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Istiban MN, De Fruyt N, Kenis S, Beets I. Evolutionary conserved peptide and glycoprotein hormone-like neuroendocrine systems in C. elegans. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 584:112162. [PMID: 38290646 PMCID: PMC11004728 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Peptides and protein hormones form the largest group of secreted signals that mediate intercellular communication and are central regulators of physiology and behavior in all animals. Phylogenetic analyses and biochemical identifications of peptide-receptor systems reveal a broad evolutionary conservation of these signaling systems at the molecular level. Substantial progress has been made in recent years on characterizing the physiological and putative ancestral roles of many peptide systems through comparative studies in invertebrate models. Several peptides and protein hormones are not only molecularly conserved but also have conserved roles across animal phyla. Here, we focus on functional insights gained in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that, with its compact and well-described nervous system, provides a powerful model to dissect neuroendocrine signaling networks involved in the control of physiology and behavior. We summarize recent discoveries on the evolutionary conservation and knowledge on the functions of peptide and protein hormone systems in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majdulin Nabil Istiban
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan De Fruyt
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Signe Kenis
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Beets
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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2
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Iwasa K, Yamagishi A, Yamamoto S, Haruta C, Maruyama K, Yoshikawa K. GPR137 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Promotes Neuronal Differentiation in the Neuro2a Cells. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:996-1008. [PMID: 36436172 PMCID: PMC9922245 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03833-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The orphan receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 137 (GPR137), is an integral membrane protein involved in several types of cancer. GPR137 is expressed ubiquitously, including in the central nervous system (CNS). We established a GPR137 knockout (KO) neuro2A cell line to analyze GPR137 function in neuronal cells. KO cells were generated by genome editing using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 and cultured as single cells by limited dilution. Rescue cells were then constructed to re-express GPR137 in GPR137 KO neuro2A cells using an expression vector with an EF1-alpha promoter. GPR137 KO cells increased cellular proliferation and decreased neurite outgrowth (i.e., a lower level of neuronal differentiation). Furthermore, GPR137 KO cells exhibited increased expression of a cell cycle regulator, cyclin D1, and decreased expression of a neuronal differentiation marker, NeuroD1. Additionally, GPR137 KO cells exhibited lower expression levels of the neurite outgrowth markers STAT3 and GAP43. These phenotypes were all abrogated in the rescue cells. In conclusion, GPR137 deletion increased cellular proliferation and decreased neuronal differentiation, suggesting that GPR137 promotes cell cycle exit and neuronal differentiation in neuro2A cells. Regulation of neuronal differentiation by GPR137 could be vital to constructing neuronal structure during brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Iwasa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Moro-Hongo, Moroyama-Machi, Iruma-Gun, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Anzu Yamagishi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Moro-Hongo, Moroyama-Machi, Iruma-Gun, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Shinji Yamamoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Moro-Hongo, Moroyama-Machi, Iruma-Gun, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Chikara Haruta
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Moro-Hongo, Moroyama-Machi, Iruma-Gun, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Kei Maruyama
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Moro-Hongo, Moroyama-Machi, Iruma-Gun, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yoshikawa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Moro-Hongo, Moroyama-Machi, Iruma-Gun, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan.
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Yu H, Wang Y, Gao J, Gao Y, Zhong C, Chen Y. Application of the neuropeptide NPVF to enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis in bone regeneration. Commun Biol 2023; 6:197. [PMID: 36804475 PMCID: PMC9941492 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04567-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain-bone regulatory system regulates skeletal homeostasis via bioactive neuropeptides, yet the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report the role of the neuropeptide VF (NPVF, VPNLPQRF-NH2) in enhancing both angiogenesis and osteogenesis in a rat skeletal system and the potential pathways involved. An in vitro study revealed that NPVF not only promotes migration and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by activating NPFFR1, which leads to upregulation of miR-181c-3p and downregulation of Argonaute1 (AGO1), but also mediates osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. To improve the stability and bioavailability and thus efficacy of NPVF as a promoter of in vivo bone regeneration, we genetically engineered amyloid-NPVF-fusion proteins and utilized them as self-assembling nanofiber coatings to treat bone defects in a rat calvarial defect model. We found that a porous hydroxyapatite scaffold loaded with the NPVF peptide-fused amyloid coating substantially enhanced angiogenesis and site-specific fresh bone in-growth when implanted in calvarial defects. Taken together, our work uncovered a previously undefined crosstalk between the brain and bone by unveiling the role of NPVF in bone tissue and demonstrated a viable method for promoting bone tissue repairs based upon self-assembling NPVF-containing protein coatings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongping Yu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361005, China
| | - Yanyi Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Junjie Gao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Youshui Gao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Chao Zhong
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Yixuan Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
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Abbasi M, Augustine RA, Iremonger KJ, Brown CH. Central Kisspeptin Does Not Affect ERK1/2 or p38 Phosphorylation in Oxytocin Neurons of Late-Pregnant Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7729. [PMID: 35887077 PMCID: PMC9319833 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is secreted by hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) oxytocin neurons to induce uterine contractions during parturition. Increased activation of oxytocin neurons at parturition involves a network of afferent inputs that increase oxytocin neuron excitability. Kisspeptin fibre density increases around oxytocin neurons during pregnancy, and central kisspeptin administration excites oxytocin neurons only in late pregnancy. Kisspeptin signals via extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38. Therefore, to determine whether kisspeptin excites oxytocin neurons via ERK1/2-p38 signalling in late-pregnant rats, we performed immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) in oxytocin neurons of non-pregnant and late-pregnant rats. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) kisspeptin administration (2 µg) did not affect pERK1/2 or p-p38 expression in SON and PVN oxytocin neurons of non-pregnant or late-pregnant rats. Furthermore, ICV kisspeptin did not affect pERK1/2 or p-p38 expression in brain areas with major projections to the SON and PVN: the nucleus tractus solitarius, rostral ventrolateral medulla, locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe nucleus, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, median preoptic nucleus, subfornical organ, anteroventral periventricular nucleus, periventricular nucleus and arcuate nucleus. Hence, kisspeptin-induced excitation of oxytocin neurons in late pregnancy does not appear to involve ERK1/2 or p38 activation in oxytocin neurons or their afferent inputs.
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Li H, Li M, Liu P, Wang K, Fang H, Yin J, Zhu D, Yang Q, Gao J, Ke Q, Yu H, Guo Y, Gao Y, Zhang C. A multifunctional substance P-conjugated chitosan hydrochloride hydrogel accelerates full-thickness wound healing by enhancing synchronized vascularization, extracellular matrix deposition, and nerve regeneration. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:4199-4210. [PMID: 33989376 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm00357g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Due to the native skin limitations and the complexity of reconstructive microsurgery, advanced biomaterials are urgently required to promote wound healing for severe skin defects caused by accidents and disasters. Accumulating evidence has supported that substance P (SP) has a potential effect on skin regeneration. However, SP application is seriously impeded by its poor stability and oxidative reactions occurring during production, transportation, and storage. An SP-conjugated chitosan hydrochloride hydrogel (CSCl-SP) fabricated in this study demonstrated an enhanced capacity to repair full-thickness skin defects. CSCl-SP provided a stable in vitro delivery system for SP. The dissolution of CSCl-SP promoted the proliferation, migration, and tube formation, as well as angiogenesis-related gene and protein expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. CSCI-SP also stimulated the proliferation, migration, and production of anabolic growth factor in human fibroblasts. Moreover, CSCl-SP significantly promoted the neurite outgrowth in Neuro-2A cells. In vivo, CSCl-SP dramatically strengthened the vascularization, extracellular matrix deposition and remodeling, and nerve regeneration, thereby promoting efficient recovery of the full-thickness skin defect. Thus, synchronized multifunction of the CSCl-SP hydrogel makes it a promising and smart material for intractable skin defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Mengna Li
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China.
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Kaiyang Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Haoyu Fang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Junhui Yin
- Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Daoyu Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Qianhao Yang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Junjie Gao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China. and Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Qinfei Ke
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China.
| | - Hongping Yu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China. and The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yaping Guo
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China.
| | - Youshui Gao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Changqing Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
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Abstract
The endogenous neuropeptide FF (NPFF) and its two cognate G protein-coupled receptors, Neuropeptide FF Receptors 1 and 2 (NPFFR1 and NPFFR2), represent a relatively new target system for many therapeutic applications including pain regulation, modulation of opioid side effects, drug reward, anxiety, cardiovascular conditions, and other peripheral effects. Since the cloning of NPFFR1 and NPFFR2 in 2000, significant progress has been made to understand their pharmacological roles and interactions with other receptor systems, notably the opioid receptors. A variety of NPFFR ligands with different mechanisms of action (agonists or antagonists) have been discovered although with limited subtype selectivities. Differential pharmacological effects have been observed for many of these NPFFR ligands, depending on assays/models employed and routes of administration. In this Perspective, we highlight the therapeutic potentials, current knowledge gaps, and latest updates of the development of peptidic and small molecule NPFFR ligands as tool compounds and therapeutic candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Nguyen
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Julie Marusich
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
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Xu B, Xiao J, Xu K, Zhang Q, Chen D, Zhang R, Zhang M, Zhu H, Niu J, Zheng T, Li N, Zhang X, Fang Q. VF-13, a chimeric peptide of VD-hemopressin(α) and neuropeptide VF, produces potent antinociception with reduced cannabinoid-related side effects. Neuropharmacology 2020; 175:108178. [PMID: 32544481 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacological evidence indicated a functional interaction between neuropeptide FF (NPFF) and cannabinoid systems, and the cannabinoids combined with the NPFF receptor agonist neuropeptide VF (NPVF) produced antinociception without tolerance. In the present study, VF-13, a chimeric peptide containing the pharmacophores of the endogenous cannabinoid peptide VD-hemopressin(α) (VD-Hpα) and NPVF, was synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. In vitro, VF-13 significantly upregulated the phosphorylated level of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in CHO cells stably expressing CB1 receptors and inhibited forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in HEK293 cells stably expressing NPFF1 or NPFF2 receptors. Moreover, VF-13 induced neurite outgrowth in Neuro 2A cells via CB1 and NPFF receptors. These results suggest that VF-13 exhibits multifunctional agonism at CB1, NPFF1 and NPFF2 receptors in vitro. Interestingly, intracerebroventricular VF-13 produced dose-dependent antinociception in mouse models of tail-flick and carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain via the TRPV1 receptor. In contrast, the reference compound (m)VD-Hpα-NH2 induced CB1 receptor-mediated supraspinal antinociception. Additionally, subcutaneous injection of (m)VD-Hpα-NH2 and VF-13 produced significant antinociception in carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain model. In the tetrad assay, our data demonstrated that VF-13 elicited hypothermia, but not catalepsy and hypoactivity after intracerebroventricular injection. Notably, VF-13 produced non-tolerance forming antinociception over 6 days treatment in both acute and inflammatory pain models. Furthermore, VF-13 had no apparent effects on gastrointestinal transit, pentobarbitone-induced sedation, food intake, and motor coordination at the supraspinal level. In summary, VF-13, a novel chimeric peptide of VD-Hpα and NPVF, produced non-tolerance forming antinociception in preclinical pain models with reduced cannabinoid-related side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Jian Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Kangtai Xu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Qinqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Dan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Run Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Mengna Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Hanwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Jiandong Niu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Ting Zheng
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Gansu Health Vocational College, 60 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Quan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, And Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
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Zhang T, Han Z, Shi X, Zhao W, Wang Z, Zhang R, Xu B, Zhang M, Zhang Q, Xiao J, Zhu H, Zheng T, Fang Q. Discovery of two novel branched peptidomimetics containing endomorphin-2 and RF9 pharmacophores: Synthesis and neuropharmacological evaluation. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:630-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Nguyen T, Decker AM, Langston TL, Mathews KM, Siemian JN, Li JX, Harris DL, Runyon SP, Zhang Y. Discovery of Novel Proline-Based Neuropeptide FF Receptor Antagonists. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2290-2308. [PMID: 28737888 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide FF (NPFF) system has been implicated in a number of physiological processes including modulating the pharmacological activity of opioid analgesics and several other classes of drugs of abuse. In this study, we report the discovery of a novel proline scaffold with antagonistic activity at the NPFF receptors through a high throughput screening campaign using a functional calcium mobilization assay. Focused structure-activity relationship studies on the initial hit 1 have resulted in several analogs with calcium mobilization potencies in the submicromolar range and modest selectivity for the NPFF1 receptor. Affinities and potencies of these compounds were confirmed in radioligand binding and functional cAMP assays. Two compounds, 16 and 33, had good solubility and blood-brain barrier permeability that fall within the range of CNS permeant candidates without the liability of being a P-glycoprotein substrate. Finally, both compounds reversed fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia in rats when administered intraperitoneally. Together, these results point to the potential of these proline analogs as promising NPFF receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Nguyen
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Ann M. Decker
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Tiffany L. Langston
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Kelly M. Mathews
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Justin N. Siemian
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214, United States
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214, United States
| | - Danni L. Harris
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Scott P. Runyon
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
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