Macrocyclic peptidomimetics for alpha-helix mimicry

1. A macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of Formula (I):

wherein:

each of A, C, and D is independently a natural or non-natural amino acid;

B is a natural amino acid, non-natural amino acid, an amino acid comprising at least one additional methylene groups between the amino and carboxyl group, an amino acid comprising an amino group which is a secondary or tertiary amine, an amino acid comprising a carboxy group replaced by an ester, [—NHN(R 3 )C(O)—], [—NH-L 3 -CO—], [—NH-L 3 -SO 2 —], or [—NH-L 3 -];

Y is —NH—, —N(R 4 )—, —NHN(R 4 )—, —NH—O—, —O—, or —S—;

Z is —SCH(R 6 )—, —CHR 6 S—, —C═C—, —N(R 5 )CO—, —CON(R 6 )—, —C(R 5 )═N(R 6 )—, —CH(R 5 )—NH(R 6 )—, —C(R 5 )═N—O—, —CH(R 5 )—NH—O—, —C(R 5 )═N—NH(R 6 )—, —CH(R 5 )—NH—NH(R 6 )—, or a triazole group;

L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 are independently aliphatic, aryl, substituted aliphatic, substituted aryl, heteroatom-containing aliphatic, heteroatom-containing aryl, substituted heteroatom-containing aliphatic, or substituted heteroatom-containing aryl groups, each being unsubstituted or substituted with R 7 ;

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , and R 6 are independently —H, an aliphatic, a substituted aliphatic, aryl, or a substituted aryl group;

each R 7 is independently —H, an aliphatic, a substituted aliphatic, an aryl, a substituted aryl group;

x is an integer from 0-10;

y is an integer from 0-10;

z is an integer from 0-10;

w is an integer from 1-1000;

x+y+z is at least 3; and

wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule comprises an alpha-helix and is constrained by side-chain-to-C-end non-peptidic tethers, and wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule does not have the formula:

2. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule has increased stability compared to a corresponding non-macrocyclic polypeptide, wherein the non-macrocyclic polypeptide lacks [Z-L 2 -Y].

3. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein a secondary structure of the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule is more stable than a corresponding secondary structure of a corresponding non-macrocyclic polypeptide, wherein the non-macrocyclic polypeptide lacks [Z-L 2 -Y].

4. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 3 , wherein the secondary structure of the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule corresponds to an alpha-helix.

5. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule has increased proteolytic stability compared to a corresponding non-macrocyclic polypeptide, wherein the non-macrocyclic polypeptide lacks [Z-L 2 -Y].

6. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule has increased biological activity compared to a corresponding non-macrocyclic polypeptide, wherein the non-macrocyclic polypeptide lacks [Z-L 2 -Y].

7. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule has ability to penetrate living cells compared to a corresponding non-macrocyclic polypeptide, wherein the non-macrocyclic polypeptide lacks [Z-L 2 -Y].

8. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein the alpha-helix comprises from one (1) turn to 5 turns.

9. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] spans from one (1) turn to 5 turns of the alpha-helix.

10. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein the length of [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] is 4 Å to 12 Å per turn of the alpha-helix.

11. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] spans one (1) turn of the alpha-helix.

12. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 11 , wherein the length of [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] is equal to the length of from 5 carbon-carbon bonds to 11 carbon-carbon bonds.

13. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 11 , wherein the macrocycle comprises a ring of 15 atoms to 21 atoms.

14. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] spans two (2) turns of the alpha-helix.

15. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 14 , wherein the length of [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] is equal to the length of from 7 carbon-carbon bonds to 17 carbon-carbon bonds.

16. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 14 , wherein the macrocycle comprises a ring of 28 atoms to 38 atoms.

17. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 1 , wherein the macrocycle-forming linker [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] is selected from a group of macrocycle-forming linkers consisting of

wherein

the symbol

 indicates an ortho-, meta- or para-disubstituted phenyl ring;

‘m’ and ‘n’ are each independently an integer number ranging from 1 to 10;

‘q’ is an integer number from 0 to 5; and

each R′ is independently —H or —CH 3 .

18. A method for synthesizing a macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule, comprising contacting a precursor peptidomimetic molecule of Formula (IV):

with a compound of Formula (V):

Q 2 -L 2 -Y—H  (V)

wherein

each of A, C, and D is independently a natural or non-natural amino acid;

B is a natural amino acid, non-natural amino acid, an amino acid comprising at least one additional methylene groups between the amino and carboxyl group, an amino acid comprising an amino group which is a secondary or tertiary amine, an amino acid comprising a carboxy group replaced by an ester, [—NHN(R 3 )C(O)—], [—NH-L 3 -CO—], [—NH-L 3 -SO 2 —], or [—NH-L 3 -];

Y is —NH—, —N(R 4 )—, —NHN(R 4 )—, —O—NH—, —O—, or —S—;

L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 are independently aliphatic, aryl, substituted aliphatic, substituted aryl, heteroatom-containing aliphatic, heteroatom-containing aryl, substituted heteroatom-containing aliphatic, substituted heteroatom-containing aryl groups, each being unsubstituted or substituted with R 7 ;

Q 1 is selected from a group consisting of sulphydryl (—SH), amino (—NHR 5 ), alkenyl (—C═CH 2 ), alkynyl (—C≡CH), azido (—N 3 ), keto (—C(O)R 5 —), and carboxy (—C(O)OH) group;

Q 2 is selected from a group consisting of —CH(R 6 )X, where X is F, Cl, Br, or I, amino (—NHR 6 ), oxyamino (—ONH 2 ), hydrazino (—NR 6 NH 2 ), alkenyl (—C═CH 2 ), alkynyl (—C≡CH), azido (—N 3 ), keto (—C(O)R 6 —), and carboxy (—COOH) group;

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , and R 6 are independently —H, aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, aryl, or substituted aryl group;

each R 7 is independently —H, an aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, an aryl, a substituted aryl group;

x is an integer from 0-10;

y is an integer from 0-10;

z is an integer from 0-10;

w is an integer from 1-1000;

x+y+z is at least 3; and

(LG) is a group that activates the terminal carboxylic acid carbonyl group toward nucleophilic substitution;

wherein the contacting results in a covalent linkage being formed between the side-chain group, L 1 , and the C-terminal carboxyl group of the compound of Formula (IV) via a linker moiety, and

wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule comprises an α-helix.

19. A macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule for use in the treatment of a p53/HDM2/HDMX-related disease in a subject, this macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule having the structure of Formula (VII):

wherein:

each A, C, and D is independently a natural or non-natural amino acid;

B is a natural amino acid, non-natural amino acid, an amino acid comprising at least one additional methylene groups between the amino and carboxyl group, an amino acid comprising an amino group which is a secondary or tertiary amine, an amino acid comprising a carboxy group replaced by an ester, [—NHN(R 3 )C(O)—], [—NH-L 3 -CO—], [—NH-L 3 -SO 2 —], or [—NH-L 3 -];

Y is —NH—, —N(R 4 )—, —NHN(R 4 )—, —NH—O—, —O—, or —S—;

Z is —SCHR 6 —, —CHR 6 S—, —C═C—, —N(R 5 )CO—, —CON(R 6 )—, —C(R 5 )═N(R 6 )—, —CH(R 5 )—NH(R 6 )—, —C(R 5 )═N—O—, —CH(R 5 )—NH—O—, —C(R 5 )═N—NH(R 6 )—, —CH(R 5 )—NH—NH(R 6 )—, or a triazole group;

L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 are independently aliphatic, aryl, substituted aliphatic, substituted aryl, heteroatom-containing aliphatic, heteroatom-containing aryl, substituted heteroatom-containing aliphatic, substituted heteroatom-containing aryl groups, each being unsubstituted or substituted with R 7 ;

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , and R 6 are independently —H, aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, aryl, or substituted aryl group;

each R 7 is independently —H, an aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, an aryl, and a substituted aryl group;

x is an integer from 0-10;

y is an integer from 0-10;

z is an integer from 0-10;

w is an integer from 1-1000;

x+y+z is at least 3; and

wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 50% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from a group consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 through 37.

20. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 19 , wherein the amino acid sequence comprised in the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule is an amino acid sequence selected from a group consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 through 37.

21. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 19 , wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule comprises a fluorescent label, an affinity label, a radioisotopic label, a targeting agent, or a therapeutic agent.

22. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 19 , wherein the macrocycle-forming linker [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] is selected from a group of macrocycle-forming linkers consisting of

wherein

the symbol

 indicates an ortho-, meta- or para-disubstituted phenyl ring;

‘m’ and ‘n’ are each independently an integer number ranging from 1 to 10;

‘q’ is an integer number from 0 to 5; and

each R′ is independently —H or —CH 3 .

23. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 19 , wherein the p53/HDM2/HDMX-related disease is a cancer or a neoplastic disease.

24. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 19 , wherein the p53/HDM2/HDMX-related disease is sarcoma, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, skin cancer, brain cancer, carcinoma, cervical cancer, testicular cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma.

25. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 19 , wherein the p53/HDM2/HDMX-related disease is an inflammatory, a neurodegenerative, or an autoimmune disease.

26. A method for treating a p53/HDM2/HDMX-related disease in a subject, comprising:

administering to a subject to be treated a macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule having the structure of Formula (VII):

wherein:

each A, C, and D is independently a natural or non-natural amino acid;

B is a natural amino acid, non-natural amino acid, an amino acid comprising at least one additional methylene groups between the amino and carboxyl group, an amino acid comprising an amino group which is a secondary or tertiary amine, an amino acid comprising a carboxy group replaced by an ester, [—NHN(R 3 )C(O)—], [—NH-L 3 -CO—], [—NH-L 3 -SO 2 —], or [—NH-L 3 -];

Y is —NH—, —N(R 4 )—, —NHN(R 4 )—, —NH—O—, —O—, or —S—;

Z is —SCHR 6 —, —CHR 6 S—, —C═C—, —N(R 5 )CO—, —CON(R 6 )—, —C(R 5 )═N(R 6 )—, —CH(R 5 )—NH(R 6 )—, —C(R 5 )═N—O—, —CH(R 5 )—NH—O—, —C(R 5 )═N—NH(R 6 )—, —CH(R 5 )—NH—NH(R 6 )—, or a triazole group;

L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 are independently aliphatic, aryl, substituted aliphatic, substituted aryl, heteroatom-containing aliphatic, heteroatom-containing aryl, substituted heteroatom-containing aliphatic, substituted heteroatom-containing aryl groups, each being unsubstituted or substituted with R 7 ;

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , and R 6 are independently —H, aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, aryl, or substituted aryl group;

each R 7 is independently —H, an aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, an aryl, and a substituted aryl group;

x is an integer from 0-10;

y is an integer from 0-10;

z is an integer from 0-10;

w is an integer from 1-1000;

x+y+z is at least 3; and

wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 50% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from a group consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 through 37.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the amino acid sequence comprised in the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule is an amino acid sequence selected from a group consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 through 37.

28. The method of claim 26 , wherein the macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule comprises a fluorescent label, an affinity label, a radioisotopic label, a targeting agent, or a therapeutic agent.

29. The method of claim 26 , wherein the macrocycle-forming linker [-L 1 -Z-L 2 -Y-] is selected from a group of macrocycle-forming linkers consisting of

wherein

the symbol

 indicates an ortho-, meta- or para-disubstituted phenyl ring;

‘m’ and ‘n’ are each independently an integer number ranging from 1 to 10;

‘q’ is an integer number from 0 to 5; and

each R′ is independently —H or —CH 3 .

30. The method of claim 26 , wherein the p53/HDM2/HDMX-related disease is a cancer or a neoplastic disease.

31. The method of claim 30 , wherein the p53/HDM2/HDMX-related disease is sarcoma, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, skin cancer, brain cancer, carcinoma, cervical cancer, testicular cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma.

32. The method of claim 26 , wherein the p53/HDM2/HDMX-related disease is an inflammatory, a neurodegenerative, or an autoimmune disease.

33. The macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule of claim 19 , wherein the amino acid sequence comprised in the p53 macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule is at least 60% identical to the polypeptide sequences corresponding to SEQ ID NOS: 1 through 37.

34. The method of claim 26 , wherein the amino acid sequence comprised in the p53 macrocyclic peptidomimetic molecule is at least about 60% identical to the polypeptide sequences corresponding to SEQ ID NOS: 1 through 37.