteriophage coat protein.
- phagemid DNA can be formed as a cloned double-stranded DNA plasmid in infected bacteria, and phagemid can be formed as bacteriophage-like particles from the culture supernatant of superinfected cells.
- the particles themselves can be reformed as plasmids by injecting the bacteriophage-like particles into bacteria having F-pilus to infect the bacteria with such DNA.
- a phagemid is inserted with a fusion gene comprising a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of the test peptide and a bacteriophage coat protein (coat @ protein) gene, and the phagemid is infected with bacteria, and the cells are cultured.
- a peptide is expressed or displayed on the bacterium or phage-like particle (synonymous with display), or produced in a phage particle or a culture supernatant of the bacterium as a fusion protein with the coating protein. be able to.
- a fusion gene comprising the polynucleotide and the bacteriophage coat protein gene gpIII is inserted into a phagemid and superinfected with E. coli together with M13 or a similar helper phage, the peptide and the coat protein will be contained. Can be produced in the culture supernatant of the Escherichia coli.
- circular or non-cyclic vectors such as viral vectors
- they have an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide inserted into the vector, according to a method known to those skilled in the art.
- the peptide can be expressed or displayed on cells or virus-like particles into which the vector has been introduced, or can be produced in the culture supernatant of the cells.
- the thus obtained library expressing the peptide can be incubated in the presence of the target molecule or contacted with the target molecule.
- a carrier on which HTRA1 is immobilized is incubated with a mobile phase containing a library for a certain period of time, then the mobile phase is separated from the carrier, and then the carrier is washed to remove nonspecific adsorbed substances and bound substances.
- the peptide bound to the carrier (HTRA1 bound to), peptide aggregates or concentrated peptide aggregates can be recovered by elution.
- Elution is performed non-selectively at relatively high ionic strength, low pH, moderate denaturing conditions, in the presence of a chaotropic salt, or the like, or a soluble target molecule such as HTRA1, an antibody that binds to the target molecule.
- the reaction can be selectively performed by adding a natural ligand, a substrate, and the like to compete with the immobilized target molecule.
- the non-specific adsorbate site and / or binding site can be subjected to, for example, a blocking treatment, and the blocking step can be incorporated as long as it is an appropriate method.
- the thus obtained peptide, a vector expressing the peptide aggregate or the concentrated peptide aggregate is collected, the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide inserted into the vector is determined, and the nucleotide sequence is encoded. Can be determined. Further, by introducing the vector into the host cell again and repeating the above operation once or several times as a cycle, the peptide aggregate that binds to the target molecule can be more highly concentrated.
- the ribosome display uses, for example, an mRNA encoding a desired protein having no termination codon and a cell-free protein synthesis system to synthesize a desired protein, its corresponding mRNA, and a ribosome-linked molecule in a test tube.
- Technology A library in which a randomly mutated protein group is displayed on a ribosome by using an mRNA group obtained by inducing a random mutation in a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of a certain protein and a cell-free protein synthesis system. (Mattheakis LC, et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., Vol. 91, No. 19, pp. 9022-9029).
- Nucleic acid display is also called mRNA display.
- a linker such as puromycin having a similar structure at the 3 'end of tyrosyl-tRNA
- a desired protein, an mRNA encoding the protein, and a molecule linked to a ribosome are synthesized. It is a technology to do. Since this technique uses a cell-free protein synthesis system instead of living cells, it can be synthesized in a test tube.
- a linker such as puromycin obtained by inducing a random mutation in a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of a certain protein, and a cell-free protein synthesis system
- a random mutagenized protein group can be used. Libraries displayed on ribosomes can be obtained (Nemoto N, et al. (1997) FEBS Lett. # 414, 2, 405-408).
- ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ Peptide-expressing libraries obtained via cell-free synthesis systems such as ribosome display and nucleic acid display can be incubated in the presence of the target molecule or contacted with the target molecule.
- a carrier on which HTRA1 is immobilized is incubated with a mobile phase containing a library for a certain period of time, then the mobile phase is separated from the carrier, and then the carrier is washed to remove nonspecific adsorbed substances and bound substances.
- the peptide bound to the carrier (HTRA1 bound to), peptide aggregates or concentrated peptide aggregates can be recovered by elution.
- Elution is performed non-selectively at relatively high ionic strength, low pH, moderate denaturing conditions, in the presence of a chaotropic salt, or the like, or a soluble target molecule such as HTRA1, an antibody that binds to the target molecule.
- the reaction can be selectively performed by adding a natural ligand, a substrate, and the like to compete with the immobilized target molecule.
- the non-specific adsorbate site and / or binding site can be subjected to, for example, a blocking treatment, and the blocking step can be incorporated as long as it is an appropriate method.
- the nucleic acid expressing the peptide thus obtained, the peptide aggregate or the concentrated peptide aggregate is recovered, and in the case of mRNA, the nucleotide sequence is determined after the reverse transcription reaction to cDNA, and the nucleotide sequence is determined.
- the encoding amino acid sequence can be determined. Further, by transcribe
- an affinity tag is conjugated to a peptide, a peptide aggregate or a concentrated peptide aggregate in advance, the peptide or the aggregate thereof can be efficiently purified.
- the peptide is conjugated to the peptide assembly in advance using a protease substrate as a tag, the peptide can be eluted by cleavage with the protease activity.
- the obtained clone or library is further mutated, and from the library into which the mutation has been introduced, its function (eg, HTRA1 inhibitory activity), physical properties (thermostable, It is also possible to obtain peptides with improved pharmacokinetics (distribution, half-life in blood), etc.
- an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide By determining whether the obtained peptide has an HTRA1 inhibitory activity, an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide can be identified.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide is preferably a loop structure consisting of Ser. No. 16 to No. 30 Val included in the amino acid sequence of wild-type SPINK2, a ⁇ -strand (1) consisting of Cys No. 31 and Gly No. 32 and an Ile No. 57 A sheet consisting of a ⁇ strand (2) consisting of Nos. 59 to 59, and an ⁇ helix consisting of amino acids 41 Glu to 51 Gly, or similar to them or at least partially , And a three-dimensional structure composed of a ⁇ -sheet, an ⁇ -helix, and the like, can be maintained to such an extent that HTRA1 inhibitory activity can be exhibited. Using such a three-dimensional structure (whole structure or partial structure) as a part of the indicator, a more suitable HTRA1 inhibitory peptide can be identified.
- nucleic acid molecule encoding HTRA1 inhibitory peptide, vector containing the same, cell containing the same, and method for producing recombinant HTRA1 inhibitory peptide The present invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence contained in an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide.
- nucleic acid molecule encoding an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide a recombinant vector into which the gene has been inserted, a cell into which the gene or the vector has been introduced
- a cell producing an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide hereinafter, referred to as “HTRA1 inhibitory peptide producing cell”).
- nucleotide sequence of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide As a preferable example of a part of the nucleic acid molecule encoding the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention, a nucleotide sequence described in any one of the following (a) to (e) (hereinafter referred to as “nucleotide sequence of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide”): ), Consisting of a nucleotide sequence comprising the nucleotide sequence of an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide, or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide: (A) SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 to 29 (FIGS.
- a nucleotide sequence represented by (C) a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence according to (a) or (b) under stringent conditions and encodes an amino acid sequence contained in a peptide having HTRA1 inhibitory activity; (D) 1 to 20, 1 to 15, 1 to 10, 1 to 8, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 1 to 4 in the nucleotide sequence according to (a) or (b).
- nucleotide or nucleotide residue is substituted, deleted, added and / or inserted, and encodes an amino acid sequence contained in a peptide having HTRA1 inhibitory activity
- a nucleotide sequence at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% or more identical to the nucleotide sequence described in (a) or (b) And a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence contained in a peptide having HTRA1 inhibitory activity.
- nucleic acid molecule encoding the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide is not limited to (a) to (e), and the amino acid sequence contained in the SPINK2 mutant having HTRA1 inhibitory activity, preferably SEQ ID NO: 30 (FIG. 42)
- a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence represented by is broadly encompassed by the nucleic acid molecule encoding the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide.
- a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence one or more codons corresponding to each amino acid can be used. Therefore, a nucleotide sequence encoding a single amino acid sequence of a certain peptide may have a plurality of variations.
- a codon may be selected as appropriate depending on the codon usage (codon @ usage) of a host cell for expression into which a polynucleotide containing the nucleotide sequence or a vector containing the polynucleotide is introduced, or a plurality of codons may be selected. The frequency or ratio of the use of can be adjusted appropriately. For example, when Escherichia coli is used as a host cell, a nucleotide sequence may be designed using codons frequently used in Escherichia coli.
- a nucleic acid molecule encoding a HTRA1 inhibitory peptide may be operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences.
- "Operably linked” means that the linked nucleic acid molecule can be expressed, or that it is possible to express a nucleotide sequence contained in the molecule.
- Regulatory sequences include sequence elements that contain information regarding transcriptional and / or translational regulation. Regulatory sequences vary from species to species, but generally include a promoter and are exemplified by prokaryotic -35 / -10 boxes and Shine-Dalgarno sequences, eukaryotic TATA boxes, CAAT sequences, and 5 'capping sequences. 5 'non-coding sequences involved in the initiation of transcription and translation.
- Such sequences may include enhancer and / or repressor elements, as well as translatable signal sequences, leader sequences, and the like, for delivering the native or mature peptide to specific compartments inside and outside the host cell.
- regulatory sequences may include 3 'non-coding sequences, which may include elements involved in transcription termination or polyadenylation and the like. However, when a sequence relating to transcription termination does not function sufficiently in a specific host cell, it can be replaced with a sequence suitable for the cell.
- promoter sequence examples include tet promoter, lacUV5 promoter, T7 promoter and the like in prokaryotes, and SV40 promoter and CMV promoter in eukaryotic cells.
- the nucleic acid molecule encoding the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide is contained in an isolated form, vector or other cloning vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as “vector”: plasmid, phagemid, phage, baculovirus, cosmid, etc.) or in the chromosome. It may be in a form, but is not limited to those forms.
- the vector includes, in addition to the nucleotide sequence of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide and the above regulatory sequences, a replication sequence and a control sequence suitable for the host cell used for the expression, and an expression capable of selecting a cell into which the nucleic acid molecule has been introduced by transformation or the like. It may include a selectable marker that gives a type.
- a nucleic acid molecule encoding an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide and a vector containing the nucleotide sequence of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide can be introduced into a host cell capable of expressing the peptide or nucleotide sequence by a method known to those skilled in the art, such as transformation.
- the host cell into which the nucleic acid molecule or vector has been introduced can be cultured under conditions suitable for the expression of the peptide or nucleotide sequence.
- the host cell may be either prokaryotic or eukaryotic.
- yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris
- insect cells such as SF9 and High5
- HeLa cells CHO cells
- COS Cells animal cell vesicles
- NS0 animal cell vesicles
- the expressed peptide of the present invention can be subjected to desired post-translational modification.
- the post-translational modification include addition of a functional group such as a sugar chain, addition of a peptide or protein, conversion of amino acid chemical properties, and the like. It is also possible to artificially make desired modifications to the peptide of the present invention. Such modified peptides are also included in the scope of the “peptide” of the present invention.
- the present invention also includes a method for producing an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide.
- the method includes the steps of culturing a host cell into which a nucleic acid molecule encoding the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or a vector containing the nucleotide sequence of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide has been introduced or a cell expressing the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide, and / or Step 2 of recovering the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide from the obtained culture is included.
- steps known to those skilled in the art such as fractionation, chromatography, and purification, can be applied. For example, affinity purification using the antibody of the present invention described below can be applied.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide has an intramolecular disulfide bond.
- the oxidizing environment can be provided by the periplasm of Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, the extracellular environment of Gram-positive bacteria, the lumen of the vesicles of eukaryotic cells, and the like. Bond formation may be promoted. It is also possible to produce peptides having intramolecular disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm of host cells such as E.
- the peptides are obtained directly in a soluble, folded state, or in the form of inclusion bodies. It can be recovered in form and then restored in vitro. Furthermore, a host cell having an oxidizing intracellular environment can be selected, and a peptide having an intramolecular disulfide bond in its cytoplasm can be produced. On the other hand, when the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide does not have an intramolecular disulfide bond, it can be produced in a cell section having a reducing redox environment, for example, in the cytoplasm of Gram-negative bacteria.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention was prepared by using a solid phase synthesis method of peptide by Merrifield et al., T-butoxycarbonyl (Boc), 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) or the like. It can also be produced by other methods known to those skilled in the art, such as chemical synthesis exemplified by organic synthetic chemical peptide synthesis, in vitro translation, and the like.
- composition also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide, or a conjugate thereof.
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or the conjugate pharmaceutical composition thereof of the present invention is induced or exacerbated by HTRA1 and inhibits or suppresses the expression or function of HTRA1 to suppress, cure, or treat such induction or exacerbation.
- HTRA1-related diseases or “HTRA1-related diseases”
- HTRA1-related diseases include various diseases that can suppress the induction or exacerbation by suppressing photoreceptor cell degeneration, cure, maintain or improve symptoms, and avoid secondary diseases.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention has an inhibitory effect on photoreceptor cell degeneration, and is useful for treating and / or preventing an HTRA1-related disease.
- HTRA1-related diseases include various hereditary and non-hereditary eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, a disease associated with hereditary photoreceptor degeneration, PDE6 gene mutation (for example, a Pde6b gene encoding a mouse PDE6 ⁇ subunit, Mutations in the corresponding human gene PDE6B) or diseases associated with photoreceptor degeneration caused by PDE6 protein dysfunction (hereinafter collectively referred to as “PDE6 protein dysfunction-related diseases”).
- PDE6 protein dysfunction-related diseases diseases associated with photoreceptor degeneration caused by PDE6 protein dysfunction
- the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used for treating or preventing an HTRA1-related disease can be performed, for example, in an Rd10 retinitis pigmentosa model mouse (where the Pde6b gene encoding the PDE6 ⁇ subunit has a mutation).
- the administration of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention can be confirmed by an increase in extraretinal granular layer compared to the control group (Example 15).
- an increase in HTRA1 gene expression in a model animal having a rhodopsin gene mutation was correlated with photoreceptor cell degeneration (Example 16).
- the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is used for the treatment or prevention of retinitis pigmentosa, a disease associated with hereditary (restriction of rhodopsin gene) photoreceptor cell degeneration other than retinitis pigmentosa, and / or a disease associated with PDE6 protein dysfunction.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention has excellent tissue permeability (Example 11), excellent physical properties / stability, safety, kinetics after administration, productivity, etc., and as an active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition. It can be suitably contained.
- the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention contains a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or a conjugate thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, solubilizer, emulsifier, preservative and / or adjuvant. I can do it.
- “Therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount” means an amount that produces a therapeutic or prophylactic effect for a particular disease, dosage form and route of administration, and is synonymous with “pharmacologically effective amount”.
- the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention includes pH, osmotic pressure, viscosity, transparency, color, isotonicity, sterility, stability of the composition or the peptide of the present invention contained therein, its conjugate, solubility, Release, absorption, permeability, dosage form, strength, properties, shape, etc. can be changed, maintained, or retained (hereinafter referred to as “pharmaceutical substances”). it can.
- the substance for preparation is not particularly limited as long as it is a pharmacologically acceptable substance.
- non-toxicity or low toxicity is a property that a substance for pharmaceutical preparation preferably has.
- Examples of the substance for preparation include, but are not limited to, the following: amino acids such as glycine, alanine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine or lysine, antibacterial agents, ascorbic acid , Sodium sulphate or sodium bisulfite, etc., antioxidants such as phosphoric acid, citric acid, borate buffer, sodium bicarbonate, buffers such as Tris-HCl solution, fillers such as mannitol and glycine, ethylenediamine Chelating agents such as tetraacetic acid (EDTA), complexing agents such as caffeine, polyvinylpyrrolidine, ⁇ -cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl- ⁇ -cyclodextrin, bulking agents such as glucose, mannose and dextrin, monosaccharides and disaccharides; Glucose, mannose and dextrin Other carbohydrates, coloring agents, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers and hydrophil
- the amount of the substance for these preparations is 0.001 to 1000 times, preferably 0.01 to 100 times, more preferably 0.1 to 10 times the weight of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide.
- the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention also includes a liposome containing the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or a conjugate thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing a modified product of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or the conjugate thereof and the liposome. .
- Excipients and carriers are usually liquids or solids, and are not particularly limited as long as they are substances used in water for injection, physiological saline, artificial cerebrospinal fluid, and other preparations for oral administration or parenteral administration.
- physiological saline examples include neutral ones and those containing serum albumin.
- a Tris buffer prepared so that the final pH of the pharmaceutical composition becomes 7.0 to 8.5
- an acetate buffer also prepared so as to have a final pH of 4.0 to 5.5
- a similar buffer examples thereof include a citrate buffer prepared to be 0 to 8.0, a histidine buffer similarly prepared to be 5.0 to 8.0, and the like.
- composition of the present invention is a solid, liquid, suspension or the like. Lyophilized preparations can be mentioned. Excipients such as sucrose can be used to mold the lyophilized formulation.
- the administration route of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be any of ophthalmic administration, enteral administration, topical administration and parenteral administration, for example, ophthalmic administration onto the conjunctiva, intravitreal administration, intravenous administration, intraarterial administration, muscle administration Internal administration, intradermal administration, subcutaneous administration, intraperitoneal administration, transdermal administration, intraosseous administration, intraarticular administration and the like can be mentioned.
- composition of such a pharmaceutical composition can be determined according to the administration method, the HTRA1 binding affinity of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide, and the like.
- the dose of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or the conjugate thereof of the present invention is not limited as long as it is a pharmacologically effective amount.
- the species of the individual, the type of the disease, the symptoms, the sex, the age, the chronic disease, the HTRA1 protein of the peptide It can be appropriately determined according to the binding affinity or its biological activity and other factors, but is usually 0.01 to 1000 mg / kg, preferably 0.1 to 100 mg / kg, every 1 to 180 days. It can be administered twice, or twice or three times a day.
- compositions include injections (including freeze-dried preparations and drops), suppositories, nasal absorption preparations, transdermal absorption preparations, sublinguals, capsules, tablets, ointments, granules, and aerosols. Preparations, pills, powders, suspensions, emulsions, eye drops, bioimplantable preparations and the like.
- a pharmaceutical composition containing an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or a conjugate thereof as an active ingredient can be administered simultaneously or separately with other drugs.
- a pharmaceutical composition containing an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or a conjugate thereof as an active ingredient is administered after administering another pharmaceutical, or after administering such a pharmaceutical composition, administering another pharmaceutical, or administering the pharmaceutical.
- the composition and the other medicament may be administered simultaneously.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or its conjugate and the other drug may be contained in either a single preparation or separate preparations (a plurality of preparations).
- drugs used in combination with the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include, for example, anti-VEGF agents, anti-inflammatory agents, inflammatory cytokine neutralizing agents, complement activation pathway inhibitors, and the like.
- the anti-VEGF agent is classified into an anti-VEGF antibody, a VEGF inhibitor, a VEGF receptor antagonist, a soluble VEGF receptor and the like, and includes bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, pegaptanib, brlocizumab and the like.
- the anti-inflammatory agent is not particularly limited as long as it can be locally administered to suppress intraocular or intra-articular inflammation.
- the inflammatory cytokine neutralizing agent includes an anti-TNF ⁇ antibody, an anti-interleukin-6 (hereinafter, referred to as “IL-6”) antibody, an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, a soluble TNF receptor and the like. Include infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, certolizumab, tocilizumab, etanercept and the like. Examples of the complement activation pathway inhibitor include ramparizumab and the like. They are suitable for treating or preventing a disease relating to HTRA1, but can also be combined with the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention in treating or preventing a disease other than a disease relating to HTRA1.
- IL-6 anti-interleukin-6
- These other medicaments may be one or two, three or more may be administered or received. Collectively, they are referred to as the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention and "combination with other drugs” or “combination with other drugs", and in addition to the antibody of the present invention, its binding fragment or its modified form, other drugs are used. Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention that include or are used in combination with other therapies are also included in the present invention as “combination with other medicaments” or “combinations with other medicaments.”
- the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing a disease relating to HTRA1, such as retinitis pigmentosa, including a step of administering an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or a conjugate thereof, and for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing the disease.
- the present invention also provides use of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or the conjugate thereof of the present invention, and use of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or the conjugate thereof for treating or preventing the disease.
- a therapeutic or prophylactic kit comprising the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide of the present invention or a conjugate thereof is also included in the present invention.
- the present invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of an HTRA1 peptide or a conjugate thereof, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, or an HTRA1 inhibitor comprising the polynucleotide or the vector or comprising the polynucleotide.
- a pharmaceutical composition comprising a cell that expresses the peptide or a conjugate thereof.
- such a polynucleotide and a vector can be applied to gene therapy for a disease associated with HTRA1 and such cells can be applied to cell therapy for a disease associated with HTRA1, using a known technique.
- cells for cell therapy can be prepared by introducing such a polynucleotide or vector into autologous cells or allogeneic cells (allogeneic cells).
- Such polynucleotides and vectors are also included in the present invention as compositions for preparing cell therapeutics.
- embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition containing the polynucleotide, vector, cell, etc. of the present invention are not limited to those described above.
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or the conjugate thereof of the present invention may have an HTRA1 binding activity in addition to the HTRA1 protease inhibitory activity, and is used as a positive control in HTRA1 inhibitor search research, etc.
- detection and diagnosis utilizing the detection, separation of HTRA1, reagents and other uses.
- detection or separation of HTRA1 at least one of the peptide of the present invention and HTRA1 may be immobilized.
- test composition comprising the peptide of the present invention or a conjugate thereof that binds to HTRA1.
- the diagnostic composition of the present invention is useful for testing or diagnosing HTRA1-related diseases, HTRA1 expression and the like.
- the test or diagnosis for example, the determination or measurement of disease risk, the determination of the presence or absence of disease, the measurement of the degree of progression or exacerbation, the effect of drug treatment with a pharmaceutical composition containing an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or a conjugate thereof , Measurement or determination of the effects of treatments other than drug treatment, measurement of the risk of recurrence, determination of the presence or absence of recurrence, and the like, but are not limited to tests and diagnoses.
- the diagnostic composition of the present invention is useful for identifying the peptide of the present invention or a conjugate thereof, a composition containing them, and an individual to whom a pharmaceutical composition containing them is administered.
- Such a diagnostic composition may contain a pH buffer, an osmotic pressure regulator, a salt, a stabilizer, a preservative, a color developer, a sensitizer, a coagulation inhibitor and the like.
- the present invention relates to a method for testing or diagnosing a disease associated with HTRA1, the use of the peptide of the present invention for preparing a diagnostic composition for the disease, and the present invention binding to HTRA1 for testing or diagnosing the disease. Or a conjugate thereof.
- a test or diagnostic kit containing such a peptide of the present invention or a conjugate thereof is also included in the present invention.
- sandwich ELISA is preferable, but ordinary ELISA method, RIA method, ELISPOT method, dot blot method, octalony method, CIE method, CLIA, flow cytometry, etc. Detection methods are available. Inspection or diagnosis is also possible by a method utilizing immunoprecipitation.
- the present invention also provides a method for detecting or measuring HTRA1 in a test sample.
- the diagnostic composition of the present invention can be used.
- HTRA1 in the sample is detected by contacting the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide or its conjugate with a test sample (step 1), and then measuring the amount or measurement of HTRA1 bound to the peptide (step 2). be able to.
- step 1 for example, an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide conjugated with an immunoglobulin Fc region is immobilized on magnetic beads via protein G, and a test sample is added thereto.
- magnetic beads can be separated, and soluble proteins precipitated together with the beads can be analyzed by SDS-PAGE or Western blot method to detect HTRA1.
- test samples derived from biological individuals include, for example, blood, synovial fluid, ascites, lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, alveolar lavage, saliva, sputum, tissue homogenate supernatant, tissue sections, and the like. It is not limited.
- HTRA1 The detection of HTRA1 can be performed not only in vitro but also in vivo.
- diagnostic imaging an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide labeled with a pharmaceutically acceptable radionuclide or luminophore, or a conjugate thereof can be used.
- Step 1 the labeled peptide or a conjugate thereof is administered to a subject.
- Step 2 for example, an image is taken using an image diagnostic technique such as PET / CT, and the presence of HTRA1 is determined. Judgment or inspection can be given.
- the peptide or conjugate thereof contained in the diagnostic composition of the present invention binds to HTRA1, and preferably has HTRA1 specific binding activity.
- a method for identifying an individual to which the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is administered is also included in the present invention.
- HTRA1 in the sample derived from the individual is measured using the HTRA1 binding peptide of the present invention, and HTRA1 is detected in the sample or HTRA1 detected in the sample derived from a healthy individual. If more HTRA1 is detected as compared to the amount, the individual can be determined to be positive.
- the diagnostic composition of the present invention can be used.
- the individual has or is at risk for an HTRA1-related disease.
- the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered to an individual determined to be positive by the identification method.
- HTRA1 can be specifically separated from a sample in which HTRA1 and other components are mixed by using the peptide of the present invention having specific binding activity to HTRA1 or a conjugate thereof.
- the release of HTRA1 from the peptide can be performed non-selectively at relatively high ionic strength, low pH, moderate denaturing conditions, in the presence of chaotropic salts, etc., but within a range that does not diminish the protease activity of HTRA1. It is preferable to carry out.
- an HTRA1-related disease preferably retinitis pigmentosa, hereditary photoreceptor cells other than retinitis pigmentosa, using HTRA1 inhibitory activity as an index
- a method for identifying a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for a disease associated with degeneration and / or a disease associated with PDE6 protein dysfunction, or a candidate thereof includes the steps of incubating an HTRA1 protease and a substrate in the presence or absence of a test substance (or in the presence of a vehicle), and determining the HTRA1 protease activity in the presence and absence of a test substance.
- the test substance is treated with retinitis pigmentosa, retina Step 3 of determining a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for a disease associated with hereditary photoreceptor degeneration other than pigmentary degeneration and / or a disease associated with PDE6 protein dysfunction, or a candidate thereof.
- the test substance may be peptidic or non-peptidic.
- the peptidic property is not limited to the SPINK2 mutant, but may be an antibody, a peptide other than the SPINK2 mutant having a protein non-immunoglobulin skeleton, HTRA1 Substrate analogs and the like can be exemplified, and non-peptidic ones can be exemplified by synthetic low molecular weight compounds, nucleic acids and the like, but are not limited thereto.
- one or more of the above steps can be suitably included in a method for identifying a substance having a photoreceptor cell degeneration inhibitory effect or a candidate thereof.
- the present invention also relates to a method for identifying a substance having an inhibitory effect on photoreceptor cell degeneration or a candidate thereof.
- Embodiment 1 Preparation of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide (1-1) Construction of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide expression vector (1-1-1) Construction of pET 32a (modified) _HTRA1 inhibitory peptide
- an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide expression vector having SPINK2 scaffold as a skeleton was constructed. .
- the nucleotide sequence of each inhibitory peptide SEQ ID NOs: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22
- the nucleotide sequence of SPINK2 SEQ ID NO: 2
- the following primers and KOD-plus- The inhibitor fragment was amplified by the PCR method using (TOYOBO) ((94 ° C. 15 seconds, 60 ° C.
- Primer 1 5'-AAAAGAATTCTGATCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAG-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 33)
- Primer 2 5'-AAAACTCGAGTTATGCCGGCCGCAGACGCGCCGCACGGACC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 34)
- the transformed Escherichia coli was inoculated into a Terrific Broth medium (Invitrogen) containing 0.1 mg / ml ampicillin, cultured at 37 ° C. overnight, and the plasmid DNA was recovered using QIAprep 96 Turbo Miniprep Kit (Qiagen). (Hereinafter referred to as “miniprep treatment”), and sequence analysis was performed to construct “pET32a (modified) _HTRA1 inhibitory peptide”.
- Primer 3 5'-AAAAGGATCCCTGGACAAACGTGATCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTTAG-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 35)
- Primer 4 5'-AAAACTCGAGTTTAGCCGCCGCACGGACCATTGCGAATAATTTTTA-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 36)
- the prepared DNA fragment and pET32a were treated with the restriction enzymes BamHI (NEB) and XhoI (NEB) at 37 ° C. for 1 hour or more.
- the cells were collected by centrifugation (3,000 g, 20 minutes, 4 ° C.), lysate was prepared using BugBuster Master Mix (Novagen), and His Tag fusion target protein was prepared using TALON Metal Affinity Resin (Clontech). Purified.
- the thioredoxin tag and the desired protein were cleaved using a Thrombin Cleavage Capture Kit (Novagen) and purified using TALON.
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptides were prepared by subjecting them to gel filtration chromatography (Superdex75 10/300 GL) or reversed phase chromatography (YMC-Pack ODS-AM).
- Escherichia coli Origami ⁇ B ⁇ (DE3) (Novagen) was transformed with the vector pET ⁇ 32a_HTRA1 inhibitory peptide_Kex2 constructed in (1-1-2), and the mixture was incubated at 37 ° C. using 2YT medium containing 0.1 mg / ml ampicillin. After the culture, IPTG (final concentration 1 mM) was added, and the cells were cultured at 16 ° C overnight. The next day, after collecting cells by centrifugation (3,000 g, 20 minutes, 4 ° C.), lysate was prepared using BugBuster Master Mix (Novagen), and HisHtag fusion target protein was prepared using TALON Metal Affinity Resin (Clontech). Purified.
- the thiodexoxin tag and the desired protein were cut with Kex2 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Accession CAA96143) and purified using TALON. Furthermore, by subjecting to gel filtration chromatography (Superdex75 @ 10/300 @ GL) or reversed-phase chromatography (YMC-Pack @ ODS-AM), the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide (the tag and linker at the N-terminal and C-terminal) are conjugated. No) was prepared.
- FIG. 1 shows the sequence similarity of human / mouse / rat / monkey HTRA1.
- the primary sequence constituting the HTRA1 protease domain (204Gly-364Leu), which is the enzyme active domain, is completely identical in humans and monkeys.
- the human and mouse or rat HTRA1 protease domain sequences differ by one residue, it is presumed that the residue is located on the opposite side of the enzyme activity center and thus does not affect the enzyme activity center. (FIG. 1). Therefore, since the HTRA1 protease domain has the same sequence regardless of the species of human / mouse / rat / monkey, the species is not specified.
- Primer 5 5'-AAACATATGGGGCAGGAAGATCCCAACAGTTTTGC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 37)
- Primer 6 5'-AAACTCGAGTTTGGCCTGTCGGTCATGGGACTC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 38)
- HTRA1 (cat) The constructed pET 21b_HTRA1 (cat) was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) (Novagen), and was cultured at 37 ° C. using 2YT medium containing 0.1 mg / ml ampicillin. After the culture, IPTG (final concentration 1 mM) was added, and the cells were cultured at 28 ° C. overnight. After harvesting, the cells were suspended in a phosphate buffer (50 mM sodium phosphate, 300 mM NaCl) containing 1 mg / ml lysozyme, and lysate was prepared by sonication.
- phosphate buffer 50 mM sodium phosphate, 300 mM NaCl
- Primer 7 5'-AAAAGAATTCGCCACCCATGCAGATTCCTAGAGCCG-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 39)
- Primer 8 5'-AAAACTCGAGTCAGGTGGTGATGGTGGTGGTGGGCCGG-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 40)
- the prepared DNA fragment and pcDNA3.1 are treated with restriction enzymes EcoRI (NEB) and XhoI (NEB) at 37 ° C. for 1 hour or more.
- Primer 7 Primer 9 5'-CTTGTCGTCATCGTCCTTGTAGTCGCCGGGGTCGATTTCTCC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 41)
- fragment B was amplified by a PCR method ((94 ° C. 15 seconds, 60 ° C. 30 seconds, 68 ° C. 10 seconds) ⁇ 30 cycles) using the following primers and KOD-plus- (TOYOBO).
- Primer 10 5′-GCGACTACAAGGACGATGACGACAAGCACCACCACCATCATCAC-3 ′ (SEQ ID NO: 42)
- Primer 11 5'-AAAAAACTCGAGCTAGTGATGATGTGTGGTGGTGCTTGTCGCTC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 43)
- primers 7 and 11 and a desired PCR method ((94 ° C. 15 seconds, 60 ° C. 30 seconds, 68 ° C. 90 seconds) ⁇ 30 cycles) using KOD-plus- (TOYOBO)
- the DNA fragment was amplified.
- the prepared DNA fragment and pcDNA3.3 (a vector using ThermoFisher Scientific) as a template) are treated with restriction enzymes EcoRI (NEB) and XhoI (NEB) at 37 ° C. for 1 hour or more, and subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis.
- EcoRI EcoRI
- XhoI NEB
- the ligation solution was added to E. coli JM109 (TOYOBO), left on ice for 30 minutes, heat-treated at 42 ° C. for 45 seconds, further left on ice for 5 minutes, and placed on a 2YT plate containing 0.1 mg / ml ampicillin. After the seeding, Escherichia coli was transformed by static culturing at 37 ° C. overnight. After culturing the transformed E. coli, miniprep and sequence analysis were performed to construct "pcDNA3.3_HTRA1 (full) _FLAG_His". The operation was performed according to the method described in (1-1-1).
- Primer 21 5′-CCATCATCAACTACGGCAACGCGGGGCGACCCCTCGTGGAACC-3 ′ (SEQ ID NO: 55: FIG. 76)
- Primer 22 5'-GGTTCACGAGGGTCCGCCCGCGTTGCCGTAGTTGATGATGG-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 56: FIG. 77)
- Escherichia coli JM109 TOYOBO
- miniprep and sequence analysis were performed to construct “pcDNA3.3_HTRA1 (S328A) _FLAG_His”.
- Embodiment 3 FIG. Evaluation of HTRA1 inhibitory activity of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide (3-1) Evaluation of HTRA1 inhibitory activity of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide using peptide substrate Substrate peptide H2-Opt (Mca-IRRVSYSFK (Dnp) K) (Peptide Research Institute: SEQ ID NO: 54) , FIG. 8) was dissolved in DMSO to a concentration of 10 mM, diluted with an Assay buffer (50 mM borate, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.5) and used at a final concentration of 10 ⁇ M.
- Assay buffer 50 mM borate, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.5
- HTRA1 HTRA1 (cat) or HTRA1 (full)) diluted with Assay buffer and HTRA1 inhibitory peptide were each mixed in a volume of 25 ⁇ L, and reacted at 37 ° C. for 20 minutes. Then, 50 ⁇ L of substrate diluted with Assay buffer was added, and Enspirire (PerkinElmer ), The fluorescence signal (excitation 328 nm / emission 393 nm) was measured.
- HTRA1 was used at a final concentration of 100 nM
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptide was used at a final concentration of 1.875 to 1,000 nM
- the reaction and measurement were performed using Proteosave (registered trademark) SS96F black plate (Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.).
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide degradation rate of each HTRA1 inhibitory peptide was calculated at each concentration, and the HTRA1 (cat) and HTRA1 (full) inhibitory activities of each HTRA1 inhibitory peptide were evaluated, with the degradation rate at an inhibitor concentration of 0 nM being 100% (FIG. 2 and FIG. 2). 3).
- IC50 50% inhibitory concentration
- GraphPad ⁇ Prime ⁇ version 5.0; ⁇ GraphPad Software Inc.
- wild-type SPINK2 (wt) did not show HTRA1 inhibitory activity (FIG. 2D).
- HTRA1 inhibitory activity of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide using protein substrate The HTRA1 inhibitory activity of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide was evaluated using human Vitronectin as a protein substrate.
- HTRA1 cat
- Assay buffer 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.0
- human Vitronectin BD Biosciences; 354238
- Assay buffer 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.0
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptide The final concentration of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide was 0 to 25 ⁇ M, the final concentration of HTRA1 (cat) was 1 ⁇ M, and the final concentration of human Vitronectin was 1 ⁇ M.
- HTRA1 human Vitronectin Antibody
- MAB2349 Human Vitronectin Antibody
- Anti-Mouse IgG, HRP-Linked Whole Ab Sheep GE Heal
- the HTRA1-inhibiting peptide showed strong HTRA1 (cat) inhibition even when human itronectin was used as a substrate (FIG. 4).
- Example 2 the same assay buffer (50 mM borate, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.5) as in Example 2 was used in the evaluation of HTRA2 activity, and the assay buffer (50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.0) was used in the evaluation of protease activities other than HTRA2.
- a Proteo Save (registered trademark) SS96F black plate (Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.) was used.
- the combinations of proteases and substrates used for the specificity evaluation are as follows.
- Bovine trypsin inhibitory activity evaluation of Bovine trypsin inhibitory activity; final concentration 5 nM trypsin (Pierce; 20233), final concentration 100 ⁇ M substrate peptide Boc-VPR-AMC Fluorogenic Peptide Substrate (R & D Systems; ES011) Evaluation of Bovine ⁇ -chymotrypsin inhibitory activity; final concentration 10 nM chymotrypsin (Worthington Biochemical Corporation; LS001434), final concentration 100 ⁇ M.
- each HTRA1 inhibitory peptide did not suppress protease activity for any protease, indicating that the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide has an HTRA1-specific inhibitory effect (FIG. 5).
- Embodiment 4 FIG. Analysis of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide using X-ray crystal structure (4-1) Preparation of HTRA1 (cat) / HTRA1 inhibitory peptide complex According to the method described in (1-2) and (2-1), HTRA1 (cat) And an HTRA1 inhibitory peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 was prepared. After mixing them under the conditions of 20 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.6, the complex was isolated and purified by gel filtration chromatography (Superdex 200 10/300 GL).
- the phase was determined by a molecular replacement method using Serine protease HTRA1 (PDB ID: 3NZI) as a template, and after structure refinement, a complex crystal of HTRA1 (cat) / the peptide was determined at a resolution of 2.6A.
- PDB ID: 3NZI Serine protease HTRA1
- a complex crystal of HTRA1 (cat) / the peptide was determined at a resolution of 2.6A.
- One unit of each of HTRA1 and SPINK2 was contained in the unit cell.
- a partial molecular model including an interaction site with HTRA1 (cat) was constructed based on the sequence information and the observed electron density.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide was found to bind to the region containing the HTRA1 enzyme active center (FIGS. 6 and 7).
- Embodiment 5 Retinal protection effect by HTRA1 inhibition in rat light-irradiated retinal disorder model (5-1)
- rat light-irradiated retinal disorder model is a model that induces cell death of retinal photoreceptors by light irradiation. It is widely used as a model animal for degeneration (Daniel T. Organisciak et al., (1996) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 37 (11): 2243-2257).
- the rats that had been dark-adapted for 72 hours were instilled with 0.5% (W / V) tropicamide-0.5% phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution under dark adaptation, and then irradiated with 5500 Lux white light for 3 hours. After irradiation, the animals were dark-adapted for about 24 hours, and then returned to normal light and dark conditions and reared for 2 days. After euthanasia, the eyeball is removed and immersed in a fixative of 3.7% (W / V) formaldehyde-0.5 to 1% (W / V) methanol-0.2% (W / V) picric acid for 24 hours or more. And fixed. After embedding in paraffin, thin sections were prepared.
- the vitreous humor was subjected to SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, and the primary antibody Human HTRA1 / PRSS11 Antibody (R & D Systems; AF2916) and the secondary antibody Sheep IgG Horseradish Peroxidase-Conjugated Aid. did. Since an increase in the amount of HTRA1 in the vitreous humor was observed in the light-irradiated group as compared with the non-irradiated group, it is considered that HTRA1 is involved in the process of retinal damage due to light irradiation in this model (FIG. 9).
- Embodiment 6 FIG. Evaluation of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide derivative (6-1) Construction of pET32a_HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308_S16A_Kex2 Using HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308 as a template, an amino acid in which Ser. A derivative S16A having the sequence was prepared. Fragment C was amplified by a PCR method ((94 ° C. 15 seconds, 60 ° C. 30 seconds, 68 ° C. 15 seconds) ⁇ 30 cycles) using the following primers and KOD-plus- (TOYOBO).
- Primer 12 5′-CCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTTAGCAAATATCGTACCCCGAATTGT-3 ′ (SEQ ID NO: 44)
- Primer 13 5'-GCCATACCAGCATGGTCCGCACAATTCGGGGGTACGATATTTGC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 45)
- a PCR method ((94 ° C. 15 seconds, 60 ° C. 30 seconds, 68 ° C. 20 seconds) ⁇ 30 cycles) performed fragment F was amplified.
- Primer 14 5′-GCGGACCATGCTGGTATGGCATGTGTTTGCTCTGTATGACAC-3 ′ (SEQ ID NO: 46)
- Primer 15 5'-AAAACTCGAGTTTAGCCGCCGCACGGACCATTGCGAATAA-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 47)
- a desired DNA fragment was amplified by a PCR method ((94 ° C. 15 seconds, 60 ° C. 30 seconds, 68 ° C. 20 seconds) ⁇ 30 cycles) using fragments C and D, the following primers, and KOD-plus- (TOYOBO).
- Primer 16 5'-AAAAGGATCCCTGGACAAACGTGATCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTTAG-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 48) Primer 15
- a desired DNA fragment was cut out, and DNA was prepared using a QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN).
- the prepared DNA fragment and pET32a (Novagen) were treated with the restriction enzymes BamHI (NEB) and XhoI (NEB) at 37 ° C. for 1 hour or more.
- the desired DNA fragment was cut out, and QIAquick PCR was performed. Purification was performed by Purification Kit (QIAGEN).
- each purified fragment was reacted at 16 ° C. overnight to perform a ligation reaction.
- the ligation solution was added to E. coli JM109 (TOYOBO), left on ice for 30 minutes, heat-treated at 42 ° C. for 45 seconds, further left on ice for 5 minutes, and placed on a 2YT plate containing 0.1 mg / ml ampicillin.
- Escherichia coli was transformed by static culturing at 37 ° C. overnight. After culturing the transformed Escherichia coli, miniprep and sequence analysis were performed to construct "pET32a_HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308_S16A_Kex2". The operation was performed according to the method described in (1-1-1).
- the prepared DNA fragment and pET32a (Novagen) were treated with the restriction enzymes BamHI (NEB) and XhoI (NEB) at 37 ° C. for 1 hour or more. After agarose gel electrophoresis, the desired DNA fragment was cut out, and QIAquick PCR was performed. Purification was performed by Purification Kit (QIAGEN). Using T4 DNA Ligase (NEB), each purified fragment was reacted at 16 ° C. overnight to perform a ligation reaction. The ligation solution was added to E. coli JM109 (TOYOBO), left on ice for 30 minutes, heat-treated at 42 ° C.
- BamHI BamHI
- XhoI XhoI
- Escherichia coli was transformed by static culturing at 37 ° C. overnight. After culturing the transformed E.
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptide derivatives were prepared using Kex2 (described above) and purified using TALON. Furthermore, it was subjected to gel filtration chromatography (Superdex75 10/300 GL) or reversed phase chromatography (YMC-Pack ODS-AM) to prepare five HTRA1 inhibitory peptide derivatives.
- the amino acid sequence of the derivative is described in SEQ ID NOs: 23 to 27 (FIGS. 35 to 39).
- (6-4) Evaluation of HTRA1 inhibitor peptide derivative According to the method described in (3-1), the HTRA1 (cat) inhibitory activity was measured. As a result, the inhibitory activity of each derivative was equivalent to that of H308 (FIG. 11).
- Embodiment 7 FIG. Evaluation of binding property between HTRA1 inhibitory peptide and HTRA1 (cat) Using three kinds of HTRA1 inhibitory peptides (H308, H321AT, H322AT) prepared in Example (1-2) and HTRA1 (cat) prepared in (2-1) The binding was evaluated by immunoprecipitation. After reacting 2.5 ⁇ g of each HTRA1 inhibitory peptide with 10 ⁇ g of HTRA1 (cat) at room temperature for 30 minutes, 10 ⁇ L of TALON Metal Affinity Resin (Clontech) was added. Resin after further reaction for 30 minutes was collected as an Immunoprecipitation (IP) fraction and subjected to SDS-PAGE to evaluate the binding property. In addition, PBS was used as a buffer for the reaction.
- IP Immunoprecipitation
- HTRA1 HTRA1 (cat) or HTRA1 (full); Example 2) diluted with Assay buffer and the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide were mixed in 25 ⁇ L portions, respectively, and allowed to react at 37 ° C. for 20 minutes. After that, 50 ⁇ L of the substrate diluted in Assay buffer was added. The fluorescence signal (excitation 328 nm / emission 393 nm) was measured with Enspire (PerkinElmer).
- HTRA1 was used at a final concentration of 10 nM, and HTRA1 inhibitory peptide was used at a final concentration of 1.875 to 1,000 nM.
- a Proteosave registered trademark
- SS96F black plate Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
- the substrate peptide degradation rate of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide at each concentration was calculated, and the HTRA1 (cat) and HTRA1 (full) inhibitory activity of each HTRA1 inhibitory peptide was evaluated, with the degradation rate at an inhibitor concentration of 0 nM being 100%.
- HTRA1 inhibitory peptide showed strong HTRA1 (cat) inhibition even when human Vitronectin was used as a substrate (FIG. 67).
- a Proteosave (registered trademark) SS96F black plate (Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.) was used, and the protease (diluted with Assay @ buffer) and the sample (final concentration: 1 ⁇ M) were mixed at 25 ⁇ L each and reacted at 37 ° C. for 20 minutes. After that, 50 ⁇ L of the substrate diluted with Assay @ buffer was added, and the fluorescent signal was measured with Enspire (PerkinElmer).
- Human Factor XIIa inhibitory activity evaluation final concentration 100 nM Factor Alpha-XIIa (Enzyme Research Research Laboratories), final concentration 100 ⁇ M substrate peptide Pyr-Gly-Arg-MCA (Peptide Research Institute; 3145-v), fluorescence signal excitation 380 nm / nm .
- Embodiment 9 FIG. Evaluation of binding property between HTRA1 inhibitory peptide and HTRA1 (cat) Immunoprecipitation according to the procedure of Example 7 using the three HTRA1 inhibitory peptides prepared in Example 6 and HTRA1 (cat) prepared in (2-1). The binding was evaluated by the method.
- Embodiment 10 FIG. Protective effect of HTRA1 on retinal protection in rat light-irradiated retinal disorder model (Part 2) Using the rat light-irradiated retinal disorder model constructed in Example (5-1), the retinal protective effects of the three HTRA1 inhibitory peptides prepared in Example 6 were evaluated. The operation was in accordance with Example 5. The number of cases was 6 in each group.
- the results of the retinal pathology evaluation are shown in FIG.
- the three HTRA1 inhibitory peptides showed a remarkable inhibitory effect on the decrease in the number of nuclei contained in the outer nuclear layer caused by light irradiation.
- Embodiment 11 FIG. HTRA1 Inhibition of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells in Rabbit Retinal Injury Model by Hydroquinone-Containing High Fat Diet Load (11-1) Preparation of Rabbit Retinal Disorder Model by Hydroquinone-Containing High Fat Diet Load High Fat Diet (High Fat Diet; HFD)
- a retinal disorder model using quinone and hydroquinone is a model in which oxidative stress is induced by a pro-oxidant to cause retinal disorder, and a model has been reported only in mice (Diego G. Espinosa-Heidmann et al.). , (2006) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.
- Themo Fisher SCIENTIFIC was used for immunostaining.
- the stained choroid was observed using a fluorescence microscope (BZ-9000; KEYENCE), the area of the stained retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells was determined, and RPE cell damage was evaluated.
- FIG. 71 shows the stained images of RPE cells of a 12-week-old rabbit, a 3-year-old rabbit, and a 3-year-old rabbit loaded with HFD-HQ (FIG. 71 (A)) and the average area of the RPE cells (FIG. 71 (B)).
- the graph is shown.
- the RPE cells were larger in the 3-year-old rabbits than in the 12-week-old rabbits, and it was confirmed that the cells were further enlarged by HFD-HQ loading, and it was confirmed that the RPE cells were damaged. Similar changes have been observed in the eyeballs of patients with age-related macular degeneration (Ding JD et al., (2011) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 108 (28): 279-87).
- FIGS. 71 (C) and (D) show the amounts of C3 expression in the retina, RPE cells and choroid. In all the tissues, it was found that the expression level of C3 was increased in the rabbit group to which HFD-HQ was given. (11-3) Increase in the amount of HTRA1 protein during retinal disorder
- vitreous humor was collected from the model rabbit prepared in (6-1), and Trypsin / Lys-C Mix ( After enzymatic digestion using Promega), the peptide fragment of HTRA1 was quantified using LC (EASY-nLC 1000; Thermo Fisher Scientific) -MS (TripleTOF 6600; SCIEX).
- HTRA1 protein was increased in the vitreous humor of rabbits to which HFD-HQ was given (FIG. 71 (E)). From the above, RPE cell hypertrophy and enhanced expression of AMD-related factor C3 and HTRA1 were observed, indicating that the rabbit retinal disorder model is useful for age-related retinal disease research.
- (11-4) Retinal Protective Effect of HTRA1 Inhibitor in Rabbit Retinal Disorder Model The retinal protective effect of the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308 prepared in Example 1 was evaluated using the rabbit model. Two months after the start of HFD-HQ feeding, 50 ⁇ L of a 40 mg / mL H308 solution was intravitreally administered to one eye under anesthesia. The concomitant eyes received intravitreal saline. The number of cases was 5 in each group.
- FIG. 72 (A) the results of evaluation of RPE cell hypertrophy in model animals are shown in FIG. Regarding the average area of RPE cells (FIG. 72 (A)) or the number of enlarged RPE cells having a cell area of 1500 ⁇ m 2 or more (FIG. 72 (B)), the HTRA1 inhibitor showed a significant effect on the RPE cell hypertrophy. The inhibitory effect was shown. As shown in FIG. 71 (E), an increase in HTRA1 was observed in the vitreous humor of the model, suggesting the involvement of HTRA1 in HFD-HQ-induced RPE cell injury. As described above, the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide is useful as an anti-aging macular degeneration agent, and in this test, it was shown to be particularly useful for preventing atrophic age-related macular degeneration.
- Embodiment 12 FIG. Inhibitory Effect of HTRA1 Inhibitory Peptide in VEGF mRNA Induction Test Using Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells ARPE-19 A DMPE containing 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and Penicillin-Streptomycin (Thermo Fisher Scientific-) in ARPE-19 cells. The cells were cultured in a 12-well medium (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) at 37 ° C. and 5% CO 2 in a 12 mm Transwell with 0.4 ⁇ m Pore Polyester Membrane Insert, Sterile (Corning) until they became confluent.
- FBS Fetal bovine serum
- Penicillin-Streptomycin Thermo Fisher Scientific-
- HTRA1 (Example 2-2), HTRA1 protease inactive mutant HTRA1 (S328A) (Example 2-3), or HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308_D1G_S16A (Example 6) are each brought to a final concentration of 1 ⁇ M in the upper and lower layers of the chamber. So added.
- the culture supernatant was removed, and after washing with PBS, mRNA was extracted by SuperPrep TM Cell Lysis & RT Kit for qPCR (Toyobo Co., Ltd.), and a reverse transcription reaction was performed.
- mRNA was extracted by SuperPrep TM Cell Lysis & RT Kit for qPCR (Toyobo Co., Ltd.), and a reverse transcription reaction was performed.
- TaqMan Gene Expression Assays Hs000900055_m1 and Hs02786624_g1; Thermo Fisher Scientific
- the 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System was analyzed by Quantification of Quantitative Analysis of Quantitative Analysis of Fast Real-Time PCR System. GAPDH was used to correct the amount of mRNA.
- FIG. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration inhibitory effect of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308_DIG_S16A (13-1) HUVEC migration test HUVEC (Kurabo Industries) was prepared by using serum and VEGF in EBM TM -2 basic medium (Lonza Walkersville) containing 0.1% BSA. -2 Equipped with EGM TM -2 SingleQuots TM -supplemented factor-free medium (serum-free EGM containing 0.1% BSA) at 37 ° C for 18 hours under 5% CO 2 conditions, and then containing 0.1% BSA. The serum-free EGM was adjusted to 4 ⁇ 10 5 cells / mL.
- EBM TM -2 basic medium Lionza Walkersville
- EGM TM -2 SingleQuots TM -supplemented factor-free medium (serum-free EGM containing 0.1% BSA) at 37 ° C for 18 hours under 5% CO 2 conditions, and then containing 0.1% B
- the results are shown in FIG.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308_DIG_S16A showed an inhibitory effect on HUVEC migration induced in the serum-containing medium. Therefore, it was revealed that the peptide of the present invention has an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis which is a characteristic of wet age-related macular degeneration.
- Embodiment 14 FIG. Retinal protective effect of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide in rabbit retinal disorder model (Part 2) Using the rabbit retinal disorder models produced and evaluated in Examples (11-1) to (11-3), the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide H308 produced in Example 1 or the three HTRA1 inhibitory peptides produced in Example 6 were used. The therapeutic effect on one type of retinal disorder is evaluated. Under anesthesia, 50 ⁇ L of a 40 mg / mL inhibitory peptide solution is intravitreally administered to one eye of a model animal and bred for 2 months. The concomitant eyes receive intravitreal saline. The number of cases in each group is five.
- the RPE cell area or the cell number is increased, whereas in the HTRA1 inhibitor peptide administration group, the RPE cell area or the cell number will be suppressed.
- the HTRA1 inhibitory peptide is useful as an anti-aging macular degeneration agent, and that it is particularly useful in the treatment of atrophic age-related macular degeneration in this example.
- Embodiment 15 FIG. Investigation of photoprotective effect of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide in Rd10 retinitis pigmentosa model mouse (15-1) Rearing of Rd10 mouse B6.
- the CXB1-Pde6brd10 / J (hereinafter Rd10) mouse is a model in which a mutation is found in the Pde6b gene and photoreceptor cell death is induced spontaneously.
- Rd10 The CXB1-Pde6brd10 / J (hereinafter Rd10) mouse is a model in which a mutation is found in the Pde6b gene and photoreceptor cell death is induced spontaneously.
- Widely used as a model animal for retinitis pigmentosa (Vision Res. February 2002; 42 (4): 517-25: Chang B1, Howes NL, Hurd RE, Davisson MT, Nusinowitz S, and Heckenlively By JR.).
- the mice were bred under normal breeding conditions.
- the sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the photoreceptor protective effect was evaluated by correcting the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL layer) of the retinal tomogram with the thickness of the inner nuclear layer (INL layer).
- the measurement point was a central part at two points of 0.6 mm on both sides from the nipple, a central part at two points of 1.8 mm, and an average of two central parts and an average of two peripheral parts, respectively. I asked.
- the statistical analysis used Student's paired-t test method.
- Embodiment 16 FIG. HTRA1 expression analysis in mutant rhodopsin gene [P347L] -introduced rabbits (16-1) HTRA1 mRNA expression analysis in rabbit retina Male 15-week-old wild-type (WT) and mutant rhodopsin gene [P347L] -introduced (Tg) rabbits RNA was extracted from the retina of RNase using RNeasy Mini Kit (QIAGEN), reverse transcribed into cDNA using High-Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit (Thermo Fisher), and then TaqMan probes (ThermoEsAshEsAshEsAg and AesAshEsAg.
- HTRA1 mRNA expression analysis was performed using Thermo Fisher). (16-2) Analysis of site-specific mRNA expression of HTRA1 using laser microdissection
- Male and female 24-week-old WT and Tg rabbit retinas were fixed using 10% neutral buffered formalin, and paraffin-embedded specimens were prepared. After the preparation, sliced Nissl stain was performed. The ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, and outer nuclear layer are cut out from the stained section using LMD6500 (Leica), RNA is extracted using QIAGEN RNeasyFFPEMiniKit (QIAGEN), and then SMARTer Stranded Total RNA-Seq Kit-Pico. Each library was prepared using Input Mammarian (Clontech). The library sequence was comprehensively analyzed using Nextseq (illlumina). Analysis of the marker genes specifically expressed in each layer confirmed that there was no problem in excision. The copy number of HTRA1 mRNA was calculated as TPM (Transscript Per Million) value.
- TPM values in the inner granular layer were 75.79 ⁇ 22.02 and 54.55 ⁇ 13.12
- TPM value in the outer granular layer was 6.21 ⁇ 3.33. And 25.37 ⁇ 6.45 (there was a statistically significant difference between the two values) (the number of cases was 3 to 6).
- (16-3-3) The P347L transgenic rabbit has the same rhodopsin gene mutation as a human retinitis pigmentosa patient. Photoreceptor cell death is induced similarly to human retinitis pigmentosa patients, and photoreceptor cell degeneration is observed under the conditions of 15 to 24 weeks of age used here (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.
- a pharmaceutical composition containing the peptide, the conjugate thereof, etc. provided by the present invention is useful for treatment or prevention of retinitis pigmentosa and the like.
- SEQ ID NO: 1 amino acid sequence of human SPINK2 (FIG. 13)
- SEQ ID NO: 2 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of human SPINK2 (FIG. 14)
- SEQ ID NO: 3 Amino acid sequence of peptide H218 (FIG. 15)
- SEQ ID NO: 4 Nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H218 (FIG. 16)
- SEQ ID NO: 6 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H223 (FIG. 18)
- SEQ ID NO: 7 amino acid sequence of peptide H228 (FIG.
- SEQ ID NO: 8 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H228 (FIG. 20)
- SEQ ID NO: 9 amino acid sequence of peptide H308 (FIG. 21)
- SEQ ID NO: 10 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H308 (FIG. 22)
- SEQ ID NO: 11 Amino acid sequence of peptide H321 (FIG. 23)
- SEQ ID NO: 12 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H321 (FIG. 24)
- SEQ ID NO: 13 Amino acid sequence of peptide H322 (FIG.
- SEQ ID NO: 14 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide H322 (FIG. 26)
- SEQ ID NO: 15 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H308AT (FIG. 27)
- SEQ ID NO: 16 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H308AT (FIG. 28)
- SEQ ID NO: 17 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H321AT (FIG. 29)
- SEQ ID NO: 18 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H321AT (FIG. 30)
- SEQ ID NO: 20 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H322AT (FIG. 32)
- SEQ ID NO: 21 Amino acid sequence of peptide M7 (FIG. 33)
- SEQ ID NO: 22 nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of peptide M7 (FIG. 34)
- SEQ ID NO: 23 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H308_S16A (FIG. 35)
- SEQ ID NO: 24 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H308_D1G_S16A (FIG. 36)
- SEQ ID NO: 25 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H308_D1S_S16A (FIG.
- SEQ ID NO: 26 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H308_D1E_S16A (FIG. 38)
- SEQ ID NO: 27 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H308_D1SLI_S16A (FIG. 39)
- SEQ ID NO: 28 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H321AT_D1G_S16A (FIG. 40)
- SEQ ID NO: 29 Amino acid sequence of peptide derivative H322AT_D1G_S16A (FIG. 41)
- SEQ ID NO: 30 General formula of HTRA1 inhibitory peptide (FIG. 42)
- SEQ ID NO: 31 Amino acid sequence consisting of S tag and linker (FIG.
- SEQ ID NO: 32 Amino acid sequence of C-terminal 6-mer (FIG. 44)
- SEQ ID NO: 33 nucleotide sequence of primer 1 (FIG. 45)
- SEQ ID NO: 34 nucleotide sequence of primer 2 (FIG. 46)
- SEQ ID NO: 35 nucleotide sequence of primer 3 (FIG. 47)
- SEQ ID NO: 36 Nucleotide sequence of primer 4 (FIG. 48)
- SEQ ID NO: 38 Nucleotide sequence of primer 6 (FIG. 50)
- SEQ ID NO: 39 nucleotide sequence of primer 7 (FIG.
- SEQ ID NO: 40 nucleotide sequence of primer 8 (FIG. 52)
- SEQ ID NO: 41 nucleotide sequence of primer 9 (FIG. 53)
- SEQ ID NO: 42 nucleotide sequence of primer 10 (FIG. 54)
- SEQ ID NO: 43 Nucleotide sequence of primer 11 (FIG. 55)
- SEQ ID NO: 44 Nucleotide sequence of primer 12 (FIG. 56)
- SEQ ID NO: 47 nucleotide sequence of primer 15 (FIG.
- SEQ ID NO: 48 Nucleotide sequence of primer 16 (FIG. 60)
- SEQ ID NO: 49 nucleotide sequence of primer 17 (FIG. 61)
- SEQ ID NO: 50 Nucleotide sequence of primer 18 (FIG. 62)
- SEQ ID NO: 51 nucleotide sequence of primer 19 (FIG. 63)
- SEQ ID NO: 52 nucleotide sequence of primer 20 (FIG. 64)
- SEQ ID NO: 54 Amino acid sequence of H2-Opt (FIG. 8)
- SEQ ID NO: 56 nucleotide sequence of primer 22 (FIG. 77)
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Abstract
Description
a) 桿体の小さな生存率の改善であっても錐体保護に繋がる
b) 機能不全の桿体であっても錐体の生存をサポートできる
c) 黄斑部のわずかな錐体だけでも残すことができれば、例えば自力歩行が十分出来る程度の、最低限の視力を保つことができる
等である。
(1)
配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列を含み、且つ、ヒトHTRA1の有するプロテアーゼ活性を阻害する、SPINK2変異体ペプチドを含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物、
(2)
該ペプチドに含まれる、配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列中、1番目のXaa(X1)はAsp、Glu、Ser、Gly,又はIle、2番目のXaa(X2)はAla、Gly、Leu、Ser又はThr、3番目のXaa(X3)はAsp、His、Lys、Met又はGln、4番目のXaa(X4)はAsp、Phe、His、Ser又はTyr、5番目のXaa(X5)はAla、Asp、Glu、Met又はAsn、6番目のXaa(X6)はMet又はTrp、7番目のXaa(X7)はGln、Trp、Tyr又はVal、8番目のXaa(X8)はPhe、Leu又はTyr、9番目のXaa(X9)はPhe又はTyr、10番目のXaaX10)はAla、Glu、Met又はVal、並びに、11番目のXaa(X11)はAla、Thr又はValである、(1)載の医薬組成物、
(3)
該ペプチドが、配列番号3、5、7、9、11、13、15、17、19、21及び23乃至29(図15、図17、図19、図21、図23、図25、図27、図29、図31、図33及び、図35乃至41)のいずれか一つで示されるアミノ酸配列を含む、(1)又は(2)記載の医薬組成物、
(4)
該ペプチドが、配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列のアミノ末端側に1乃至3個のアミノ酸がペプチド結合してなるアミノ酸配列を含む、(1)乃至(3)のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物、
(5)
該ペプチドが、配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列のカルボキシル末端側に1又は2個のアミノ酸がペプチド結合してなるアミノ酸配列を含む、(1)乃至(4)のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物、
(6)
該ペプチドが、3つのジスルフィド結合を有し、ループ構造、αへリックス及びβシートを含むことで特徴付けられる立体構造を有する、(1)乃至(5)のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物、
(7)
(1)乃至(6)のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列を含むポリヌクレオチドを含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物、
(8)
(1)乃至(6)のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列を含むベクターを含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物、
(9)
(1)乃至(6)のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列を含むポリヌクレオチド若しくは該ヌクレオチド配列を含むベクターを含む細胞又は(1)乃至(6)のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドを産生する細胞を含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物、
(10)
(1)乃至(6)のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドに他の部分が連結してなるコンジュゲートを含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物、
(11)
該コンジュゲートが、ポリペプチドである、(10)記載の医薬組成物、
(12)
網膜色素変性症の治療又は予防のための、(1)乃至(11)のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物、
(13)
視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患の治療又は予防のための、(1)乃至(11)のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物、
(14)
視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患が黄斑ジストロフィーである、(13)に記載の医薬組成物、
(15)
PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための、(1)乃至(11)のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物、
(16)
PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患が色覚異常又は常染色体優性先天性停在性夜盲である、(15)に記載の医薬組成物、
(17)
1つ又は2つ以上の他の医薬を含む、(1)乃至(16)のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物、
(18)
1つ又は2つ以上の他の医薬と組み合わせて使用される、(1)乃至(17)のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物、および、
(19)
下記の工程1乃至工程3を含む、網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療薬又は予防薬を同定する方法:
[工程1]HTRA1プロテアーゼ及び基質を、配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列を含むSPINK2変異体ペプチドである被検物質の存在下又は非存在下で保温する;
[工程2]被検物質の存在下及び非存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性を検出する;
[工程3]被検物質の存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性が、被検物質の非存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性と比較して小さい場合、該被検物質を陽性と判定する、
等に関する。
本発明において、「遺伝子」とは、蛋白質に含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列を含む核酸分子又はその相補鎖を意味し、一本鎖、二本鎖又は三本鎖以上からなり、DNA鎖とRNA鎖の会合体、一本の鎖上にリボヌクレオチドとデオキシリボヌクレオチドが混在するもの及びそのよう鎖を含む二本鎖又は三本鎖以上の核酸分子も「遺伝子」の意味に含まれる。
2-1.アミノ酸
「アミノ酸」は、アミノ基及びカルボキシル基を含む有機化合物であり、好適にはタンパク質に、より好適には天然のタンパク質に、構成単位として含まれるα-アミノ酸を意味する。本発明において、より好適なアミノ酸は、Ala、Arg、Asn、Asp、Cys、Gln、Glu、Gly、His、Ile、Leu、Lys、Met、Phe、Pro、Ser、Thr、Trp、Tyr及びValであり、特に明記しない限り「アミノ酸」はこれらの計20アミノ酸を意味する。それらの計20アミノ酸を「天然アミノ酸」と呼ぶことができる。本発明のHTRA1阻害ペプチドは、好適には天然アミノ酸を含有する。
(1)疎水性アミノ酸グループ:Met、Ala、Val、Leu、Ile
(2)中性親水性アミノ酸グループ:Cys、Ser、Thr、Asn、Gln
(3)酸性アミノ酸グループ:Asp、Glu
(4)塩基性アミノ酸グループ:His、Lys、Arg
(5)主鎖の方角に影響を与えるアミノ酸のグループ:Gly、Pro
(6)芳香族アミノ酸グループ:Trp、Tyr、Phe
ただし、天然アミノ酸の分類はこれらに限定されるものではない。
(1)非極性アミノ酸グループ:アラニン(以下、「Ala」または単に「A」と記す)、バリン(以下、「Val」または単に「V」と記す)、ロイシン(以下、「Leu」または単に「L」と記す)、イソロイシン(以下、「Ile」または単に「I」と記す)、プロリン(以下、「Pro」または単に「P」と記す)、フェニルアラニン(「Phe」または単に「F」と記す)、トリプトファン(以下、「Trp」または単に「W」と記す)、メチオニン(以下、「Met」または単に「M」と記す)
(2)非荷電極性アミノ酸グループ:グリシン(以下、「Gly」または単に「G」と記す)、セリン(以下、「Ser」または単に「S」と記す)、スレオニン(以下、「Thr」または単に「T」と記す)、システイン(以下、「Cys」または単に「C」と記す)、チロシン(以下、「Tyr」または単に「Y」と記す)、アスパラギン(以下、「Asn」または単に「N」と記す)、グルタミン(以下、「Gln」または単に「Q」と記す)
(3)酸性アミノ酸グループ:アスパラギン酸(以下、「Asp」または単に「D」と記す)、グルタミン酸(以下、「Glu」または単に「E」と記す)
(4)塩基性アミノ酸グループ:リジン(以下、「Lys」または単に「K」と記す)、アルギニン(以下、「Arg」または単に「R」と記す)、ヒスチジン(以下、「His」または単に「H」と記す)
本発明において、アミノ酸は、天然アミノ酸以外のアミノ酸であってもよい。例えば、天然のペプチドや蛋白質において見出されるセレノシステイン、N-ホルミルメチオニン、ピロリジン、ピログルタミン酸、シスチン、ヒドロキシプロリン、ヒドロキシリジン、チロキシン、O-ホスホセリン、デスモシン、β-アラニン、サルコシン、オルニチン、クレアチン、γアミノ酪酸、オパイン、テアニン、トリコロミン酸、カイニン酸、ドウモイ酸、アクロメリン酸等を挙げることができ、ノルロイシン、Ac-アミノ酸、Boc-アミノ酸、Fmoc-アミノ酸、Trt-アミノ酸、Z-アミノ酸等のN末端保護アミノ酸、アミノ酸t-ブチルエステル、ベンジルエステル、シクロヘキシルエステル、フルオレニルエステル等のC末端保護アミノ酸、ジアミン、ωアミノ酸、βアミノ酸、γアミノ酸、アミノ酸のTic誘導体、アミノフォスフォン酸を含むその他の天然界には見出されないアミノ酸等を挙げることができるが、それらに限らず上記20の「天然アミノ酸」以外のアミノ酸を、本発明では便宜的に「非天然アミノ酸」と総称する。
本発明のHRTA1阻害ペプチドは、SPINK2の有する骨格が少なくとも部分的に維持されたSPINK2変異体(以下、「SPINK2変異体」と略記する)であり、HTRA1又はその酵素活性が保持された断片(以下、「機能断片」という)の有するプロテアーゼ活性を阻害又は抑制する(以下、かかる阻害又は抑制をまとめて「HTRA1阻害活性」という)。
前述の通り、本発明のペプチドの標的であるHTRA1は、脊椎動物、好適には哺乳動物、より好適には霊長類、より一層好適にはヒトに由来するが、非ヒト動物、例えば、ラット、マウス等のげっ歯類、カニクイザル、コモンマーモセット、アカゲザル等の霊長類に由来してもよい。非ヒト動物由来のHTRA1に対して阻害活性を有するペプチドは、かかる非ヒト動物におけるHTRA1に関わる疾患の診断、検査、治療又は予防等に使用することができる。また、そのようなペプチドが、ヒトHTRA1も阻害する場合、ヒトHTRA1に関わる疾患の治療薬又は予防薬としての該ペプチドの非臨床研究開発において、かかる非ヒト動物を動物病態モデルとして使用した薬効薬理試験や薬物動態試験、健常動物として使用した安全性試験や毒性試験等を行うことができる。
16番Ser~22番Glyのうち1つ、2つ、3つ、4つ、5つ、6つ又は7つのアミノ酸が他のアミノ酸又はアミノ酸残基に置換されており;
24番Pro~28番Asnのうち1つ、2つ、3つ、4つ又は5つのアミノ酸が他のアミノ酸又はアミノ酸残基に置換されており;
39番Ala及び43番Thrのうち1つ又は2つのアミノ酸が他のアミノ酸又はアミノ酸残基に置換されていても、野生型であっても、16番~30番等のアミノ酸残基から構成されるループ主鎖3次構造が、HTRA1阻害活性を少なくとも部分的に発揮し得る限りにおいて、いずれでもよく(当該2アミノ酸又はアミノ酸残基はαへリックスに含まれる);
15番Cys、23番Cys、31番Cys、42番Cys、45番Cys及び63番Cysは、天然型のジスルフィド結合を維持するためには野生型と同じくCysであることが好ましく、天然型のジスルフィド結合を消失させたり、非天然型のジスルフィド結合を生じさせたりするためには、それらのうち1つ、2つ、3つ、4つ、5つ又は6つを他のアミノ酸に置換してもよい。本発明のSPINK2変異体うち一部の好適なHTRA1阻害ペプチドにおいては、天然型と同じ当該6箇所にCysが維持され、ジスルフィド結合が保持されている。かかる阻害ペプチドのうちより好適な一部の態様においては、15番Cys-45番Cys、23番Cys-42番Cys、及び、31番Cys-63番Cysが、それぞれジスルフィド結合を形成している。
16番X2は、好適にはAla、Asp、Glu、Phe、Gly、His、Lys、Leu、Met、Gln、Arg、Ser、Thr又はTyr、より好適にはAla、Asp、Gly、His、Lys、Leu、Met、Gln、Arg、Ser又はThr、より一層好適にはAla、Gly、Lys、Leu、Ser又はThr、さらにより一層好適にはAla、Gly、Leu、Ser又はThr、その上さらにより一層好適にはAla又はSerであり;
17番X3は、好適には、Ala、Asp、Glu、Gly、His、Lys、Leu、Met、Asn、Gln、Arg、Ser、Thr又はTyr、より好適にはAsp、Gly、His、Lys、Leu、Met、Asn、Gln、Arg、Ser、Thr又はTyr、より一層好適にはAsp、His、Lys、Met又はGln、さらにより一層好適にはAsp又はGlnであり;
18番X4は、好適にはAla、Asp、Glu、Phe、Gly,His、Ile、Leu、Lys、Met、Asn、Gln、Arg、Ser、Thr、Val、Trp又はTyr、より好適にはAsp、Phe、His、Met、Asn、Gln、Ser又はTyr、より一層好適にはAsp、Phe、His、Ser又はTyr、さらにより一層好適にはPhe又はHisであり;
19番X5は、好適にはAla、Asp、Glu、Gly、His、Ile、Lys、Met、Asn、Gln、Arg、Ser、Thr、Val又はTyr、より好適にはAla、Asp、Glu、Gly、His、Lys、Met、Asn、Gln、Arg、Ser又はVal、より一層好適にはAla、Asp、Glu、Met又はAsn、さらにより一層好適にはAla、Asp又はGluであり;
21番X6は、好適にはAla、Glu,Phe、Gly、Ile、Leu、Met、Gln、Arg、Ser,Trp又はTyr、より好適にはGlu,Phe、Ile、Leu、Met、Gln、Arg又はTrp、より一層好適にはMet又はTrp、さらにより一層好適にはMetであり;
24番X7は、好適にはAla、Asp、Glu、Phe、Gly、His、Lys、Leu、Met、Pro、Gln、Arg、Ser、Thr,Val、Trp又はTyr、より好適にはAsp、Glu、His、Pro、Gln、Ser、Thr、Val、Trp又はTyr、より一層好適にはGln、Trp、Tyr又はVal、さらにより一層好適にはTyr又はValであり;
26番X8は、好適にはAla、Asp、Glu、Phe、His、Ile、Lys、Leu、Met、Asn、Gln、Arg、Ser、Val又はTyrであり、より好適にはAla、Phe、His、Ile、Leu、Met、Gln、Arg、Ser、Val又はTyrであり、より一層好適にはPhe、Leu又はTyrであり、さらにより一層好適にはPhe又はLeuであり;
27番X9は、好適にはGlu、Phe、Leu、Ser、Thr又はTyrであり、より好適にはPhe、Leu、Ser、Thr又はTyrであり、より一層好適にはPhe又はTyr、さらにより一層好適にはTyrであり;
39番X10は、好適にはAla、Glu、Met又はVal、より好適にはAla又はGluであり;
43番X11は、好適にはAla、Thr又はVal、より好適にはThrまたはValである。
(a)配列番号3、5、7、9、11、13、15、17、19、21、23乃至29(図15、17、19、21、23、25、25、29、31、33、35乃至41)のいずれか一つで示されるアミノ酸配列;
(b)(a)に記載のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列に相補的なヌクレオチド配列とストリンジェントな条件下でハイブリダイズし、且つHTRA1阻害活性を有するペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列によりコードされるアミノ酸配列;
(c)(a)に記載のアミノ酸配列において1乃至20個、1乃至15個、1乃至10個、1乃至8個、1乃至6個、1乃至5個、1乃至4個、1乃至3個、1若しくは2個、又は1個のアミノ酸が置換、欠失、付加及び/又は挿入してなり、且つHTRA1阻害活性を有するペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列;
(d)(a)に記載のアミノ酸配列と60%、70%、80%、85%、90%、92%、94%、96%、97%、98%又は99%以上同一であり、且つHTRA1阻害活性を有するペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列;及び、
(e)配列番号4、6、8、10、12、14、16、18、20及び22(図16、18、20、22、24、26、28、30、32及び34)のいずれか一つで示されるヌクレオチド配列によりコードされるアミノ酸配列。
HTRA1阻害ペプチドは、SPINK2のアミノ酸配列又は本発明のHTRA1阻害ペプチドの有するアミノ酸配列(例えば、配列番号3、5、7、9、11、13、15、17、19、21及び23乃至29からなる群、又は、図15、17、19、21、23、25、27、29、31、33及び35乃至41からなる群から選択されるアミノ酸配列)、該アミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列、該ヌクレオチド配列を含む核酸分子等を出発材料として、当業者に周知の方法により、同定することができる。好適な一例として、ヒトSPINK2変異体ライブラリーより、HTRA1阻害活性を指標として同定することができ、HTRA1結合活性も指標として組み合わせてもよい。
本発明は、HTRA1阻害ペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列を含むポリヌクレオチド(以下、「HTRA1阻害ペプチドをコードする核酸分子」という)、該遺伝子が挿入された組換えベクター、該遺伝子もしくはベクターが導入された細胞(以下、「HTRA1阻害ペプチドをコードする核酸分子含有細胞」という)、又はHTRA1阻害ペプチドを産生する細胞(以下、「HTRA1阻害ペプチド産生細胞」という)をも提供する。
(a)配列番号3、5、7、9、11、13、15、17、19、21、23乃至29(図15、17、19、21、23、25、25、29、31、33、35乃至41)のいずれか一つで示されるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列;
(b)配列番号4、6、8、10、12、14、16、18、20及び22(図16、18、20、22、24、26、28、30、32及び34)のいずれか一つで示されるヌクレオチド配列;
(c)(a)又は(b)に記載のヌクレオチド配列に相補的なヌクレオチド配列とストリンジェントな条件下でハイブリダイズし、且つHTRA1阻害活性を有するペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列;
(d)(a)又は(b)に記載のヌクレオチド配列において1乃至20個、1乃至15個、1乃至10個、1乃至8個、1乃至6個、1乃至5個、1乃至4個、1乃至3個、1若しくは2個、または1個のヌクレオチド又はヌクレオチド残基が置換、欠失、付加及び/又は挿入してなり、且つHTRA1阻害活性を有するペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列;および、
(e)(a)又は(b)に記載のヌクレオチド配列と60%、70%、80%、85%、90%、92%、94%、96%、97%、98%又は99%以上同一であり、且つHTRA1阻害活性を有するペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列。
本発明はHTRA1阻害ペプチド、又は、そのコンジュゲートを含む医薬組成物をも提供する。
本発明のHTRA1阻害ペプチドは、組織への浸透性に優れ(実施例11)、物性・安定性、安全性、投与後の動態、生産性等にも優れており、医薬組成物に有効成分として好適に含有せしめることができる。
本発明のHTRA1阻害ペプチド又はそのコンジュゲートは、HTRA1プロテアーゼ阻害活性に加え、HTRA1結合活性を有していてもよく、HTRA1阻害剤探索研究のポジティブコントロールとしての使用等の様々な研究、HTRA1の検出、該検出を利用した検査及び診断、HTRA1の分離、試薬及びその他の用途で使用され得る。HTRA1の検出や分離の際には、本発明のペプチド及びHTRA1のうち少なくとも一方が固相化され得る。
本発明はそのある態様において、HTRA1阻害活性を指標として、HTRA1関連疾患、好適には網膜色素変性症、網膜色素変性症以外の遺伝性の視細胞変性を伴う疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療薬もしくは予防薬、又はその候補を同定する方法を提供する。該方法には、HTRA1プロテアーゼ及び基質を、被検物質の存在下又は非存在下(若しくはヴィークル存在下)で保温する工程1、被検物質の存在下及び非存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性を決定する工程2、及び/又は、被検物質の存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性が、検物質の非存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性と比較して小さい場合、該被検物質を網膜色素変性症、網膜色素変性症以外の遺伝性の視細胞変性を伴う疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療薬もしくは予防薬、又はその候補と判定する工程3、を含み得る。被検物質は、ペプチド性、非ペプチド性のいずれであってもよく、ペプチド性としてはSPINK2変異体に限定されず、抗体、免疫グロブリンではない蛋白質の骨格を有するSPINK2変異体以外のペプチド、HTRA1基質アナローグ等を例示することができ、非ペプチド性としては合成低分子化合物、核酸等を例示することができるが、それらに限定されない。また、上記の1つ又は2つ以上の工程は、視細胞変性抑制効果を有する物質又はその候補の同定方法にも、好適に含まれ得る。本発明は視細胞変性抑制効果を有する物質又はその候補の同定方法にも関する。
(1-1)HTRA1阻害ペプチド発現ベクターの構築
(1-1-1)pET 32a(改変)_HTRA1阻害ペプチドの構築
まず、SPINK2scaffoldを骨格としたHTRA1阻害ペプチドの発現ベクターを構築した。各阻害ペプチドのヌクレオチド配列(配列番号4、6、8、10、12、14、16、18、20及び22)とSPINK2のヌクレオチド配列(配列番号2)を鋳型として、下記プライマーおよびKOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 30秒)×30サイクル)により阻害剤断片を増幅した。
プライマー1:5’-AAAAGAATTCTGATCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAG-3’ (配列番号33)
プライマー2:5’-AAAACTCGAGTTATGCGGCCGCAGACGCGCCGCACGGACC-3’ (配列番号34)
増幅した断片をアガロースゲル電気泳動に供した後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit(QIAGEN)によりDNAを調製した。調製したDNA断片およびpET 32a(改変)を制限酵素EcoRI(NEB)およびXhoI(NEB)を用いて、37℃で1時間以上処理し、アガロースゲル電気泳動後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick PCR Purification Kit(QIAGEN)により精製した。T4 DNA Ligase(NEB)を用いて、精製した断片を16℃で一晩反応させることでligation反応を実施した。Ligation溶液は、大腸菌JM109(TOYOBO)に添加し、氷上で30分間静置した後、42℃で45秒の熱処理、さらに氷上で5分間静置し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YTプレートに播種後、37℃で一晩静置培養することで、大腸菌へ形質転換した。翌日、形質転換した大腸菌を、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含むTerrific Broth培地(Invitrogen)に植菌し、37℃で一晩培養後、QIAprep 96 Turbo Miniprep Kit(Qiagen)を用いてプラスミドDNAを回収し(以下、「miniprep処理」という)、配列解析を実施することで「pET 32a(改変)_HTRA1阻害ペプチド」を構築した。
(1-1-2)pET 32a_HTRA1阻害ペプチド_Kex2の構築
同様に、各阻害剤の配列(配列表)とSPINK2を鋳型として、下記プライマーおよびKOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 30秒)×30サイクル)により阻害剤断片を増幅した。
プライマー3:5’-AAAAGGATCCCTGGACAAACGTGATCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAG-3’ (配列番号35)
プライマー4:5’-AAAACTCGAGTTAGCCGCCGCACGGACCATTGCGAATAATTTTA-3’ (配列番号36)
増幅した断片をアガロースゲル電気泳動に供した後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit(QIAGEN)によりDNAを調製した。調製したDNA断片およびpET 32a(Novagen)を制限酵素BamHI(NEB)およびXhoI(NEB)を用いて、37℃で1時間以上処理し、アガロースゲル電気泳動後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick PCR Purification Kit(QIAGEN)により精製した。T4 DNA Ligase(NEB)を用いて、それぞれの精製断片を16℃で一晩反応させることでligation反応を実施した。Ligation溶液は、大腸菌JM109(TOYOBO)に添加し、氷上で30分間静置した後、42℃で45秒の熱処理、さらに氷上で5分間静置し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YTプレートに播種後、37℃で一晩静置培養することで、大腸菌を形質転換した。形質転換された大腸菌を培養した後に、miniprepおよび配列解析を実施することで、「pET 32a_HTRA1阻害ペプチド_Kex2」を構築した。尚、操作は(1-1-1)に記載の方法に準じて行った。
(1-2)HTRA1阻害ペプチドの発現精製
(1-1-1)で構築したベクターpET 32a(改変)_HTRA1阻害ペプチドを大腸菌Origami B (DE3)(Novagen)へ形質転換し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YT培地を用いて37℃で培養後、IPTG(最終濃度1mM)を添加し、16℃で一晩培養した。翌日、遠心分離(3,000g、20分、4℃)により集菌後、BugBuster Master Mix(Novagen)を用いてlysateを調製し、TALON Metal Affinity Resin(Clontech)を用いてHis tag融合目的蛋白質を精製した。次に、Thrombin Cleavage Capture Kit(Novagen)を用いてthioredoxin tagと所望の蛋白質とを切断し、TALONを用いて精製した。さらに、ゲルろ過クロマトグラフィー(Superdex75 10/300 GL)または逆相クロマトグラフィー(YMC-Pack ODS-AM)に供することで、HTRA1阻害ペプチドを調製した。得られたペプチドのN末端にはS tag及びリンカーからなる部分(配列番号31:図43)が、C末端にはGly-Glyの代わりにC末6マー(配列番号32:図44)が、それぞれコンジュゲートされている。
ヒト/マウス/ラット/サルHTRA1の配列類似性を図1に示す。酵素活性ドメインであるHTRA1プロテアーゼドメイン(204Gly-364Leu)を構成する一次配列はヒトとサルにおいて完全に一致している。ヒトとマウスまたはラットのHTRA1プロテアーゼドメイン配列は1残基異なっているが、構造上、当該残基は酵素活性中心の反対側に位置していることから酵素活性中心に影響を与えないと推測された(図1)。よって、HTRA1プロテアーゼドメインはヒト/マウス/ラット/サルの種によらず同配列であることから、種に関しては明示しない。
(2-1)HTRA1プロテアーゼドメインHTRA1(cat)の調製
(2-1-1)pET 21b_HTRA1(cat)の構築
ヒトHTRA1(Q92743)のN末ドメインおよびPDZドメインを除いたプロテアーゼドンメイン(158Gly-373Lys)をHTRA1(cat)として、HTRA1(cat)発現ベクターを構築した。ヒトHTRA1挿入プラスミド(GeneCopoeia;GC-M0558)を鋳型として下記プライマーおよびKOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 45秒)×30サイクル)により所望のDNA断片を増幅した。
プライマー5:5’-AAACATATGGGGCAGGAAGATCCCAACAGTTTGC-3’ (配列番号37)
プライマー6:5’-AAACTCGAGTTTGGCCTGTCGGTCATGGGACTC-3’ (配列番号38)
増幅した断片をアガロースゲル電気泳動に供した後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit(QIAGEN)によりDNAを調製した。調製したDNA断片およびpET 32a(Novagen)を制限酵素NdeI(NEB)およびXhoI(NEB)を用いて、37℃で1時間以上処理し、アガロースゲル電気泳動後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick PCR Purification Kit(QIAGEN)により精製した。T4 DNA Ligase(NEB)を用いて、それぞれの精製断片を16℃で一晩反応させることでligation反応を実施した。Ligation溶液は、大腸菌JM109(TOYOBO)に添加し、氷上で30分間静置した後、42℃で45秒の熱処理、さらに氷上で5分間静置し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YTプレートに播種後、37℃で一晩静置培養することで、大腸菌を形質転換した。形質転換された大腸菌を培養した後に、miniprepおよび配列解析を実施することで、「pET 21b_HTRA1(cat)」を構築した。尚、操作は(1-1-1)に記載の方法に準じて行った。
構築したpET 21b_HTRA1(cat)は大腸菌BL21 (DE3)(Novagen)へ形質転換し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YT培地を用いて37℃で培養後、IPTG(最終濃度1mM)を添加し、28℃で一晩培養した。集菌後に1mg/mlリゾチームを含むリン酸バッファー(50mM Sodium phosphate,300mM NaCl)で懸濁し、超音波破砕によりlysateを調製した。TALON(Clontech)を用いて所望のHis tag融合タンパクを回収し、ゲルろ過クロマトグラフィー(Superdex 200 10/300 GL)に供することでHTRA1(cat)を精製した。
(2-2)HTRA1全長HTRA1(full)の調製
(2-2-1)pcDNA3.1_HTRA1(full)_Hisの構築
合成したヒトHTRA1(Q92743)DNA(GENEART)を鋳型とし、下記プライマーおよびKOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 90秒)×30サイクル)により所望のDNA断片を増幅した。
プライマー7:5’-AAAAGAATTCGCCACCATGCAGATTCCTAGAGCCG-3’ (配列番号39)
プライマー8:5’-AAAACTCGAGTCAGTGGTGATGGTGGTGGTGGCCGG-3’ (配列番号40)
増幅した断片をアガロースゲル電気泳動に供した後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit(QIAGEN)によりDNAを調製した。調製したDNA断片とpcDNA3.1(Thermo Fisher Scientific)を制限酵素EcoRI(NEB)およびXhoI(NEB)を用いて、37℃で1時間以上処理し、アガロースゲル電気泳動後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick PCR Purification Kit(QIAGEN)により精製した。T4 DNA Ligase(NEB)を用いて、それぞれの精製断片を16℃で一晩反応させることでligation反応を実施した。Ligation溶液は、大腸菌JM109(TOYOBO)に添加し、氷上で30分間静置した後、42℃で45秒の熱処理、さらに氷上で5分間静置し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YTプレートに播種後、37℃で一晩静置培養することで、大腸菌を形質転換した。形質転換された大腸菌を培養した後に、miniprepおよび配列解析を実施することで、「pcDNA3.1_HTRA1(full)_His」を構築した。尚、操作は(1-1-1)に記載の方法に準じて行った。
(2-2-2)pcDNA3.3_HTRA1(full)_FLAG_Hisの構築
(2-2-1)で構築したpcDNA3.1_HTRA1(full)_Hisを鋳型として、下記プライマーおよびKOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 90秒)×30サイクル)により断片Aを増幅した。
プライマー7
プライマー9:5’-CTTGTCGTCATCGTCCTTGTAGTCGCCGGGGTCGATTTCCTC-3’ (配列番号41)
次に、下記プライマーおよびKOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 10秒)×30サイクル)により断片Bを増幅した。
プライマー10:5’-GCGACTACAAGGACGATGACGACAAGCACCACCACCATCATCAC-3’ (配列番号42)
プライマー11:5’-AAAAACTCGAGCTAGTGATGATGGTGGTGGTGCTTGTCGTC-3’ (配列番号43)
断片Aおよび断片Bを鋳型として、プライマー7および11、KOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 90秒)×30サイクル)により所望のDNA断片を増幅した。増幅した断片をアガロースゲル電気泳動に供した後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit(QIAGEN)によりDNAを調製した。調製したDNA断片とpcDNA3.3(ThermoFisher Scientific)を鋳型としたベクター)を制限酵素EcoRI(NEB)およびXhoI(NEB)を用いて、37℃で1時間以上処理し、アガロースゲル電気泳動後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick PCR Purification Kit(QIAGEN)により精製した。T4 DNA Ligase(NEB)を用いて、それぞれの精製断片を16℃で一晩反応させることでligation反応を実施した。Ligation溶液は、大腸菌JM109(TOYOBO)に添加し、氷上で30分間静置した後、42℃で45秒の熱処理、さらに氷上で5分間静置し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YTプレートに播種後、37℃で一晩静置培養することで、大腸菌を形質転換した。形質転換された大腸菌を培養した後に、miniprepおよび配列解析を実施することで、「pcDNA3.3_HTRA1(full)_FLAG_His」を構築した。尚、操作は(1-1-1)に記載の方法に準じて行った。
(2-2-3)HTRA1(full)の調製
(2-2-2)で構築したpcDNA3.3_HTRA1(full)_FLAG_HisはPolyethylenimine Max(Polysciences,Inc.)を用いてFreeStyle 293F(Thermo Fisher Scientific)にtransfectionし、6日後に培養上精を回収した。HisTrap excel(GE Healthcare)によりHis tag融合タンパク質を回収し、さらにANTI-FLAG M2 Affinity Agarose Gel(Sigma-Aldrich)を用いることでHTRA1(full)を精製した。
(2-3-1)pcDNA3.3_HTRA1(S328A)_FLAG_Hisの構築
HTRA1不活性変異体HTRA1(S328A)発現ベクターを構築するため、実施例(2-2-2)で構築したベクター「pcDNA3.3_HTRA1(full)_FLAG_His」を鋳型として、下記プライマーおよびQuikChange II Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kits(アジレント・テクノロジー株式会社)を用いたPCR法((95℃ 30秒、55℃ 1分、68℃ 7分)×18サイクル)を実施した。
プライマー21:5’-CCATCATCAACTACGGCAACGCGGGCGGACCCCTCGTGAACC-3’ (配列番号55:図76)
プライマー22:5’-GGTTCACGAGGGGTCCGCCCGCGTTGCCGTAGTTGATGATGG-3’(配列番号56:図77)
PCR反応後、キット付属のプロトコールに従い、DpnI処理したPCR反応液を用いて大腸菌JM109(TOYOBO)を形質転換した。形質転換された大腸菌を培養した後に、miniprepおよび配列解析を実施することで、「pcDNA3.3_HTRA1(S328A)_FLAG_His」を構築した。尚、操作は(1-1-1)に記載の方法に準じて行った。
(2-3-2)HTRA1(S328A)の調製
(2-2-3)に記載の方法に従い、FreeStyle 293Fを用いてHTRA1(S328A)を発現し、Affinity精製によりHTRA1(S328A)を調製した。
(3-1)ペプチド基質を用いたHTRA1阻害ペプチドのHTRA1阻害活性評価
基質ペプチドH2-Opt(Mca-IRRVSYSFK(Dnp)K)(株式会社ペプチド研究所:配列番号54、図8)を10mMになるようDMSOで溶解し、Assay buffer(50mM borate,150mM NaCl,pH8.5)で希釈して終濃度10μMで使用した。Assay bufferで希釈したHTRA1(HTRA1(cat)またはHTRA1(full))とHTRA1阻害ペプチドをそれぞれ25μLずつ混ぜ、37℃で20分反応させた後にAssay bufferで希釈した基質を50μL加えて、Enspire(PerkinElmer)で蛍光シグナル(excitation 328nm/emission 393nm)を測定した。HTRA1は終濃度100nM、HTRA1阻害ペプチドは終濃度1.875~1,000nM、反応および測定にはプロテオセーブ(登録商標)SS96F黒プレート(住友ベークライト株式会社)を使用した。
ヒトVitronectinをタンパク基質として、HTRA1阻害ペプチドのHTRA1阻害活性を評価した。Assay buffer(50mM Tris,150mM NaCl,pH8.0)で希釈したHTRA1(cat)と各HTRA1阻害ペプチドを混合し、37℃で1時間反応した。次に、Assay bufferで希釈したヒトVitronectin(BD Biosciences;354238)を加えて37℃で2時間反応させ、SDSサンプルバッファーを添加し、99℃で5分処理することで酵素反応を停止した。その後、SDS-PAGEおよびWestern blot解析により、ヒトVitronectinの分解を評価した。HTRA1阻害ペプチドの終濃度は0~25μM、HTRA1(cat)の終濃度は1μM、ヒトVitronectinの終濃度は1μMであった。また、Western blot解析では、一次抗体にHuman Vitronectin Antibody(R&D Systems;MAB2349)、二次抗体にAnti-Mouse IgG,HRP-Linked Whole Ab Sheep(GE Healthcare;NA931)を使用した。
基質ペプチドの切断を指標に、他のプロテアーゼに対する特異性を評価した。(3-1)に記載の方法と同様、Assay bufferで希釈したプロテアーゼとサンプル(終濃度1μM)をそれぞれ25μLずつ混ぜ、37℃で20分反応させた後にAssay bufferで希釈した基質を50μL加えて、Enspire(PerkinElmer)で蛍光シグナル(excitation 380nm/emission 460nm)を測定した。尚、HTRA2活性評価では実施例2と同様のAssay buffer(50mM borate,150mM NaCl,pH8.5)、HTRA2以外のプロテアーゼ活性評価にはAssay buffer(50mM Tris,150mM NaCl,pH8.0)を用い、反応および測定にはプロテオセーブ(登録商標)SS96F黒プレート(住友ベークライト株式会社)を使用した。特異性評価に用いたプロテアーゼおよび基質の組み合わせは以下の通り。
Bovine trypsin阻害活性評価;終濃度5nM trypsin(Pierce;20233)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドBoc-VPR-AMC Fluorogenic Peptide Substrate(R&D Systems;ES011)
Bovine α-chymotrypsin阻害活性評価;終濃度10nM chymotrypsin(Worthington Biochemical Corporation;LS001434)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドSuc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-MCA(株式会社ペプチド研究所;3120-v)
Human tryptase阻害活性評価;終濃度1nM tryptase(Sigma-Aldrich;T7063)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドBoc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA(株式会社ペプチド研究所;3107-v)
Human chymase阻害活性評価;終濃度100nM chymase(Sigma-Aldrich;C8118)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドSuc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-MCA(株式会社ペプチド研究所;3120-v)
Human plasmin阻害活性評価;終濃度50nM Plasmin(Sigma-Aldrich;P1867)、終濃度100μM基質 ペプチドBoc-Val-Leu-Lys-MCA(株式会社ペプチド研究所;3104-v)
Human thrombin阻害活性評価;終濃度1nM thrombin(Sigma-Aldrich;T6884)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドBoc-VPR-AMC Fluorogenic Peptide Substrate(R&D Systems;ES011)
Human matriptase阻害活性評価;終濃度1nM matriptase(R&D Systems;E3946-SE)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドBoc-QAR-AMC Fluorogenic Peptide Substrate(R&D Systems;ES014)
Human protein C阻害活性評価;終濃度100nM protein C(Sigma-Aldrich;P2200)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドBoc-Leu-Ser-Thr-Arg-MCA(株式会社ペプチド研究所;3112-v)
Human tPA阻害活性評価;終濃度10nM tPA(Sigma-Aldrich;T0831)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドPyr-Gly-Arg-MCA(株式会社ペプチド研究所;3145-v)
Human uPA阻害活性評価;終濃度10nM uPA(Sigma-Aldrich;T0831)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドPyr-Gly-Arg-MCA(株式会社ペプチド研究所;3145-v)
Human plasma kallikrein阻害活性評価;終濃度0.125μg/ml plasma kallikrein(Sigma-Aldrich;T0831)、終濃度100μM 基質ペプチドZ-Phe-Arg-MCA(株式会社ペプチド研究所;3095-v)
Human HTRA2阻害活性評価;終濃度200nM HTRA2(R&D Systems;1458-HT)、終濃度50μM 基質ペプチドH2-Opt(株式会社ペプチド研究所)
(3-2)と同様、ペプチド基質の分解を指標にHTRA1以外のプロテアーゼへの交差性を評価した。阻害剤の終濃度1uMにおいては、いずれのプロテアーゼに対しても各HTRA1阻害ペプチドはプロテアーゼ活性を抑制せず、HTRA1阻害ペプチドはHTRA1特異的な阻害作用を有することが示された(図5)。
(4-1)HTRA1(cat)/HTRA1阻害ペプチド複合体の調製
(1-2)および(2-1)に記載した方法に従って、HTRA1(cat)および配列番号3で示されるアミノ酸配列を有するHTRA1阻害ペプチドをそれぞれ調製した。20mM Tris-HCl,150mM NaCl,pH7.6の条件下で両者を混合後、ゲルろ過クロマトグラフィー(Superdex 200 10/300 GL)により複合体を単離精製した。
(4-2)X線結晶構造解析
(4-1)で調製した複合体溶液を18mg/mlまで濃縮後、リザーバー溶液(LiCl 1.0M,7.5%PEG6000,0.1M Tris/HCl(pH8.5))と1対1で混合し、蒸気拡散法により結晶化した。得られた立方体状の単結晶を、20%のエチレングリコールを含むリザーバー溶液に浸漬した後液体窒素にて凍結した。凍結結晶をクライオ気流下でX線照射し、回折イメージを得た(photon factory BL5A:高エネルギー加速器研究機構)。HKL2000を使用した解析により、最大分解能2.6Aのスケーリングデータを取得した。Serine protease HTRA1(PDB ID:3NZI)を鋳型とした分子置換法により位相を決定し、構造精密化後、分解能2.6AでHTRA1(cat)/該ペプチドの複合体結晶を決定した。単位格子中にはHTRA1とSPINK2が各1分子ずつ含まれていた。SPINK2分子については、配列情報と観測された電子密度に基づき、HTRA1(cat)との相互作用部位を含む部分的な分子モデルを構築した。当該HTRA1阻害ペプチドはHTRA1酵素活性中心を含む領域へ結合していることが認められた(図6及び7)。
(5-1)ラット光照射網膜障害モデルの作製
ラット光照射網膜障害モデルは光照射により網膜視細胞の細胞死を誘発させるモデルであり、網膜変性のモデル動物として汎用されている(Daniel T. Organisciak et al., (1996) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 37巻(11号):2243-2257頁)。72時間暗順応させたラットに対し、0.5%(W/V)トロピカミド-0.5%塩酸フェニレフリン点眼液を暗順応下で点眼し、その後5500Luxの白色光を3時間照射した。照射後、再び約24時間暗順応させ、その後は通常飼育の明暗条件に戻して2日間飼育した。安楽殺後に眼球を摘出し、3.7%(W/V)ホルムアルデヒド-0.5~1%(W/V)メタノール-0.2%(W/V)ピクリン酸固定液で24時間以上浸漬させ固定した。パラフィン包埋後、薄切切片を作製した。切片はヘマトキシリン-エオジン染色を行い、網膜断層の外顆粒層に含まれる核の数を数えることで、網膜障害を評価した。ラット光照射網膜障害モデルは光照射により、外顆粒層に含まれる核の数が顕著に減少することが明らかになった。
(5-2)網膜障害時の細胞外HTRA1の発現確認
ラット光照射網膜障害モデルにおけるHTRA1の関与を調べるため、(5-1)で作製したモデルラットから硝子体液を採取し、Western blot解析によりHTRA1発現量を評価した。硝子体液は還元条件下でSDS-PAGEに供し、一次抗体Human HTRA1/PRSS11 Antibody(R&D Systems;AF2916)および二次抗体Sheep IgG Horseradish Peroxidase-conjugated Antibody(R&D Systems;HAF016)を用いてラットHTRA1を検出した。非照射群と比較し、光照射した群においては硝子体液中のHTRA1量の増加が認められたことから、当該モデルでは、光照射による網膜障害の過程にHTRA1が関与するものと考えられる(図9)。
(5-3)ラット光照射網膜障害モデルにおけるHTRA1阻害ペプチドの網膜保護効果
ラットへの光照射直前に麻酔下で、0.04mg/mLまたは0.2mg/mLの濃度のHTRA1阻害ペプチドH308を5uL硝子体内に投与した。尚、生理食塩水投与群の例数は4であり、その他の群の例数は5であった。生理食塩水投与群は光照射により網膜断層の外顆粒層に含まれる核が減少したのに対し、HTRA1阻害ペプチド投与群では外顆粒層に含まれる核の減少を抑制する効果が認められた(図10)。以上より、HTRA1により引き起こされた組織障害に対し、HTRA1阻害ペプチドは薬効を示すことが明らかになった。
(6-1)pET 32a_HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308_S16A_Kex2の構築
HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308を鋳型として、配列番号9(図21)で示されるアミノ酸配列中の16番SerがAlaに置換されたアミノ酸配列を有する誘導体S16Aを調製した。下記プライマーおよびKOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 15秒)×30サイクル)により断片Cを増幅した。
プライマー12:5’-CCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAGCAAATATCGTACCCCGAATTGT-3’ (配列番号44)
プライマー13:5’-GCCATACCAGCATGGTCCGCACAATTCGGGGTACGATATTTGC-3’ (配列番号45)
次に、HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308を鋳型として、下記プライマーおよびKOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 20秒)×30サイクル)により断片Dを増幅した。
プライマー14:5’-GCGGACCATGCTGGTATGGCATGTGTTGCTCTGTATGAAC-3’ (配列番号46)
プライマー15:5’-AAAACTCGAGTTAGCCGCCGCACGGACCATTGCGAATAA-3’ (配列番号47)
断片CとD、下記プライマー、KOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 20秒)×30サイクル)により所望のDNA断片を増幅した。
プライマー16:5’-AAAAGGATCCCTGGACAAACGTGATCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAG-3’ (配列番号48)
プライマー15
増幅した断片をアガロースゲル電気泳動に供した後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit(QIAGEN)によりDNAを調製した。調製したDNA断片およびpET 32a(Novagen)を制限酵素BamHI(NEB)およびXhoI(NEB)を用いて、37℃で1時間以上処理し、アガロースゲル電気泳動後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick PCR Purification Kit(QIAGEN)により精製した。T4 DNA Ligase(NEB)を用いて、それぞれの精製断片を16℃で一晩反応させることでligation反応を実施した。Ligation溶液は、大腸菌JM109(TOYOBO)に添加し、氷上で30分間静置した後、42℃で45秒の熱処理、さらに氷上で5分間静置し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YTプレートに播種後、37℃で一晩静置培養することで、大腸菌を形質転換した。形質転換された大腸菌を培養した後に、miniprepおよび配列解析を実施することで、「pET 32a_HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308_S16A_Kex2」を構築した。尚、操作は(1-1-1)に記載の方法に準じて行った。
配列番号9(図21)で示されるアミノ酸配列中、1番AspがGly、Ser、Glu又はSer-Leu-Ileで置換されたアミノ酸配列を有する、HTRA1阻害ペプチドのN末端配列誘導体4種(それぞれD1G,D1S,D1E又はD1SLIと表記する)を調製するため、(6-1)と同様の手法で発現ベクターを構築した。断片CおよびD、下記プライマー、KOD-plus-(TOYOBO)を用いたPCR法((94℃ 15秒、60℃ 30秒、68℃ 20秒)×30サイクル)により目的断片4種をそれぞれ増幅した。
D1G作製プライマー
プライマー17:5’-AAAAGGATCCCTGGACAAACGTGGCCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAG-3’ (配列番号49)
プライマー15
D1S作製プライマー
プライマー18:5’-AAAAGGATCCCTGGACAAACGTAGCCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAG-3’ (配列番号50)
プライマー15
D1E作製プライマー
プライマー19:5’-AAAAGGATCCCTGGACAAACGTGAACCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAG-3’ (配列番号51)
プライマー15
D1SLI作製プライマー
プライマー20:5’-AAAAGGATCCCTGGACAAACGTAGCCTGATTCCGCAGTTTGGTCTGTTTAG-3’ (配列番号52)
プライマー15
増幅した4種の断片をアガロースゲル電気泳動に供した後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit(QIAGEN)によりDNAを調製した。調製したDNA断片およびpET 32a(Novagen)を制限酵素BamHI(NEB)およびXhoI(NEB)を用いて、37℃で1時間以上処理し、アガロースゲル電気泳動後に、所望のDNA断片を切り出し、QIAquick PCR Purification Kit(QIAGEN)により精製した。T4 DNA Ligase(NEB)を用いて、それぞれの精製断片を16℃で一晩反応させることでligation反応を実施した。Ligation溶液は、大腸菌JM109(TOYOBO)に添加し、氷上で30分間静置した後、42℃で45秒の熱処理、さらに氷上で5分間静置し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YTプレートに播種後、37℃で一晩静置培養することで、大腸菌を形質転換した。形質転換された大腸菌を培養した後に、miniprepおよび配列解析を実施することで、「pET 32a_HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308_D1G_S16A_Kex2」「pET 32a_HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308_D1S_S16A_Kex2」「pET 32a_HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308_D1E_S16A_Kex2」「pET 32a_HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308_D1SLI_S16A_Kex2」を構築した。尚、操作は(1-1-1)に記載の方法に準じて行った。
(6-3)HTRA1阻害ペプチド誘導体の調製
(6-1)および(6-2)で構築したベクター5種をそれぞれ大腸菌Origami B (DE3)(Novagen)へ形質転換し、0.1mg/mlアンピシリンを含む2YT培地を用いて37℃で培養後、IPTG(最終濃度1mM)を添加し、16℃で一晩培養した。翌日、遠心分離(3,000g、20分、4℃)により集菌後、BugBuster Master Mix(Novagen)を用いてlysateを調製し、TALON Metal Affinity Resin(Clontech)を用いてHis tag融合目的蛋白質を精製した。次に、Kex2(前述)を用いてthioredoxin tagと所望の蛋白質とを切断し、TALONを用いて精製した。さらに、ゲルろ過クロマトグラフィー(Superdex75 10/300 GL)または逆相クロマトグラフィー(YMC-Pack ODS-AM)に供することで、HTRA1阻害ペプチド誘導体5種を調製した。該誘導体の有するアミノ酸配列は、配列番号23乃至27(図35乃至39)に記載されている。
(6-4)HTRA1阻害ペプチド誘導体の評価
(3-1)記載の方法に従い、HTRA1(cat)阻害活性を測定した結果、いずれの誘導体も阻害活性はH308と同等であった(図11)。
実施例(1-2)で調製した3種のHTRA1阻害ペプチド(H308、H321AT、H322AT)および(2-1)で調製したHTRA1(cat)を用いて、免疫沈降法により結合性を評価した。2.5μgの各HTRA1阻害ペプチドと10μgのHTRA1(cat)を室温で30分反応した後、10μLのTALON Metal Affinity Resin(Clontech)を添加した。さらに30分の反応後のResinをImmunoprecipitation(IP)画分として回収し、SDS-PAGEに供することで結合性を評価した。尚、反応のバッファーにはPBSを用いた。
(8-1)ペプチド基質を用いたHTRA1阻害ペプチドのHTRA1阻害活性評価
実施例6で構築した3種のHTRA1阻害ペプチド(H308_D1G_S16A、H321AT_D1G_S16A、H322AT_D1G_S16A)について、基質ペプチドH2-Optを用いて、HTRA1(cat)またはHTRA1(full)阻害活性を評価した(n=3)。基質ペプチドH2-Opt(Mca-IRRVSYSFK(Dnp)K)(株式会社ペプチド研究所:配列番号54、図8)を10mMになるようDMSOで溶解し、Assay buffer(50mM Tris,150mM NaCl,0.25% CHAPS,pH8.0)で希釈して終濃度10μMで使用した。Assay bufferで希釈したHTRA1(HTRA1(cat)またはHTRA1(full);実施例2)とHTRA1阻害ペプチドをそれぞれ25μLずつ混ぜ、37℃で20分反応させた後にAssay bufferで希釈した基質を50μL加えて、Enspire(PerkinElmer)で蛍光シグナル(excitation 328nm/emission 393nm)を測定した。HTRA1は終濃度10nM、HTRA1阻害ペプチドは終濃度1.875~1,000nM、反応および測定にはプロテオセーブ(登録商標)SS96F黒プレート(住友ベークライト株式会社)を使用した。
ヒトVitronectinをタンパク基質として、HTRA1阻害ペプチドのHTRA1阻害活性を評価した。操作は実施例(3-2)に従った。
基質ペプチドの切断を指標に、他のプロテアーゼに対する特異性を評価した。Bovine trypsin、Bovine α-chymotrypsin、Protein C、Tryptase、Chymase、Thrombin、Plasmin、tPA、Plasma kallikrein、Matriptase、uPA、HTRA2については実施例(3-3)に記載の方法に従った(n=3)。また、他のプロテアーゼに対する阻害活性の手順、プロテアーゼおよび基質の組み合わせは以下の通り。
実施例6で調製した3種のHTRA1阻害ペプチドおよび(2-1)で調製したHTRA1(cat)を用いて、実施例7の操作に従い、免疫沈降法により結合性を評価した。
実施例(5-1)で構築したラット光照射網膜障害モデルを用いて、実施例6で作製した3種のHTRA1阻害ペプチドの網膜保護効果を評価した。操作は実施例5に従った。いずれの群も例数は6であった。
(11-1)ハイドロキノン含有高脂肪食負荷によるウサギ網膜障害モデルの作製
高脂肪食(High Fat Diet;HFD)とハイドロキノン(Hydroquinone;HQ)を用いた網膜障害モデルは、酸化促進物質により酸化ストレスを惹起し網膜障害を引き起こすモデルであり、マウスにおいてのみモデルが報告されている(Diego G. Espinosa-Heidmann et al.,(2006) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 47巻(2号):729-737頁)。そこで、1.5%(W/V)ココナッツオイル-0.25%(W/V)コレステロール-1.5%(W/V)ピーナッツオイル-2.4%(W/V)ハイドロキノン含有RC4(オリエンタル酵母)食(HFD-HQ)を3歳齢JWウサギに4ヶ月間摂食させることでウサギ網膜障害モデルを構築した。安楽殺後に眼球を摘出し、角膜輪部より5mm程度外側で切開して前眼部を取り除き、さらに硝子体を分離した後、網膜-脈絡膜-強膜を4%(W/V)パラホルムアルデヒド固定液で24時間以上浸漬させ固定した。固定後、脈絡膜を分離し、一次抗体ZO-1 Monoclonal Antibody (ZO1-1A12)(Themo Fisher SCIENTIFIC;33-9100)および二次抗体Chicken anti-Mouse IgG (H+L) Cross-Adsorbed Secondary Antibody, Alexa Fluor 594(Themo Fisher SCIENTIFIC;A-21201)を用いて免疫染色を行った。蛍光顕微鏡(BZ-9000;KEYENCE)を用いて染色した脈絡膜を観察し、染色された網膜色素上皮(RPE)細胞の面積を求め、RPE細胞障害を評価した。
(11-2)網膜障害時のAMD関連因子C3発現量の増加
AMD関連因子の発現を評価するため、当該ウサギ網膜障害モデルから網膜およびRPE/脈絡膜からそれぞれ組織を採取し、RNeasy mini kit (QIAGEN)を用いてmRNAを抽出後、TaqMan Gene Expression Master Mix(Thermo Fisher Scientific)を用いて逆転写反応を行った。TaqMan Gene Expression Assay(Oc03397832_g1およびOc03824857_g1;Thermo Fisher Scientific)を用いて、7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System(Applied Biosystems)により補体第三因子C3および内部標準β-actinのmRNA量を定量解析した。尚、3歳齢ウサギの例数は4、HFD-HQ負荷3歳齢ウサギの例数は10として解析を実施した。
(11-3)網膜障害時のHTRA1タンパク量の増加
ウサギ網膜障害モデルにおけるHTRA1の関与を調べるため、(6-1)で作製したモデルウサギから硝子体液を採取し、Trypsin/Lys-C Mix(Promega)を用いて酵素消化後、LC(EASY-nLC 1000; Thermo Fisher Scientific)-MS(TripleTOF 6600;SCIEX)を用いてHTRA1のペプチド断片を定量した。HFD-HQを与えたウサギの硝子体液中ではHTRA1タンパク量が増加していることが明らかになった(図71(E))。以上のことから、RPE細胞肥大化およびAMD関連因子C3、HTRA1の発現亢進が認められたことから、当該ウサギ網膜障害モデルが加齢性網膜疾患研究に有用であることが示された。
(11-4)ウサギ網膜障害モデルにおけるHTRA1阻害剤の網膜保護効果
当該ウサギモデルを用いて、実施例1で作製したHTRA1阻害ペプチドH308の網膜保護効果を評価した。HFD-HQの給餌開始から2ヶ月後に、40mg/mLのH308溶液50μLを麻酔下で片眼に硝子体内に投与した。僚眼には生理食塩水を硝子体内投与した。いずれの群も例数は5であった。
ARPE-19細胞を10%Fetal bovine serum(FBS)、Penicillin-Streptomycin(Thermo Fisher Scientific)含有のDMEM/F-12培地(和光純薬工業株式会社)を用いて37℃、5%CO2条件下で、12mm Transwell with 0.4μm Pore Polyester Membrane Insert,Sterile(Corning)中にてコンフルエントになるまで培養した。その後、FBS非含有のDMEM/F-12で5日間培養し、チャンバー上下層に終濃度が500μMのH2O2を、チャンバー上層に終濃度25%のNormal Human Serum Complement(Quidel)をそれぞれ添加した。さらにチャンバー上下層にHTRA1(実施例2-2)、HTRA1プロテアーゼ不活性変異体HTRA1(S328A)(実施例2-3)、または、HTRA1阻害ペプチドH308_D1G_S16A(実施例6)をそれぞれ終濃度1μMとなるように加えた。4時間後に培養上清を除去し、PBSで洗浄後、SuperPrepTM Cell Lysis & RT Kit for qPCR(東洋紡株式会社)によりmRNAを抽出し、逆転写反応を行った。TaqMan Gene Expression Assays(Hs000900055_m1およびHs02786624_g1;Thermo Fisher Scientific)を用いて、7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System(Applied Biosystems)によりVEGFのmRNA量を定量解析した。尚、mRNA量の補正にはGAPDHを用いた。
(13-1)HUVEC遊走試験
HUVEC(Kurabo Industries)は0.1%BSA含有EBMTM-2基本培地(Lonza Walkersville)に血清とVEGFを除いたEGMTM-2 SingleQuotsTM添加因子セットを添加した培地(0.1%BSA含有無血清EGM)で37℃、5%CO2条件下で18時間培養した後、0.1%BSA含有無血清EGMで4×105個/mLとなるよう調製した。メンブレンをゼラチンコートしたCorning FluoroBlok HTS 96 Well Multiwell Permeable Support System with 3.0 μm High Density PET Membrane(Corning)のチャンバー上層に、4×105個/mLのHUVEC懸濁液を50μL/ウェルで添加した後、チャンバー下層に210μL/ウェルで下記サンプル(培地1または2、3)を添加した(n=3)。また、HUVECを添加していないチャンバー上層には、0.1%BSA含有無血清EGMを50μL添加し、そのチャンバー下層には、0.1%BSA含有無血清EGMを210μL添加した(n=3)。
培地1;0.1%BSA含有無血清EGM
培地2;全てのEGMTM-2 SingleQuotsTM 添加因子を添加したEBMTM-2培地(EGM増殖培地)
培地3;300nMのH308_DIG_S16Aを含むEGM増殖培地
細胞とサンプルを添加したFluoroBlok HTS 96 Well Multiwell Support Systemを37℃、5%CO2条件下で2時間インキュベーションし、下層へ遊走したHUVECをPBSで洗浄後、4μg/mLのCalcein-AM(Thermo Fisher Scientific)含有0.1%BSA含有無血清EGMで15分間染色した。その後、培地をPBSに置換し、各ウェルの蛍光強度(励起波長/蛍光波長:485nm/535nm)をプレートリーダー(ARVO-MX、PerkinElmer)で測定し、次式で各ウェルの遊走細胞を算出した。
遊走細胞=HUVEC存在ウェルの蛍光強度の平均(n=3)-ブランクウェルの蛍光強度の平均(n=3)。
実施例(11-1)~(11-3)で作製、評価したウサギ網膜障害モデルを用いて、実施例1で作製したHTRA1阻害ペプチドH308又は実施例6で作製した3種のHTRA1阻害ペプチドのうち1種の網膜障害に対する治療効果を評価する。40mg/mLの阻害ペプチド溶液50μLを麻酔下でモデル動物の片眼に硝子体内に投与し2ヶ月間飼育する。僚眼には生理食塩水を硝子体内投与する。いずれの群も例数は5とする。
(15-1)Rd10マウスの飼育
B6.CXB1-Pde6brd10/J (以下Rd10)マウスはPde6b遺伝子に変異を認め、自然発症に視細胞死を誘発するモデルである。網膜色素変性症のモデル動物として汎用されている(Vision Res. 2002年2月刊;42巻(4号):517-25頁:Chang B1,Hawes NL,Hurd RE,Davisson MT, Nusinowitz S,及びHeckenlively JR著.)。通常の飼育条件でマウスを飼育した。
(15-2)マウス硝子体への被験物質投与
P14, 19の時点で、ケタミン麻酔下に33G針を用い、薬液0.5μLを硝子体内投与した。片眼へPBS投与、僚眼にHTRA1阻害ペプチド(H308_D1G_S16A:配列番号24、図36)を投与した。
(15-3)視細胞死の評価および解析
安楽殺後に眼球を摘出し、3.7%(W/V)ホルムアルデヒド-0.5~1%(W/V)メタノール-0.2%(W/V)ピクリン酸固定液で24時間以上浸漬させ固定した。パラフィン包埋後、薄切切片を作製した。切片はヘマトキシリン-エオジン染色を行い、網膜断層の外顆粒層(ONL層)の厚さを内顆粒層(INL層)の厚さで補正することで、視細胞保護効果を評価した。測定箇所は乳頭部から両側に0.6 mmの箇所2点をcentral部、同1.8 mmの箇所2点をperipheral部とし、central部2箇所の平均、peripheral部2箇所の平均値をそれぞれ求めた。統計解析はStudentのpaired-t検定法を用いた。
(15-4)結果
HTRA1阻害ペプチドの160 μg/eye投与眼はPBS投与眼に較べて、central部において、統計学的に有意に外顆粒層(視細胞の核が集積する)の厚さを改善させた。また32 μg/eye投与眼では同様の薬効を示さず、用量依存性が確認された(図78)。
(16-1)ウサギ網膜におけるHTRA1のmRNA発現解析
雄15週齢の野生型(WT)と変異型ロドプシン遺伝子[P347L]導入(Tg)ウサギの網膜からRNAをRNeasy Mini Kit(QIAGEN)を用いて抽出し、High-Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit(Thermo Fisher)を用いてcDNAに逆転写後、TaqMan プローブ(Thermo Fisher)及び、TaqMan Gene Expression Assays(Thermo Fisher)を用いて、HTRA1のmRNA発現解析を行った。
(16-2)レーザーマイクロダイセクションを用いた部位特異的なHTRA1のmRNA発現解析
雄24週齢のWTとTgウサギの網膜を10%中性緩衝ホルマリンを用いて固定し、パラフィン包埋標本を作製後、薄切しニッスル染色を行った。染色した切片からLMD6500(Leica)を用いて、神経節細胞層、内顆粒層、外顆粒層を切り出し、QIAGEN RNeasyFFPEMiniKit(QIAGEN)を用いてRNAを抽出した後、SMARTer Stranded Total RNA-Seq Kit-Pico Input Mammalian(Clontech)を用いてそれぞれのライブラリを作製した。Nextseq(illumina)を用いて、ライブラリの配列を網羅的に解析した。それぞれの層に特異的に発現するマーカー遺伝子の解析により、切り出しに問題がないことを確認した。HTRA1 mRNAのコピー数を、TPM(Transcript Per Million)値として算出した。
(16-3-1)
15週齢の時点で、Tgウサギの網膜では野生型のウサギに較べて約1.5倍のHTRA1 mRNAが発現していた。また、外顆粒層において視細胞変性が生じていた(Tgウサギの例数は5、野生型ウサギの例数は4)。
(16-3-2)
24週齢の時点で、レーザーマイクロダイセクション法により部位別の解析を行ったところ、野生型ウサギおよびTgウサギについて、(ア)神経節細胞層におけるTPM値は11.76±1.47および9.99±3.94、(イ)内顆粒層におけるTPM値は75.79±22.02および54.55±13.12、(ウ)外顆粒層におけるTPM値は6.21±3.33および25.37±6.45(両数値間に統計学的有意差あり)であった(例数は3乃至6)。
(16-3-3)
P347Lトランスジェニックウサギは人の網膜色素変性症患者と同じロドプシン遺伝子変異を持つ。人の網膜色素変性症患者と同様に視細胞死が誘発され、今回用いた生後15乃至24週齢の条件において視細胞変性が認められる(Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009年5月刊;50巻(3号):1371-7頁: Kondo M1, Sakai T, Komeima K, Kurimoto Y, Ueno S, Nishizawa Y, Usukura J, Fujikado T, Tano Y,およびTerasaki H.著)。
外顆粒層は視細胞の核が集積している部位であり、視細胞変性とHTRA1遺伝子発現増加との間に相関が見られたことから、本発明の他の開示をも踏まえれば、P347Lをはじめとしたロドプシン遺伝子変異のある網膜色素変性症に対して有用な治療薬となることが示唆される。
配列番号2:ヒトSPINK2のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図14)
配列番号3:ペプチドH218のアミノ酸配列(図15)
配列番号4:ペプチドH218のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図16)
配列番号5:ペプチドH223のアミノ酸配列(図17)
配列番号6:ペプチドH223のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図18)
配列番号7:ペプチドH228のアミノ酸配列(図19)
配列番号8:ペプチドH228のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図20)
配列番号9:ペプチドH308のアミノ酸配列(図21)
配列番号10:ペプチドH308のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図22)
配列番号11:ペプチドH321のアミノ酸配列(図23)
配列番号12:ペプチドH321のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図24)
配列番号13:ペプチドH322のアミノ酸配列(図25)
配列番号14:ペプチドH322のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図26)
配列番号15:ペプチド誘導体H308ATのアミノ酸配列(図27)
配列番号16:ペプチド誘導体H308ATのアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図28)
配列番号17:ペプチド誘導体H321ATのアミノ酸配列(図29)
配列番号18:ペプチド誘導体H321ATのアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図30)
配列番号19:ペプチド誘導体H322ATのアミノ酸配列(図31)
配列番号20:ペプチド誘導体H322ATのアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図32)
配列番号21:ペプチドM7のアミノ酸配列(図33)
配列番号22:ペプチドM7のアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列(図34)
配列番号23:ペプチド誘導体H308_S16Aのアミノ酸配列(図35)
配列番号24:ペプチド誘導体H308_D1G_S16Aのアミノ酸配列(図36)
配列番号25:ペプチド誘導体H308_D1S_S16Aのアミノ酸配列(図37)
配列番号26:ペプチド誘導体H308_D1E_S16Aのアミノ酸配列(図38)
配列番号27:ペプチド誘導体H308_D1SLI_S16Aのアミノ酸配列(図39)
配列番号28:ペプチド誘導体H321AT_D1G_S16Aのアミノ酸配列(図40)
配列番号29:ペプチド誘導体H322AT_D1G_S16Aのアミノ酸配列(図41)
配列番号30:HTRA1阻害ペプチドの一般式(図42)
配列番号31:S tag及びリンカーからなるアミノ酸配列(図43)
配列番号32:C末6マーのアミノ酸配列(図44)
配列番号33:プライマー1のヌクレオチド配列(図45)
配列番号34:プライマー2のヌクレオチド配列(図46)
配列番号35:プライマー3のヌクレオチド配列(図47)
配列番号36:プライマー4のヌクレオチド配列(図48)
配列番号37:プライマー5のヌクレオチド配列(図49)
配列番号38:プライマー6のヌクレオチド配列(図50)
配列番号39:プライマー7のヌクレオチド配列(図51)
配列番号40:プライマー8のヌクレオチド配列(図52)
配列番号41:プライマー9のヌクレオチド配列(図53)
配列番号42:プライマー10のヌクレオチド配列(図54)
配列番号43:プライマー11のヌクレオチド配列(図55)
配列番号44:プライマー12のヌクレオチド配列(図56)
配列番号45:プライマー13のヌクレオチド配列(図57)
配列番号46:プライマー14のヌクレオチド配列(図58)
配列番号47:プライマー15のヌクレオチド配列(図59)
配列番号48:プライマー16のヌクレオチド配列(図60)
配列番号49:プライマー17のヌクレオチド配列(図61)
配列番号50:プライマー18のヌクレオチド配列(図62)
配列番号51:プライマー19のヌクレオチド配列(図63)
配列番号52:プライマー20のヌクレオチド配列(図64)
配列番号53:ヒトHTRAI(full)のアミノ酸配列(図65)
配列番号54:H2-Optのアミノ酸配列(図8)
配列番号55:プライマー21のヌクレオチド配列(図76)
配列番号56:プライマー22のヌクレオチド配列(図77)
Claims (19)
- 配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列を含み、且つ、ヒトHTRA1の有するプロテアーゼ活性を阻害する、SPINK2変異体ペプチドを含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物。
- 該ペプチドに含まれる、配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列中、1番目のXaa(X1)はAsp、Glu、Ser、Gly,又はIle、2番目のXaa(X2)はAla、Gly、Leu、Ser又はThr、3番目のXaa(X3)はAsp、His、Lys、Met又はGln、4番目のXaa(X4)はAsp、Phe、His、Ser又はTyr、5番目のXaa(X5)はAla、Asp、Glu、Met又はAsn、6番目のXaa(X6)はMet又はTrp、7番目のXaa(X7)はGln、Trp、Tyr又はVal、8番目のXaa(X8)はPhe、Leu又はTyr、9番目のXaa(X9)はPhe又はTyr、10番目のXaaX10)はAla、Glu、Met又はVal、並びに、11番目のXaa(X11)はAla、Thr又はValである、請求項1記載の医薬組成物。
- 該ペプチドが、配列番号3、5、7、9、11、13、15、17、19、21及び23乃至29(図15、図17、図19、図21、図23、図25、図27、図29、図31、図33及び、図35乃至41)のいずれか一つで示されるアミノ酸配列を含む、請求項1又は2記載の医薬組成物。
- 該ペプチドが、配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列のアミノ末端側に1乃至3個のアミノ酸がペプチド結合してなるアミノ酸配列を含む、請求項1乃至3のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物。
- 該ペプチドが、配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列のカルボキシル末端側に1又は2個のアミノ酸がペプチド結合してなるアミノ酸配列を含む、請求項1乃至4のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物。
- 該ペプチドが、3つのジスルフィド結合を有し、ループ構造、αへリックス及びβシートを含むことで特徴付けられる立体構造を有する、請求項1乃至5のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物。
- 請求項1乃至6のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列を含むポリヌクレオチドを含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物。
- 請求項1乃至6のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列を含むベクターを含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物。
- 請求項1乃至6のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドに含まれるアミノ酸配列をコードするヌクレオチド配列を含むポリヌクレオチド若しくは該ヌクレオチド配列を含むベクターを含む細胞又は請求項1乃至6のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドを産生する細胞を含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物。
- 請求項1乃至6のいずれか一つに記載のペプチドに他の部分が連結してなるコンジュゲートを含む網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための医薬組成物。
- 該コンジュゲートが、ポリペプチドである、請求項10記載の医薬組成物。
- 網膜色素変性症の治療又は予防のための、請求項1乃至11のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物。
- 視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患の治療又は予防のための、請求項1乃至11のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物。
- 視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患が黄斑ジストロフィーである、請求項13記載の医薬組成物。
- PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療又は予防のための、請求項1乃至11のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物。
- PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患が色覚異常又は常染色体優性先天性停在性夜盲である、請求項15記載の医薬組成物。
- 1つ又は2つ以上の他の医薬を含む、請求項1乃至16のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物。
- 1つ又は2つ以上の他の医薬と組み合わせて使用される、請求項1乃至17のいずれか一つに記載の医薬組成物。
- 下記の工程1乃至工程3を含む、網膜色素変性症、視細胞変性を伴う遺伝性疾患、及び/又は、PDE6蛋白質機能異常関連疾患の治療薬又は予防薬を同定する方法:
[工程1]HTRA1プロテアーゼ及び基質を、配列番号30(図42)で示されるアミノ酸配列を含むSPINK2変異体ペプチドである被検物質の存在下又は非存在下で保温する;
[工程2]被検物質の存在下及び非存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性を検出する;
[工程3]被検物質の存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性が、被検物質の非存在下でのHTRA1プロテアーゼ活性と比較して小さい場合、該被検物質を陽性と判定する。
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