Peptide and peptide mimetic binding antagonists of polo-like kinase 1 polo box domain and methods of use

Abstract

The description provides novel compounds that may serve as anticancer therapeutics. The compounds of the description bind to polo-like kinases through the polo-box domain. The peptide derivatives of the description have achieved improved efficacy in biochemical assays against Plk1. Exemplary compounds of the description include macrocyclic peptidomimetics with high affinity and selectivity for polo-like kinases, which may provide the basis for a new genre of anticancer therapeutics. Other exemplary compounds of the description include bi-valent compounds with that bind to polo-like kinases through both kinase domain and polo-box domain simultaneously by incorporating additional moieties that target Plk1 kinase domain, which significantly enhances affinitity relative and may provide the basis for a new genre of anticancer therapeutics. The description also provides methods of use, methods of preparation, compositions, and kits thereof. Further, the description provides a novel method of design and/or synthesis of phosphoryl-derived peptide derivatives useful as therapeutic agents.