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Santos EJ, Nassehi N, Bow EW, Chambers DR, Gutman ES, Jacobson AE, Lutz JA, Marsh SA, Rice KC, Sulima A, Selley DE, Negus SS. Role of efficacy as a determinant of locomotor activation by mu-opioid receptor (MOR) ligands in female and male mice. II. Effects of novel MOR-selective phenylmorphans with high-to-low MOR efficacy. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2023; 11:e01111. [PMID: 37381112 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1111] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-efficacy mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists represent promising therapeutics, but existing compounds (e.g., buprenorphine, nalbuphine) span a limited range of low MOR efficacies and have poor MOR selectivity. Accordingly, new and selective low-efficacy MOR agonists are of interest. A novel set of chiral C9-substituted phenylmorphans has been reported to display improved MOR selectivity and a range of high-to-low MOR efficacies under other conditions; however, a full opioid receptor binding profile for these drugs has not been described. Additionally, studies in mice will be useful for preclinical characterization of these novel compounds, but the pharmacology of these drugs in mice has also not been examined. Accordingly, the present study characterized the binding selectivity and in vitro efficacy of these compounds using assays of opioid receptor binding and ligand-stimulated [35 S]GTPɣS binding. Additionally, locomotor effects were evaluated as a first step for in vivo behavioral assessment in mice. The high-efficacy MOR agonist and clinically effective antidepressant tianeptine was included as a comparator. In binding studies, all phenylmorphans showed improved MOR selectivity relative to existing lower-efficacy MOR agonists. In the ligand-stimulated [35 S]GTPɣS binding assay, seven phenylmorphans had graded levels of sub-buprenorphine MOR efficacy. In locomotor studies, the compounds again showed graded efficacy with a rapid onset and ≥1 h duration of effects, evidence for MOR mediation, and minor sex differences. Tianeptine functioned as a high-efficacy MOR agonist. Overall, these in vitro and in vivo studies support the characterization of these compounds as MOR-selective ligands with graded MOR efficacy and utility for further behavioral studies in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna J Santos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Nima Nassehi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Eric W Bow
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dana R Chambers
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Eugene S Gutman
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Arthur E Jacobson
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joshua A Lutz
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Samuel A Marsh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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2
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Ma H, Li M, Pagare PP, Wang H, Nassehi N, Santos EJ, Negus SS, Selley DE, Zhang Y. Novel bivalent ligands carrying potential antinociceptive effects by targeting putative mu opioid receptor and chemokine receptor CXCR4 heterodimers. Bioorg Chem 2022; 120:105641. [PMID: 35093692 PMCID: PMC9187593 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The functional interactions between opioid and chemokine receptors have been implicated in the pathological process of chronic pain. Mounting studies have indicated the possibility that a MOR-CXCR4 heterodimer may be involved in nociception and related pharmacologic effects. Herein we have synthesized a series of bivalent ligands containing both MOR agonist and CXCR4 antagonist pharmacophores with an aim to investigate the functional interactions between these two receptors. In vitro studies demonstrated reasonable recognition of designed ligands at both respective receptors. Further antinociceptive testing in mice revealed compound 1a to be the most promising member of this series. Additional molecular modeling studies corroborated the findings observed. Taken together, we identified the first bivalent ligand 1a showing promising antinociceptive effect by targeting putative MOR-CXCR4 heterodimers, which may serve as a novel chemical probe to further develop more potent bivalent ligands with potential application in analgesic therapies for chronic pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongguang Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Mengchu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Piyusha P. Pagare
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Huiqun Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Nima Nassehi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Edna J. Santos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - S. Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Dana E. Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298, United States.
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3
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Huang B, Wang H, Zheng Y, Li M, Kang G, Barreto-de-Souza V, Nassehi N, Knapp PE, Selley DE, Hauser KF, Zhang Y. Structure-Based Design and Development of Chemical Probes Targeting Putative MOR-CCR5 Heterodimers to Inhibit Opioid Exacerbated HIV-1 Infectivity. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7702-7723. [PMID: 34027668 PMCID: PMC10548452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00408] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Crystal structures of ligand-bound G-protein-coupled receptors provide tangible templates for rationally designing molecular probes. Herein, we report the structure-based design, chemical synthesis, and biological investigations of bivalent ligands targeting putative mu opioid receptor C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (MOR-CCR5) heterodimers. The bivalent ligand VZMC013 possessed nanomolar level binding affinities for both the MOR and CCR5, inhibited CCL5-stimulated calcium mobilization, and remarkably improved anti-HIV-1BaL activity over previously reported bivalent ligands. VZMC013 inhibited viral infection in TZM-bl cells coexpressing CCR5 and MOR to a greater degree than cells expressing CCR5 alone. Furthermore, VZMC013 blocked human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 entry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cells in a concentration-dependent manner and inhibited opioid-accelerated HIV-1 entry more effectively in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated PBMC cells than in the absence of opioids. A three-dimensional molecular model of VZMC013 binding to the MOR-CCR5 heterodimer complex is constructed to elucidate its mechanism of action. VZMC013 is a potent chemical probe targeting MOR-CCR5 heterodimers and may serve as a pharmacological agent to inhibit opioid-exacerbated HIV-1 entry.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Anti-HIV Agents/chemistry
- Anti-HIV Agents/metabolism
- Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology
- Binding Sites
- Dimerization
- Drug Design
- HIV-1/drug effects
- HIV-1/physiology
- Humans
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology
- Ligands
- Maraviroc/chemistry
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- Molecular Dynamics Simulation
- Naltrexone/chemistry
- Phytohemagglutinins/pharmacology
- Protein Binding
- Receptors, CCR5/chemistry
- Receptors, CCR5/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Virus Internalization/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Boshi Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Huiqun Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Mengchu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Guifeng Kang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Victor Barreto-de-Souza
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 N. 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Nima Nassehi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 N. 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 N. 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 N. 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 N. 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
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4
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de la Fuente Revenga M, Shah UH, Nassehi N, Jaster AM, Hemanth P, Sierra S, Dukat M, González-Maeso J. Psychedelic-like Properties of Quipazine and Its Structural Analogues in Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:831-844. [PMID: 33400504 PMCID: PMC7933111 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Known classic psychedelic serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonists retain a tryptamine or phenethylamine at their structural core. However, activation of the 5-HT2AR can be elicited by drugs lacking these fundamental scaffolds. Such is the case of the N-substituted piperazine quipazine. Here, we show that quipazine bound to and activated 5-HT2AR as measured by [3H]ketanserin binding displacement, Ca2+ mobilization, and accumulation of the canonical Gq/11 signaling pathway mediator inositol monophosphate (IP1) in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, quipazine induced via 5-HT2AR an expression pattern of immediate early genes (IEG) in the mouse somatosensory cortex consistent with that of classic psychedelics. In the mouse head-twitch response (HTR) model of psychedelic-like action, quipazine produced a lasting effect with high maximal responses during the peak effect that were successfully blocked by the 5-HT2AR antagonist M100907 and absent in 5-HT2AR knockout (KO) mice. The acute effect of quipazine on HTR appeared to be unaffected by serotonin depletion and was independent from 5-HT3R activation. Interestingly, some of these features were shared by its deaza bioisostere 2-NP, but not by other closely related piperazine congeners, suggesting that quipazine might represent a distinct cluster within the family of psychoactive piperazines. Together, our results add to the mounting evidence that quipazine's profile matches that of classic psychedelic 5-HT2AR agonists at cellular signaling and behavioral pharmacology levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario de la Fuente Revenga
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
- Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Urjita H Shah
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Nima Nassehi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Alaina M Jaster
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Prithvi Hemanth
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Salvador Sierra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Malgorzata Dukat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Javier González-Maeso
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
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5
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Ma H, Wang H, Li M, Barreto-de-Souza V, Reinecke BA, Gunta R, Zheng Y, Kang G, Nassehi N, Zhang H, An J, Selley DE, Hauser KF, Zhang Y. Bivalent Ligand Aiming Putative Mu Opioid Receptor and Chemokine Receptor CXCR4 Dimers in Opioid Enhanced HIV-1 Entry. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:2318-2324. [PMID: 33214847 PMCID: PMC7667867 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A bivalent compound 1a featuring both a mu opioid receptor (MOR) and a CXCR4 antagonist pharmacophore (naltrexone and IT1t) was designed and synthesized. Further binding and functional studies demonstrated 1a acting as a MOR and a CXCR4 dual antagonist with reasonable binding affinities at both receptors. Furthermore, compound 1a seemed more effective than a combination of IT1t and naltrexone in inhibiting HIV entry at the presence of morphine. Additional molecular modeling results suggested that 1a may bind with the putative MOR-CXCR4 heterodimer to induce its anti-HIV activity. Collectively, bivalent ligand 1a may serve as a promising lead to develop chemical probes targeting the putative MOR-CXCR4 heterodimer in comprehending opioid exacerbated HIV-1 invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongguang Ma
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Huiqun Wang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Mengchu Li
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Victor Barreto-de-Souza
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United
States
| | - Bethany A. Reinecke
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Rama Gunta
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Guifeng Kang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Nima Nassehi
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United
States
| | - Huijun Zhang
- Department
of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Stein Clinical
Research Building, Suite 410, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jing An
- Department
of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Stein Clinical
Research Building, Suite 410, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Dana E. Selley
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United
States
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United
States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
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