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Todorov P, Georgieva S, Peneva P, Nikolov S, Rangelov M, Todorova N, Pechlivanova D, Tchekalarova J. Synthesis, molecular docking, electrochemical and fluorimetric analysis of new caffeic and cinnamic acid-conjugated hemorphin derivatives designed as potential anticonvulsant and antinociceptive agents. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107063. [PMID: 38150935 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107063] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Based on the pharmacophore model of opioid receptors, our team recently synthesized a series of short-chain hemorphin peptide analogs containing non-natural amino acids. They demonstrated anticonvulsant and antinociceptive activity with low neurotoxicity. In the present study, a series of novel bioconjugates of N-modified hemorphin analogs containing second pharmacophore cinnamic acids (CA) or caffeic (KA) were synthesized by a traditional solid-phase Fmoc chemistry method for peptide synthesis. Electrochemical and fluorimetric analysis, in vivo anticonvulsant and antinociceptive activity in mice were conducted on the compounds. The three CA acid- (H4-CA, H5-CA, and H7-CA) and three KA acid- (H4-KA, H5-KA, and H7-KA) conjugated hemorphin derivatives exhibited potency at the highest doses of 2 µg/5 µl, administered by intracerebroventricular (icv) mode, against seizure spread in the maximal electroshock test (MES) in mice. The KA-conjugated H5-KA derivate, at the lowest dose, was the only compound that suppressed clonic seizures in the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (scPTZ) test. Except for the H5-CA, all tested CA acid- and KA acid-conjugated peptide derivates had the potency to increase the latency for clonic seizures in a dose-dependent mode. The activity against the psychomotor seizures in the 6-Hz test was detected only for the H4-CA (0.5 µg) and H4-KA (0.5 µg and 1 µg), respectively. All investigated peptides showed a more pronounced antinociceptive effect in the "intraplantar formalin" test compared to the "hot plate" test. Shorter chain analogs showed a better antinociceptive profile against tonic pain. The data suggest a DOR and KOR-mediated mechanism of action. According to the docking analysis, H7-CA showed a different antinociceptive profile than other investigated peptides. The novel peptide derivates did not exhibit neurotoxicity in the rotarod test. Our findings suggest that conjugated CA and KA morphine peptides can be used to develop novel morphine-related analogs with anticonvulsant and antinociceptive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar Todorov
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Stela Georgieva
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Petia Peneva
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Spas Nikolov
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Miroslav Rangelov
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Nadezhda Todorova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Daniela Pechlivanova
- Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria; Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jana Tchekalarova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Collu F, Ceccarelli M, Ruggerone P. Exploring binding properties of agonists interacting with a δ-opioid receptor. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52633. [PMID: 23300729 PMCID: PMC3530460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2011] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligand-receptor interactions are at the basis of the mediation of our physiological responses to a large variety of ligands, such as hormones, neurotransmitters and environmental stimulants, and their tuning represents the goal of a large variety of therapies. Several molecular details of these interactions are still largely unknown. In an effort to shed some light on this important issue, we performed a computational study on the interaction of two related compounds differing by a single methyl group (clozapine and desmethylclozapine) with a -opioid receptor. According to experiments, desmethylclozapine is more active than clozapine, providing a system well suited for a comparative study. We investigated stable configurations of the two drugs inside the receptor by simulating their escape routes by molecular dynamics simulations. Our results point out that the action of the compounds might be related to the spatial and temporal distribution of the affinity sites they visit during their permanency. Moreover, no particularly pronounced structural perturbations of the receptor were detected during the simulations, reinforcing the idea of a strong dynamical character of the interaction process, with an important role played by the solvent in addition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Collu
- CNR-IOM SLACS and Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Matteo Ceccarelli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Paolo Ruggerone
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Pasquinucci L, Parenti C, Turnaturi R, Aricò G, Marrazzo A, Prezzavento O, Ronsisvalle S, Georgoussi Z, Fourla DD, Scoto GM, Ronsisvalle G. The benzomorphan-based LP1 ligand is a suitable MOR/DOR agonist for chronic pain treatment. Life Sci 2011; 90:66-70. [PMID: 22100511 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2011.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Powerful analgesics relieve pain primarily through activating mu opioid receptor (MOR), but the long-term use of MOR agonists, such as morphine, is limited by the rapid development of tolerance. Recently, it has been observed that simultaneous stimulation of the delta opioid receptor (DOR) and MOR limits the incidence of tolerance induced by MOR agonists. 3-[(2R,6R,11R)-8-hydroxy-6,11-dimethyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2,6-methano-3-benzazocin-3(2H)-yl]-N-phenylpropanamide (LP1) is a centrally acting agent with antinociceptive activity comparable to morphine and is able to bind and activate MOR and DOR. The aim of this work was to evaluate and compare the induction of tolerance to antinociceptive effects from treatment with LP1 and morphine. MAIN METHODS Here, we evaluated the pharmacological effects of LP1 administered at a dose of 4 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.) twice per day for 9 days to male Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, the LP1 mechanism of action was assessed by measurement of LP1-induced [(35)S]GTPγS binding to the MOR and DOR. KEY FINDINGS Data obtained from the radiant heat tail flick test showed that LP1 maintained its antinociceptive profile until the ninth day, while tolerance to morphine (10mg/kg s.c. twice per day) was observed on day 3. Moreover, LP1 significantly enhanced [(35)S]GTPγS binding in the membranes of HEK293 cells expressing either the MOR or the DOR. SIGNIFICANCE LP1 is a novel analgesic agent for chronic pain treatment, and its low tolerance-inducing capability may be correlated with its ability to bind both the MOR and DOR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
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Ślusarz MJ. Molecular modeling study of the opioid receptor interactions with series of cyclic deltorphin analogues. J Pept Sci 2011; 17:554-64. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2010] [Revised: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Provasi D, Bortolato A, Filizola M. Exploring molecular mechanisms of ligand recognition by opioid receptors with metadynamics. Biochemistry 2009; 48:10020-9. [PMID: 19785461 DOI: 10.1021/bi901494n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) of utmost significance in the development of potent analgesic drugs for the treatment of severe pain. An accurate evaluation at the molecular level of the ligand binding pathways into these receptors may play a key role in the design of new molecules with more desirable properties and reduced side effects. The recent characterization of high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of non-rhodopsin GPCRs for diffusible hormones and neurotransmitters presents an unprecedented opportunity to build improved homology models of opioid receptors, and to study in more detail their molecular mechanisms of ligand recognition. In this study, possible pathways for entry of the nonselective antagonist naloxone (NLX) from the water environment into the well-accepted alkaloid binding pocket of a delta opioid receptor (DOR) molecular model based on the beta2-adrenergic receptor crystal structure are explored using microsecond-scale well-tempered metadynamics simulations. Using as collective variables distances that account for the position of NLX and of the receptor extracellular loop 2 in relation to the DOR binding pocket, we were able to distinguish between the different states visited by the ligand (i.e., docked, undocked, and metastable bound intermediates) and to predict a free energy of binding close to experimental values after correcting for possible drawbacks of the sampling approach. The strategy employed herein holds promise for its application to the docking of diverse ligands to the opioid receptors as well as to other GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Provasi
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
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Gouldson PR, Kidley NJ, Bywater RP, Psaroudakis G, Brooks HD, Diaz C, Shire D, Reynolds CA. Toward the active conformations of rhodopsin and the beta2-adrenergic receptor. Proteins 2004; 56:67-84. [PMID: 15162487 DOI: 10.1002/prot.20108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Using sets of experimental distance restraints, which characterize active or inactive receptor conformations, and the X-ray crystal structure of the inactive form of bovine rhodopsin as a starting point, we have constructed models of both the active and inactive forms of rhodopsin and the beta2-adrenergic G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The distance restraints were obtained from published data for site-directed crosslinking, engineered zinc binding, site-directed spin-labeling, IR spectroscopy, and cysteine accessibility studies conducted on class A GPCRs. Molecular dynamics simulations in the presence of either "active" or "inactive" restraints were used to generate two distinguishable receptor models. The process for generating the inactive and active models was validated by the hit rates, yields, and enrichment factors determined for the selection of antagonists in the inactive model and for the selection of agonists in the active model from a set of nonadrenergic GPCR drug-like ligands in a virtual screen using ligand docking software. The simulation results provide new insights into the relationships observed between selected biochemical data, the crystal structure of rhodopsin, and the structural rearrangements that occur during activation.
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Kawahara M, Ishii S, Tsumoto K, Kumagai I, Ueda H, Nagamune T. Reversal of antigen-dependent signaling by two mutations in antibody/receptor chimera: implication of inverse agonism in cytokine receptor superfamily. Biochem Pharmacol 2004; 68:539-48. [PMID: 15242820 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2004.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2003] [Accepted: 04/21/2004] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the receptor activation mechanism is essential for the rational design of pharmacologically active ligand molecules. However, the activation mechanism of most cytokine receptors remains still unclear, and while agonism and antagonism have been described for ligand-mimetic peptides, there has been no report of inverse agonism that has been characterized for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). To explore the activation mechanism of cytokine receptors, here we tried to investigate how agonism and antagonism could be altered by randomizing antibody variable region of an antibody/cytokine receptor chimera recognizing hen egg lysozyme (HEL) as an agonist. Based on our previous finding that the co-expression of V(H)-gp130 and V(L)-erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) chimeras transduced strict and efficient HEL-dependent cell growth signal, a V(H)-gp130 library encoding four randomized CDR2 residues was retrovirally infected to IL-3-dependent Ba/F3 cells already transfected with V(L)-EpoR. The selection without IL-3 resulted in a clonal expansion of the transduced cells, and interestingly some of which showed HEL dose-dependent growth suppression. Our results clearly indicate that agonism and antagonism of the antibody/cytokine receptor chimera can be readily switched by a subtle modification of the ligand binding domain as well as that of GPCRs, also implying the existence of inverse agonism in cytokine receptor superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Kawahara
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
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Gillard JA, Reed MWR, Buttle D, Cross SS, Brown NJ. Matrix metalloproteinase activity and immunohistochemical profile of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 during human dermal wound healing. Wound Repair Regen 2004; 12:295-304. [PMID: 15225208 DOI: 10.1111/j.1067-1927.2004.012314.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Proteolytic activity is required for the turnover of the extracellular matrix during wound healing. Matrix metalloproteinases can collectively cleave all components of the extracellular matrix, with the endogenous tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 regulating their activity. Breast tissue taken at varying postoperative times (n= 92) or during surgery (controls, n= 17), was used to investigate the temporal and spatial activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 during human wound healing. Matrix metalloproteinase activity, determined using a quenched fluorescence substrate assay, increased during early healing (3-8 weeks) compared to controls, and then decreased between 24 and 36 weeks after surgery (p < 0.05 until 24 weeks, Mann-Whitney U-test). Immunohistochemistry scores for matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression were significantly elevated compared to controls in scar endothelial cells and fibroblasts from 2 until 12 and 20 weeks, respectively. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 staining was observed exclusively in fibroblasts, reaching maximum levels 8-12 weeks after surgery, decreasing by 1.5 years but remaining significantly increased. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 staining was relatively sparse but was significantly increased until 8 weeks after surgery. These results show that matrix metalloproteinases are present at elevated levels during early wound healing, when angiogenesis occurs, and suggest that matrix metalloproteinase-9 may play a significant role. The later expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in fibroblasts suggests a role in extracellular matrix remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith A Gillard
- Academic Unit of Surgical Oncology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, United Kingdom
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Martin NA, Ruckle MB, VanHoof SL, Prather PL. Agonist, antagonist, and inverse agonist characteristics of TIPP (H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH), a selective delta-opioid receptor ligand. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2002; 301:661-71. [PMID: 11961071 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.301.2.661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates that the well established delta-opioid antagonist TIPP (H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH) also displays agonist activity in several cellular models. Therefore, it is possible that TIPP, and structurally related compounds, might represent a novel class of opioid agonists exhibiting unique characteristics. The purpose of this study was to examine the properties of TIPP at selected points of the signal transduction pathway (i.e., receptor binding, G-protein activation, and effector regulation) in GH(3)DORT cells (GH(3) cells expressing delta-opioid receptors) and compare them with that of an established delta-opioid agonist, [D-Pen(2),D-Pen(5)]-enkephalin (DPDPE). DPDPE exhibited properties of an agonist in all assays. In contrast, TIPP demonstrated characteristics of an agonist, antagonist, or inverse agonist, depending on the step in the signal transduction cascade examined and the assay conditions employed. In receptor binding assays, the addition of guanine nucleotides and sodium ions increased the affinity of TIPP for delta-opioid receptors in both membrane preparations and digitonin-permeabilized cells, which is characteristic of an inverse agonist. In assays measuring G-protein activation, TIPP failed to stimulate guanosine 5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thio)triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) binding in membrane preparations, which is consistent with an antagonist profile. However, when using cells semi-permeabilized with digitonin, TIPP exhibited properties of an agonist, producing concentration-dependent, antagonist-reversible stimulation of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding. Finally, in assays examining regulation of the intracellular effector adenylyl cyclase, TIPP exhibited characteristics of an agonist, producing inhibition of enzyme activity in both membrane preparations and whole cells. Therefore, although DPDPE and TIPP act similarly as agonists to regulate the intracellular effector adenylyl cyclase, they demonstrate significant differences in the signal transduction cascade preceding this final point of convergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy A Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
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Owens CE, Akil H. Determinants of ligand selectivity at the kappa-receptor based on the structure of the orphanin FQ receptor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2002; 300:992-9. [PMID: 11861808 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.300.3.992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is unclear how opioid selectivity and activation are regulated within the receptor core. In previous studies, the OFQ receptor was converted into a functional opioid receptor by mutating five amino acids at three sites to the corresponding residues conserved across the mu-, kappa-, and delta-opioid receptors, suggesting that these sites comprise an opioid binding pocket. To examine this hypothesis, the present study examines whether these conserved residues represent an opioid binding pocket in the context of the opioid receptors, i.e., does their removal from opioid receptors destroy opioid ligand binding? The reciprocal mutations K227A (transmembrane [TM]5), IHI290-292VQV (TM6), and I316T (TM7) were evaluated in the kappa-opioid receptor. In terms of alkaloid binding, there were no changes in affinity for mutants K227A and IHI290-292VQV. At mutant I316T, antagonist binding was unaltered, but there was a trend toward slightly decreased agonist affinity. In contrast, the binding of peptides had a more complex pattern. Again, K227A and IHI290-292VQV did not decrease the binding affinity of dynorphin-related peptides. Mutant I316T had 10- to 20-fold decreased affinity for dynorphin-related peptides, suggesting that I316 is part of a critical dynorphin recognition site. In response to alkaloid stimulation, I316T activated more G-protein(s) than wild type, and similar levels were observed in response to dynorphin stimulation. Overall, these results suggest that ligands are capable of achieving high-affinity binding through interaction with multiple sites/conformations of the receptor. These different modes of interaction have different down-stream results in terms of receptor activation and signal transduction.
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MESH Headings
- Alkaloids/pharmacology
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Binding, Competitive/drug effects
- COS Cells
- Conserved Sequence
- Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/pharmacology
- Haplorhini
- Kinetics
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed/genetics
- Mutation/genetics
- Radioligand Assay
- Rats
- Receptors, Opioid/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/genetics
- Nociceptin Receptor
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance E Owens
- Mental Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
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Haskell-Luevano C, Monck EK. Agouti-related protein functions as an inverse agonist at a constitutively active brain melanocortin-4 receptor. REGULATORY PEPTIDES 2001; 99:1-7. [PMID: 11257308 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-0115(01)00234-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Agouti-related protein (AGRP) is one of two naturally occurring antagonists of G-Protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) identified to date, and has been physiologically implicated in regulating food intake, body weight, and energy homeostasis. AGRP has been identified in vitro, as competitively antagonizing the brain melanocortin-4 (MC4R) and melanocortin-3 (MC3R) receptors, and when over expressed in transgenic mice, results in an obese phenotype. Emerging data propose that AGRP has additional targets in the hypothalamus and/or physiologically functions via a mechanism in addition to competitive antagonism of alpha-MSH at the brain melanocortin receptors. We report data herein supporting an alternative mechanism for AGRP involvement in feeding behavior. A constitutively active MC4R has been generated which possess EC(50) values for melanocortin agonists (alpha-MSH, NDP-MSH, and MTII) and a pA2 value for the synthetic peptide antagonist SHU9119 identical to the wildtype receptor, but increases basal activity to 50% maximal response. AGRP possesses inverse agonist activity at this constitutively active MC4R. These data support the hypothesis for an additional physiological mechanism for AGRP action in feeding behavior and energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0485, USA.
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