Issue 2, 2018

Buried treasure: biosynthesis, structures and applications of cyclic peptides hidden in seed storage albumins

Abstract

Covering: 1999 up to the end of 2017

The small cyclic peptide SunFlower Trypsin Inhibitor-1 (SFTI-1) from sunflower seeds is the prototypic member of a novel family of natural products. The biosynthesis of these peptides is intriguing as their gene-encoded peptide backbone emerges from a precursor protein that also contains a seed storage albumin. The peptide sequence is cleaved out from the precursor and cyclised by the albumin-maturing enzymatic machinery. Three-dimensional solution NMR structures of a number of these peptides, and of the intact precursor protein preproalbumin with SFTI-1, have now been elucidated. Furthermore, the evolution of the family has been described and a detailed understanding of the biosynthetic steps, which are necessary to produce cyclic SFTI-1, is emerging. Macrocyclisation provides peptide stability and thus represents a key strategy in peptide drug development. Consequently the constrained structure of SFTI-1 has been explored as a template for protein engineering, for tuning selectivity towards clinically relevant proteases and for grafting in sequences with completely novel functions. Here we review the discovery of the SFTI-1 peptide family, their evolution, biosynthetic origin, and structural features, as well as highlight the potential applications of this unique class of natural products.

Graphical abstract: Buried treasure: biosynthesis, structures and applications of cyclic peptides hidden in seed storage albumins

Article information

Article type
Highlight
Submitted
18 Dec 2017
First published
30 Jan 2018

Nat. Prod. Rep., 2018,35, 137-146

Buried treasure: biosynthesis, structures and applications of cyclic peptides hidden in seed storage albumins

B. Franke, J. S. Mylne and K. J. Rosengren, Nat. Prod. Rep., 2018, 35, 137 DOI: 10.1039/C7NP00066A

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