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Design of de novo peptides and electrophysiological testing for voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 inhibition related to chronic pain treatment

Award Number: F31NS124337
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

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Project Summary/Abstract Current drug discovery efforts for non-addictive, chronic pain management are targeting human voltage-gated sodium (hNaV) channels: pore-forming transmembrane proteins that evoke the fast action potential in excitable neuronal, cardiac, and skeletal cells. Genetic and preclinical target validation studies have identified hNaV1.7, hNaV1.8, hNaV1.9 channel subtypes as key proteins in pain signaling with emphasis on hNaV1.7 for its predominant expression in the peripheral nervous system. Attempts at selectively targeting hNaV1.7 with pre- clinical small-molecule drugs fall short due to non-selective binding to other hNaV channel subtypes and other ion channel families; non-selective binding can lead to cardiac arrest, paralysis and seizure. Peptide toxins originating from tarantula, spider, and scorpion have been identified as potent hNaV-inhibiting biologics. Notably, Protoxin-II, the neurotoxin from the Peruvian green velvet tarantula, has approximately 1 nM half- maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) to hNav1.7. However, these peptide toxins also have non-selective binding to hNav1.7. With recent cryo-EM structural images of Protoxin-II bound to voltage-sensing domain II of hNaV1.7, it is now possible to design peptides mimicking Protoxin-II that are selective to hNaV1.7. Advances in de novo protein design methods using Rosetta – a protein structure prediction and design software suite – enable a new avenue of drug design and virtual screening prior to experimental validation. Thus, the project aims to create new peptides inspired from Protoxin-II to selectively target hNaV1.7. The methodology designs new peptide topologies that incorporate the Protoxin-II motif structurally shown to bind to hNaV1.7. The peptides are further optimized to bind to residues unique to hNaV1.7: residues that are not targeted by natural peptide toxins. Upon synthesis of candidate peptides, they will be validated to selectively target hNaV1.7 using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. The results will improve our mechanistic understanding needed for selective, yet potent hNaV1.7 inhibition. Further, this research will be the first attempt at using a combination of Rosetta de novo protein design methods to create unique peptides selective for hNaV1.7. The applicant upon completion of this project will have a refined expertise of computational protein design methods and receive training in electrophysiology for the first time. Throughout this project, the sponsor and co-sponsor will implement a training plan to strengthen the applicant’s knowledge of neuroscience and drug discovery, while broadening their collaborative network, and sharpening their scientific communication skills. This plan is tailored such that the applicant is prepared for an academic career designing peptide biologics for the treatment and investigation of ion channel pathologies.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $36,085 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	2/12/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$36,085
														Subtotal = $36,085

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $40,350 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	1/20/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$39,408
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	2	2/9/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$942
														Subtotal = $40,350

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $39,156 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	2/3/2022	NEW	$38,440
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	1	6/2/2022	NEW	$0
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	1	6/2/2022	NEW	$716
														Subtotal = $39,156

Grand Total All Awards = $115,591

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Design of de novo peptides and electrophysiological testing for voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 inhibition related to chronic pain treatment

Award Number: F31NS124337

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

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