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Różanowska M, Szczupaj G, Nowakowski M, Rajagopal P, Lipiński PFJ, Matalińska J, Misicka A, Lisowski M, Jaremko Ł, Jaremko M. Applications of biaryl cyclization in the synthesis of cyclic enkephalin analogs with a highly restricted flexibility. Amino Acids 2024; 56:18. [PMID: 38427104 PMCID: PMC10907494 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03371-5] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
A series of 10 cyclic, biaryl analogs of enkephalin, with Tyr or Phe residues at positions 1 and 4, were synthesized according to the Miyaura borylation and Suzuki coupling methodology. Biaryl bridges formed by side chains of the two aromatic amino acid residues are of the meta-meta, meta-para, para-meta, and para-para configuration. Conformational properties of the peptides were studied by CD and NMR. CD studies allowed only to compare conformations of individual peptides while NMR investigations followed by XPLOR calculations provided detailed information on their conformation. Reliability of the XPLOR calculations was confirmed by quantum chemical ones performed for one of the analogs. No intramolecular hydrogen bonds were found in all the peptides. They are folded and adopt the type IV β-turn conformation. Due to a large steric strain, the aromatic carbon atoms forming the biaryl bond are distinctly pyramidalized. Seven of the peptides were tested in vitro for their affinity for the µ-opioid receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Szczupaj
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Nowakowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Priyadharshni Rajagopal
- Bioscience Program, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Piotr F J Lipiński
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Matalińska
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Misicka
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Lisowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Łukasz Jaremko
- Bioscience Program, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Bioscience Program, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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Santino F, Gentilucci L. Design of κ-Opioid Receptor Agonists for the Development of Potential Treatments of Pain with Reduced Side Effects. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28010346. [PMID: 36615540 PMCID: PMC9822356 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The κ-opioid receptor (KOR) has recently emerged as an alternative therapeutic target for the development of pain medications, without deleterious side effects associated with the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). However, modulation of KOR is currently under investigation for the treatment of depression, mood disorders, psychiatric comorbidity, and specific drug addictions. However, KOR agonists also trigger adverse effects including sedation, dysphoria, and hallucinations. In this respect, there is currently much debate on alternative paradigms. Recent effort has been devoted in search of biased ligands capable of selectively activating favorable signaling over signaling associated with unwanted side effects. On the other hand, the use of partial agonists is expected to allow the analgesia to be produced at dosages lower than those required to produce the adverse effects. More empirically, the unwanted central effects can be also avoided by using peripherally restricted agonists. In this review, we discuss the more recent trends in the design of KOR-selective, biased or partial, and finally, peripherally acting agonists. Special emphasis is given on the discussion of the most recent approaches for controlling functional selectivity of KOR-specific ligands.
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Zhao J, Carbone J, Farruggia G, Janecka A, Gentilucci L, Calonghi N. Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity against Cancer Cells of Indole-Aryl-Amide Derivatives. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 28:molecules28010265. [PMID: 36615458 PMCID: PMC9822155 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Indoles constitute a large family of heterocyclic compounds widely occurring in nature which are present in a number of bioactive natural and synthetic compounds, including anticancer agents or atypical opioid agonists. As a result, exponential increases in the development of novel methods for the synthesis of indole-containing compounds have been reported in the literature. A series of indole-aryl amide derivatives 1-7 containing tryptamine or an indolylacetic acid nucleus were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as opioid ligands. These new indole derivatives showed negligible to very low affinity for μ- and δ-opioid receptor (OR). On the other hand, compounds 2, 5 and 7 showed Ki values in the low μM range for κ-OR. Since indoles are well known for their anticancer potential, their effect against a panel of tumor cell lines was tested. The target compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity in HT29, HeLa, IGROV-1, MCF7, PC-3, and Jurkat J6 cells. Some of the synthesized compounds showed good activity against the selected tumor cell lines, with the exception of IGROV1. In particular, compound 5 showed a noteworthy selectivity towards HT29 cells, a malignant colonic cell line, without affecting healthy human intestinal cells. Further studies revealed that 5 caused the cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and promoted apoptosis in HT29 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Zhao
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jacopo Carbone
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Farruggia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Janecka
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
| | - Luca Gentilucci
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (N.C.); Tel.: +39-05-1209-9570 (L.G.); +39-05-1209-1231 (N.C.)
| | - Natalia Calonghi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (N.C.); Tel.: +39-05-1209-9570 (L.G.); +39-05-1209-1231 (N.C.)
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Piekielna-Ciesielska J, Artali R, Azzam AAH, Lambert DG, Kluczyk A, Gentilucci L, Janecka A. Pharmacological Characterization of µ-Opioid Receptor Agonists with Biased G Protein or β-Arrestin Signaling, and Computational Study of Conformational Changes during Receptor Activation. Molecules 2020; 26:E13. [PMID: 33375124 PMCID: PMC7792944 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, G protein vs. β-arrestin biased agonism at opioid receptors has been proposed as an opportunity to produce antinociception with reduced adverse effects. However, at present this approach is highly debated, a reason why more information about biased ligands is required. While the practical relevance of bias in the case of µ-opioid receptors (MOP) still needs to be validated, it remains important to understand the basis of this bias of MOP (and other GPCRs). Recently, we reported two cyclopeptides with high affinity for MOP, the G protein biased Dmt-c[d-Lys-Phe-pCF3-Phe-Asp]NH2 (F-81), and the β-arrestin 2 biased Dmt-c[d-Lys-Phe-Asp]NH2 (C-33), as determined by calcium mobilization assay and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based assay. The biased character of F-81 and C-33 has been further analyzed in the [35S]GTPγS binding assay in human MOP-expressing cells, and the PathHunter enzyme complementation assay, used to measure β-arrestin 2 recruitment. To investigate the structural features of peptide-MOP complexes, we performed conformational analysis by NMR spectroscopy, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. These studies predicted that the two ligands form alternative complexes with MOP, engaging specific ligand-receptor contacts. This would induce different displays of the cytosolic side of the seven-helices bundle, in particular by stabilizing different angulations of helix 6, that could favor intracellular coupling to either G protein or β-arrestin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberto Artali
- Scientia Advice, di Roberto Artali, Desio, 20832 Monza and Brianza, Italy;
| | - Ammar A. H. Azzam
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE27LX, UK; (A.A.H.A.); (D.G.L.)
- College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Babylon 51002, Iraq
| | - David G. Lambert
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE27LX, UK; (A.A.H.A.); (D.G.L.)
| | - Alicja Kluczyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Luca Gentilucci
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Janecka
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland;
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Green synthesis of bioactive oligopeptides promoted by recyclable nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite. Future Med Chem 2020; 12:479-491. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2019-0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The pharmaceutical industry is showing renewed interest in therapeutic peptides. Unfortunately, the chemical synthesis of peptides remains very expensive and problematic in terms of environmental sustainability. Hence, making peptides ‘greener’ has become a new front line for the expansion of peptide market. Results: We developed a mechanochemical solvent-free peptide bond-forming protocol using standard reagents and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite as a bio-compatible, reusable inorganic base. The reaction was also conducted under ultra-mild, minimal solvent-grinding conditions, using common laboratory equipment. Conclusion: The efficacy of the described protocol was validated with the convenient preparation of endomorphin-1, H-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2, the endogenous ligand of the μ-opioid receptor, currently regarded as a lead for the discovery of painkillers devoid of harmful side effects.
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Higashi E, Hirayama S, Nikaido J, Shibasaki M, Kono T, Honjo A, Ikeda H, Kamei J, Fujii H. Development of Novel δ Opioid Receptor Inverse Agonists without a Basic Nitrogen Atom and Their Antitussive Effects in Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3939-3945. [PMID: 31397148 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous results showed that naltrindole (NTI) derivatives with certain types of electron-withdrawing groups as an N-substituent showed δ opioid receptor (DOR) inverse agonistic activities. We therefore synthesized N-acylated NTI derivatives 3a-e and observed that N-benzoyl and N-cyclopropanecarbonyl derivatives SYK-736 (3b) and SYK-623 (3c) were DOR full inverse agonists and the N-acryloyl derivative 3d was a DOR partial inverse agonist. SKY-623 was over 110-fold more potent than the reference compound ICI-174,864. Both naltriben (NTB) and 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) derivatives with N-benzoyl and N-cyclopropanecarbonyl groups were also DOR full inverse agonists. These N-acylated inverse agonists are interesting compounds because they have no basic nitrogen atom, which has been demonstrated to be an important pharmacophore. NTI and BNTX-type DOR inverse agonists SYK-623 and SYK-723 (12c) showed dose-dependent antitussive effects in a mouse cough model induced by citric acid exposure. The antitussive effects by SYK-623 and SYK-723 were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with DOR agonist SNC80.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eika Higashi
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1, Shirokane,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Shigeto Hirayama
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1, Shirokane,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
- Medicinal Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1, Shirokane,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Jun Nikaido
- Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
| | - Marie Shibasaki
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1, Shirokane,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Tomomi Kono
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1, Shirokane,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Ayaka Honjo
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1, Shirokane,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Hiroko Ikeda
- Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
| | - Junzo Kamei
- Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
- Global Research Center for Innovative Life Science, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
| | - Hideaki Fujii
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1, Shirokane,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
- Medicinal Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1, Shirokane,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
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