Abstract
The synthesis of a new type of constrained dipeptide motif oligomers is described. Monomers used are the (3S)-amino-5-(carboxylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one (DBT), the 2-aminomethyl-phenyl-acetic acid (AMPA) and α-amino γ-lactams. The secondary structure of those architectures has been studied by NMR, IR, CD and X-ray spectroscopies. Firstly, we demonstrated that DBT oligomers are able to adopt stable and well defined ribbon like structures. Based on these structures, we designed new systems, far more versatile which are able to distribute various functions (basic, acidic, aromatic) on each side of the ribbon axis. An original strategy has been developed for this purpose. It consists in the direct conversion of peptidic sequences, incorporating methionine, in α-amino γ-lactams oligomers. They are able, as the DBT, to adopt ribbon like structures and to be internalized into cells. Finally, an in vivo study in mice showed the high anti-tumoral potency of a bioconjugate linking AMPA oligomers to an inhibitor of the cathepsin D, a lysosomal enzyme overexpressed and secreted by numerous solid tumors.