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Cooper M, Llinas A, Hansen P, Caffrey M, Ray A, Sjödin S, Shamovsky I, Wada H, Jellesmark Jensen T, Sivars U, Hultin L, Andersson U, Lundqvist S, Gedda K, Jinton L, Krutrök N, Lewis R, Jansson P, Gardelli C. Identification and Optimization of Pyrrolidine Derivatives as Highly Potent Ghrelin Receptor Full Agonists. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9705-9730. [PMID: 32787075 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Muscle atrophy and cachexia are common comorbidities among patients suffering from cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and several other chronic diseases. The peptide hormone ghrelin exerts pleiotropic effects including the stimulation of growth hormone secretion and subsequent increase of insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, an important mediator of muscle growth and repair. Ghrelin also acts on inflammation, appetite, and adipogenesis and therefore has been considered a promising therapeutic target for catabolic conditions. We previously reported on the synthesis and properties of an indane based series of ghrelin receptor full agonists which led to a sustained increase of insulin-like growth factor-1 in a dog pharmacodynamic study. Herein we report on the identification of a series of pyrrolidine or piperidine based full agonists and attempted optimization to give compounds with profiles suitable for progression as clinical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Stina Sjödin
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | | | | | - Tina Jellesmark Jensen
- Early Clinical Development, Research and Early Development, Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmune (RIA), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | | | - Leif Hultin
- In Vivo Imaging Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Ulf Andersson
- Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Sara Lundqvist
- Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Karin Gedda
- Precision Medicine, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
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Fadda M, De Fruyt N, Borghgraef C, Watteyne J, Peymen K, Vandewyer E, Naranjo Galindo FJ, Kieswetter A, Mirabeau O, Chew YL, Beets I, Schoofs L. NPY/NPF-Related Neuropeptide FLP-34 Signals from Serotonergic Neurons to Modulate Aversive Olfactory Learning in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Neurosci 2020; 40:6018-6034. [PMID: 32576621 PMCID: PMC7392509 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2674-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aversive learning is fundamental for animals to increase chances of survival. In addition to classical neurotransmitters, neuropeptides have emerged to modulate such complex behaviors. Among them, neuropeptide Y (NPY) is well known to promote aversive memory acquisition in mammals. Here we identify an NPY/neuropeptide F (NPF)-related neuropeptide system in Caenorhabditis elegans and show that this FLP-34/NPR-11 system is required for learning negative associations, a process that is reminiscent of NPY signaling in mammals. The Caenorhabditis elegans NPY/NPF ortholog FLP-34 displays conserved structural hallmarks of bilaterian-wide NPY/NPF neuropeptides. We show that it is required for aversive olfactory learning after pairing diacetyl with the absence of food, but not for appetitive olfactory learning in response to butanone. To mediate diacetyl learning and thus integrate the aversive food context with the diacetyl odor, FLP-34 is released from serotonergic neurons and signals through its evolutionarily conserved NPY/NPF GPCR, NPR-11, in downstream AIA interneurons. NPR-11 activation in the AIA integration center results in avoidance of a previously attractive stimulus. This study opens perspectives for a deeper understanding of stress conditions in which aversive learning results in excessive avoidance.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Aversive learning evolved early in evolution to promote avoidance of dangerous and stressful situations. In addition to classical neurotransmitters, neuropeptides are emerging as modulators of complex behaviors, including learning and memory. Here, we identified the evolutionary ortholog of neuropeptide Y/neuropeptide F in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and we discovered that it is required for olfactory aversive learning. In addition, we elucidated the neural circuit underlying this avoidance behavior, and we discovered a novel coordinated action of Caenorhabditis elegans neuropeptide Y/neuropeptide F and serotonin that could aid in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying stress disorders in which excessive avoidance results in maladaptive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Fadda
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | | | | | - Jan Watteyne
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | - Olivier Mirabeau
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U830, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Yee Lian Chew
- Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2522 New South Wales, Australia
| | - Isabel Beets
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Obesity is affecting over 600 million adults worldwide and has numerous negative effects on health. Since ghrelin positively regulates food intake and body weight, targeting its signaling to induce weight loss under conditions of obesity seems promising. Thus, the present work reviews and discusses different possibilities to alter ghrelin signaling. RECENT FINDINGS Ghrelin signaling can be altered by RNA Spiegelmers, GHSR/Fc, ghrelin-O-acyltransferase inhibitors as well as antagonists, and inverse agonists of the ghrelin receptor. PF-05190457 is the first inverse agonist of the ghrelin receptor tested in humans shown to inhibit growth hormone secretion, gastric emptying, and reduce postprandial glucose levels. Effects on body weight were not examined. Although various highly promising agents targeting ghrelin signaling exist, so far, they were mostly only tested in vitro or in animal models. Further research in humans is thus needed to further assess the effects of ghrelin antagonism on body weight especially under conditions of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha A Schalla
- Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Stengel
- Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Gardelli C, Wada H, Ray A, Caffrey M, Llinas A, Shamovsky I, Tholander J, Larsson J, Sivars U, Hultin L, Andersson U, Sanganee HJ, Stenvall K, Leidvik B, Gedda K, Jinton L, Rydén Landergren M, Karabelas K. Identification and Pharmacological Profile of an Indane Based Series of Ghrelin Receptor Full Agonists. J Med Chem 2018; 61:5974-5987. [PMID: 29909635 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cachexia and muscle wasting are very common among patients suffering from cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other chronic diseases. Ghrelin stimulates growth hormone secretion via the ghrelin receptor, which subsequently leads to increase of IGF-1 plasma levels. The activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis leads to an increase of muscle mass and functional capacity. Ghrelin further acts on inflammation, appetite, and adipogenesis and for this reason was considered an important target to address catabolic conditions. We report the synthesis and properties of an indane based series of ghrelin receptor full agonists; they have been shown to generate a sustained increase of IGF-1 levels in dog and have been thoroughly investigated with respect to their functional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Joakim Tholander
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases IMED Biotech Unit , AstraZeneca Gothenburg , 43183 Mölndal , Sweden
| | | | | | - Leif Hultin
- Precision Medicine Laboratories, Precision Medicine and Genomics IMED Biotech Unit , AstraZeneca Gothenburg , 43183 Mölndal , Sweden
| | - Ulf Andersson
- Drug Safety and Metabolism IMED Biotech Unit , AstraZeneca Gothenburg , 43183 Mölndal , Sweden
| | - Hitesh J Sanganee
- Scientific Partnering & Alliances IMED Biotech Unit , AstraZeneca , SK10 4TF Cambridge , United Kingdom
| | | | - Brith Leidvik
- Discovery Sciences IMED Biotech Unit , AstraZeneca Gothenburg , 43183 Mölndal , Sweden
| | - Karin Gedda
- Discovery Sciences IMED Biotech Unit , AstraZeneca Gothenburg , 43183 Mölndal , Sweden
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Zhang Y, Liu Y, Wu L, Fan C, Wang Z, Zhang X, Alachkar A, Liang X, Civelli O. Receptor-specific crosstalk between prostanoid E receptor 3 and bombesin receptor subtype 3. FASEB J 2018; 32:3184-3192. [PMID: 29401613 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700337rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) is a GPCR that is expressed in the CNS, peripheral tissues, and tumors. Our understanding of BRS-3's role in physiology and pathophysiology is limited because its natural ligand is unknown. In an attempt to identify this ligand, we screened toad skin ( Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor) extracts and identified prostaglandins as putative ligands. In BRS-3-transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells, we found that prostaglandins, with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) being the most potent, fulfill the pharmacologic criteria of affinity, selectivity, and specificity to be considered as agonists to the BRS-3 receptor. However, PGE2 is unable to activate BRS-3 in different cellular environments. We speculated that EP receptors might be the cause of this cellular selectivity, and we found that EP3 is the receptor primarily responsible for the differential PGE2 effect. Consequently, we reconstituted the HEK environment in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and found that BRS-3 and EP3 interact to potentiate PGE2 signaling. This potentiating effect is receptor specific, and it occurs only when BRS-3 is paired to EP3. Our study represents an example of functional crosstalk between two distantly related GPCRs and may be of clinical importance for BRS-3-targeted therapies.-Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., Wu, L., Fan, C., Wang, Z., Zhang, X., Alachkar, A., Liang, X., Civelli, O. Receptor-specific crosstalk between prostanoid E receptor 3 and bombesin receptor subtype 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanfang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Key Lab of Natural Medicine, Liaoning Province, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Lehao Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Key Lab of Natural Medicine, Liaoning Province, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Amal Alachkar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Xinmiao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Key Lab of Natural Medicine, Liaoning Province, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Olivier Civelli
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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The growth hormone secretagogue receptor: its intracellular signaling and regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:4837-55. [PMID: 24651458 PMCID: PMC3975427 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15034837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), also known as the ghrelin receptor, is involved in mediating a wide variety of biological effects of ghrelin, including: stimulation of growth hormone release, increase of food intake and body weight, modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, regulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretion, protection of neuronal and cardiovascular cells, and regulation of immune function. Dependent on the tissues and cells, activation of GHSR may trigger a diversity of signaling mechanisms and subsequent distinct physiological responses. Distinct regulation of GHSR occurs at levels of transcription, receptor interaction and internalization. Here we review the current understanding on the intracellular signaling pathways of GHSR and its modulation. An overview of the molecular structure of GHSR is presented first, followed by the discussion on its signaling mechanisms. Finally, potential mechanisms regulating GHSR are reviewed.
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Li Z, Li Y, Zhang W. Ghrelin receptor in energy homeostasis and obesity pathogenesis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2013; 114:45-87. [PMID: 23317782 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-386933-3.00002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ghrelin receptor, also known as growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), was identified in porcine and rat anterior pituitary membranes, where the synthetic secretagogue MK-0677 causes amplified pulsatile growth hormone (GH) release. In addition to its function in the stimulation of GH secretion, ghrelin, the natural ligand of ghrelin receptor is now recognized as a peptide hormone with fundamental influence on energy homeostasis. Despite the potential existence of multiple subtypes of ghrelin receptor, the effects of ghrelin on energy metabolism, obesity, and diabetes are mediated by its classical receptor GHS-R1a, whose activation requires the n-octanoylation of ghrelin. Here we review the current understanding of the role of the ghrelin receptor in the regulation of energy homeostasis. An overview of the ghrelin receptor is presented first, followed by the discussion on its effects on food intake, glucose homeostasis, and lipid metabolism. Finally, potential strategies for treating obesity and diabetes via manipulation of the ghrelin/ghrelin receptor axis are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziru Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Els S, Beck-Sickinger AG, Chollet C. Ghrelin receptor: high constitutive activity and methods for developing inverse agonists. Methods Enzymol 2010; 485:103-21. [PMID: 21050913 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381296-4.00006-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The ghrelin receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) mainly distributed in the brain, and also expressed in peripheral tissues. Remarkably, the ghrelin receptor possesses a naturally high constitutive activity representing 50% of its maximal activity. Its endogenous ligand ghrelin is the only known orexigenic gastrointestinal peptide and plays a central role in the regulation of appetite, food intake, and energy homeostasis. Reducing the constitutive activity of the ghrelin receptor by inverse agonists is the strategy adopted by our group to develop anti-obesity drugs. Therefore, short peptides were synthesized and showed high inverse agonist potency toward the ghrelin receptor. This review describes the methods used to synthesize the peptides and to evaluate their biological activity. Peptide synthesis was performed on solid phase using a Fmoc/tBu-strategy. Peptide potency was measured with a signal transduction assay, the inositol trisphosphate turnover assay, adapted to a receptor expressing constitutive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Els
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstrasse, Leipzig, Germany
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Rocha-Sousa A, Henriques-Coelho T, Leite-Moreira AF. Potential role of the growth hormone secretagogues in clinical practice. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2007. [DOI: 10.1517/13543776.17.8.909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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