Interfering Peptide Development for Stroke

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a fundamental role in all life events and cellular activities. PPIs can form a large and complex network, with more than 500,000 PPI dysregulations associated with pathological events, and the resolution of such dysregulations has been recognized as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of many diseases, including ischemic stroke. Therefore, natural or synthetic peptides capable of interfering with PPIs (also known as interfering peptides) are receiving increasing attention. Due to their physicochemical properties, interfering peptides appear to be better suited than small molecules to interfere with the large surfaces involved in PPIs. In addition, advances in peptide administration, stability, delivery, and safety have stimulated interest in peptide drug development.

Fig. 1. Effect of synthetic inhibitors on GABA_B receptor recirculation. (Dergunova et al., 2023)

Our Interfering Peptide Development Services

Ace Therapeutic offers customized interfering peptide development services to help clients develop drugs for stroke. By identifying and characterizing key PPIs involved in stroke pathology, we help clients develop drugs that interfere with PPIs in ischemic stroke.

Design and Synthesis of Interfering Peptides

Our highly skilled neuropeptide development team can utilize molecular dynamics simulations and advanced screening techniques to achieve efficient and rational design of interfering peptide. We aim to accelerate the process of stroke drug development programs by discovering more low-toxicity interfering peptides with neuroprotective activity and inhibiting the excitatory neuronal death through rational structural design.

• Rationally identification of sequences of the protein-protein interface in complex structures.
• Identification of active interfering peptide sequences using random or systematic strategies.

Optimization of Interfering Peptides

We provide in silico, physicochemical, and biological strategies for the design and optimization of interfering peptides.

• We provide biophysical and computational methods to characterize peptide-protein interactions at the molecular level to guide the selection of chemical modifications that may improve peptide activity and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties.
• We can also introduce strategies such as rigid backbone linkers and the addition of unnatural side chains or modified moieties to increase ligand affinity and chemical diversity, thereby improving drug-forming properties.

Evaluation of Interfering Peptides in Experimental Stroke Models

We use rigorous in vitro and in vivo assays to validate the efficacy and safety of interfering peptides.

• In vitro studies include the use of biochemical and cell-based assays to assess the binding affinity, selectivity, and functional impact on target PPI.
• The neuroprotective effects, biodistribution, and potential side effects of interfering peptides can be assessed in animal models of stroke.

Ace Therapeutics is your trusted partner, provides comprehensive services in the development of interfering peptides for the treatment of stroke. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Dergunova, L. V., et al. (2023). Neuroprotective peptides and new strategies for ischemic stroke drug discoveries. Genes, 14(5), 953.