Peptide Nanoparticles Target GIPC/Synectin PDZ Domain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatments lack effective therapeutics that target the GIPC/synectin protein, which is involved in protein trafficking and receptor clustering, and is associated with IGF-1R and EGFR, leading to unaddressed proliferation and growth in cancer cells.
Innovation Solution
Development of peptides with specific amino acid sequences, such as PSQSSSEA, that bind to the PDZ domain of GIPC/synectin, either alone or conjugated to gold nanoparticles, to inhibit the interaction with IGF-1R and EGFR, thereby reducing tumor growth and proliferation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cancer treatments are used, then general tumor treatment is achieved, but specific targeting of GIPC/synectin-mediated pathways is not accomplished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces peptides as intermediary molecules that specifically bind to the PDZ domain of GIPC/synectin protein. These peptides act as mediators to disrupt the interaction between GIPC/synectin and its downstream targets (IGF-1R and EGFR receptors), thereby achieving specific inhibition of GIPC-mediated signaling pathways without affecting other cancer pathways. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by providing both reliable targeting of GIPC and specificity to GIPC-mediated pathways.
2Reliability
If GIPC function is inhibited to reduce receptor levels, then tumor growth is suppressed, but additional therapeutic options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multi-functional peptide compositions that can simultaneously inhibit multiple GIPC-mediated pathways. The peptides are designed to bind to the PDZ domain of GIPC/synectin, which in turn affects multiple downstream targets including IGF-1R and EGFR receptors. This multi-functional approach provides versatile treatment options by targeting a central node (GIPC) that controls multiple proliferation and growth pathways, thereby offering broad therapeutic coverage against different cancer types and mechanisms.
3Reliability
If peptide sequences are optimized for PDZ domain binding, then affinity to GIPC/synectin is increased, but peptide length and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and optimizes specific critical amino acid residues from longer peptide sequences that are essential for PDZ domain binding. By identifying and isolating the minimal essential sequence elements (such as the core binding motif), the invention achieves high binding affinity to GIPC/synectin while maintaining short peptide lengths. This extraction approach resolves the contradiction by retaining only the necessary binding elements, eliminating unnecessary length and complexity while preserving high affinity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are peptides and nanoparticles conjugates thereof useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders mediated by GIPC/synectin, such as cancer.