PapB ‘ties off’ peptides, paving way for stronger, longer-lasting versions of medications used to treat obesity and diabetes.
Chemistry researchers at the University of Utah have uncovered an enzyme, dubbed PapB, that can “tie off” therapeutic peptides—protein-like drugs—into tight rings, a process known as macrocyclization.
This enzymatic trick could help drug developers make stronger, longer-lasting versions of GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy—used to treat diabetes and obesity, according to a study published this week.
Forming cyclic peptides is an important step in drug design because these ring structures make drugs more stable, last longer in the body, and improves their performance, according to co-author Karsten Eastman, a U research associate in the Department of Chemistry and CEO and co-founder of Sethera Therapeutics.