1
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Perisic M, Woolcock K, Hering A, Mendel H, Muttenthaler M. Oxytocin and vasopressin signaling in health and disease. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:361-377. [PMID: 38418338 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.010] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Neurohypophysial peptides are ancient and evolutionarily highly conserved neuropeptides that regulate many crucial physiological functions in vertebrates and invertebrates. The human neurohypophysial oxytocin/vasopressin (OT/VP) signaling system with its four receptors has become an attractive drug target for a variety of diseases, including cancer, pain, cardiovascular indications, and neurological disorders. Despite its promise, drug development faces hurdles, including signaling complexity, selectivity and off-target concerns, translational interspecies differences, and inefficient drug delivery. In this review we dive into the complexity of the OT/VP signaling system in health and disease, provide an overview of relevant pharmacological probes, and discuss the latest trends in therapeutic lead discovery and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Perisic
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katrina Woolcock
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anke Hering
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Helen Mendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia.
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2
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Kalaba P, Sanchez de la Rosa C, Möller A, Alewood PF, Muttenthaler M. Targeting the Oxytocin Receptor for Breast Cancer Management: A Niche for Peptide Tracers. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1625-1640. [PMID: 38235665 PMCID: PMC10859963 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women, and its management highly depends on early disease diagnosis and monitoring. This remains challenging due to breast cancer's heterogeneity and a scarcity of specific biomarkers that could predict responses to therapy and enable personalized treatment. This Perspective describes the diagnostic landscape for breast cancer management, molecular strategies targeting receptors overexpressed in tumors, the theranostic potential of the oxytocin receptor (OTR) as an emerging breast cancer target, and the development of OTR-specific optical and nuclear tracers to study, visualize, and treat tumors. A special focus is on the chemistry and pharmacology underpinning OTR tracer development, preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, challenges, and future directions. The use of peptide-based tracers targeting upregulated receptors in cancer is a highly promising strategy complementing current diagnostics and therapies and providing new opportunities to improve cancer management and patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Kalaba
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Andreas Möller
- QIMR
Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
- The
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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3
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Muratspahić E, Deibler K, Han J, Tomašević N, Jadhav KB, Olivé-Marti AL, Hochrainer N, Hellinger R, Koehbach J, Fay JF, Rahman MH, Hegazy L, Craven TW, Varga BR, Bhardwaj G, Appourchaux K, Majumdar S, Muttenthaler M, Hosseinzadeh P, Craik DJ, Spetea M, Che T, Baker D, Gruber CW. Design and structural validation of peptide-drug conjugate ligands of the kappa-opioid receptor. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8064. [PMID: 38052802 PMCID: PMC10698194 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43718-w] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasing number of GPCR structures and recent advances in peptide design, the development of efficient technologies allowing rational design of high-affinity peptide ligands for single GPCRs remains an unmet challenge. Here, we develop a computational approach for designing conjugates of lariat-shaped macrocyclized peptides and a small molecule opioid ligand. We demonstrate its feasibility by discovering chemical scaffolds for the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) with desired pharmacological activities. The designed De Novo Cyclic Peptide (DNCP)-β-naloxamine (NalA) exhibit in vitro potent mixed KOR agonism/mu-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonism, nanomolar binding affinity, selectivity, and efficacy bias at KOR. Proof-of-concept in vivo efficacy studies demonstrate that DNCP-β-NalA(1) induces a potent KOR-mediated antinociception in male mice. The high-resolution cryo-EM structure (2.6 Å) of the DNCP-β-NalA-KOR-Gi1 complex and molecular dynamics simulations are harnessed to validate the computational design model. This reveals a network of residues in ECL2/3 and TM6/7 controlling the intrinsic efficacy of KOR. In general, our computational de novo platform overcomes extensive lead optimization encountered in ultra-large library docking and virtual small molecule screening campaigns and offers innovation for GPCR ligand discovery. This may drive the development of next-generation therapeutics for medical applications such as pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edin Muratspahić
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kristine Deibler
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Novo Nordisk A/S, 530 Fairview Ave N #5000, Seattle, WA, 97403, USA
| | - Jianming Han
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Nataša Tomašević
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kirtikumar B Jadhav
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aina-Leonor Olivé-Marti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nadine Hochrainer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roland Hellinger
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Koehbach
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty for Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jonathan F Fay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Mohammad Homaidur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Saint Louis College of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Lamees Hegazy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Saint Louis College of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Timothy W Craven
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Balazs R Varga
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Gaurav Bhardwaj
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kevin Appourchaux
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Parisa Hosseinzadeh
- Department of Bioengineering, Knight Campus, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tao Che
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - David Baker
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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4
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Wirth U, Raabe K, Kalaba P, Keimpema E, Muttenthaler M, König B. Photoswitchable Probes of Oxytocin and Vasopressin. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14853-14865. [PMID: 37857356 PMCID: PMC10641831 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) are related neuropeptides that regulate many biological processes. In humans, OT and VP act via four G protein-coupled receptors, OTR, V1aR, V1bR, and V2R (VPRs), which are associated with several disorders. To investigate the therapeutic potential of these receptors, particularly in the receptor-dense areas of the brain, molecular probes with a high temporal and spatial resolution are required. Such a spatiotemporal resolution can be achieved by incorporating photochromic moieties into OT and VP. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and (photo)pharmacological characterization of 12 OT- and VP-derived photoprobes using different modification strategies. Despite OT's and VP's sensitivity toward structural changes, we identified two photoprobes with good potency and photoswitch window for investigating the OTR and V1bR. These photoprobes should be of high value for producing cutting-edge photocontrollable peptide probes for the study of dynamic and kinetic receptor activation processes in specific regions of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Wirth
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Raabe
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Predrag Kalaba
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Erik Keimpema
- Medical
University of Vienna, Center for Brain Research, Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Spitalgasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Burkhard König
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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5
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Hering A, Braga Emidio N, Muttenthaler M. Expanding the versatility and scope of the oxime ligation: rapid bioconjugation to disulfide-rich peptides. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:9100-9103. [PMID: 35880482 PMCID: PMC9367247 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03752a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The oxime ligation is a valuable bioorthogonal conjugation reaction but with limited compatibility with disulfide-rich peptides/proteins and time-sensitive applications. Here we overcome these limitations by introducing a strategy that supports regiospecific control, oxidative folding, production of stable aminooxy-precursors for on-demand modification, and complete ligation within 5 min. Regiospecific incorporation of a protected aminooxy group into disulfide-rich peptides compatible with oxidative folding. This strategy supports the production of aminooxy precursors for long-term storage and on-demand modifications.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Hering
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia. .,Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 38, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
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6
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Liu H, Muttenthaler M. High Oxytocin Receptor Expression Linked to Increased Cell Migration and Reduced Survival in Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071595. [PMID: 35884900 PMCID: PMC9313263 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with limited treatment options and high mortality. The oxytocin receptor (OTR) is a class-A G protein-coupled receptor that has been linked to breast cancer, but its role in tumorigenesis and disease progression remains underexplored. OTR expression is highest in tumour-adjacent breast tissue, followed by normal and tumour tissue, indicating a potential role in the tumour microenvironment. OTR levels were higher in migrated MDA-MB-231 cells than in the control parental cells cultured in normal medium; OTR overexpression/knock-down and metastasis biomarker experiments revealed that high OTR expression enhanced metastasis capabilities. These findings align well with data from a murine breast cancer metastasis model, where metastasised tumours had higher OTR expression than the corresponding primary tumours, and high OTR expression also correlates to reduced survival in TNBC patients. OTR agonists/antagonists did not affect MDA-MB-231 cell migration, and pharmacological analysis revealed that the OT/OTR signalling was compromised. High OTR expression enhanced cell migration in an OTR ligand-independent manner, with the underlying mechanism linked to the EGF-mediated ERK1/2-RSK-rpS6 pathway. Taken together, high OTR expression seems to be involved in TNBC metastasis via increasing cell sensitivity to EGF. These results support a potential prognostic biomarker role of OTR and provide new mechanistic insights and opportunities for targeted treatment options for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Liu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-3346-2985; Fax: +61-7-3346-2101
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7
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Hering A, Jieu B, Jones A, Muttenthaler M. Approaches to Improve the Quantitation of Oxytocin in Human Serum by Mass Spectrometry. Front Chem 2022; 10:889154. [PMID: 35755255 PMCID: PMC9218718 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.889154] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) regulates several peripheral and central functions and is a molecule of interest in psychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and depression. The study of OT in human serum samples is however hampered by inconsistent sample preparation and analysis as well as low endogenous blood concentration (1-10 pM). This results in varying reports on OT's blood levels and interpretation of OT's role in different (patho)physiological states. Quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) is a highly promising technology to address this problem but still requires large sample volumes to achieve adequate sensitivity and reliability for the quantitation of compounds at low concentrations. We therefore systematically evaluated sample preparation methods for MS to achieve a reliable sample preparation protocol with good peptide recovery, minimal matrix effects and good overall method efficiency in line with FDA guidelines for bioanalytic method development and validation. Additionally, we investigated a strategy to improve the ionization efficiency of OT by adding charged and/or hydrophobic moieties to OT to improve the lower limit of quantitation. Optimized sample preparation in combination with OT modification with a quaternary pyridinium ion improved the sensitivity of OT by ∼40-fold on a tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (API4000 QTRAP), resulting in a lower limit of quantitation of 5 pM in water (linear range 5 pM - 1 mM) and 2 nM in human serum (linear range 2 nM - 1 mM) compared to 200 pM in water and 86 nM in serum with unmodified OT. This approach and protocol provide a solid foundation towards method development for OT quantitation using MS, which should be of high value for fundamental research as well as clinical monitoring of OT upon drug treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Hering
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Beverly Jieu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alun Jones
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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8
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Abstract
![]()
Inherent susceptibility
of peptides to enzymatic degradation in
the gastrointestinal tract is a key bottleneck in oral peptide drug
development. Here, we present a systematic analysis of (i) the gut
stability of disulfide-rich peptide scaffolds, orally administered
peptide therapeutics, and well-known neuropeptides and (ii) medicinal
chemistry strategies to improve peptide gut stability. Among a broad
range of studied peptides, cyclotides were the only scaffold class
to resist gastrointestinal degradation, even when grafted with non-native
sequences. Backbone cyclization, a frequently applied strategy, failed
to improve stability in intestinal fluid, but several site-specific
alterations proved efficient. This work furthermore highlights the
importance of standardized gut stability test conditions and suggests
defined protocols to facilitate cross-study comparison. Together,
our results provide a comparative overview and framework for the chemical
engineering of gut-stable peptides, which should be valuable for the
development of orally administered peptide therapeutics and molecular
probes targeting receptors within the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kremsmayr
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Aws Aljnabi
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Juan B Blanco-Canosa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, Vienna 1090, Austria.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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9
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Che K, Muttenthaler M, Kurzbach D. Conformational selection of vasopressin upon V 1a receptor binding. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5826-5833. [PMID: 34765097 PMCID: PMC8567363 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide vasopressin (VP) and its three G protein-coupled receptors (V1aR, V1bR and V2R) are of high interest in a wide array of drug discovery programs. V1aR is of particular importance due to its cardiovascular functions and diverse roles in the central nervous system. The structure–activity relationships underpinning ligand-receptor interactions remain however largely unclear, hindering rational drug design. This is not least due to the high structural flexibility of VP in its free as well as receptor-bound states. In this work, we developed a novel approach to reveal features of conformational selectivity upon VP-V1aR complex formation. We employed virtual screening strategies to probe VP’s conformational space for transiently adopted structures that favor binding to V1aR. To this end, we dissected the VP conformational space into three sub-ensembles, each containing distinct structural sets for VP’s three-residue C-terminal tail. We validated the computational results with experimental nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data and docked each sub-ensemble to V1aR. We observed that the conformation of VP’s three-residue tail significantly modulated the complex dissociation constants. Solvent-exposed and proline trans-configured VP tail conformations bound to the receptor with three-fold enhanced affinities compared to compacted or cis-configured conformations. The solvent-exposed and more flexible structures facilitated unique interaction patterns between VP and V1aR transmembrane helices 3, 4, and 6 which led to high binding energies. The presented “virtual conformational space screening” approach, integrated with NMR spectroscopy, thus enabled identification and characterization of a conformational selection-type complex formation mechanism that confers novel perspectives on targeting the VP-V1aR interactions at the level of the encounter complex – an aspect that opens novel research avenues for understanding the functionality of the evolutionary selected conformational properties of VP, as well as guidance for ligand design strategies to provide more potent and selective VP analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Che
- University Vienna, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Währinger Str. 38, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- University Vienna, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Währinger Str. 38, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
- The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, 306 Carmody Rd, 4072 St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dennis Kurzbach
- University Vienna, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Währinger Str. 38, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
- Corresponding author.
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10
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Baumgartner M, Lang M, Holley H, Crepaz D, Hausmann B, Pjevac P, Moser D, Haller F, Hof F, Beer A, Orgler E, Frick A, Khare V, Evstatiev R, Strohmaier S, Primas C, Dolak W, Köcher T, Klavins K, Rath T, Neurath MF, Berry D, Makristathis A, Muttenthaler M, Gasche C. Mucosal Biofilms Are an Endoscopic Feature of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:1245-1256.e20. [PMID: 34146566 PMCID: PMC8527885 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases result in a substantial reduction in quality of life and a considerable socioeconomic impact. In IBS, diagnosis and treatment options are limited, but evidence for involvement of the gut microbiome in disease pathophysiology is emerging. Here we analyzed the prevalence of endoscopically visible mucosal biofilms in gastrointestinal disease and associated changes in microbiome composition and metabolism. METHODS The presence of mucosal biofilms was assessed in 1426 patients at 2 European university-based endoscopy centers. One-hundred and seventeen patients were selected for in-depth molecular and microscopic analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon-sequencing of colonic biopsies and fecal samples, confocal microscopy with deep learning-based image analysis, scanning electron microscopy, metabolomics, and in vitro biofilm formation assays. RESULTS Biofilms were present in 57% of patients with IBS and 34% of patients with ulcerative colitis compared with 6% of controls (P < .001). These yellow-green adherent layers of the ileum and right-sided colon were microscopically confirmed to be dense bacterial biofilms. 16S-sequencing links the presence of biofilms to a dysbiotic gut microbiome, including overgrowth of Escherichia coli and Ruminococcus gnavus. R. gnavus isolates cultivated from patient biofilms also formed biofilms in vitro. Metabolomic analysis found an accumulation of bile acids within biofilms that correlated with fecal bile acid excretion, linking this phenotype with a mechanism of diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS The presence of mucosal biofilms is an endoscopic feature in a subgroup of IBS and ulcerative colitis with disrupted bile acid metabolism and bacterial dysbiosis. They provide novel insight into the pathophysiology of IBS and ulcerative colitis, illustrating that biofilm can be seen as a tipping point in the development of dysbiosis and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Baumgartner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Lang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hunter Holley
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Crepaz
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bela Hausmann
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Pjevac
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Moser
- Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix Haller
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabian Hof
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Beer
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Orgler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrian Frick
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vineeta Khare
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rayko Evstatiev
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Strohmaier
- Center for Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Primas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Dolak
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Kristaps Klavins
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Timo Rath
- Ludwig Demling Endoscopy Center of Excellence, Division of Gastroenterology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F. Neurath
- Ludwig Demling Endoscopy Center of Excellence, Division of Gastroenterology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - David Berry
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Athanasios Makristathis
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Christoph Gasche
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Loha for Life, Center for Gastroenterlogy and Iron Deficiency, Vienna, Austria.
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11
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Braga Emidio N, Tran HNT, Andersson A, Dawson PE, Albericio F, Vetter I, Muttenthaler M. Improving the Gastrointestinal Stability of Linaclotide. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8384-8390. [PMID: 33979161 PMCID: PMC8237258 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
High susceptibility to proteolytic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract limits the therapeutic application of peptide drugs in gastrointestinal disorders. Linaclotide is an orally administered peptide drug for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and abdominal pain. Linaclotide is however degraded in the intestinal environment within 1 h, and improvements in gastrointestinal stability might enhance its therapeutic application. We therefore designed and synthesized a series of linaclotide analogues employing a variety of strategic modifications and evaluated their gastrointestinal stability and pharmacological activity at its target receptor guanylate cyclase-C. All analogues had substantial improvements in gastrointestinal half-lives (>8 h vs linaclotide 48 min), and most remained active at low nanomolar concentrations. This work highlights strategic approaches for the development of gut-stable peptides toward the next generation of orally administered peptide drugs for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hue N. T. Tran
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Asa Andersson
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Philip E. Dawson
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Fernando Albericio
- CIBER-BBN,
Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine,
and Department of Organic Chemistry, University
of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School
of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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12
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Braga Emidio N, Meli R, Tran HNT, Baik H, Morisset-Lopez S, Elliott AG, Blaskovich MAT, Spiller S, Beck-Sickinger AG, Schroeder CI, Muttenthaler M. Chemical Synthesis of TFF3 Reveals Novel Mechanistic Insights and a Gut-Stable Metabolite. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9484-9495. [PMID: 34142550 PMCID: PMC8273887 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
TFF3 regulates essential
gastro- and neuroprotective functions,
but its molecular mode of action remains poorly understood. Synthetic
intractability and lack of reliable bioassays and validated receptors
are bottlenecks for mechanistic and structure–activity relationship
studies. Here, we report the chemical synthesis of TFF3 and its homodimer via native chemical ligation followed by oxidative folding.
Correct folding was confirmed by NMR and circular dichroism, and TFF3
and its homodimer were not cytotoxic or hemolytic. TFF3, its homodimer,
and the trefoil domain (TFF310-50) were susceptible
to gastrointestinal degradation, revealing a gut-stable metabolite
(TFF37-54; t1/2 >
24
h) that retained its trefoil structure and antiapoptotic bioactivity.
We tried to validate the putative TFF3 receptors CXCR4 and LINGO2,
but neither TFF3 nor its homodimer displayed any activity up to 10
μM. The discovery of a gut-stable bioactive metabolite and reliable
synthetic accessibility to TFF3 and its analogues are cornerstones
for future molecular probe development and structure–activity
relationship studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rajeshwari Meli
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Hayeon Baik
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Séverine Morisset-Lopez
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Unité Propre de Recherche 4301, Université d'Orléans, Orleans 45071, France
| | - Alysha G Elliott
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mark A T Blaskovich
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sabrina Spiller
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | | | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.,Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
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13
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Dekan Z, Kremsmayr T, Keov P, Godin M, Teakle N, Dürrauer L, Xiang H, Gharib D, Bergmayr C, Hellinger R, Gay M, Vilaseca M, Kurzbach D, Albericio F, Alewood PF, Gruber CW, Muttenthaler M. Nature-inspired dimerization as a strategy to modulate neuropeptide pharmacology exemplified with vasopressin and oxytocin. Chem Sci 2021; 12:4057-4062. [PMID: 34163676 PMCID: PMC8179488 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc05501h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) are cyclic neuropeptides that regulate fundamental physiological functions via four G protein-coupled receptors, V1aR, V1bR, V2R, and OTR. Ligand development remains challenging for these receptors due to complex structure–activity relationships. Here, we investigated dimerization as a strategy for developing ligands with novel pharmacology. We regioselectively synthesised and systematically studied parallel, antiparallel and N- to C-terminal cyclized homo- and heterodimer constructs of VP, OT and dVDAVP (1-deamino-4-valine-8-d-arginine-VP). All disulfide-linked dimers, except for the head-to-tail cyclized constructs, retained nanomolar potency despite the structural implications of dimerization. Our results support a single chain interaction for receptor activation. Dimer orientation had little impact on activity, except for the dVDAVP homodimers, where an antagonist to agonist switch was observed at the V1aR. This study provides novel insights into the structural requirements of VP/OT receptor activation and spotlights dimerization as a strategy to modulate pharmacology, a concept also frequently observed in nature. Structural and pharmacological study of parallel, antiparallel and N- to C-terminal cyclized homo- and heterodimers of vasopressin and oxytocin. This study spotlights dimerization as a strategy to modulate the pharmacology of neuropeptides.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Dekan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Thomas Kremsmayr
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna Währingerstraße 38 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Peter Keov
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Mathilde Godin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Ngari Teakle
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Leopold Dürrauer
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna Währingerstraße 38 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Huang Xiang
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Schwarzspanierstraße 17 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Dalia Gharib
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Schwarzspanierstraße 17 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Christian Bergmayr
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Schwarzspanierstraße 17 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Roland Hellinger
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Schwarzspanierstraße 17 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Marina Gay
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona C/ Baldiri Reixac 10 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Marta Vilaseca
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona C/ Baldiri Reixac 10 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Dennis Kurzbach
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna Währingerstraße 38 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Fernando Albericio
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia.,Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Schwarzspanierstraße 17 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia .,Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna Währingerstraße 38 1090 Vienna Austria
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14
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Mendel HC, Kaas Q, Muttenthaler M. Neuropeptide signalling systems - An underexplored target for venom drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114129. [PMID: 32619425 PMCID: PMC7116218 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are signalling molecules mainly secreted from neurons that act as neurotransmitters or peptide hormones to affect physiological processes and modulate behaviours. In humans, neuropeptides are implicated in numerous diseases and understanding their role in physiological processes and pathologies is important for therapeutic development. Teasing apart the (patho)physiology of neuropeptides remains difficult due to ligand and receptor promiscuity and the complexity of the signalling pathways. The current approach relies on a pharmacological toolbox of agonists and antagonists displaying high selectivity for independent receptor subtypes, with the caveat that only few selective ligands have been discovered or developed. Animal venoms represent an underexplored source for novel receptor subtype-selective ligands that could aid in dissecting human neuropeptide signalling systems. Multiple endogenous-like neuropeptides as well as peptides acting on neuropeptide receptors are present in venoms. In this review, we summarise current knowledge on neuropeptides and discuss venoms as a source for ligands targeting neuropeptide signalling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Mendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; University of Vienna, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Vienna, Austria.
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15
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Peschel A, Cardoso FC, Walker AA, Durek T, Stone MRL, Braga Emidio N, Dawson PE, Muttenthaler M, King GF. Two for the Price of One: Heterobivalent Ligand Design Targeting Two Binding Sites on Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels Slows Ligand Dissociation and Enhances Potency. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12773-12785. [PMID: 33078946 PMCID: PMC7667638 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Voltage-gated
sodium (NaV) channels are pore-forming
transmembrane proteins that play essential roles in excitable cells,
and they are key targets for antiepileptic, antiarrhythmic, and analgesic
drugs. We implemented a heterobivalent design strategy to modulate
the potency, selectivity, and binding kinetics of NaV channel
ligands. We conjugated μ-conotoxin KIIIA, which occludes the
pore of the NaV channels, to an analogue of huwentoxin-IV,
a spider-venom peptide that allosterically modulates channel gating.
Bioorthogonal hydrazide and copper-assisted azide–alkyne cycloaddition
conjugation chemistries were employed to generate heterobivalent ligands
using polyethylene glycol linkers spanning 40–120 Å. The
ligand with an 80 Å linker had the most pronounced bivalent effects,
with a significantly slower dissociation rate and 4–24-fold
higher potency compared to those of the monovalent peptides for the
human NaV1.4 channel. This study highlights the power of
heterobivalent ligand design and expands the repertoire of pharmacological
probes for exploring the function of NaV channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Peschel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Fernanda C Cardoso
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - M Rhia L Stone
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Philip E Dawson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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16
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Touchard A, Mendel HC, Boulogne I, Herzig V, Braga Emidio N, King GF, Triquigneaux M, Jaquillard L, Beroud R, De Waard M, Delalande O, Dejean A, Muttenthaler M, Duplais C. Heterodimeric Insecticidal Peptide Provides New Insights into the Molecular and Functional Diversity of Ant Venoms. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:1211-1224. [PMID: 33344898 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ants use venom for predation, defense, and communication; however, the molecular diversity, function, and potential applications of ant venom remains understudied compared to other venomous lineages such as arachnids, snakes and cone snails. In this work, we used a multidisciplinary approach that encompassed field work, proteomics, sequencing, chemical synthesis, structural analysis, molecular modeling, stability studies, and in vitro and in vivo bioassays to investigate the molecular diversity of the venom of the Amazonian Pseudomyrmex penetrator ants. We isolated a potent insecticidal heterodimeric peptide Δ-pseudomyrmecitoxin-Pp1a (Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a) composed of a 27-residue long A-chain and a 33-residue long B-chain cross-linked by two disulfide bonds in an antiparallel orientation. We chemically synthesized Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a, its corresponding parallel AA and BB homodimers, and its monomeric chains and demonstrated that Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a had the most potent insecticidal effects in blowfly assays (LD50 = 3 nmol/g). Molecular modeling and circular dichroism studies revealed strong α-helical features, indicating its cytotoxic effects could derive from cell membrane pore formation or disruption. The native heterodimer was substantially more stable against proteolytic degradation (t 1/2 = 13 h) than its homodimers or monomers (t 1/2 < 20 min), indicating an evolutionary advantage of the more complex structure. The proteomic analysis of Pseudomyrmex penetrator venom and in-depth characterization of Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a provide novel insights in the structural complexity of ant venom and further exemplifies how nature exploits disulfide-bond formation and dimerization to gain an evolutionary advantage via improved stability, a concept that is highly relevant for the design and development of peptide therapeutics, molecular probes, and bioinsecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France
| | - Helen C Mendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Isabelle Boulogne
- Université de ROUEN, UFR des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale, UPRES-EA 4358, Fédération de Recherche Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan 76821, France
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.,GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | - Lucie Jaquillard
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France
| | - Rémy Beroud
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France
| | - Michel De Waard
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France.,Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, L'institut du thorax, Nantes 44000, France.,LabEx, Ion Channels, Science & Therapeutics, Valbonne 06560, France
| | - Olivier Delalande
- Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes (IGDR), CNRS UMR 6290, Université de Rennes Faculté de Pharmacie, 2 avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, Rennes 35043, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France.,Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse 31058, France
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Christophe Duplais
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France
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17
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Liu H, Gruber CW, Alewood PF, Möller A, Muttenthaler M. The oxytocin receptor signalling system and breast cancer: a critical review. Oncogene 2020; 39:5917-5932. [PMID: 32782397 PMCID: PMC7483001 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01415-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is making up one-quarter of all new female cancer cases diagnosed worldwide. Breast cancer surgeries, radiation therapies, cytotoxic chemotherapies and targeted therapies have made significant progress and play a dominant role in breast cancer patient management. However, many challenges remain, including resistance to systemic therapies, tumour recurrence and metastasis. The cyclic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) elicits a plethora of biological responses via the oxytocin receptor (OTR) in both the central and peripheral nervous system, including social bonding, stress, maternal behaviour, sexual activity, uterus contraction, milk ejection and cancer. As a typical member of the G protein-coupled receptor family, OTR represents also an intriguing target for cancer therapy. There is emerging evidence that OTR plays a role in breast cancer development and progression, and several breast cancer cell lines express OTR. However, despite supporting evidence that OT lowers breast cancer risks, its mechanistic role in breast cancer development and the related signalling pathways are not fully understood. Here, we review the current knowledge of the OT/OTR signalling system in healthy breast tissue as well as in breast cancer, and discuss OTR as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Liu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andreas Möller
- Tumour Microenvironment Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. .,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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18
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Emidio NB, Baik H, Lee D, Stürmer R, Heuer J, Elliott AG, Blaskovich MAT, Haupenthal K, Tegtmeyer N, Hoffmann W, Schroeder CI, Muttenthaler M. Chemical synthesis of human trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) and its homodimer provides novel insights into their mechanisms of action. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:6420-6423. [PMID: 32391824 PMCID: PMC7116170 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc02321c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
TFF1 is a key peptide for gastrointestinal protection and repair. Its molecular mechanism of action remains poorly understood with synthetic intractability a recognised bottleneck. Here we describe the synthesis of TFF1 and its homodimer and their interactions with mucins and Helicobacter pylori. Synthetic access to TFF1 is an important milestone for probe and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Hayeon Baik
- Institute of Biological Chemistry Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstr. 38, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - David Lee
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - René Stürmer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke- University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jörn Heuer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke- University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alysha G. Elliott
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Mark A. T. Blaskovich
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Katharina Haupenthal
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke- University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Tegtmeyer
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Werner Hoffmann
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke- University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christina I. Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- Institute of Biological Chemistry Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstr. 38, Vienna, 1090, Austria
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19
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Braga Emidio N, Brierley SM, Schroeder CI, Muttenthaler M. Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential of the Trefoil Factor Family in the Gastrointestinal Tract. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:583-597. [PMID: 32832864 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Trefoil factor family peptides (TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3) are key players in protecting, maintaining, and repairing the gastrointestinal tract. Accordingly, they have the therapeutic potential to treat and prevent a variety of gastrointestinal disorders associated with mucosal damage. TFF peptides share a conserved motif, including three disulfide bonds that stabilize a well-defined three-loop-structure reminiscent of a trefoil. Although multiple functions have been described for TFF peptides, their mechanisms at the molecular level remain poorly understood. This review presents the status quo of TFF research relating to gastrointestinal disorders. Putative TFF receptors and protein partners are described and critically evaluated. The therapeutic potential of these peptides in gastrointestinal disorders where altered mucosal biology plays a crucial role in the underlying etiology is discussed. Finally, areas of investigation that require further research are addressed. Thus, this review provides a comprehensive update on TFF literature as well as guidance toward future research to better understand this peptide family and its therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Stuart M Brierley
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medicial Research Insittitue (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.,Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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20
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Heuer J, Heuer F, Stürmer R, Harder S, Schlüter H, Braga Emidio N, Muttenthaler M, Jechorek D, Meyer F, Hoffmann W. The Tumor Suppressor TFF1 Occurs in Different Forms and Interacts with Multiple Partners in the Human Gastric Mucus Barrier: Indications for Diverse Protective Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072508. [PMID: 32260357 PMCID: PMC7177788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072508] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
TFF1 is a protective peptide of the Trefoil Factor Family (TFF), which is co-secreted with the mucin MUC5AC, gastrokine 2 (GKN2), and IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP) from gastric surface mucous cells. Tff1-deficient mice obligatorily develop antropyloric adenoma and about 30% progress to carcinomas, indicating that Tff1 is a tumor suppressor. As a hallmark, TFF1 contains seven cysteine residues with three disulfide bonds stabilizing the conserved TFF domain. Here, we systematically investigated the molecular forms of TFF1 in the human gastric mucosa. TFF1 mainly occurs in an unusual monomeric form, but also as a homodimer. Furthermore, minor amounts of TFF1 form heterodimers with GKN2, FCGBP, and an unknown partner protein, respectively. TFF1 also binds to the mucin MUC6 in vitro, as shown by overlay assays with synthetic 125I-labeled TFF1 homodimer. The dominant presence of a monomeric form with a free thiol group at Cys-58 is in agreement with previous studies in Xenopus laevis and mouse. Cys-58 is likely highly reactive due to flanking acid residues (PPEEEC58EF) and might act as a scavenger for extracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species protecting the gastric mucosa from damage by oxidative stress, e.g., H2O2 generated by dual oxidase (DUOX).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörn Heuer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Heuer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - René Stürmer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sönke Harder
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schlüter
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dörthe Jechorek
- Institute of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Frank Meyer
- Department of Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Werner Hoffmann
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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21
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Abstract
Solid phase peptide synthesis using tert-butyloxycarbonyl/benzyl chemistry (Boc-SPPS) is important for producing peptides for fundamental research as well as for clinical use. During Boc-SPPS, liquid anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) is used to remove the side chain protecting groups of the assembled peptide and to release it from the resin. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for "HF cleavage," aiming to improve accessibility and the use of this valuable and well-validated technique.
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22
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Braga Emidio N, Baik H, Lee D, Stürmer R, Heuer J, Elliott AG, Blaskovich MAT, Haupenthal K, Tegtmeyer N, Hoffmann W, Schroeder CI, Muttenthaler M. Correction: Chemical synthesis of human trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) and its homodimer provides novel insights into their mechanisms of action. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:7049. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cc90250k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Correction for ‘Chemical synthesis of human trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) and its homodimer provides novel insights into their mechanisms of action’ by Nayara Braga Emidio et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/D0CC02321C.
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23
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Duerrauer L, Muratspahić E, Gattringer J, Keov P, Mendel HC, Pfleger KDG, Muttenthaler M, Gruber CW. I8-arachnotocin-an arthropod-derived G protein-biased ligand of the human vasopressin V 2 receptor. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19295. [PMID: 31848378 PMCID: PMC6917733 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55675-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) and their G protein-coupled receptors OTR, V1aR, V1bR, and V2R form an important and widely-distributed neuroendocrine signaling system. In mammals, this signaling system regulates water homeostasis, blood pressure, reproduction, as well as social behaviors such as pair bonding, trust and aggression. There exists high demand for ligands with differing pharmacological profiles to study the physiological and pathological functions of the individual receptor subtypes. Here, we present the pharmacological characterization of an arthropod (Metaseiulus occidentalis) OT/VP-like nonapeptide across the human OT/VP receptors. I8-arachnotocin is a full agonist with respect to second messenger signaling at human V2R (EC50 34 nM) and V1bR (EC50 1.2 µM), a partial agonist at OTR (EC50 790 nM), and a competitive antagonist at V1aR [pA2 6.25 (558 nM)]. Intriguingly, I8-arachnotocin activated the Gαs pathway of V2R without recruiting either β-arrestin-1 or β-arrestin-2. I8-arachnotocin might thus be a novel pharmacological tool to study the (patho)physiological relevance of β-arrestin-1 or -2 recruitment to the V2R. These findings furthermore highlight arthropods as a novel, vast and untapped source for the discovery of novel pharmacological probes and potential drug leads targeting neurohormone receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopold Duerrauer
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacology and Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Edin Muratspahić
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacology and Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasmin Gattringer
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacology and Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Keov
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen C Mendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin D G Pfleger
- Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacology and Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. .,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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24
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Muttenthaler M, Nevin ST, Inserra M, Lewis RJ, Adams DJ, Alewood P. On-resin strategy to label α-conotoxins: Cy5-RgIA, a potent α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor imaging probe. Aust J Chem 2019; 73:327-333. [PMID: 32394983 PMCID: PMC7212043 DOI: 10.1071/ch19456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In-solution conjugation is the most commonly used strategy to label peptides and proteins with fluorophores. However, lack of site-specific control and high costs of fluorophores are recognised limitations of this approach. Here, we established facile access to grams of Cy5-COOH via a two-step synthetic route, demonstrated that Cy5 is stable to HF treatment and therefore compatible with Boc-SPPS, and coupled Cy5 to the N-terminus of α-conotoxin RgIA while still attached to the resin. Folding of the two-disulfide containing Cy5-RgIA benefitted from the hydrophobic nature of Cy5 resulting in only the globular disulfide bond isomer. In contrast, wild-type α-RgIA folded into the inactive ribbon and bioactive globular isomer under the same conditions. Labelled α-RgIA retained its ability to inhibit acetylcholine(100 μM)-evoked current reversibly with an IC50 of 5.0 nM (Hill coefficient = 1.7) for α-RgIA and an IC50 of 1.6 (Hill coefficient = 1.2) for Cy5-RgIA at the α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) heterologeously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Cy5-RgIA was then used to successfully visualise nAChRs in RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cell line. This work introduced not only a new and valuable nAChR probe, but also a new versatile synthetic strategy that facilitates production of milligram to gram quantities of fluorophore-labelled peptides at low cost, which is often required for in vivo experiments. The strategy is compatible with Boc- and Fmoc-chemistry, allows for site-specific labelling of free amines anywhere in the peptide sequence, and can also be used for the introduction of Cy3/Cy5 FRET pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon T Nevin
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Marco Inserra
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David J Adams
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Paul Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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25
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Abstract
The venom of the marine predatory cone snails (genus Conus) has evolved for prey capture and defense, providing the basis for survival and rapid diversification of the now estimated 750+ species. A typical Conus venom contains hundreds to thousands of bioactive peptides known as conotoxins. These mostly disulfide-rich and well-structured peptides act on a wide range of targets such as ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors, transporters, and enzymes. Conotoxins are of interest to neuroscientists as well as drug developers due to their exquisite potency and selectivity, not just against prey but also mammalian targets, thereby providing a rich source of molecular probes and therapeutic leads. The rise of integrated venomics has accelerated conotoxin discovery with now well over 10,000 conotoxin sequences published. However, their structural and pharmacological characterization lags considerably behind. In this review, we highlight the diversity of new conotoxins uncovered since 2014, their three-dimensional structures and folds, novel chemical approaches to their syntheses, and their value as pharmacological tools to unravel complex biology. Additionally, we discuss challenges and future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Hua Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane Queensland 4072 , Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry , University of Vienna , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Sebastien Dutertre
- Département des Acides Amines, Peptides et Protéines, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5247, Université Montpellier 2-Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique , Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron , Place Eugène Bataillon , 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5 , France
| | - S W A Himaya
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane Queensland 4072 , Australia
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26
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Abstract
The 7th Chemical Protein Synthesis Meeting took place in September 2017 in Haifa, Israel, bringing together 100 scientists from 11 countries. The cutting-edge scientific program included new synthetic strategies and ligation auxiliaries, novel insights into protein signaling and post-translational modifications, and a range of promising therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Conibear
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia.
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27
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Liutkevičiūtė Z, Gil-Mansilla E, Eder T, Casillas-Pérez B, Di Giglio MG, Muratspahić E, Grebien F, Rattei T, Muttenthaler M, Cremer S, Gruber CW. Oxytocin-like signaling in ants influences metabolic gene expression and locomotor activity. FASEB J 2018; 32:fj201800443. [PMID: 29939785 PMCID: PMC6174076 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Ants are emerging model systems to study cellular signaling because distinct castes possess different physiologic phenotypes within the same colony. Here we studied the functionality of inotocin signaling, an insect ortholog of mammalian oxytocin (OT), which was recently discovered in ants. In Lasius ants, we determined that specialization within the colony, seasonal factors, and physiologic conditions down-regulated the expression of the OT-like signaling system. Given this natural variation, we interrogated its function using RNAi knockdowns. Next-generation RNA sequencing of OT-like precursor knock-down ants highlighted its role in the regulation of genes involved in metabolism. Knock-down ants exhibited higher walking activity and increased self-grooming in the brood chamber. We propose that OT-like signaling in ants is important for regulating metabolic processes and locomotion.-Liutkevičiūtė, Z., Gil-Mansilla, E., Eder, T., Casillas-Pérez, B., Di Giglio, M. G., Muratspahić, E., Grebien, F., Rattei, T., Muttenthaler, M., Cremer, S., Gruber, C. W. Oxytocin-like signaling in ants influences metabolic gene expression and locomotor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zita Liutkevičiūtė
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Esther Gil-Mansilla
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Eder
- Division of Computational Systems Biology (CUBE), Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Edin Muratspahić
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Grebien
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Rattei
- Division of Computational Systems Biology (CUBE), Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia; and
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sylvia Cremer
- Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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28
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Abstract
Discovery and characterization of novel pharmaceutical compounds or biochemical probes rely on robust and physiologically relevant assay systems. We describe methods to measure ex vivo myometrium contractility. This assay can be used to investigate factors and molecules involved in the modulation of myometrial contraction and to determine their excitatory or inhibitory actions, and hence their therapeutic potential in vivo. Biopsies are obtained from women undergoing cesarean section delivery with informed consent. Fine strips of myometrium are dissected, clipped and attached to a force transducer within 1 mL organ baths superfused with physiological saline solution at 37 °C. Strips develop spontaneous contractions within 2-3 h under set tension and remain stable for many hours (>6 h). Strips can also be stimulated to contract such as by the endogenous hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, which cause concentration-dependent modulation of contraction frequency, force and duration, to more closely resemble contractions in labor. Hence, the effect of known and novel drug leads can be tested on spontaneous and agonist-induced contractions. This protocol specifically details how this assay can be used to determine the potency of known and novel agents by measuring their effects on various parameters of human myometrial contraction. We use the oxytocin- and V1a receptor antagonists, atosiban and SR49059 as examples of known compounds which inhibit oxytocin- and vasopressin-induced contractions, and demonstrate how this method can be used to complement and validate pharmacological data obtained from cell-based assays to aid drug development. The effects of novel agonists in comparison to oxytocin and vasopressin can also be characterized. Whilst we use the example of the oxytocin/ vasopressin system, this method can also be used to study other receptors and ion channels that play a role in uterine contraction and relaxation to advance the understanding of human uterine physiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Arrowsmith
- Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Research Centre, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool;
| | - Peter Keov
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland
| | - Christian W Gruber
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland; Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna;
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29
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Muttenthaler M, Andersson Å, Vetter I, Menon R, Busnelli M, Ragnarsson L, Bergmayr C, Arrowsmith S, Deuis JR, Chiu HS, Palpant NJ, O'Brien M, Smith TJ, Wray S, Neumann ID, Gruber CW, Lewis RJ, Alewood PF. Subtle modifications to oxytocin produce ligands that retain potency and improved selectivity across species. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/508/eaan3398. [PMID: 29208680 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan3398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin and vasopressin mediate various physiological functions that are important for osmoregulation, reproduction, cardiovascular function, social behavior, memory, and learning through four G protein-coupled receptors that are also implicated in high-profile disorders. Targeting these receptors is challenging because of the difficulty in obtaining ligands that retain selectivity across rodents and humans for translational studies. We identified a selective and more stable oxytocin receptor (OTR) agonist by subtly modifying the pharmacophore framework of human oxytocin and vasopressin. [Se-Se]-oxytocin-OH displayed similar potency to oxytocin but improved selectivity for OTR, an effect that was retained in mice. Centrally infused [Se-Se]-oxytocin-OH potently reversed social fear in mice, confirming that this action was mediated by OTR and not by V1a or V1b vasopressin receptors. In addition, [Se-Se]-oxytocin-OH produced a more regular contraction pattern than did oxytocin in a preclinical labor induction and augmentation model using myometrial strips from cesarean sections. [Se-Se]-oxytocin-OH had no activity in human cardiomyocytes, indicating a potentially improved safety profile and therapeutic window compared to those of clinically used oxytocin. In conclusion, [Se-Se]-oxytocin-OH is a novel probe for validating OTR as a therapeutic target in various biological systems and is a promising new lead for therapeutic development. Our medicinal chemistry approach may also be applicable to other peptidergic signaling systems with similar selectivity issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. .,Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Åsa Andersson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4104, Australia
| | - Rohit Menon
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marta Busnelli
- CNR-Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Christian Bergmayr
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Arrowsmith
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Centre, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Han Sheng Chiu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nathan J Palpant
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Margaret O'Brien
- National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Terry J Smith
- National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Susan Wray
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Centre, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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30
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Breger JC, Muttenthaler M, Delehanty JB, Thompson DA, Oh E, Susumu K, Deschamps JR, Anderson GP, Field LD, Walper SA, Dawson PE, Medintz IL. Nanoparticle cellular uptake by dendritic wedge peptides: achieving single peptide facilitated delivery. Nanoscale 2017; 9:10447-10464. [PMID: 28703833 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr03362a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Significant efforts are being undertaken to optimize the cargo carrying capacity and especially the cellular delivery efficiency of functionalized nanoparticles for applications in biological research and pharmacological delivery. One approach to increasing nanoparticle surface cargo display capacity is to decrease the number of moieties required for mediating cellular delivery by improving their efficiency. We describe a series of multivalent cell penetrating peptide (CPP) dendrimers that facilitate rapid cellular delivery of prototypical nanoparticle-semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). The modular CPP dendrimers were assembled through an innovative convergent oxime ligation strategy between (Arg9)n motifs and a dendritic QD-coordination scaffold. Dendrimeric peptides sequentially incorporate a terminal (His)6 motif for metal-affinity QD coordination, a Pro9 spacer, a branching poly-lysine scaffold, and wedged display of (Arg9)n binding motifs with n = 1×, 2×, 4×, 8×, 16× multivalency. QD dendrimer display capacity was estimated using structural simulations and QD-(Arg9)1-16 conjugates characterized by dynamic light scattering along with surface plasmon resonance-based binding assays to heparan sulfate proteoglycan surfaces. Cellular uptake via endocytosis was confirmed and peptide delivery kinetics investigated as a function of QD-(Arg9)1-16 conjugate exposure time and QD assembly ratio where cellular viability assays reflected no overt cytotoxicity. The ability of single dendrimer conjugates to facilitate cellular uptake was confirmed for QD-(Arg9)2-16 repeats along with the ability to deliver >850 kDa of protein cargo per QD. Minimizing the number of CPPs required for cellular uptake is critical for expanding nanoparticle cargo carrying capacity and can allow for inclusion of additional sensors, therapeutics and contrast agents on their surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce C Breger
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. and American Society for Engineering Education, Washington, DC 20036, USA
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
| | - James B Delehanty
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
| | - Darren A Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA and University of Idaho, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, USA
| | - Eunkeu Oh
- Optical Sciences Division, Code 5600, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA and Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc., Columbia, MD 21046, USA
| | - Kimihiro Susumu
- Optical Sciences Division, Code 5600, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA and Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc., Columbia, MD 21046, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Deschamps
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
| | - George P Anderson
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
| | - Lauren D Field
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. and Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Scott A Walper
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
| | - Philip E Dawson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Igor L Medintz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
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Di Giglio MG, Muttenthaler M, Harpsøe K, Liutkeviciute Z, Keov P, Eder T, Rattei T, Arrowsmith S, Wray S, Marek A, Elbert T, Alewood PF, Gloriam DE, Gruber CW. Development of a human vasopressin V 1a-receptor antagonist from an evolutionary-related insect neuropeptide. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41002. [PMID: 28145450 PMCID: PMC5286520 DOI: 10.1038/srep41002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterisation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) relies on the availability of a toolbox of ligands that selectively modulate different functional states of the receptors. To uncover such molecules, we explored a unique strategy for ligand discovery that takes advantage of the evolutionary conservation of the 600-million-year-old oxytocin/vasopressin signalling system. We isolated the insect oxytocin/vasopressin orthologue inotocin from the black garden ant (Lasius niger), identified and cloned its cognate receptor and determined its pharmacological properties on the insect and human oxytocin/vasopressin receptors. Subsequently, we identified a functional dichotomy: inotocin activated the insect inotocin and the human vasopressin V1b receptors, but inhibited the human V1aR. Replacement of Arg8 of inotocin by D-Arg8 led to a potent, stable and competitive V1aR-antagonist ([D-Arg8]-inotocin) with a 3,000-fold binding selectivity for the human V1aR over the other three subtypes, OTR, V1bR and V2R. The Arg8/D-Arg8 ligand-pair was further investigated to gain novel insights into the oxytocin/vasopressin peptide-receptor interaction, which led to the identification of key residues of the receptors that are important for ligand functionality and selectivity. These observations could play an important role for development of oxytocin/vasopressin receptor modulators that would enable clear distinction of the physiological and pathological responses of the individual receptor subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giulia Di Giglio
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kasper Harpsøe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zita Liutkeviciute
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Keov
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Thomas Eder
- IST Austria (Institute of Science and Technology), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
- CUBE-Division of Computational Systems Biology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Rattei
- CUBE-Division of Computational Systems Biology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Arrowsmith
- Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Research Centre, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wray
- Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Research Centre, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Ales Marek
- Laboratory of Radioisotopes, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo nám. 2, CZ-16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Elbert
- Laboratory of Radioisotopes, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo nám. 2, CZ-16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - David E. Gloriam
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian W. Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072 Brisbane, Australia
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Wan J, Mobli M, Brust A, Muttenthaler M, Andersson Å, Ragnarsson L, Castro J, Vetter I, Huang JX, Nilsson M, Brierley SM, Cooper MA, Lewis RJ, Alewood PF. Synthesis of Multivalent [Lys8]-Oxytocin Dendrimers that Inhibit Visceral Nociceptive Responses. Aust J Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/ch16407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Peptide dendrimers are a novel class of precisely defined macromolecules of emerging interest. Here, we describe the synthesis, structure, binding affinity, receptor selectivity, functional activity, and antinociceptive properties of oxytocin-related dendrimers containing up to 16 copies of [Lys8]-oxytocin or LVT. These were generated using a copper(i)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAc) reaction with azido-pegylated LVT peptides on an alkyne–polylysine scaffold. 2D NMR analysis demonstrated that each attached LVT ligand was freely rotating and maintained identical 3D structures in each dendrimeric macromolecule. The binding affinity Ki at the oxytocin receptor increased approximately 17-, 12-, 3-, and 1.5-fold respectively for the 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-mer dendrimeric LVT conjugates, compared with monomer azido-pegylated LVT (Ki = 9.5 nM), consistent with a multivalency effect. A similar trend in affinity was also observed at the related human V1a, V1b, and V2 receptors, with no significant selectivity change observed across this family of receptors. All LVT dendrimers were functionally active in vitro on human oxytocin receptors and inhibited colonic nociceptors potently in a mouse model of chronic abdominal pain.
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Busnelli M, Kleinau G, Muttenthaler M, Stoev S, Manning M, Bibic L, Howell LA, McCormick PJ, Di Lascio S, Braida D, Sala M, Rovati GE, Bellini T, Chini B. Design and Characterization of Superpotent Bivalent Ligands Targeting Oxytocin Receptor Dimers via a Channel-Like Structure. J Med Chem 2016; 59:7152-66. [PMID: 27420737 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Dimeric/oligomeric states of G-protein coupled receptors have been difficult to target. We report here bivalent ligands consisting of two identical oxytocin-mimetics that induce a three order magnitude boost in G-protein signaling of oxytocin receptors (OTRs) in vitro and a 100- and 40-fold gain in potency in vivo in the social behavior of mice and zebrafish. Through receptor mutagenesis and interference experiments with synthetic peptides mimicking transmembrane helices (TMH), we show that such superpotent behavior follows from the binding of the bivalent ligands to dimeric receptors based on a TMH1-TMH2 interface. Moreover, in this arrangement, only the analogues with a well-defined spacer length (∼25 Å) precisely fit inside a channel-like passage between the two protomers of the dimer. The newly discovered oxytocin bivalent ligands represent a powerful tool for targeting dimeric OTR in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and, in general, provide a framework to untangle specific arrangements of G-protein coupled receptor dimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Busnelli
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience , Milan, Italy 20129.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - Gunnar Kleinau
- Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Berlin, Germany 13353
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Australia 4072
| | - Stoytcho Stoev
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Maurice Manning
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Lucka Bibic
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia , Norwich Research Park, Norwich, U.K. NR4 7TJ
| | - Lesley A Howell
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia , Norwich Research Park, Norwich, U.K. NR4 7TJ
| | - Peter J McCormick
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia , Norwich Research Park, Norwich, U.K. NR4 7TJ
| | - Simona Di Lascio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - Daniela Braida
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - Mariaelvina Sala
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience , Milan, Italy 20129.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - G Enrico Rovati
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20133
| | - Tommaso Bellini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan, Italy 20129
| | - Bice Chini
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience , Milan, Italy 20129
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Muttenthaler M, Albericio F, Dawson PE. Methods, setup and safe handling for anhydrous hydrogen fluoride cleavage in Boc solid-phase peptide synthesis. Nat Protoc 2015; 10:1067-83. [PMID: 26086408 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2015.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) using tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)/benzyl (Bzl) chemistry is an indispensable technique in many laboratories around the globe, and it provides peptides to the pharmaceutical industry and to thousands of scientists working in basic research. The Boc/Bzl strategy has several advantages, including reliability in the synthesis of long and difficult polypeptides, alternative orthogonality regarding protecting groups and ease of producing C-terminal thioesters for native chemical ligation applications. In this process, anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) is used to remove the side chain protecting groups of the assembled peptide and to release the peptide from the resin, a process typically described as 'HF cleavage'. This protocol describes the general methodology, apparatus setup and safe handling of HF, with the aim of providing comprehensive information on the safe use of this valuable, well-studied and validated cleavage technique. We explain the cleavage mechanism, the physicochemical properties and risks of HF, first aid measures and the correct use of the apparatus. In addition, we provide advice on scavenger selection, as well as a troubleshooting section and video material illustrating key steps of the procedure. The protocol comprises precleavage sample preparation (30 min-2.5 h), complete HF cleavage procedure (2 h) and reaction workup (30 min).
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Muttenthaler
- 1] Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. [2] Department of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Fernando Albericio
- 1] Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. [2] The Biomedical Research Networking center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona Science Park, Barcelona, Spain. [3] Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. [4] School of Chemistry, Yachay Tech, Yachay City of Knowledge, Urcuqui, Ecuador
| | - Philip E Dawson
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, La Jolla, California, USA
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Arranz-Gibert P, Guixer B, Malakoutikhah M, Muttenthaler M, Guzmán F, Teixidó M, Giralt E. Lipid bilayer crossing--the gate of symmetry. Water-soluble phenylproline-based blood-brain barrier shuttles. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:7357-64. [PMID: 25992679 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b02050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Drug delivery to the brain can be achieved by various means, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, neurosurgical-based approaches, and molecular design. Recently, passive diffusion BBB shuttles have been developed to transport low-molecular-weight drug candidates to the brain which would not be able to cross unaided. The low water solubility of these BBB shuttles has, however, prevented them from becoming a mainstream tool to deliver cargos across membranes. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and BBB-transport properties of phenylproline tetrapeptides, (PhPro)4, an improved class of BBB shuttles that operates via passive diffusion. These PhPro-based BBB shuttles showed 3 orders of magnitude improvement in water solubility compared to the gold-standard (N-MePhe)4, while retaining very high transport values. Transport capacity was confirmed when two therapeutically relevant cargos, nipecotic acid and l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (i.e., l-DOPA), were attached to the shuttle. Additionally, we used the unique chiral and conformationally restricted character of the (PhPro)4 shuttle to probe its chiral interactions with the lipid bilayer of the BBB. We studied the transport properties of 16 (PhPro)4 stereoisomers using the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay and looked at differences in secondary structure. Most stereoisomers displayed excellent transport values, yet this study also revealed pairs of enantiomers with high enantiomeric discrimination and different secondary structure, where one enantiomer maintained its high transport values while the other had significantly lower values, thereby confirming that stereochemistry plays a significant role in passive diffusion. This could open the door to the design of chiral and membrane-specific shuttles with potential applications in cell labeling and oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pol Arranz-Gibert
- †Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona E-08028, Spain
| | - Bernat Guixer
- †Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona E-08028, Spain
| | - Morteza Malakoutikhah
- †Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona E-08028, Spain.,‡Department of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- †Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona E-08028, Spain
| | - Fanny Guzmán
- §Núcleo de Biotecnología Curauma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Meritxell Teixidó
- †Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona E-08028, Spain
| | - Ernest Giralt
- †Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona E-08028, Spain.,∥Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, Barcelona E-08028, Spain
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Akondi KB, Muttenthaler M, Dutertre S, Kaas Q, Craik DJ, Lewis RJ, Alewood PF. Discovery, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of conotoxins. Chem Rev 2014; 114:5815-47. [PMID: 24720541 PMCID: PMC7610532 DOI: 10.1021/cr400401e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sébastien Dutertre
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
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Abstract
Natural peptides of great number and diversity occur in all organisms, but analyzing their peptidome is often difficult. With natural product drug discovery in mind, we devised a genome-mining approach to identify defense- and neuropeptides in the genomes of social ants from Atta cephalotes (leaf-cutter ant), Camponotus floridanus (carpenter ant) and Harpegnathos saltator (basal genus). Numerous peptide-encoding genes of defense peptides, in particular defensins, and neuropeptides or regulatory peptide hormones, such as allatostatins and tachykinins, were identified and analyzed. Most interestingly we annotated genes that encode oxytocin/vasopressin-related peptides (inotocins) and their putative receptors. This is the first piece of evidence for the existence of this nonapeptide hormone system in ants (Formicidae) and supports recent findings in Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) and Nasonia vitripennis (parasitoid wasp), and therefore its confinement to some basal holometabolous insects. By contrast, the absence of the inotocin hormone system in Apis mellifera (honeybee), another closely-related member of the eusocial Hymenoptera clade, establishes the basis for future studies on the molecular evolution and physiological function of oxytocin/vasopressin-related peptides (vasotocin nonapeptide family) and their receptors in social insects. Particularly the identification of ant inotocin and defensin peptide sequences will provide a basis for future pharmacological characterization in the quest for potent and selective lead compounds of therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian W Gruber
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria.
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Muttenthaler M, B. Akondi K, F. Alewood P. Structure-Activity Studies on Alpha-Conotoxins. Curr Pharm Des 2011; 17:4226-41. [DOI: 10.2174/138161211798999384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Accepted: 10/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Mobli M, Morgenstern D, King GF, Alewood PF, Muttenthaler M. Site-Specific pKa Determination of Selenocysteine Residues in Selenovasopressin by Using 77Se NMR Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011; 50:11952-5. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201104169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Revised: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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41
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Mobli M, Morgenstern D, King GF, Alewood PF, Muttenthaler M. Site-Specific pKa Determination of Selenocysteine Residues in Selenovasopressin by Using 77Se NMR Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201104169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Gruber CW, Muttenthaler M, Freissmuth M. Ligand-based peptide design and combinatorial peptide libraries to target G protein-coupled receptors. Curr Pharm Des 2011; 16:3071-88. [PMID: 20687879 DOI: 10.2174/138161210793292474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are considered to represent the most promising drug targets; it has been repeatedly said that a large fraction of the currently marketed drugs elicit their actions by binding to GPCRs (with cited numbers varying from 30-50%). Closer scrutiny, however, shows that only a modest fraction of (≈60) GPCRs are, in fact, exploited as drug targets, only ≈20 of which are peptide-binding receptors. The vast majority of receptors in the humane genome have not yet been explored as sites of action for drugs. Given the drugability of this receptor class, it appears that opportunities for drug discovery abound. In addition, GPCRs provide for binding sites other than the ligand binding sites (referred to as the "orthosteric site"). These additional sites include (i) binding sites for ligands (referred to as "allosteric ligands") that modulate the affinity and efficacy of orthosteric ligands, (ii) the interaction surface that recruits G proteins and arrestins, (iii) the interaction sites of additional proteins (GIPs, GPCR interacting proteins that regulate G protein signaling or give rise to G protein-independent signals). These sites can also be targeted by peptides. Combinatorial and natural peptide libraries are therefore likely to play a major role in identifying new GPCR ligands at each of these sites. In particular the diverse natural peptide libraries such as the venom peptides from marine cone-snails and plant cyclotides have been established as a rich source of drug leads. High-throughput screening and combinatorial chemistry approaches allow for progressing from these starting points to potential drug candidates. This will be illustrated by focusing on the ligand-based drug design of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) receptor ligands using natural peptide leads as starting points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian W Gruber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center of Biomolecular Medicine & Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 13a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Muttenthaler M, Andersson A, de Araujo AD, Dekan Z, Lewis RJ, Alewood PF. Modulating Oxytocin Activity and Plasma Stability by Disulfide Bond Engineering. J Med Chem 2010; 53:8585-96. [DOI: 10.1021/jm100989w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, 4072 St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Asa Andersson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, 4072 St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Aline D. de Araujo
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, 4072 St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Zoltan Dekan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, 4072 St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, 4072 St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, 4072 St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland
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Muttenthaler M, Ramos YG, Feytens D, de Araujo AD, Alewood PF. p-Nitrobenzyl protection for cysteine and selenocysteine: a more stable alternative to the acetamidomethyl group. Biopolymers 2010; 94:423-32. [PMID: 20593464 DOI: 10.1002/bip.21502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the acidic lability of the acetamidomethyl (Acm), trimethylacetamidomethyl (Tacm), and the p-nitrobenzyl (pNB) as protecting groups for cysteine and selenocysteine (Sec) during the tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)-chemistry solid-phase peptide synthesis of oxytocin (OT). Two novel Sec building blocks (Nalpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-Se(acetamidomethyl)-L-selenocysteine (Boc-L-Sec(Acm)-OH) and Nalpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-S(4-nitrobenzyl)-L-selenocysteine (Boc-L-Sec(pNB)-OH)) were developed for this study. Six partially protected thio- and seleno-OT analogues were synthesized, purified, and exposed to neat trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at temperatures of 25, 40, 50, and 60 degrees C for 1 h, and HF treatment at 0 degrees C for 1 h. Significant losses were observed for the Acm and Tacm group in TFA at temperatures greater than 25 degrees C and during HF treatment at 0 degrees C, whereas the pNB group remained intact. Removal of the pNB was achieved via reduction to the p-aminobenzyl group either with zinc in acetic acid in solution or via tin chloride in hydrochloric acid on solid support, followed by oxidative cleavage with iodine yielding the corresponding disulfide or diselenide bond. No major side reactions were observed. This study confirms the occasionally described Acm instability and underpins the development of the pNB group as an alternative for cysteine and Sec protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Muttenthaler M, Nevin ST, Grishin AA, Ngo ST, Choy PT, Daly NL, Hu SH, Armishaw CJ, Wang CIA, Lewis RJ, Martin JL, Noakes PG, Craik DJ, Adams DJ, Alewood PF. Solving the alpha-conotoxin folding problem: efficient selenium-directed on-resin generation of more potent and stable nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists. J Am Chem Soc 2010; 132:3514-22. [PMID: 20163143 DOI: 10.1021/ja910602h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [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
Alpha-conotoxins are tightly folded miniproteins that antagonize nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) with high specificity for diverse subtypes. Here we report the use of selenocysteine in a supported phase method to direct native folding and produce alpha-conotoxins efficiently with improved biophysical properties. By replacing complementary cysteine pairs with selenocysteine pairs on an amphiphilic resin, we were able to chemically direct all five structural subclasses of alpha-conotoxins exclusively into their native folds. X-ray analysis at 1.4 A resolution of alpha-selenoconotoxin PnIA confirmed the isosteric character of the diselenide bond and the integrity of the alpha-conotoxin fold. The alpha-selenoconotoxins exhibited similar or improved potency at rat diaphragm muscle and alpha3beta4, alpha7, and alpha1beta1 deltagamma nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes plus improved disulfide bond scrambling stability in plasma. Together, these results underpin the development of more stable and potent nicotinic antagonists suitable for new drug therapies, and highlight the application of selenocysteine technology more broadly to disulfide-bonded peptides and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Grishin AA, Wang CIA, Muttenthaler M, Alewood PF, Lewis RJ, Adams DJ. Alpha-conotoxin AuIB isomers exhibit distinct inhibitory mechanisms and differential sensitivity to stoichiometry of alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:22254-63. [PMID: 20466726 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.111880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-native disulfide isomers of alpha-conotoxins are generally inactive although some unexpectedly demonstrate comparable or enhanced bioactivity. The actions of "globular" and "ribbon" isomers of alpha-conotoxin AuIB have been characterized on alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Using two-electrode voltage clamp recording, we showed that the inhibitory efficacy of the ribbon isomer of AuIB is limited to approximately 50%. The maximal inhibition was stoichiometry-dependent because altering alpha3:beta4 RNA injection ratios either increased AuIB(ribbon) efficacy (10alpha:1beta) or completely abolished blockade (1alpha:10beta). In contrast, inhibition by AuIB(globular) was independent of injection ratios. ACh-evoked current amplitude was largest for 1:10 injected oocytes and smallest for the 10:1 ratio. ACh concentration-response curves revealed high (HS, 1:10) and low (LS, 10:1) sensitivity alpha3beta4 nAChRs with corresponding EC(50) values of 22.6 and 176.9 microM, respectively. Increasing the agonist concentration antagonized the inhibition of LS alpha3beta4 nAChRs by AuIB(ribbon), whereas inhibition of HS and LS alpha3beta4 nAChRs by AuIB(globular) was unaffected. Inhibition of LS and HS alpha3beta4 nAChRs by AuIB(globular) was insurmountable and independent of membrane potential. Molecular docking simulation suggested that AuIB(globular) is likely to bind to both alpha3beta4 nAChR stoichiometries outside of the ACh-binding pocket, whereas AuIB(ribbon) binds to the classical agonist-binding site of the LS alpha3beta4 nAChR only. In conclusion, the two isomers of AuIB differ in their inhibitory mechanisms such that AuIB(ribbon) inhibits only LS alpha3beta4 nAChRs competitively, whereas AuIB(globular) inhibits alpha3beta4 nAChRs irrespective of receptor stoichiometry, primarily by a non-competitive mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton A Grishin
- Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3083, Australia
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Dutertre S, Croker D, Daly NL, Andersson A, Muttenthaler M, Lumsden NG, Craik DJ, Alewood PF, Guillon G, Lewis RJ. Conopressin-T from Conus tulipa reveals an antagonist switch in vasopressin-like peptides. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:7100-8. [PMID: 18174156 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m706477200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the discovery of conopressin-T, a novel bioactive peptide isolated from Conus tulipa venom. Conopressin-T belongs to the vasopressin-like peptide family and displays high sequence homology to the mammalian hormone oxytocin (OT) and to vasotocin, the endogenous vasopressin analogue found in teleost fish, the cone snail's prey. Conopressin-T was found to act as a selective antagonist at the human V 1a receptor. All peptides in this family contain two conserved amino acids within the exocyclic tripeptide (Pro7 and Gly9), which are replaced with Leu7 and Val9 in conopressin-T. Whereas conopressin-T binds only to OT and V 1a receptors, an L7P analogue had increased affinity for the V 1a receptor and weak V2 receptor binding. Surprisingly, replacing Gly9 with Val9 in OT and vasopressin revealed that this position can function as an agonist/antagonist switch at the V 1a receptor. NMR structures of both conopressin-T and L7P analogue revealed a marked difference in the orientation of the exocyclic tripeptide that may serve as templates for the design of novel ligands with enhanced affinity for the V 1a receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Dutertre
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Muttenthaler M, Bartel M, Weinberger P, Hilscher G, Linert W. Synthesis and characterisation of new ditetrazole-ligands as more rigid building blocks of envisaged iron(II) spin-crossover coordination polymers. J Mol Struct 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2005.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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