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Spinaci A, Buccioni M, Catarzi D, Cui C, Colotta V, Dal Ben D, Cescon E, Francucci B, Grieco I, Lambertucci C, Marucci G, Bassani D, Pavan M, Varano F, Federico S, Spalluto G, Moro S, Volpini R. "Dual Anta-Inhibitors" of the A 2A Adenosine Receptor and Casein Kinase CK1delta: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Modeling Studies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:167. [PMID: 37259317 PMCID: PMC9960553 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on a screening of a chemical library of A2A adenosine receptor (AR) antagonists, a series of di- and tri-substituted adenine derivatives were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit the activity of the enzyme casein kinase 1 delta (CK1δ) and to bind adenosine receptors (ARs). Some derivatives, here called "dual anta-inhibitors", demonstrated good CK1δ inhibitory activity combined with a high binding affinity, especially for the A2AAR. The N6-methyl-(2-benzimidazolyl)-2-dimethyamino-9-cyclopentyladenine (17, IC50 = 0.59 μM and KiA2A = 0.076 μM) showed the best balance of A2AAR affinity and CK1δ inhibitory activity. Computational studies were performed to simulate, at the molecular level, the protein-ligand interactions involving the compounds of our series. Hence, the dual anta-inhibitor 17 could be considered the lead compound of new therapeutic agents endowed with synergistic effects for the treatment of chronic neurodegenerative and cancer diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Spinaci
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Michela Buccioni
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Daniela Catarzi
- Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Chang Cui
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Vittoria Colotta
- Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Diego Dal Ben
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cescon
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Beatrice Francucci
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Ilenia Grieco
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Catia Lambertucci
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Gabriella Marucci
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Davide Bassani
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Pavan
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Flavia Varano
- Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Stephanie Federico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giampiero Spalluto
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Moro
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Rosaria Volpini
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
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Wang J, Bhattarai A, Do HN, Akhter S, Miao Y. Molecular Simulations and Drug Discovery of Adenosine Receptors. Molecules 2022; 27:2054. [PMID: 35408454 PMCID: PMC9000248 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of human membrane proteins. Four subtypes of adenosine receptors (ARs), the A1AR, A2AAR, A2BAR and A3AR, each with a unique pharmacological profile and distribution within the tissues in the human body, mediate many physiological functions and serve as critical drug targets for treating numerous human diseases including cancer, neuropathic pain, cardiac ischemia, stroke and diabetes. The A1AR and A3AR preferentially couple to the Gi/o proteins, while the A2AAR and A2BAR prefer coupling to the Gs proteins. Adenosine receptors were the first subclass of GPCRs that had experimental structures determined in complex with distinct G proteins. Here, we will review recent studies in molecular simulations and computer-aided drug discovery of the adenosine receptors and also highlight their future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yinglong Miao
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA; (J.W.); (A.B.); (H.N.D.); (S.A.)
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Deganutti G, Atanasio S, Rujan RM, Sexton PM, Wootten D, Reynolds CA. Exploring Ligand Binding to Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptors. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:720561. [PMID: 34513925 PMCID: PMC8427520 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.720561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important targets for many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. All the approved drugs for this receptor family are peptides that mimic the endogenous activating hormones. An understanding of how agonists bind and activate class B1 GPCRs is fundamental for the development of therapeutic small molecules. We combined supervised molecular dynamics (SuMD) and classic molecular dynamics (cMD) simulations to study the binding of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) to the CGRP receptor (CGRPR). We also evaluated the association and dissociation of the antagonist telcagepant from the extracellular domain (ECD) of CGRPR and the water network perturbation upon binding. This study, which represents the first example of dynamic docking of a class B1 GPCR peptide, delivers insights on several aspects of ligand binding to CGRPR, expanding understanding of the role of the ECD and the receptor-activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) on agonist selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Deganutti
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Atanasio
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Roxana-Maria Rujan
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick M. Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Denise Wootten
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Salmaso V, Jacobson KA. In Silico Drug Design for Purinergic GPCRs: Overview on Molecular Dynamics Applied to Adenosine and P2Y Receptors. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E812. [PMID: 32466404 PMCID: PMC7356333 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular modeling has contributed to drug discovery for purinergic GPCRs, including adenosine receptors (ARs) and P2Y receptors (P2YRs). Experimental structures and homology modeling have proven to be useful in understanding and predicting structure activity relationships (SAR) of agonists and antagonists. This review provides an excursus on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations applied to ARs and P2YRs. The binding modes of newly synthesized A1AR- and A3AR-selective nucleoside derivatives, potentially of use against depression and inflammation, respectively, have been predicted to recapitulate their SAR and the species dependence of A3AR affinity. P2Y12R and P2Y1R crystallographic structures, respectively, have provided a detailed understanding of the recognition of anti-inflammatory P2Y14R antagonists and a large group of allosteric and orthosteric antagonists of P2Y1R, an antithrombotic and neuroprotective target. MD of A2AAR (an anticancer and neuroprotective target), A3AR, and P2Y1R has identified microswitches that are putatively involved in receptor activation. The approach pathways of different ligands toward A2AAR and P2Y1R binding sites have also been explored. A1AR, A2AAR, and A3AR were utilizes to study allosteric phenomena, but locating the binding site of structurally diverse allosteric modulators, such as an A3AR enhancer LUF6000, is challenging. Ligand residence time, a predictor of in vivo efficacy, and the structural role of water were investigated through A2AAR MD simulations. Thus, new MD and other modeling algorithms have contributed to purinergic GPCR drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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Bissaro M, Sturlese M, Moro S. Exploring the RNA-Recognition Mechanism Using Supervised Molecular Dynamics (SuMD) Simulations: Toward a Rational Design for Ribonucleic-Targeting Molecules? Front Chem 2020; 8:107. [PMID: 32175307 PMCID: PMC7057144 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although proteins have represented the molecular target of choice in the development of new drug candidates, the pharmaceutical importance of ribonucleic acids has gradually been growing. The increasing availability of structural information has brought to light the existence of peculiar three-dimensional RNA arrangements, which can, contrary to initial expectations, be recognized and selectively modulated through small chemical entities or peptides. The application of classical computational methodologies, such as molecular docking, for the rational development of RNA-binding candidates is, however, complicated by the peculiarities characterizing these macromolecules, such as the marked conformational flexibility, the singular charges distribution, and the relevant role of solvent molecules. In this work, we have thus validated and extended the applicability domain of SuMD, an all-atoms molecular dynamics protocol that allows to accelerate the sampling of molecular recognition events on a nanosecond timescale, to ribonucleotide targets of pharmaceutical interest. In particular, we have proven the methodological ability by reproducing the binding mode of viral or prokaryotic ribonucleic complexes, as well as that of artificially engineered aptamers, with an impressive degree of accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maicol Bissaro
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Moro
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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