Towards "bionic" proteins: replacement of continuous sequences from HIF-1α with proteomimetics to create functional p300 binding HIF-1α mimics.

Using the HIF-1 alpha transcription factor as a model, this manuscript illustrates how an extended sequence of alpha-amino acids in a polypeptide can be replaced with a non-natural topographical mimic of an alpha-helix comprised from an aromatic oligoamide. The resultant hybrid is capable of reproducing the molecular recognition profile of the p300 binding sequence of HIF-1 alpha from which it is derived.