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Moore GJ, Ridgway H, Kelaidonis K, Chasapis CT, Ligielli I, Mavromoustakos T, Bojarska J, Matsoukas JM. Actions of Novel Angiotensin Receptor Blocking Drugs, Bisartans, Relevant for COVID-19 Therapy: Biased Agonism at Angiotensin Receptors and the Beneficial Effects of Neprilysin in the Renin Angiotensin System. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27154854. [PMID: 35956801 PMCID: PMC9369639 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) used in the treatment of hypertension and potentially in SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibit inverse agonist effects at angiotensin AR1 receptors, suggesting the receptor may have evolved to accommodate naturally occurring angiotensin ‘antipeptides’. Screening of the human genome has identified a peptide (EGVYVHPV) encoded by mRNA, complementary to that encoding ANG II itself, which is an inverse agonist. Thus, opposite strands of DNA encode peptides with opposite effects at AR1 receptors. Agonism and inverse agonism at AR1 receptors can be explained by a receptor ‘switching’ between an activated state invoking receptor dimerization/G protein coupling and an inverse agonist state mediated by an alternative/second messenger that is slow to reverse. Both receptor states appear to be driven by the formation of the ANG II charge-relay system involving TyrOH-His/imidazole-Carboxylate (analogous to serine proteases). In this system, tyrosinate species formed are essential for activating AT1 and AT2 receptors. ANGII is also known to bind to the zinc-coordinated metalloprotease angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) used by the COVID-19 virus to enter cells. Here we report in silico results demonstrating the binding of a new class of anionic biphenyl-tetrazole sartans (‘Bisartans’) to the active site zinc atom of the endopeptidase Neprilysin (NEP) involved in regulating hypertension, by modulating humoral levels of beneficial vasoactive peptides in the RAS such as vasodilator angiotensin (1–7). In vivo and modeling evidence further suggest Bisartans can inhibit ANG II-induced pulmonary edema and may be useful in combatting SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting ACE2-mediated viral entry to cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham J. Moore
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Pepmetics Inc., 772 Murphy Place, Victoria, BC V8Y 3H4, Canada
- Correspondence: (G.J.M.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Harry Ridgway
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;
- AquaMem Consultants, Rodeo, New Mexico, NM 88056, USA
| | | | - Christos T. Chasapis
- NMR Facility, Instrumental Analysis Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Irene Ligielli
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (I.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Thomas Mavromoustakos
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (I.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Joanna Bojarska
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
| | - John M. Matsoukas
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- NewDrug PC, Patras Science Park, 26504 Patras, Greece;
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
- Correspondence: (G.J.M.); (J.M.M.)
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Discovery of a new generation of angiotensin receptor blocking drugs: receptor mechanisms and in silico binding to enzymes relevant to covid-19. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2091-2111. [PMID: 35432786 PMCID: PMC8994259 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery and facile synthesis of a new class of sartan-like arterial antihypertensive drugs (angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs]), subsequently referred to as “bisartans” is reported. In vivo results and complementary molecular modelling presented in this communication indicate bisartans may be beneficial for the treatment of not only heart disease, diabetes, renal dysfunction, and related illnesses, but possibly COVID-19. Bisartans are novel bis-alkylated imidazole sartan derivatives bearing dual symmetric anionic biphenyl tetrazole moieties. In silico docking and molecular dynamics studies revealed bisartans exhibited higher binding affinities for the ACE2/spike protein complex (PDB 6LZG) compared to all other known sartans. They also underwent stable docking to the Zn2+ domain of the ACE2 catalytic site as well as the critical interfacial region between ACE2 and the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain. Additionally, semi-stable docking of bisartans at the arginine-rich furin-cleavage site of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (residues 681–686) required for virus entry into host cells, suggest bisartans may inhibit furin action thereby retarding viral entry into host cells. Bisartan tetrazole groups surpass nitrile, the pharmacophoric “warhead” of PF-07321332, in its ability to disrupt the cysteine charge relay system of 3CLpro. However, despite the apparent targeting of multifunctional sites, bisartans do not inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in bioassays as effectively as PF-07321332 (Paxlovid).
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Miller AD. Sense–antisense (complementary) peptide interactions and the proteomic code; potential opportunities in biology and pharmaceutical science. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15:245-67. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.983069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Dillon PF, Root-Bernstein RS, Holsworth DD. Augmentation of aortic ring contractions by angiotensin II antisense peptide. Hypertension 1998; 31:854-60. [PMID: 9495272 DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.31.3.854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous biochemical experiments have revealed two antisense peptide antagonists to human angiotensin II (Ang II), one encoded in the cDNA in the antiparallel reading, the other in the parallel reading. Neither peptide's ability to produce physiological antagonism has been demonstrated previously. Both peptides were tested for their ability to antagonize Ang II-induced contractions on rabbit aorta smooth muscle. Neither peptide had any direct contractile activity. The antiparallel Ang II peptide had physiological antagonism to Ang II contractions at a lower sensitivity than reported in biochemical studies, and its antagonist activity was partially blocked by Ang II antiserum, suggesting that it is not an antipeptide but an Ang II homologue. The parallel Ang II antipeptide also required high concentrations for physiological inhibition. Its contractile inhibition was not affected by Ang II antiserum and diminished the Ang II contraction at high micromolar concentrations, findings consistent with physicochemical data showing that it is an Ang II complement. The concentration of either peptide required to produce an antagonistic physiological effect was too high to predict any pharmacological usefulness. The parallel antipeptide, however, significantly increased the force of muscle contractions at high nanomolar concentrations, thus displaying a unique dual augmentation/antagonist activity. This antipeptide seems to have highly sequence-specific activity because other similar parallel antipeptides had no activity. The parallel antipeptide augmentation mimics the shift in the Ang II dose-response curve produced in hypertension studies of the slow pressor effect of Ang II and may be useful in deducing the currently unknown cause of the slow pressor effect. It may also have some uses in migraine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P F Dillon
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 44824, USA.
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Ruiz-Opazo N, Akimoto K, Herrera VL. Identification of a novel dual angiotensin II/vasopressin receptor on the basis of molecular recognition theory. Nat Med 1995; 1:1074-81. [PMID: 7489366 DOI: 10.1038/nm1095-1074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The molecular recognition theory suggests that binding sites of interacting proteins, for example, peptide hormone and its receptor binding site, were originally encoded by and evolved from complementary strands of genomic DNA. To test this theory, we screened a rat kidney complementary DNA library twice: first with the angiotensin II (AII) followed by the vasopressin (AVP) antisense oligonucleotide probe, expecting to isolate cDNA clones of the respective receptors. Surprisingly, the identical cDNA clone was isolated twice independently. Structural analysis revealed a single receptor polypeptide with seven predicted transmembrane regions, distinct AII and AVP putative binding domains, a Gs protein-activation motif, and an internalization recognition sequence. Functional analysis revealed specific binding to both AII and AVP as well as AII- and AVP-induced coupling to the adenylate cyclase second messenger system. Site-directed mutagenesis of the predicted AII binding domain obliterates AII binding but preserves AVP binding. This corroborates the dual nature of the receptor and provides direct molecular genetic evidence for the molecular recognition theory.
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MESH Headings
- Adenylyl Cyclases/metabolism
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Cell Line
- DNA Primers
- DNA, Complementary/isolation & purification
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
- Nucleotides/analysis
- Oligonucleotide Probes
- Protein Conformation
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Angiotensin/chemistry
- Receptors, Angiotensin/genetics
- Receptors, Angiotensin/metabolism
- Receptors, Vasopressin/chemistry
- Receptors, Vasopressin/genetics
- Receptors, Vasopressin/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- N Ruiz-Opazo
- Section of Molecular Genetics, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02118, USA
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Baranyi L, Campbell W, Ohshima K, Fujimoto S, Boros M, Okada H. The antisense homology box: a new motif within proteins that encodes biologically active peptides. Nat Med 1995; 1:894-901. [PMID: 7585214 DOI: 10.1038/nm0995-894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Amphiphilic peptides approximately fifteen amino acids in length and their corresponding antisense peptides exist within protein molecules. These regions (termed antisense homology boxes) are separated by approximately fifty amino acids. Because many sense-antisense peptide pairs have been reported to recognize and bind to each other, antisense homology boxes may be involved in folding, chaperoning and oligomer formation of proteins. The antisense homology box-derived peptide CALSVDRYRAVASW, a fragment of human endothelin A receptor, proved to be a specific inhibitor of endothelin peptide (ET-1) in a smooth muscle relaxation assay. The peptide was able to block endotoxin-induced shock in rats as well. Our finding of endothelin receptor inhibitor among antisense homology box-derived peptides indicates that searching proteins for this new motif may be useful in finding biologically active peptides.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Computer Simulation
- DNA, Antisense/genetics
- Drug Design
- Endothelins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Endotoxins/toxicity
- Humans
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Chaperones/chemistry
- Molecular Chaperones/genetics
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Peptide Fragments/chemistry
- Peptide Fragments/genetics
- Peptide Fragments/pharmacology
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation
- Protein Folding
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Rats
- Receptor, Endothelin A
- Receptors, Endothelin/chemistry
- Receptors, Endothelin/genetics
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Shock, Septic/chemically induced
- Shock, Septic/prevention & control
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
- L Baranyi
- Choju Medical Institute, Noyori Fukushimura Hospital, Toyohashi, Japan
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Moore GJ, Smith JR, Baylis BW, Matsoukas JM. Design and pharmacology of peptide mimetics. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 1995; 33:91-41. [PMID: 7495678 DOI: 10.1016/s1054-3589(08)60667-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G J Moore
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Abstract
During this century, the nonpeptidic families of hormones (for example, steroids and catecholamines) have been exploited by medicinal chemists to give an array of clinically important drugs. Although peptides represent the largest class of hormonal substances, they are limited in their potential for treating a variety of diseases because of their lack of oral bioavailability and their short durations of action resulting from enzymic degradation in vivo. Recently, rapid screening of small molecule libraries and rational design approaches have produced peptide mimetics as a new generation of promising drug leads. In this review, Graham Moore provides some insight into aspects of the rational design approach to peptide mimicry using angiotensin II as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Moore
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Kuttan SC, Sim MK. Angiotensin II-induced tachyphylaxis in aortas of normo- and hypertensive rats: changes in receptor affinity. Eur J Pharmacol 1993; 232:173-80. [PMID: 8467856 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(93)90771-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin II-induced tachyphylaxis was found to be associated with changes in agonist affinity (Ka) and EC50 values, as assessed by using Furchgott's equation derived for the determination of full agonist affinity. The diminished affinity during tachyphylaxis was observed in aorta ring preparations from both Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Noradrenaline (10(-9) M) reduced the increase in the Ka value during tachyphylaxis in both strains. The results suggest that tachyphylaxis occurs at the level of the receptor, resulting in changes in the affinity of the ligand for the receptor and in the coupling efficiency of the receptor system. The results also support the probable role of modulators acting on allosteric receptor sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Kuttan
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore
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Jackson EK, Prakash C, Blair IA. Studies on the peptides encoded by rat and human angiotensin II complementary RNA. Hypertension 1993; 21:42-9. [PMID: 7678096 DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.21.1.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Some evidence suggests that RNA complementary to the messenger RNA encoding a peptide hormone encodes a complementary peptide that binds the original peptide hormone. The objective of this investigation was to assess in vivo the ability of complementary angiotensin II (II Ang) peptides to block the biological effects of angiotensin II (Ang II). Increasing concentrations of rat or human II Ang were preincubated with Ang II for 2 hours, and this solution was then infused intra-arterially into the superior mesenteric artery. Human, but not rat, II Ang dose-dependently inhibited Ang II-induced mesenteric vasoconstriction. The in vivo inhibitory potencies of human II Ang and [Sar1,Ile8]Ang II, with respect to inhibition of the pressor response to Ang II, were compared by infusing intravenously increasing doses of each blocker and determining their effects on a fixed intravenous dose of Ang II. Although human II Ang could abolish the pressor response to Ang II, [Sar1,Ile8]Ang II was approximately 100 times more potent in this regard. A fixed dose of human II Ang (150 micrograms/min i.v.) inhibited the effects of increasing doses of Ang II on mesenteric vascular resistance, arterial blood pressure, and aldosterone secretion. The 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of human II Ang and Ang II were determined both separately and when combined in the same cuvette. The spectrum obtained by overlaying the separate spectra for these two peptides was the same as the spectrum obtained from the mixture of these two peptides in the same cuvette.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- E K Jackson
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA 15261
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Budisavljevic M, Béa ML, Bensoussan M, Laubie M, Van Chuong PP, Dussaule JC, Verroust PJ, Ronco PM. Antagonist effect of a receptor-mimicking peptide encoded by human angiotensin II complementary RNA. Hypertension 1992; 19:345-54. [PMID: 1555866 DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.19.4.345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This article reports on the binding and the angiotensin II (Ang II) antagonistic properties of a peptide, referred to as hIIA, encoded by an RNA strand complementary to the human Ang II messenger RNA. Although Ang II and hIIA (H2N-Glu-Gly-Val-Tyr-Val-His-Pro-Val-COOH) share four amino acids, the iodinated and tritiated forms of hIIA were unreactive with seven monoclonal antibodies defining four distinct epitopes on the Ang II molecule and failed to bind to Ang II hepatic and mesangial receptors. However, hIIA did inhibit binding of 125I-Ang II to rat hepatocyte membranes (IC50, 2 x 10(-7) M) and to the various monoclonal antibodies. The lowest IC50 (5 x 10(-7) M) was measured with the monoclonal antibody specific for the Ang II sequence generally considered as implicated in receptor recognition. As predicted from the binding studies, hIIA was further shown to antagonize some biological properties of Ang II. On mesangial cells, hIIA alone had no effect on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and prostaglandin E2 synthesis but did abolish the transient increase in [Ca2+]i in response to 100 nM Ang II and did induce a specific dose-dependent inhibition of the Ang II-stimulated prostaglandin E2 release. Furthermore, intravenous infusion of hIIA (200 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) inhibited by 66 +/- 3% the rat hypertensive response to 100 ng.kg-1 Ang II but had no effect on the pressor activity of agents such as alpha 1-adrenergic and HT2 serotonin agonists. Our data suggest that the "complementary" peptide hIIA interacts directly with Ang II by mimicking the Ang II complementary site on the receptor and can inhibit the physiological effects of Ang II. This type of Ang II complementary peptide may serve as a model for a new class of antihypertensive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Budisavljevic
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U.64, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France
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Wiest SA, Gesellchen PD, Zimmerman K, Steinberg MI. Binding and pharmacologic properties of peptides derived from human and rat angiotensin II (AII) mRNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1990; 170:462-9. [PMID: 1974420 DOI: 10.1016/0006-291x(90)92114-f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the binding and pharmacologic properties of peptides encoded by complementary mRNA derived from the human and rat angiotensinogen gene (human and rat IIA, respectively). Human IIA (identical with AII in 4 amino acids) inhibited binding of [125I]AII to rat adrenal glomerulosa particles (Ki = 0.62 +/- 0.09 microM) and competitively blocked, with similar potency, the ability of three AII receptor agonists to contract rabbit aorta. Rat IIA affected neither [125I]AII binding to glomerulosa particles nor the contractile response of AII. We conclude that rat IIA does not interact with AII or its receptors and that human IIA acts as a competitive inhibitor of AII at the receptor level.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Wiest
- Department of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana
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