Fluorogenic Peptide for Active Proteasome Detection in Bladder Cancer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting proteasome activity, particularly in the context of bladder cancer, are time-consuming, non-specific, and require large amounts of biological material, often detecting the entire proteasome population rather than the actively enzymatic fraction.

Innovation Solution

A new peptide compound, ABZ-Dap(O2(Cbz))-Dap(O1)-Dap(O2)-Arg-ANB-NH2, is synthesized using modified diamino acid derivatives with PEG residues, which undergoes selective hydrolysis by proteasome 20S, allowing for sensitive detection of bladder cancer using a simple and rapid fluorescence-based assay in human urine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If immunochemical techniques (ELISA tests) are used to measure proteasome concentration, then the entire proteasome population can be detected, but the procedure is time-consuming and detects the whole proteasome population rather than the actively enzymatic fraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of active proteasomeVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and measures only the actively enzymatic fraction of proteasome by using a fluorogenic substrate that specifically reacts with active proteasome molecules. This approach isolates the functional subset from the total proteasome population, enabling selective detection of the active fraction without measuring inactive forms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex immunochemical techniques with a simpler fluorogenic substrate-based assay. The fluorescent substrate undergoes hydrolysis by active proteasome, producing a measurable fluorescent signal that directly indicates active enzyme presence, eliminating the need for time-consuming antibody-based procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional peptide substrates with 4-5 amino acid residues are used, then proteasome activity can be determined, but the sensitivity and specificity for cancer detection are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecancer detection sensitivityVSAvoidcompound structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces PEG residues at specific positions within the peptide sequence (positions 2 and/or 3), creating localized modifications that enhance the compound's interaction with proteasome. This local structural enhancement improves sensitivity and specificity for cancer detection without requiring complete redesign of the entire peptide structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite peptide structure combining traditional amino acid residues with PEG (polyethylene glycol) chains. This composite structure integrates the enzymatic recognition capabilities of the peptide sequence with the enhanced solubility, stability, and binding properties of PEG, resulting in superior detection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If large amounts of biological material are used for detection, then sufficient signal can be obtained, but the requirement for large sample volumes is problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection signal strengthVSAvoidurine sample volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the substrate structure by incorporating PEG residues and optimizing the amino acid sequence to enhance the fluorescent signal generated per unit of proteasome activity. This parameter optimization allows detection with minimal sample volume (50 µl urine) while maintaining strong signal output, eliminating the need for large sample volumes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compound achieves a higher sensitivity and specificity for bladder cancer detection, requiring only 50 µl of urine and taking 30 minutes, with a detection limit of 10 pM, effectively identifying active proteasome presence correlated with cancer.

Implementation Method 1

The compound achieves a higher sensitivity and specificity for bladder cancer detection, requiring only 50 µl of urine and taking 30 minutes, with a detection limit of 10 pM, effectively identifying active proteasome presence correlated with cancer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

These compounds allow to determine the activity of proteasome, including the presence of proteasome or another proteolytic enzyme. When the C-terminus fluorescent group is released, it tends to be highly fluorescent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3423111B1Compound, process for its preparation, a pharmaceutical solution containing the compound, a method of determining the presence of cancer, a kit for cancer detection, and the of hydrolysis of the compound for the detection of cancer
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 INSTYTUT BIOTECHNOLOGII I MEDYCYNY MOLEKULARNEJ
  • EP3423111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3423111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3423111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The subject of the invention is a new compound of the following chemical formula: ABZ1 -Dap(02(Cbz))2-Dap(01 )3-Dap(02)4-Arg5-ANB6-NH2 where: ABZ stands for 2-aminobenzoic acid; DAP stands for diaminopropanoic acid (Dap) derivatives, modified by the functionalised residues of mono- ethyl ene or diethyl ene glycol (PEG); ANB stands for 5-amino-2-nitrobenzoic acid The subject of the invention is a method for producing the new compound and a phamiaceutical solution for cancer detection, which contains the above-mentioned compound. The subject of the invention is a method for cancer detection through the in vitro analysis of a human urine sample to which a new compound is added and blended with a buffer of pH 7-9. The subject of the invention is also a kit for detecting cancer, in particular bladder cancer, and the use of hydrolysis of the new compound in the position no. 5 by proteasome 20s for cancer detection, in particular bladder cancer.