The effect of multiple N-methylation on intestinal permeability of cyclic hexapeptides

Mol Pharm. 2011 Apr 4;8(2):479-87. doi: 10.1021/mp1003306. Epub 2011 Mar 21.

Abstract

Recent progress in peptide synthesis simplified the synthesis of multiple N-methylation of peptides. To evaluate how multiple N-methylation affects the bioavailability of peptides, a poly alanine cyclic hexapeptide library (n = 54), varying in the number of N-methyl (N-Me) groups (1-5 groups) and their position, was synthesized. The peptides were evaluated for their intestinal permeability in vitro using the Caco-2 model. Further evaluation of the transport route of chosen analogues was performed using rat excised viable intestinal tissue, a novel colorimetric liposomal model and the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA). While most members were found to have poor permeability (permeability coefficient, P(app) < 1 x 10⁻⁶ cm/s, lower than mannitol, the marker for paracellular permeability), 10 analogues were found to have high Caco-2 permeability, (P(app) > 1 x 10⁻⁵ cm/s, similar to testosterone, a marker of transcellular permeability). No correlation was found between the number of N-methylated groups and the enhanced permeability. However, 9/10 permeable peptides in the Caco-2 model included an N-Me placed adjacently to the D-Ala position. While the exact transport route was not fully characterized, the data suggests a facilitated diffusion. It can be concluded that multiple N-methylation of peptides may improve intestinal permeability, and therefore can be utilized in the design of orally available peptide-based therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / drug effects*
  • Cyclization
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Absorption / drug effects*
  • Intestines / drug effects*
  • Methylation
  • Oligopeptides / chemical synthesis
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic