A short synthetic peptide inhibits signal transduction, migration and angiogenesis mediated by Tie2 receptor

EMBO Rep. 2004 Mar;5(3):262-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.embor.7400100. Epub 2004 Feb 20.

Abstract

Tie2, an endothelial cell-specific receptor kinase, has an important role in tumour angiogenesis. In an attempt to identify peptides that specifically interact with and block the Tie2 pathway, a phage-displayed peptide library was screened on a recombinant Tie2 receptor. One peptide, NLLMAAS, completely abolished the binding to Tie2 of both angiopoietin 2 and angiopoietin 1 (Ang1). We further show that NLLMAAS specifically suppresses both Ang1-induced ERK activity and migration in human umbilical endothelial cells. Moreover, in vivo, this peptide inhibits angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. NLLMAAS is the first peptide described to interact with Tie2. Our results demonstrate that it is an efficient and specific antagonist of the binding of Tie2 ligands, and suggest that this peptide or its derivates may have potential applications in the treatment of angiogenesis diseases. It also represents a potent tool to dissect the molecular mechanisms involved in the Tie2 pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin I / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Angiotensin II / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Animals
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Biological Assay
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Peptide Library
  • Receptor, TIE-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Umbilical Veins / cytology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptide Library
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • norleucyl-leucyl-leucyl-methionyl-alanyl-alanyl-serine
  • Angiotensin II
  • Angiotensin I
  • Receptor, TIE-2
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases