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Converting a broad matrix metalloproteinase family inhibitor into a specific inhibitor of MMP ‐9 and MMP ‐14
Author(s) -
Shirian Jason,
Arkadash Valeria,
Cohen Itay,
Sapir Tamila,
Radisky Evette S.,
Papo Niv,
Shifman Julia M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.13016
Subject(s) - matrix metalloproteinase , yeast , chemistry , matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor , genetically engineered , biochemistry , gene
MMP ‐14 and MMP ‐9 are two well‐established cancer targets for which no specific clinically relevant inhibitor is available. Using a powerful combination of computational design and yeast surface display technology, we engineered such an inhibitor starting from a nonspecific MMP inhibitor, N‐ TIMP 2. The engineered purified N‐ TIMP 2 variants showed enhanced specificity toward MMP ‐14 and MMP ‐9 relative to a panel of off‐target MMP s. MMP ‐specific N‐ TIMP 2 sequence signatures were obtained that could be understood from the structural perspective of MMP /N‐ TIMP 2 interactions. Our MMP ‐9 inhibitor exhibited 1000‐fold preference for MMP ‐9 vs. MMP ‐14, which is likely to translate into significant differences under physiological conditions. Our results provide new insights regarding evolution of promiscuous proteins and optimization strategies for design of inhibitors with single‐target specificities.