Genetically-encoded macrocyclic peptide libraries with unnatural pharmacophores are a valuable source for the discovery of ligands for many targets of interest. Traditionally, the generation of such libraries employs “early-stage” incorporation of unnatural building blocks into the chemically or translationally-produced macrocycles. Here, we describe a divergent late-stage approach to such libraries starting from readily available starting material: genetically-encoded libraries of peptides. A diketone linchpin 1,5-dichloropentane-2,4-dione converts peptide libraries displayed on phage to 1,3-diketone bearing macrocyclic peptides (DKMP): shelf-stable precursors for Knorr pyrazole synthesis. Ligation of diverse hydrazine derivatives onto DKMP libraries displayed on phage that carries silent DNA-barcodes yields macrocycle libraries in which the amino acids sequence and the pharmacophore are encoded by DNA. Selection of this library against carbonic anhydrase enriched macrocycles with benzenesulfonamide pharmacophore and nanomolar Kd. The methodology described in this manuscript can graft diverse pharmacophores into many existing genetically encoded phage libraries and significantly increase the value of such libraries in molecular discoveries.

Genetically encoded fragment-based discovery (GE-FBD) from phage-displayed macrocyclic libraries with genetically-encoded unnatural pharmacophores

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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