Transglutaminase-catalyzed Covalent

Nature realizes protein and peptide depots by catalyzing covalent bonds with the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tissues. We are translating this natural blueprint for the sustained delivery of a myostatin-inhibiting peptide (Anti-Myo), resulting in an enzyme depot established from injectable solutions. For that, we fused Anti-Myo to the D-domain of insulin-like growth factor I, a transglutaminase (TG) substrate. TG catalyzed the covalent binding of the D-domain to ECM proteins, such as laminin and fibronectin, on bioengineered ECM and in mice. ECM decorated with Anti-Myo suppressed myostatin activity and pathway activation and reduced the differentiation of preconditioned bone marrow-derived macrophages into osteoclasts in vitro.