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Shenol A, Lückmann M, Trauelsen M, Lambrughi M, Tiberti M, Papaleo E, Frimurer TM, Schwartz TW. Molecular dynamics-based identification of binding pathways and two distinct high-affinity sites for succinate in succinate receptor 1/GPR91. Mol Cell 2024; 84:955-966.e4. [PMID: 38325379 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
SUCNR1 is an auto- and paracrine sensor of the metabolic stress signal succinate. Using unsupervised molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (170.400 ns) and mutagenesis across human, mouse, and rat SUCNR1, we characterize how a five-arginine motif around the extracellular pole of TM-VI determines the initial capture of succinate in the extracellular vestibule (ECV) to either stay or move down to the orthosteric site. Metadynamics demonstrate low-energy succinate binding in both sites, with an energy barrier corresponding to an intermediate stage during which succinate, with an associated water cluster, unlocks the hydrogen-bond-stabilized conformationally constrained extracellular loop (ECL)-2b. Importantly, simultaneous binding of two succinate molecules through either a "sequential" or "bypassing" mode is a frequent endpoint. The mono-carboxylate NF-56-EJ40 antagonist enters SUCNR1 between TM-I and -II and does not unlock ECL-2b. It is proposed that occupancy of both high-affinity sites is required for selective activation of SUCNR1 by high local succinate concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslihan Shenol
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Lückmann
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Trauelsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matteo Lambrughi
- Cancer Structural Biology, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matteo Tiberti
- Cancer Structural Biology, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elena Papaleo
- Cancer Structural Biology, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; Cancer Systems Biology, Section for Bioinformatics, Department of Health and Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas M Frimurer
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thue W Schwartz
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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2
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Qian M, Sun Z, Chen X, Van Calenbergh S. Study of G protein-coupled receptors dimerization: From bivalent ligands to drug-like small molecules. Bioorg Chem 2023; 140:106809. [PMID: 37651896 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades an increasing number of studies revealed that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are capable of forming dimers or even higher-ordered oligomers, which may modulate receptor function and act as potential drug targets. In this review, we briefly summarized the design strategy of bivalent GPCR ligands and mainly focused on how to use them to study and/or detect GPCP dimerization in vitro and in vivo. Bivalent ligands show specific properties relative to their corresponding monomeric ligands because they are able to bind to GPCR homodimers or heterodimers simultaneously. For example, bivalent ligands with optimal length of spacers often exhibited higher binding affinities for dimers compared to that of monomers. Furthermore, bivalent ligands displayed specific signal transduction compared to monovalent ligands. Finally, we give our perspective on targeting GPCR dimers from traditional bivalent ligands to more drug-like small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingcheng Qian
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Zhengyang Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, China
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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3
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Thevinoic acid fluoroalkyl esters. Russ Chem Bull 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11172-022-3705-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
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4
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Drakopoulos A, Moianos D, Prifti GM, Zoidis G, Decker M. Opioid ligands addressing unconventional binding sites and more than one opioid receptor subtype. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200169. [PMID: 35560796 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptors (ORs) represent one of the most significant groups of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) drug targets and also act as prototypical models for GPCR function. In a constant effort to develop drugs with less side effects, and tools to explore the ORs nature and function, various (poly)pharmacological ligand design approaches have been performed. That is, besides classical ligands, a great number of bivalent ligands (i.e. aiming on two distinct OR subtypes), univalent heteromer-selective ligands and bitopic and allosteric ligands have been synthesized for the ORs. The scope of our review is to present the most important of the aforementioned ligands, highlight their properties and exhibit the current state-of-the-art pallet of promising drug candidates or useful molecular tools for the ORs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Drakopoulos
- University of Gothenburg: Goteborgs Universitet, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Kemigåden 4, 431 45, Göteborg, SWEDEN
| | - Dimitrios Moianos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens: Ethniko kai Kapodistriako Panepistemio Athenon, Department of Pharmacy, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771, Athens, GREECE
| | - Georgia-Myrto Prifti
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens: Ethniko kai Kapodistriako Panepistemio Athenon, Department of Pharmacy, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771, Athens, GREECE
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Panepistimioupolis-Zografou, 15771, Athens, GREECE
| | - Michael Decker
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg: Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, GERMANY
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Root-Bernstein R. Biased, Bitopic, Opioid–Adrenergic Tethered Compounds May Improve Specificity, Lower Dosage and Enhance Agonist or Antagonist Function with Reduced Risk of Tolerance and Addiction. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020214. [PMID: 35215326 PMCID: PMC8876737 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper proposes the design of combination opioid–adrenergic tethered compounds to enhance efficacy and specificity, lower dosage, increase duration of activity, decrease side effects, and reduce risk of developing tolerance and/or addiction. Combinations of adrenergic and opioid drugs are sometimes used to improve analgesia, decrease opioid doses required to achieve analgesia, and to prolong the duration of analgesia. Recent mechanistic research suggests that these enhanced functions result from an allosteric adrenergic binding site on opioid receptors and, conversely, an allosteric opioid binding site on adrenergic receptors. Dual occupancy of the receptors maintains the receptors in their high affinity, most active states; drops the concentration of ligand required for full activity; and prevents downregulation and internalization of the receptors, thus inhibiting tolerance to the drugs. Activation of both opioid and adrenergic receptors also enhances heterodimerization of the receptors, additionally improving each drug’s efficacy. Tethering adrenergic drugs to opioids could produce new drug candidates with highly desirable features. Constraints—such as the locations of the opioid binding sites on adrenergic receptors and adrenergic binding sites on opioid receptors, length of tethers that must govern the design of such novel compounds, and types of tethers—are described and examples of possible structures provided.
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Pharmacological Aspects of Over-the-Counter Opioid Drugs Misuse. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25173905. [PMID: 32867117 PMCID: PMC7504308 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25173905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Several over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are known to be misused. Among them are opioids such as codeine, dihydrocodeine, and loperamide. This work elucidates their pharmacology, interactions, safety profiles, and how pharmacology is being manipulated to misuse these common medications, with the aim to expand on the subject outlined by the authors focusing on abuse prevention and prevalence rates. The reviewed literature was identified in several online databases through searches conducted with phrases created by combining the international non-proprietary names of the drugs with terms related to drug misuse. The results show that OTC opioids are misused as an alternative for illicit narcotics, or prescription-only opioids. The potency of codeine and loperamide is strongly dependent on the individual enzymatic activity of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, as well as P-glycoprotein function. Codeine can also be utilized as a substrate for clandestine syntheses of more potent drugs of abuse, namely desomorphine (“Krokodil”), and morphine. The dangerous methods used to prepare these substances can result in poisoning from toxic chemicals and impurities originating from the synthesis procedure. OTC opioids are generally safe when consumed in accordance with medical guidelines. However, the intake of supratherapeutic amounts of these substances may reveal surprising traits of common medications.
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Withey SL, Paronis CA, Bergman J. Concurrent Assessment of the Antinociceptive and Behaviorally Disruptive Effects of Opioids in Squirrel Monkeys. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2018; 19:728-740. [PMID: 29477761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Although the clinical application of opioids for pain management is often hindered by undesired behavioral impairment, preclinical assays of antinociception typically do not provide information regarding the behaviorally disruptive effects of opioids that may accompany their antinociceptive effects. To address this, we modified a warm water tail withdrawal procedure to determine concurrently the effects of opioids on tail withdrawal latency (antinociception) and indices of food-maintained operant behavior (rates of responding and reinforcement density) in squirrel monkeys. Six opioid agonists were tested, and all produced dose-dependent antinociception and impairment of operant behavior. The ratio of median effective dose (ED50) values for both measures (behavioral impairment:antinociception) was used as a quantitative measure of therapeutic index. Nalbuphine had the highest ED50 ratio (4.88), reflecting antinociception with minimal behavioral disruption. Oxycodone, heroin, buprenorphine, and methadone all produced similar ED50 ratios (.82-1.14), whereas butorphanol yielded a significantly lower ED50 ratio (.17) reflecting behavioral disruption at doses producing only minimal antinociception. The antinociceptive and behaviorally disruptive effects of oxycodone and buprenorphine were further characterized using Schild analysis to calculate apparent pA2 values for antagonism of the 2 drugs by naltrexone. These analyses suggest that µ-receptor mechanisms likely mediate the antinociceptive as well as behaviorally disruptive effects of oxycodone (pA2 values: 8.13 and 8.57) and buprenorphine (pA2 values: 8.6 and 7.9). PERSPECTIVE This article presents an assay that allows for the concurrent assessment of the antinociceptive and behaviorally disruptive effects of opioids. Our results show that the tail withdrawal assay in squirrel monkeys can provide a useful index of the behavioral selectivity with which opioids produce antinociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Withey
- Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts.
| | - Carol A Paronis
- Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Jack Bergman
- Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts
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Abstract
The opioid receptor system plays a major role in the regulation of mood, reward, and pain. The opioid receptors therefore make attractive targets for the treatment of many different conditions, including pain, depression, and addiction. However, stimulation or blockade of any one opioid receptor type often leads to on-target adverse effects that limit the clinical utility of a selective opioid agonist or antagonist. Literature precedent suggests that the opioid receptors do not act in isolation and that interactions among the opioid receptors and between the opioid receptors and other proteins may produce clinically useful targets. Multifunctional ligands have the potential to elicit desired outcomes with reduced adverse effects by allowing for the activation of specific receptor conformations and/or signaling pathways promoted as a result of receptor oligomerization or crosstalk. In this chapter, we describe several classes of multifunctional ligands that interact with at least one opioid receptor. These ligands have been designed for biochemical exploration and the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including multiple kinds of pain, depression, anxiety, addiction, and gastrointestinal disorders. The structures, pharmacological utility, and therapeutic drawbacks of these classes of ligands are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Anand
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School and the Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Deanna Montgomery
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Morales P, Reggio PH. An Update on Non-CB 1, Non-CB 2 Cannabinoid Related G-Protein-Coupled Receptors. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2017; 2:265-273. [PMID: 29098189 PMCID: PMC5665501 DOI: 10.1089/can.2017.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been shown to be of great importance in the regulation of numerous physiological and pathological processes. To date, two Class A G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been discovered and validated as the main therapeutic targets of this system: the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), which is the most abundant neuromodulatory receptor in the brain, and the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), predominantly found in the immune system among other organs and tissues. Endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligands (endocannabinoids) and the enzymes involved in their synthesis, cell uptake, and degradation have also been identified as part of the ECS. However, its complex pharmacology suggests that other GPCRs may also play physiologically relevant roles in this therapeutically promising system. In the last years, GPCRs such as GPR18 and GPR55 have emerged as possible missing members of the cannabinoid family. This categorization still stimulates strong debate due to the lack of pharmacological tools to validate it. Because of their close phylogenetic relationship, the Class A orphan GPCRs, GPR3, GPR6, and GPR12, have also been associated with the cannabinoids. Moreover, certain endo-, phyto-, and synthetic cannabinoid ligands have displayed activity at other well-established GPCRs, including the opioid, adenosine, serotonin, and dopamine receptor families. In addition, the cannabinoid receptors have also been shown to form dimers with other GPCRs triggering cross-talk signaling under specific conditions. In this mini review, we aim to provide insight into the non-CB1, non-CB2 cannabinoid-related GPCRs that have been reported thus far. We consider the physiological relevance of these molecular targets in modulating the ECS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
| | - Patricia H. Reggio
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Improving the accuracy of high-throughput protein-protein affinity prediction may require better training data. BMC Bioinformatics 2017; 18:102. [PMID: 28361672 PMCID: PMC5374557 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-017-1533-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One goal of structural biology is to understand how a protein’s 3-dimensional conformation determines its capacity to interact with potential ligands. In the case of small chemical ligands, deconstructing a static protein-ligand complex into its constituent atom-atom interactions is typically sufficient to rapidly predict ligand affinity with high accuracy (>70% correlation between predicted and experimentally-determined affinity), a fact that is exploited to support structure-based drug design. We recently found that protein-DNA/RNA affinity can also be predicted with high accuracy using extensions of existing techniques, but protein-protein affinity could not be predicted with >60% correlation, even when the protein-protein complex was available. Methods X-ray and NMR structures of protein-protein complexes, their associated binding affinities and experimental conditions were obtained from different binding affinity and structural databases. Statistical models were implemented using a generalized linear model framework, including the experimental conditions as new model features. We evaluated the potential for new features to improve affinity prediction models by calculating the Pearson correlation between predicted and experimental binding affinities on the training and test data after model fitting and after cross-validation. Differences in accuracy were assessed using two-sample t test and nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test. Results Here we evaluate a range of potential factors that may interfere with accurate protein-protein affinity prediction. We find that X-ray crystal resolution has the strongest single effect on protein-protein affinity prediction. Limiting our analyses to only high-resolution complexes (≤2.5 Å) increased the correlation between predicted and experimental affinity from 54 to 68% (p = 4.32x10−3). In addition, incorporating information on the experimental conditions under which affinities were measured (pH, temperature and binding assay) had significant effects on prediction accuracy. We also highlight a number of potential errors in large structure-affinity databases, which could affect both model training and accuracy assessment. Conclusions The results suggest that the accuracy of statistical models for protein-protein affinity prediction may be limited by the information present in databases used to train new models. Improving our capacity to integrate large-scale structural and functional information may be required to substantively advance our understanding of the general principles by which a protein’s structure determines its function. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-017-1533-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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11
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Yang Y, Gao M, Zhang Q, Zhang C, Yang X, Huang Z, An J. Design, synthesis, and biological characterization of novel PEG-linked dimeric modulators for CXCR4. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:5393-5399. [PMID: 27658790 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.08.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
CXCR4 dimerization has been widely demonstrated both biologically and structurally. This paper mainly focused on the development of structure-based dimeric ligands that target CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction and signaling. This study presents the design and synthesis of a series of [PEG]n linked dimeric ligands of CXCR4 based on the knowledge of the homodimeric crystal structure of CXCR4 and our well established platform of chemistry and bioassays for CXCR4. These new ligands include [PEG]n linked homodimeric or heterodimeric peptides consisting of either two DV3-derived moieties (where DV3 is an all-d-amino acid analog of N-terminal modules of 1-10 (V3) residues of vMIP-II) or hybrids of DV3 moieties and CXCL121-8. Among a total of 24 peptide ligands, four antagonists and three agonists showed good CXCR4 binding affinity, with IC50 values of <50nM and <800nM, respectively. Chemotaxis and calcium mobilization assays with SUP-T1 cells further identified two promising lead modulators of CXCR4: ligand 4, a [PEG3]2 linked homodimeric DV3, was an effective CXCR4 antagonist (IC50=22nM); and ligand 21, a [PEG3]2 linked heterodimeric DV3-CXCL121-8, was an effective CXCR4 agonist (IC50=407nM). These dimeric CXCR4 modulators represent new molecular probes and therapeutics that effectively modulate CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilei Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York (SUNY), 750 Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Mei Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York (SUNY), 750 Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Qinghao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York (SUNY), 750 Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Chaozai Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Ziwei Huang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Jing An
- Department of Pharmacology, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York (SUNY), 750 Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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12
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Busnelli M, Kleinau G, Muttenthaler M, Stoev S, Manning M, Bibic L, Howell LA, McCormick PJ, Di Lascio S, Braida D, Sala M, Rovati GE, Bellini T, Chini B. Design and Characterization of Superpotent Bivalent Ligands Targeting Oxytocin Receptor Dimers via a Channel-Like Structure. J Med Chem 2016; 59:7152-66. [PMID: 27420737 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Dimeric/oligomeric states of G-protein coupled receptors have been difficult to target. We report here bivalent ligands consisting of two identical oxytocin-mimetics that induce a three order magnitude boost in G-protein signaling of oxytocin receptors (OTRs) in vitro and a 100- and 40-fold gain in potency in vivo in the social behavior of mice and zebrafish. Through receptor mutagenesis and interference experiments with synthetic peptides mimicking transmembrane helices (TMH), we show that such superpotent behavior follows from the binding of the bivalent ligands to dimeric receptors based on a TMH1-TMH2 interface. Moreover, in this arrangement, only the analogues with a well-defined spacer length (∼25 Å) precisely fit inside a channel-like passage between the two protomers of the dimer. The newly discovered oxytocin bivalent ligands represent a powerful tool for targeting dimeric OTR in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and, in general, provide a framework to untangle specific arrangements of G-protein coupled receptor dimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Busnelli
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience , Milan, Italy 20129.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - Gunnar Kleinau
- Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Berlin, Germany 13353
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Australia 4072
| | - Stoytcho Stoev
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Maurice Manning
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Lucka Bibic
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia , Norwich Research Park, Norwich, U.K. NR4 7TJ
| | - Lesley A Howell
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia , Norwich Research Park, Norwich, U.K. NR4 7TJ
| | - Peter J McCormick
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia , Norwich Research Park, Norwich, U.K. NR4 7TJ
| | - Simona Di Lascio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - Daniela Braida
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - Mariaelvina Sala
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience , Milan, Italy 20129.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - G Enrico Rovati
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20133
| | - Tommaso Bellini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - Bice Chini
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience , Milan, Italy 20129
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Multitarget opioid ligands in pain relief: New players in an old game. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 108:211-228. [PMID: 26656913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Still nowadays pain is one of the most common disabling conditions and yet it remains too often unsolved. Analgesic opioid drugs, and mainly MOR agonists such as morphine, are broadly employed for pain management. MOR activation, however, has been seen to cause not only analgesia but also undesired side effects. A potential pain treatment option is represented by the simultaneous targeting of different opioid receptors. In fact, ligands possessing multitarget capabilities led to an improved pharmacological fingerprint. This review focuses on the examination of multitarget opioid ligands which have been distinguished in peptide and non-peptide and further listed as bivalent and bifunctional ligands. Moreover, the potential of these compounds, both as analgesic drugs and pharmacological tools to explore heteromer receptors, has been stressed.
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14
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Nimczick M, Decker M. New Approaches in the Design and Development of Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands: Multifunctional and Bivalent Compounds. ChemMedChem 2015; 10:773-86. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Nimczick M, Pemp D, Darras FH, Chen X, Heilmann J, Decker M. Synthesis and biological evaluation of bivalent cannabinoid receptor ligands based on hCB₂R selective benzimidazoles reveal unexpected intrinsic properties. Bioorg Med Chem 2014; 22:3938-46. [PMID: 24984935 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2014.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The design of bivalent ligands targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) often leads to the development of new, highly selective and potent compounds. To date, no bivalent ligands for the human cannabinoid receptor type 2 (hCB₂R) of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) are described. Therefore, two sets of homobivalent ligands containing as parent structure the hCB2R selective agonist 13a and coupled at different attachment positions were synthesized. Changes of the parent structure at these positions have a crucial effect on the potency and efficacy of the ligands. However, we discovered that bivalency has an influence on the effect at both cannabinoid receptors. Moreover, we found out that the spacer length and the attachment position altered the efficacy of the bivalent ligands at the receptors by turning agonists into antagonists and inverse agonists.
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MESH Headings
- Benzimidazoles/chemical synthesis
- Benzimidazoles/chemistry
- Benzimidazoles/metabolism
- Drug Design
- Humans
- Kinetics
- Ligands
- Protein Binding
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Nimczick
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany; Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Chemie I, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Pemp
- Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Fouad H Darras
- Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Chemie I, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Xinyu Chen
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany; Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Chemie I, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Heilmann
- Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany; Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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16
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Lee CWS, Ho IK. Pharmacological Profiles of Oligomerized μ-Opioid Receptors. Cells 2013; 2:689-714. [PMID: 24709876 PMCID: PMC3972655 DOI: 10.3390/cells2040689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids are widely prescribed pain relievers with multiple side effects and potential complications. They produce analgesia via G-protein-protein coupled receptors: μ-, δ-, κ-opioid and opioid receptor-like 1 receptors. Bivalent ligands targeted to the oligomerized opioid receptors might be the key to developing analgesics without undesired side effects and obtaining effective treatment for opioid addicts. In this review we will update the biological effects of μ-opioids on homo- or hetero-oligomerized μ-opioid receptor and discuss potential mechanisms through which bivalent ligands exert beneficial effects, including adenylate cyclase regulation and receptor-mediated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Wei-Sheng Lee
- Center for Drug Abuse and Addiction, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan.
| | - Ing-Kang Ho
- Center for Drug Abuse and Addiction, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan.
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17
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Hiller C, Kühhorn J, Gmeiner P. Class A G-Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) Dimers and Bivalent Ligands. J Med Chem 2013; 56:6542-59. [DOI: 10.1021/jm4004335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Hiller
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy,
Emil Fischer
Center, Friedrich Alexander University,
Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Kühhorn
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy,
Emil Fischer
Center, Friedrich Alexander University,
Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy,
Emil Fischer
Center, Friedrich Alexander University,
Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
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18
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2011 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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19
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Harvey JH, Long DH, England PM, Whistler JL. Tuned-Affinity Bivalent Ligands for the Characterization of Opioid Receptor Heteromers. ACS Med Chem Lett 2012; 3:640-644. [PMID: 23585918 DOI: 10.1021/ml300083p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid receptors, including the mu and delta opioid receptors (MOR and DOR) are important targets for the treatment of pain. Although there is mounting evidence that these receptors form heteromers, the functional role of the MOR/DOR heteromer remains unresolved. We have designed and synthesized bivalent ligands as tools to elucidate the functional role of the MOR/DOR heteromer. Our ligands (L2 and L4) are comprised of a compound with low affinity at the DOR tethered to a compound with high affinity at the MOR, with the goal of producing ligands with "tuned affinity" at MOR/DOR heteromers compared to DOR homomers. Here we show that both L2 and L4 demonstrate enhanced affinity at MOR/DOR heteromers compared to DOR homomers, thereby providing unique pharmacological tools to dissect the role of the MOR/DOR heteromer in pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica H. Harvey
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 200,
Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- University of California, San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San
Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Darcie H. Long
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 200,
Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Pamela M. England
- University of California, San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San
Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Whistler
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 200,
Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- University of California, San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San
Francisco, California 94158, United States
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20
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Butelman ER, Yuferov V, Kreek MJ. κ-opioid receptor/dynorphin system: genetic and pharmacotherapeutic implications for addiction. Trends Neurosci 2012; 35:587-96. [PMID: 22709632 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2012.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Addictions to cocaine or heroin/prescription opioids [short-acting μ-opioid receptor (MOPr) agonists] involve relapsing cycles, with experimentation/escalating use, withdrawal/abstinence, and relapse/re-escalation. κ-Opioid receptors (KOPr; encoded by OPRK1), and their endogenous agonists, the dynorphins (encoded by PDYN), have counter-modulatory effects on reward caused by cocaine or MOPr agonist exposure, and exhibit plasticity in addictive-like states. KOPr/dynorphin activation is implicated in depression/anxiety, often comorbid with addictions. In this opinion article we propose that particular stages of the addiction cycle are differentially affected by KOPr/dynorphin systems. Vulnerability and resilience can be due to pre-existing (e.g., genetic) factors, or epigenetic modifications of the OPRK1 or PDYN genes during the addiction cycle. Pharmacotherapeutic approaches limiting changes in KOPr/dynorphin tone, especially with KOPr partial agonists, may hold potential for the treatment of specific drug addictions and psychiatric comorbidity.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Biological/genetics
- Adaptation, Biological/physiology
- Animals
- Behavior, Addictive/drug therapy
- Behavior, Addictive/genetics
- Behavior, Addictive/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Discovery/methods
- Dynorphins/physiology
- Enkephalins/genetics
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics
- Humans
- Illicit Drugs/pharmacology
- Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology
- Narcotic Antagonists/therapeutic use
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Protein Precursors/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/physiology
- Recurrence
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo R Butelman
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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21
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Squaric acid is a suitable building-block in 4C-Ugi reaction: access to original bivalent compounds. Tetrahedron Lett 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2011.11.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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