1
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Lembo V, Bottegoni G. Systematic Investigation of Dual-Target-Directed Ligands. J Med Chem 2024; 67:10374-10385. [PMID: 38843874 PMCID: PMC11215722 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs) are compounds rationally designed to affect multiple targets, aiming for a better therapeutic profile. For over 20 years, MTDLs have garnered increasing attention, the idea being that their full potential would have been achieved, thanks to unprecedented target combinations and advanced medicinal chemistry strategies. This study presents a literature mining effort resulting in a data set of dual-target-directed ligands (DTDLs), the fundamental example of MTDLs. We used this data set to evaluate the rationale behind target selection and the chemical novelty of DTDLs targeting specific protein combinations. Our analysis focused on DTDL targets in terms of biological function, disease association, structure, and chemogenomic traits. We also compared DTDLs with single-target compounds. We found that well-known target pathology associations often guide DTDL design, leveraging existing chemical scaffolds and binding pocket similarities. These findings highlight the current state of the field and suggest substantial untapped potential for rational polypharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Lembo
- Department
of Biomolecular Sciences, Università
degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- Computational
and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bottegoni
- Department
of Biomolecular Sciences, Università
degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- Institute
of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, U.K.
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2
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Izquierdo M, Lin D, O'Neill S, Webster LA, Paterson C, Thomas J, Aguado ME, Colina Araújo E, Alpízar-Pedraza D, Joji H, MacLean L, Hope A, Gray DW, Zoltner M, Field MC, González-Bacerio J, De Rycker M. Identification of a potent and selective LAPTc inhibitor by RapidFire-Mass Spectrometry, with antichagasic activity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011956. [PMID: 38359089 PMCID: PMC10901353 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and leads to ~10,000 deaths each year. Nifurtimox and benznidazole are the only two drugs available but have significant adverse effects and limited efficacy. New chemotherapeutic agents are urgently required. Here we identified inhibitors of the acidic M17 leucyl-aminopeptidase from T. cruzi (LAPTc) that show promise as novel starting points for Chagas disease drug discovery. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A RapidFire-MS screen with a protease-focused compound library identified novel LAPTc inhibitors. Twenty-eight hits were progressed to the dose-response studies, from which 12 molecules inhibited LAPTc with IC50 < 34 μM. Of these, compound 4 was the most potent hit and mode of inhibition studies indicate that compound 4 is a competitive LAPTc inhibitor, with Ki 0.27 μM. Compound 4 is selective with respect to human LAP3, showing a selectivity index of >500. Compound 4 exhibited sub-micromolar activity against intracellular T. cruzi amastigotes, and while the selectivity-window against the host cells was narrow, no toxicity was observed for un-infected HepG2 cells. In silico modelling of the LAPTc-compound 4 interaction is consistent with the competitive mode of inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulations reproduce the experimental binding strength (-8.95 kcal/mol), and indicate a binding mode based mainly on hydrophobic interactions with active site residues without metal cation coordination. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our data indicates that these new LAPTc inhibitors should be considered for further development as antiparasitic agents for the treatment of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maikel Izquierdo
- Centre for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, La Habana, Cuba
| | - De Lin
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra O'Neill
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren A Webster
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Christy Paterson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - John Thomas
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Mirtha Elisa Aguado
- Centre for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Enrique Colina Araújo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, La Habana, Cuba
| | | | - Halimatu Joji
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna MacLean
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Hope
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - David W Gray
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Zoltner
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Biocev, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Mark C Field
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jorge González-Bacerio
- Centre for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, La Habana, Cuba
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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3
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Li H, Sun X, Cui W, Xu M, Dong J, Ekundayo BE, Ni D, Rao Z, Guo L, Stahlberg H, Yuan S, Vogel H. Computational drug development for membrane protein targets. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:229-242. [PMID: 38361054 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01987-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The application of computational biology in drug development for membrane protein targets has experienced a boost from recent developments in deep learning-driven structure prediction, increased speed and resolution of structure elucidation, machine learning structure-based design and the evaluation of big data. Recent protein structure predictions based on machine learning tools have delivered surprisingly reliable results for water-soluble and membrane proteins but have limitations for development of drugs that target membrane proteins. Structural transitions of membrane proteins have a central role during transmembrane signaling and are often influenced by therapeutic compounds. Resolving the structural and functional basis of dynamic transmembrane signaling networks, especially within the native membrane or cellular environment, remains a central challenge for drug development. Tackling this challenge will require an interplay between experimental and computational tools, such as super-resolution optical microscopy for quantification of the molecular interactions of cellular signaling networks and their modulation by potential drugs, cryo-electron microscopy for determination of the structural transitions of proteins in native cell membranes and entire cells, and computational tools for data analysis and prediction of the structure and function of cellular signaling networks, as well as generation of promising drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijian Li
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaolin Sun
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenqiang Cui
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Marc Xu
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junlin Dong
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Babatunde Edukpe Ekundayo
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, IPHYS, SB, EPFL and Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dongchun Ni
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, IPHYS, SB, EPFL and Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zhili Rao
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Liwei Guo
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Henning Stahlberg
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, IPHYS, SB, EPFL and Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Shuguang Yuan
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China.
| | - Horst Vogel
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China.
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques (ISIC), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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4
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Singh I, Seth A, Billesbølle CB, Braz J, Rodriguiz RM, Roy K, Bekele B, Craik V, Huang XP, Boytsov D, Pogorelov VM, Lak P, O'Donnell H, Sandtner W, Irwin JJ, Roth BL, Basbaum AI, Wetsel WC, Manglik A, Shoichet BK, Rudnick G. Structure-based discovery of conformationally selective inhibitors of the serotonin transporter. Cell 2023; 186:2160-2175.e17. [PMID: 37137306 PMCID: PMC10306110 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The serotonin transporter (SERT) removes synaptic serotonin and is the target of anti-depressant drugs. SERT adopts three conformations: outward-open, occluded, and inward-open. All known inhibitors target the outward-open state except ibogaine, which has unusual anti-depressant and substance-withdrawal effects, and stabilizes the inward-open conformation. Unfortunately, ibogaine's promiscuity and cardiotoxicity limit the understanding of inward-open state ligands. We docked over 200 million small molecules against the inward-open state of the SERT. Thirty-six top-ranking compounds were synthesized, and thirteen inhibited; further structure-based optimization led to the selection of two potent (low nanomolar) inhibitors. These stabilized an outward-closed state of the SERT with little activity against common off-targets. A cryo-EM structure of one of these bound to the SERT confirmed the predicted geometry. In mouse behavioral assays, both compounds had anxiolytic- and anti-depressant-like activity, with potencies up to 200-fold better than fluoxetine (Prozac), and one substantially reversed morphine withdrawal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th St., Byers Hall Suite 508D, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Anubha Seth
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8066, USA
| | - Christian B Billesbølle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th St., Byers Hall Suite 508D, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Joao Braz
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ramona M Rodriguiz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kasturi Roy
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8066, USA
| | - Bethlehem Bekele
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8066, USA
| | - Veronica Craik
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Xi-Ping Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, NIMH Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Danila Boytsov
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimir M Pogorelov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Parnian Lak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th St., Byers Hall Suite 508D, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Henry O'Donnell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th St., Byers Hall Suite 508D, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Walter Sandtner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - John J Irwin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th St., Byers Hall Suite 508D, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, NIMH Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Allan I Basbaum
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - William C Wetsel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Departments of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Aashish Manglik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th St., Byers Hall Suite 508D, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
| | - Brian K Shoichet
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th St., Byers Hall Suite 508D, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Gary Rudnick
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8066, USA.
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5
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Egyed A, Kiss DJ, Keserű GM. The Impact of the Secondary Binding Pocket on the Pharmacology of Class A GPCRs. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:847788. [PMID: 35355719 PMCID: PMC8959758 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.847788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are considered important therapeutic targets due to their pathophysiological significance and pharmacological relevance. Class A receptors represent the largest group of GPCRs that gives the highest number of validated drug targets. Endogenous ligands bind to the orthosteric binding pocket (OBP) embedded in the intrahelical space of the receptor. During the last 10 years, however, it has been turned out that in many receptors there is secondary binding pocket (SBP) located in the extracellular vestibule that is much less conserved. In some cases, it serves as a stable allosteric site harbouring allosteric ligands that modulate the pharmacology of orthosteric binders. In other cases it is used by bitopic compounds occupying both the OBP and SBP. In these terms, SBP binding moieties might influence the pharmacology of the bitopic ligands. Together with others, our research group showed that SBP binders contribute significantly to the affinity, selectivity, functional activity, functional selectivity and binding kinetics of bitopic ligands. Based on these observations we developed a structure-based protocol for designing bitopic compounds with desired pharmacological profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Egyed
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Judit Kiss
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
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6
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Codony S, Pont C, Griñán-Ferré C, Di Pede-Mattatelli A, Calvó-Tusell C, Feixas F, Osuna S, Jarné-Ferrer J, Naldi M, Bartolini M, Loza MI, Brea J, Pérez B, Bartra C, Sanfeliu C, Juárez-Jiménez J, Morisseau C, Hammock BD, Pallàs M, Vázquez S, Muñoz-Torrero D. Discovery and In Vivo Proof of Concept of a Highly Potent Dual Inhibitor of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase and Acetylcholinesterase for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. J Med Chem 2022; 65:4909-4925. [PMID: 35271276 PMCID: PMC8958510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
With innumerable clinical failures of target-specific drug candidates for multifactorial diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), which remains inefficiently treated, the advent of multitarget drug discovery has brought a new breath of hope. Here, we disclose a class of 6-chlorotacrine (huprine)-TPPU hybrids as dual inhibitors of the enzymes soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a multitarget profile to provide cumulative effects against neuroinflammation and memory impairment. Computational studies confirmed the gorge-wide occupancy of both enzymes, from the main site to a secondary site, including a so far non-described AChE cryptic pocket. The lead compound displayed in vitro dual nanomolar potencies, adequate brain permeability, aqueous solubility, human microsomal stability, lack of neurotoxicity, and it rescued memory, synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammation in an AD mouse model, after low dose chronic oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Codony
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy
and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Caterina Pont
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy
and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christian Griñán-Ferré
- Pharmacology
Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ania Di Pede-Mattatelli
- Department
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Theoretical
and Computational Chemistry (IQTCUB), University
of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Calvó-Tusell
- CompBioLab
Group, Departament de Química and Institut de Química
Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), Universitat de Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Ferran Feixas
- CompBioLab
Group, Departament de Química and Institut de Química
Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), Universitat de Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Sílvia Osuna
- CompBioLab
Group, Departament de Química and Institut de Química
Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), Universitat de Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain,Institució
Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), E-08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Júlia Jarné-Ferrer
- Pharmacology
Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Naldi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University
of Bologna, Via Belmeloro, 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University
of Bologna, Via Belmeloro, 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - María Isabel Loza
- BioFarma
Research Group, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina
Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Brea
- BioFarma
Research Group, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina
Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Belén Pérez
- Department
of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Clara Bartra
- Institute
of Biomedical Research of Barcelona, CSIC and Institut d’Investigacions
Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Rosselló, 149, E-08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Coral Sanfeliu
- Institute
of Biomedical Research of Barcelona, CSIC and Institut d’Investigacions
Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Rosselló, 149, E-08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Juárez-Jiménez
- Department
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Theoretical
and Computational Chemistry (IQTCUB), University
of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christophe Morisseau
- Department
of Entomology and Nematology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Bruce D. Hammock
- Department
of Entomology and Nematology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Pharmacology
Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Vázquez
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy
and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain,. Phone: (+34) 934024533
| | - Diego Muñoz-Torrero
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy
and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain,. Phone: (+34) 934024533
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7
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Pulido D, Casadó-Anguera V, Gómez-Autet M, Llopart N, Moreno E, Casajuana-Martin N, Ferré S, Pardo L, Casadó V, Royo M. Heterobivalent Ligand for the Adenosine A 2A-Dopamine D 2 Receptor Heteromer. J Med Chem 2022; 65:616-632. [PMID: 34982555 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A G protein-coupled receptor heteromer that fulfills the established criteria for its existence in vivo is the complex between adenosine A2A (A2AR) and dopamine D2 (D2R) receptors. Here, we have designed and synthesized heterobivalent ligands for the A2AR-D2R heteromer with various spacer lengths. The indispensable simultaneous binding of these ligands to the two different orthosteric sites of the heteromer has been evaluated by radioligand competition-binding assays in the absence and presence of specific peptides that disrupt the formation of the heteromer, label-free dynamic mass redistribution assays in living cells, and molecular dynamic simulations. This combination of techniques has permitted us to identify compound 26 [KDB1 (A2AR) = 2.1 nM, KDB1 (D2R) = 0.13 nM], with a spacer length of 43-atoms, as a true bivalent ligand that simultaneously binds to the two different orthosteric sites. Moreover, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer experiments indicate that 26 favors the stabilization of the A2AR-D2R heteromer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pulido
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 08034 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verònica Casadó-Anguera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Gómez-Autet
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Natàlia Llopart
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estefanía Moreno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nil Casajuana-Martin
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sergi Ferré
- Integrative Neurobiology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Leonardo Pardo
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Vicent Casadó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Royo
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 08034 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Merighi S, Borea PA, Varani K, Vincenzi F, Jacobson KA, Gessi S. A 2A Adenosine Receptor Antagonists in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:4138-4151. [PMID: 34844537 PMCID: PMC9148371 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666211129122550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide, with approximately 6 million cases reported in America in 2020. The clinical signs of AD include cognitive dysfunction, apathy, anxiety and neuropsychiatric signs, and pathogenetic mechanisms that involve amyloid peptide-β extracellular accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation. Unfortunately, current drugs to treat AD can provide only symptomatic relief but are not disease-modifying molecules able to revert AD progression. The endogenous modulator adenosine, through A2A receptor activation, plays a role in synaptic loss and neuroinflammation, which are crucial for cognitive impairment and memory damage. OBJECTIVE In this review, recent advances covering A2A adenosine receptor antagonists will be extensively reviewed, providing a basis for the rational design of future A2A inhibitors. METHODS Herein, the literature on A2A adenosine receptors and their role in synaptic plasticity and neuroinflammation, as well as the effects of A2A antagonism in animal models of AD and in humans, are reviewed. Furthermore, current chemical and structure-based strategies are presented. RESULTS Caffeine, the most widely consumed natural product stimulant and an A2A antagonist, improves human memory. Similarly, synthetic A2A receptor antagonists, as described in this review, may provide a means to fight AD. CONCLUSION This review highlights the clinical potential of A2A adenosine receptor antagonists as a novel approach to treat patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Merighi
- Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy;,Address correspondence to these authors at the Department Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy; ; ; Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States;
| | | | - Katia Varani
- Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States,Address correspondence to these authors at the Department Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy; ; ; Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States;
| | - Stefania Gessi
- Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy;,Address correspondence to these authors at the Department Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy; ; ; Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States;
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Ballante F, Kooistra AJ, Kampen S, de Graaf C, Carlsson J. Structure-Based Virtual Screening for Ligands of G Protein-Coupled Receptors: What Can Molecular Docking Do for You? Pharmacol Rev 2021; 73:527-565. [PMID: 34907092 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome and are important therapeutic targets. During the last decade, the number of atomic-resolution structures of GPCRs has increased rapidly, providing insights into drug binding at the molecular level. These breakthroughs have created excitement regarding the potential of using structural information in ligand design and initiated a new era of rational drug discovery for GPCRs. The molecular docking method is now widely applied to model the three-dimensional structures of GPCR-ligand complexes and screen for chemical probes in large compound libraries. In this review article, we first summarize the current structural coverage of the GPCR superfamily and the understanding of receptor-ligand interactions at atomic resolution. We then present the general workflow of structure-based virtual screening and strategies to discover GPCR ligands in chemical libraries. We assess the state of the art of this research field by summarizing prospective applications of virtual screening based on experimental structures. Strategies to identify compounds with specific efficacy and selectivity profiles are discussed, illustrating the opportunities and limitations of the molecular docking method. Our overview shows that structure-based virtual screening can discover novel leads and will be essential in pursuing the next generation of GPCR drugs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Extraordinary advances in the structural biology of G protein-coupled receptors have revealed the molecular details of ligand recognition by this large family of therapeutic targets, providing novel avenues for rational drug design. Structure-based docking is an efficient computational approach to identify novel chemical probes from large compound libraries, which has the potential to accelerate the development of drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Ballante
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (F.B., S.K., J.C.); Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (A.J.K.); and Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Albert J Kooistra
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (F.B., S.K., J.C.); Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (A.J.K.); and Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Stefanie Kampen
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (F.B., S.K., J.C.); Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (A.J.K.); and Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Chris de Graaf
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (F.B., S.K., J.C.); Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (A.J.K.); and Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Jens Carlsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (F.B., S.K., J.C.); Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (A.J.K.); and Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
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