Delivering a protein in its active state into a targeted cell is a major technological hurdle. However, the ability to do so would open up numerous applications in both clinical and basic research settings. We propose to develop cell-targeting systems that fulfill this task, composed of two components: the cell targeting module, and the protein cargo. The targeting modules will be based on the molecular scaffolds of single chain variable fragments (scFvs;~25 kDa), designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins;~15 kDa), and affibodies (~ 9 kDa). Theses scaffolds will undergo optimization using phage display technology in order to acquire the needed attributes. These include tight and specific binding to a cell surface antigen, which is followed by efficient internalization and escape into the cytoplasmic compartment. These properties of the delivery scaffold will allow it to act as a transporter of proteins into cells. To test our technology, we will deliver an engineered version of human deoxycytidine kinase (dCKEN), which is a novel enzyme variant that has been endowed with thymidine kinase activity. We will test the efficiency and selectivity of the delivery scaffolds for their ability to ferry dCKEN into HER2 positive cells. The unique catalytic activity of this engineered enzyme will allow us to confine the activation of thymidine analogs only to cells that have internalized the enzyme. In this way, we would have developed a system that can be used to eradicate HER2 positive cells while not affecting other cells. The challenges to the delivery technology are to discover scaffolds that can be obtained at high yield in E. coli, that bind to the cell-surface marker with low nanomolar affinity, and that undergo efficient internalization and escape from endocytic vesicles into the cytoplasm. The novelty of this work stems from the type of delivery scaffolds used, which are much smaller than conventional monoclonal-based targeting systems. The advantages of using these smaller scaffolds include deeper penetration into solid tumors, reduced non-specific binding due to the absence of an Fc region present in monoclonal antibodies, and the ability for production in E. coli. Moreover, every aspect of the delivery scaffold, from binding affinity via internalization propensity, to escape from vesicles into the cytoplasm will be optimized by coupling phage display with the appropriate selection method.

Public Health Relevance

A major technological hurdle confronting cancer therapeutics is how to take advantage of cancer-cell markers to achieve targeted therapy. This application addresses this need by developing an enzyme delivery technology that transports a unique enzyme into the intracellular compartment of cancer cells. Subsequent administration of an otherwise non-toxic prodrug that is converted to its toxic form by the unique enzyme will result in the elimination of the targeted cancer cells. Importantly, this approach will spare healthy tissue.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21CA155424-03
Application #
8518269
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1-SRLB-Q (O1))
Program Officer
Fu, Yali
Project Start
2011-09-01
Project End
2014-08-31
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$186,663
Indirect Cost
$69,633
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
098987217
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
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Schalk, Amanda M; Nguyen, Hien-Anh; Rigouin, Coraline et al. (2014) Identification and structural analysis of an L-asparaginase enzyme from guinea pig with putative tumor cell killing properties. J Biol Chem 289:33175-86
Nomme, Julian; Su, Ying; Lavie, Arnon (2014) Elucidation of the specific function of the conserved threonine triad responsible for human L-asparaginase autocleavage and substrate hydrolysis. J Mol Biol 426:2471-85
Schalk, Amanda M; Lavie, Arnon (2014) Structural and kinetic characterization of guinea pig L-asparaginase type III. Biochemistry 53:2318-28
Su, Ying; Karamitros, Christos S; Nomme, Julian et al. (2013) Free glycine accelerates the autoproteolytic activation of human asparaginase. Chem Biol 20:533-40
Nomme, Julian; Su, Ying; Konrad, Manfred et al. (2012) Structures of apo and product-bound human L-asparaginase: insights into the mechanism of autoproteolysis and substrate hydrolysis. Biochemistry 51:6816-26