Class A Orphans (version 2020.5) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Dietary Zinc Differentially Regulates the Effects of the GPR39 Receptor Agonist, TC-G 1008, in the Maximal Electroshock Seizure Test and Pentylenetetrazole-Kindling Model of Epilepsy

The G-protein coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) is gaining increasing attention as a target for future drugs, yet there are gaps in the understanding of its pharmacology. Zinc is an endogenous agonist or an allosteric modulator, while TC-G 1008 is a synthetic, small molecule agonist. Zinc is also a positive allosteric modulator for the activity of TC-G 1008 at GPR39. Activation of GPR39 by TC-G 1008 facilitated the development of epileptogenesis in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling model of epilepsy. Congruently, TC-G 1008 decreased the seizure threshold in the maximal electroshock seizure threshold (MEST) test. Here, we investigated the effects of TC-G 1008 under the condition of zinc deficiency. Mice were fed a zinc-adequate diet (ZnA, 50 mg Zn/kg) or a zinc-deficient diet (ZnD, 3 mg Zn/kg) for 4 weeks. Following 4 weeks of dietary zinc restriction, TC-G 1008 was administered as a single dose and the MEST test was performed. Additional groups of mice began the PTZ-kindling model during which TC-G 1008 was administered repeatedly and the diet was continued. TC-G 1008 administered acutely decreased the seizure threshold in the MEST test in mice fed the ZnD diet but not in mice fed the ZnA diet. TC-G 1008 administered chronically increased the maximal seizure severity and the percentage of fully kindled mice in those fed the ZnA diet, but not in mice fed the ZnD diet. Our data showed that the amount of zinc in a diet is a factor contributing to the effects of TC-G 1008 in vivo.

Chimeric GPCRs mimic distinct signaling pathways and modulate microglia responses

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate processes ranging from immune responses to neuronal signaling. However, ligands for many GPCRs remain unknown, suffer from off-target effects or have poor bioavailability. Additionally, dissecting cell type-specific responses is challenging when the same GPCR is expressed on different cells within a tissue. Here, we overcome these limitations by engineering DREADD-based GPCR chimeras that bind clozapine-N-oxide and mimic a GPCR-of-interest. We show that chimeric DREADD-β2AR triggers responses comparable to β2AR on second messenger and kinase activity, post-translational modifications, and protein-protein interactions. Moreover, we successfully recapitulate β2AR-mediated filopodia formation in microglia, an immune cell capable of driving central nervous system inflammation. When dissecting microglial inflammation, we included two additional DREADD-based chimeras mimicking microglia-enriched GPR65 and GPR109A. DREADD-β2AR and DREADD-GPR65 modulate the inflammatory response with high similarity to endogenous β2AR, while DREADD-GPR109A shows no impact. Our DREADD-based approach allows investigation of cell type-dependent pathways without known endogenous ligands.

Understanding the function of GPCRs requires stimulation with their specific ligands. Here, the authors design chemogenetic G-protein coupled receptors that allows for the study of receptors without knowing the immediate ligand, and demonstrate its use for the β2-adrenergic receptor in microglia.

Structure Prediction, Evaluation, and Validation of GPR18 Lipid Receptor Using Free Programs

The GPR18 receptor, often referred to as the N-arachidonylglycine receptor, although assigned (along with GPR55 and GPR119) to the new class A GPCR subfamily-lipid receptors, officially still has the status of a class A GPCR orphan. While its signaling pathways and biological significance have not yet been fully elucidated, increasing evidence points to the therapeutic potential of GPR18 in relation to immune, neurodegenerative, and cancer processes to name a few. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the interactions of potential ligands with the receptor and the influence of particular structural elements on their activity. Thus, given the lack of an experimentally solved structure, the goal of the present study was to obtain a homology model of the GPR18 receptor in the inactive state, meeting all requirements in terms of protein structure quality and recognition of active ligands. To increase the reliability and precision of the predictions, different contemporary protein structure prediction methods and software were used and compared herein. To test the usability of the resulting models, we optimized and compared the selected structures followed by the assessment of the ability to recognize known, active ligands. The stability of the predicted poses was then evaluated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. On the other hand, most of the best-ranking contemporary CADD software/platforms for its full usability require rather expensive licenses. To overcome this down-to-earth obstacle, the overarching goal of these studies was to test whether it is possible to perform the thorough CADD experiments with high scientific confidence while using only license-free/academic software and online platforms. The obtained results indicate that a wide range of freely available software and/or academic licenses allow us to carry out meaningful molecular modelling/docking studies.

Alterations of Serum Magnesium Concentration in Animal Models of Seizures and Epilepsy—The Effects of Treatment with a GPR39 Agonist and Knockout of the Gpr39 Gene

Several ligands have been proposed for the GPR39 receptor, including the element zinc. The relationship between GPR39 and magnesium homeostasis has not yet been examined, nor has such a relationship in the context of seizures/epilepsy. We used samples from mice that were treated with an agonist of the GPR39 receptor (TC-G 1008) and underwent acute seizures (maximal electroshock (MES)- or 6-hertz-induced seizures) or a chronic, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling model of epilepsy. MES seizures and PTZ kindling, unlike 6 Hz seizures, increased serum magnesium concentration. In turn, Gpr39-KO mice that underwent PTZ kindling displayed decreased concentrations of this element in serum, compared to WT mice subjected to this procedure. However, the levels of expression of TRPM7 and SlC41A1 proteins—which are responsible for magnesium transport into and out of cells, respectively—did not differ in the hippocampus between Gpr39-KO and WT mice. Furthermore, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry applied to hippocampal slices did not reveal differences in magnesium levels between the groups. These data show the relationship between magnesium homeostasis and certain types of acute or chronic seizures (MES seizures or PTZ kindling, respectively), but do not explicitly support the role of GPR39 in mediating magnesium balance in the hippocampus in the latter model. However, decreased expression of TRPM7 and increased expression of SLC41A1—which were observed in the hippocampi of Gpr39-KO mice treated with TC-G 1008, in comparison to WT mice that received the same treatment—implicitly support the link between GPR39 and hippocampal magnesium homeostasis.

Phosphodiesters as GPR84 Antagonists for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

GPR84 is a proinflammatory G protein-coupled receptor associated with several inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. GPR84 antagonists have been evaluated in clinical trials to treat ulcerative colitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. However, the variety of potent and selective GPR84 antagonists is still limited. Through high-throughput screening, a novel phosphodiester compound hit 1 was identified as a GPR84 antagonist. The subsequent structural optimization led to the identification of compound 33 with improved potency in the calcium mobilization assay and the ability to inhibit the chemotaxis of neutrophils and macrophages upon GPR84 activation. In a DSS-induced mouse model of ulcerative colitis, compound 33 significantly alleviated colitis symptoms and reduced the disease activity index score at oral doses of 25 mg/kg qd, with an efficacy similar to that of positive control 5-aminosalicylic acid (200 mg/kg, qd, po), suggesting that compound 33 is a promising candidate for further drug development.

Unlocking the Non-IgE-Mediated Pseudo-Allergic Reaction Puzzle with Mas-Related G-Protein Coupled Receptor Member X2 (MRGPRX2)

Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor member X2 (MRGPRX2) is a class A GPCR expressed on mast cells. Mast cells are granulated tissue-resident cells known for host cell response, allergic response, and vascular homeostasis. Immunoglobulin E receptor (FcεRI)-mediated mast cell activation is a well-studied and recognized mechanism of allergy and hypersensitivity reactions. However, non-IgE-mediated mast cell activation is less explored and is not well recognized. After decades of uncertainty, MRGPRX2 was discovered as the receptor responsible for non-IgE-mediated mast cells activation. The puzzle of non-IgE-mediated pseudo-allergic reaction is unlocked by MRGPRX2, evidenced by a plethora of reported endogenous and exogenous MRGPRX2 agonists. MRGPRX2 is exclusively expressed on mast cells and exhibits varying affinity for many molecules such as antimicrobial host defense peptides, neuropeptides, and even US Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs. The discovery of MRGPRX2 has changed our understanding of mast cell biology and filled the missing link of the underlying mechanism of drug-induced MC degranulation and pseudo-allergic reactions. These non-canonical characteristics render MRGPRX2 an intriguing player in allergic diseases. In the present article, we reviewed the emerging role of MRGPRX2 as a non-IgE-mediated mechanism of mast cell activation in pseudo-allergic reactions. We have presented an overview of mast cells, their receptors, structural insight into MRGPRX2, MRGPRX2 agonists and antagonists, the crucial role of MRGPRX2 in pseudo-allergic reactions, current challenges, and the future research direction.

Modulation of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 84 (GPR84) by Agonists and Antagonists

Since the discovery of medium-chain fatty acids as GPR84 ligands, significant advancements have been made in the development of GPR84 agonists and antagonists. Most agonists have lipid-like structures except for 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), which acts as an allosteric agonist. GPR84 activation in macrophages leads to increased cytokine secretion, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis, revealing the proinflammatory role of GPR84 associated with various inflammatory responses. Three GPR84 antagonists (S)-2-((1,4-dioxan-2-yl)methoxy)-9-(cyclopropylethynyl)-6,7-dihydro-4H-pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one (GLPG1205), sodium 2-(3-pentylphenyl)acetate (PBI-4050), and sodium 2-(3,5-dipentylphenyl)acetate (PBI-4547) have displayed therapeutic effects in animal models of several inflammatory and fibrotic diseases and are being evaluated in clinical studies. Although GLPG1205 has failed in a clinical trial for ulcerative colitis, it is undergoing another phase II clinical study for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Further studies are needed to resolve the GPR84 structure, identify more endogenous ligands, elucidate their physiological and pathological roles, and fulfill the therapeutic potential of GPR84 antagonists and agonists.