A long-acting, dual-agonist analogue of lamprey GLP-1 shows potent insulinotropic, β-cell protective, and anorexic activities and improves glucose homeostasis in high fat-fed mice

Discovery of a Novel Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogue from Bullfrog and Investigation of Its Potential for Designing GLP-1-Based Multiagonists

In this study, we aimed to discover novel GLP-1 analogues from natural sources. We investigated GLP-1 analogues from fish and amphibians, and bullfrog GLP-1 (bGLP-1) showed the highest potency. Starting with bGLP-1, we explored the structure-activity relationship and performed optimization and long-acting modifications, resulting in a potent analogue called 2f. Notably, 2f exhibited superior effects on food intake, glycemic control, and body weight compared to semaglutide. Furthermore, we explored the usefulness of bGLP-1 in designing GLP-1-based multiagonists. Using the bGLP-1 sequence, we designed novel dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonists and triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor agonists. The selected dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist 3o and triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor agonist 4b exhibited significant therapeutic effects on lipid regulation, glycemic control, and body weight. Overall, our study highlights the potential of discovering potent GLP-1 receptor agonists from natural sources. Additionally, utilizing natural GLP-1 analogues for designing multiagonists presents a practical approach for developing antiobesity and antidiabetic agents.

Dual-agonist incretin peptides from fish with potential for obesity-related Type 2 diabetes therapy - A review

The long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonist, semaglutide and the unimolecular glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR)/GLP1R dual-agonist, tirzepatide have been successfully introduced as therapeutic options for patients with Type-2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity. Proglucagon-derived peptides from phylogenetically ancient fish act as naturally occurring dual agonists at the GLP1R and the glucagon receptor (GCGR) with lamprey GLP-1 and paddlefish glucagon being the most potent and effective in stimulating insulin release from BRIN-BD11 clonal β-cells. These peptides were also the most effective in lowering blood glucose and elevating plasma insulin concentrations when administered intraperitoneally to overnight-fasted mice together with a glucose load. Zebrafish GIP acts as a dual agonist at the GIPR and GLP1R receptors. Studies with the high fat-fed mouse, an animal model with obesity, impaired glucose-tolerance and insulin-resistance, have shown that twice-daily administration of the long-acting analogs [D-Ala²]palmitoyl-lamprey GLP-1 and [D-Ser²]palmitoyl-paddlefish glucagon over 21 days improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. This was associated with β-cell proliferation, protection of β-cells against apoptosis, decreased pancreatic glucagon content, improved lipid profile, reduced food intake and selective alteration in the expression of genes involved in β-cell stimulus-secretion coupling. In insulin-deficient Glu^CreERT2;ROSA26-eYFP transgenic mice, the peptides promoted an increase in β-cell mass with positive effects on transdifferentiation of glucagon-producing to insulin-producing cells. Naturally occurring fish dual agonist peptides, particularly lamprey GLP-1 and paddlefish glucagon, provide templates for development into therapeutic agents for obesity-related T2DM.

Effects of long-acting analogues of lamprey GLP-1 and paddlefish glucagon on alpha- to beta-cell transdifferentiation in an insulin-deficient transgenic mouse model

The abilities of the long-acting, dual-agonist anti-diabetic peptides [D-Ala² ]palmitoyl-lamprey GLP-1 and [D-Ser² ]palmitoyl-paddlefish glucagon to induce α-cell to β-cell transdifferentiation were investigated in Glu^CreERT2 ;ROSA26-eYFP mice. These animals have been genetically engineered so that yellow fluorescent protein is specifically expressed in glucagon-producing α-cells, thereby allowing cell lineage tracing. Insulin deficiency was produced by treatment of the mice with multiple low doses of streptozotocin. Administration of the peptides (twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 25 nmol/kg body weight over 10 days) to streptozotocin-treated mice produced significant (P < 0.05) increases in pancreatic insulin content and plasma insulin concentrations compared with control mice. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the % of cells staining for both insulin and fluorescent protein in islets located in the head region of the pancreas (from 10.0 ± 1.3% of total cells in untreated mice to 20.0 ± 3.85% in mice treated with D-Ala² ]palmitoyl-lamprey GLP-1 and to 17.3 ± 1.1% in mice treated with [D-Ser² ]palmitoyl-paddlefish glucagon). Corresponding effects upon islets in the tail region were not significant. The data indicate an improvement in β-cell mass and positive effects on transdifferentiation of glucagon-producing to insulin-producing cells. The study provides further evidence that proglucagon-derived peptides from phylogenetical ancient fish show therapeutic potential for treatment of diabetes.

Established and emerging roles peptide YY (PYY) and exploitation in obesity-diabetes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The antiobesity effects of activation of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y2 receptors (NPYR2) by the gut-derived hormone, peptide YY (PYY), are established. However, more recent insight into the biology of PYY has demonstrated remarkable benefits of sustained activation of pancreatic beta-cell NPYR1, that promises to open a new therapeutic avenue in diabetes.

RECENT FINDINGS

The therapeutic applicability of NPYR2 agonists for obesity has been considered for many years. An alternative pathway for the clinical realisation of PYY-based drugs could be related to the development of NPYR1 agonists for treatment of diabetes. Thus, although stimulation of NPYR1 on pancreatic beta-cells has immediate insulinostatic effects, prolonged activation of these receptors leads to well defined beta-cell protective effects, with obvious positive implications for the treatment of diabetes. In this regard, NPYR1-specific, long-acting enzyme resistant PYY analogues, have been recently developed with encouraging preclinical effects observed on pancreatic islet architecture in diabetes. In agreement, the benefits of certain types of bariatric surgeries on beta-cell function and responsiveness have also been linked to elevated PYY secretion and NPY1 receptor activation.

SUMMARY

Enzymatically stable forms of PYY, that selectively activate NPYR1, may have significant potential for preservation of beta-cell mass and the treatment of diabetes.

Glucagon from the phylogenetically ancient paddlefish provides a template for the design of a long-acting peptide with effective anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities

This study has examined the in vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic properties of the peptidase-resistant analogues [D-Ser²]palmitoyl-paddlefish glucagon and [D-Ser²]palmitoyl-lamprey glucagon. The peptides stimulated insulin release from BRIN-BD11 clonal β-cells and isolated mouse pancreatic islets and also enhanced cAMP production in cells transfected with the human GLP-1 receptor and with the human glucagon receptor. The insulinotropic actions of the peptides were attenuated in INS-1 cells lacking GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. [D-Ser²]palmitoyl-paddlefish glucagon stimulated proliferation of BRIN-BD11 cells and protected against cytokine-mediated apoptosis as effectively as GLP-1. The analogue was more effective than the native peptide or the lamprey glucagon analogue in acutely lowering blood glucose and elevating plasma insulin in lean mice even when administered up to 4 h before a glucose load. Twice daily administration of [D-Ser²]palmitoyl-paddlefish glucagon to high-fat fed mice over 21 days reduced food intake, body weight, non-fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations, as well as significantly improving glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and decreasing α-cell area and pancreatic insulin content. Islet expression of the Gcgr, Glp1r, Gipr and Slc2a2 (GLUT-2) genes significantly increased. These data demonstrate that long-acting peptide [D-Ser²]palmitoyl-paddlefish glucagon exerts beneficial metabolic properties in diabetic mice via Ggcr- and Glp1r-activated pathways and so shows potential as a template for further development into an agent for treatment of patients with obesity-related Type 2 diabetes.

Long-Term Liraglutide Administration Induces Pancreas Neogenesis in Adult T2DM Mice

In vivo beta-cell neogenesis may be one way to treat diabetes. We aimed to investigate the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on beta-cell neogenesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Male C57BL/6J mice, 6 wk old, were randomly divided into three groups: Control, T2DM, and T2DM + Lira. T2DM was induced using high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg/d for 3 d). At 8 wk after streptozotocin injection, T2DM + Lira group was injected intraperitoneally with GLP-1 analog liraglutide (0.8 mg/kg/d) for 4 wk. Apparently for the first time, we report the appearance of a primitive bud connected to pancreas in all adult mice from each group. The primitive bud was characterized by scattered single monohormonal cells expressing insulin, GLP-1, somatostatin, or pancreatic polypeptide, and four-hormonal cells, but no acinar cells and ductal epithelial cells. Monohormonal cells in it were small, newborn, immature cells that rapidly proliferated and expressed cell markers indicative of immaturity. In parallel, Ngn3+ endocrine progenitors and Nestin+ cells existed in the primitive bud. Liraglutide facilitated neogenesis and rapid growth of acinar cells, pancreatic ducts, and blood vessels in the primitive bud. Meanwhile, scattered hormonal cells aggregated into cell clusters and grew into larger islets; polyhormonal cells differentiated into monohormonal cells. Extensive growth of exocrine and endocrine glands resulted in the neogenesis of immature pancreatic lobes in adult mice of T2DM + Lira group. Contrary to predominant acinar cells in mature pancreatic lobes, there were still a substantial number of mesenchymal cells around acinar cells in immature pancreatic lobes, which resulted in the loose appearance. Our results suggest that adult mice preserve the capacity of pancreatic neogenesis from the primitive bud, which liraglutide facilitates in adult T2DM mice. To our knowledge, this is the first time such a phenomenon has been reported.