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Liu Y, Li Y, Wei X, Ullah I, Uddin S, Wang J, Xia R, Wang M, Yang H, Li H. A comparative study on the effects of human serum albumin and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone fusion proteins on the anti-neuroinflammatory in the central nervous system of adult mice. Neuropeptides 2024; 104:102410. [PMID: 38308948 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The immunomodulatory effects of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the central nervous system (CNS) have been investigated for forty years. The clinical applications of α-MSH are limited due to its short half-life. Our previous study has indicated that the short half-life of α-MSH can be extended by fusion with carrier human serum albumin (HSA) and this fusion protein has also retained the anti-inflammatory effect on the CNS. This improvement is still far from the clinical requirements. Thus, we expected to enhance the half-life and activity of the fusion protein by optimizing the linker peptide to get closer to clinical requirements. In a previous study, we screened out two candidates in vitro experiments with a flexible linker peptide (fusion protein with flexible linker peptide, FPFL) and a rigid linker peptide (fusion protein with rigid linker peptide, FPRL), respectively. However, it was not sure whether the anti-inflammatory effects in vitro could be reproduced in vivo. Our results show that FPRL is the best candidate with a longer half-life compared to the traditional flexible linker peptides. Meanwhile, the ability of FPRL to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was enhanced, and the inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6 was improved. We also found that the toxicity of FPRL was decreased. All of the results suggested that trying to choose the rigid linker peptide in some fusion proteins may be a potential choice for improving the unsatisfactory characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyao Liu
- Biopharmaceutical International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Li
- Gansu High Throughput Screening and Creation Center for Health Products, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueyan Wei
- Biopharmaceutical International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Inam Ullah
- Biopharmaceutical International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Biopharmaceutical International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiatao Wang
- Gansu High Throughput Screening and Creation Center for Health Products, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Runjie Xia
- Biopharmaceutical International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Meizhu Wang
- Gansu High Throughput Screening and Creation Center for Health Products, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Biology, Gansu Academy of Sciences, Dingxi Road No. 229, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Li
- Biopharmaceutical International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China; Gansu High Throughput Screening and Creation Center for Health Products, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Tianshui Road No. 222, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
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Wills R, Adebomi V, Raj M. Site-Selective Peptide Macrocyclization. Chembiochem 2020; 22:52-62. [PMID: 32794268 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cyclized peptides have seen a rise in popularity in the pharmaceutical industry as drug molecules. As such, new macrocyclization methodologies have become abundant in the last several decades. However, efficient methods of cyclization without the formation of side products remain a great challenge. Herein, we review cyclization approaches that focus on site-selective chemistry. Site selectivity in macrocyclization decreases the generation of side products, leading to a greater yield of the desired peptide macrocycles. We will also take an in-depth look at the new exclusively intramolecular N-terminal site-selective CyClick strategy for the synthesis of cyclic peptides. The CyClick method uses imine formation between an aldehyde and the N terminus. The imine is then trapped by a nucleophilic attack from the second amidic nitrogen in an irreversible site-selective fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Wills
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Victor Adebomi
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Monika Raj
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Moghimi S, Morsali A, Heravi MM, Beyramabadi SA. Quantum‐Chemical Modeling of Cyclic Peptide‐Selenium Nanoparticle as an Anticancer Drug Nanocarrier. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.11912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Moghimi
- Department of Chemistry, Mashhad BranchIslamic Azad University Mashhad Iran
| | - Ali Morsali
- Department of Chemistry, Mashhad BranchIslamic Azad University Mashhad Iran
- Research Center for Animal Development Applied Biology, Mashhad BranchIslamic Azad University Mashhad 917568 Iran
| | - Mohammad M. Heravi
- Department of Chemistry, Mashhad BranchIslamic Azad University Mashhad Iran
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Baldini G, Phelan KD. The melanocortin pathway and control of appetite-progress and therapeutic implications. J Endocrinol 2019; 241:R1-R33. [PMID: 30812013 PMCID: PMC6500576 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The initial discovery that ob/ob mice become obese because of a recessive mutation of the leptin gene has been crucial to discover the melanocortin pathway to control appetite. In the melanocortin pathway, the fed state is signaled by abundance of circulating hormones such as leptin and insulin, which bind to receptors expressed at the surface of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to promote processing of POMC to the mature hormone α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). The α-MSH released by POMC neurons then signals to decrease energy intake by binding to melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) expressed by MC4R neurons to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Conversely, in the 'starved state' activity of agouti-related neuropeptide (AgRP) and of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-expressing neurons is increased by decreased levels of circulating leptin and insulin and by the orexigenic hormone ghrelin to promote food intake. This initial understanding of the melanocortin pathway has recently been implemented by the description of the complex neuronal circuit that controls the activity of POMC, AgRP/NPY and MC4R neurons and downstream signaling by these neurons. This review summarizes the progress done on the melanocortin pathway and describes how obesity alters this pathway to disrupt energy homeostasis. We also describe progress on how leptin and insulin receptors signal in POMC neurons, how MC4R signals and how altered expression and traffic of MC4R change the acute signaling and desensitization properties of the receptor. We also describe how the discovery of the melanocortin pathway has led to the use of melanocortin agonists to treat obesity derived from genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Baldini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Kevin D. Phelan
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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Shah ZA, Farooq S, Ali SA, Hameed A, Choudhary MI, Shaheen F. New analogs of temporin-LK1 as inhibitors of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens. SYNTHETIC COMMUN 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00397911.2018.1437450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zafar Ali Shah
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Anbar, Pakistan
| | - Saba Farooq
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Syed Abid Ali
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Hameed
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - M. Iqbal Choudhary
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farzana Shaheen
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Al-Najim W, le Roux CW, Docherty NG. Integrated insights into the role of alpha-melanocyte stimulatory hormone in the control of food intake and glycaemia. Peptides 2018; 100:243-248. [PMID: 29412826 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Identifying peptide hormones with multipotent actions on both weight and glycaemia can have a significant impact on therapeutic options in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. This has been exemplified by recent advances involving pharmacological exploitation of glucagon-like peptide 1 biology. Herein, we summarise evidence supporting the potential candidacy in this light of alpha-melanocyte stimulatory hormone, an endogenous peptide hormone and a breakdown product of the neuropeptide pro-opiomelanocortin. We reference its well described central actions in the control of food intake and moreover highlight new data pointing to an important role for this peptide hormone in the periphery, in relation to glycaemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werd Al-Najim
- Diabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland; Investigative Science, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Carel W le Roux
- Diabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Gastrosurgical Research and Education, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Investigative Science, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Neil G Docherty
- Diabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Gastrosurgical Research and Education, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Palmer D, Gonçalves JPL, V Hansen L, Wu B, Hald H, Schoffelen S, Diness F, Le Quement ST, Nielsen TE, Meldal M. Click-Chemistry-Mediated Synthesis of Selective Melanocortin Receptor 4 Agonists. J Med Chem 2017; 60:8716-8730. [PMID: 28972753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) subtype of the melanocortin receptor family is a target for therapeutics to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction. Endogenous MC4R agonists possess a critical pharmacophore (HFRW), and cyclization of peptide agonists often enhances potency. Thus, 17 cyclized peptides were synthesized by solid phase click chemistry to develop novel, potent, selective MC4R agonists. Using cAMP measurements and a transcriptional reporter assay, we observed that several constrained agonists generated by a cycloaddition reaction displayed high selectivity (223- to 467-fold) toward MC4R over MC3R and MC5R receptor subtypes without compromising agonist potency. Significant variation was also observed between the EC50 values for the two assays, with robust levels of reporter expression measured at lower concentrations than those effecting appreciable increases in cAMP levels for the majority of the compounds tested. Collectively, we characterized significant elements that modulate the activity of the core pharmacophore for MC4R and provide a rationale for careful assay selection for agonist screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Palmer
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Juliana P L Gonçalves
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise V Hansen
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Boqian Wu
- Aquaporin A/S , Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helle Hald
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sanne Schoffelen
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frederik Diness
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas E Nielsen
- Protein & Peptide Chemistry, Novo Nordisk A/S , Novo Nordisk Park, 2760 Måløv, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen , Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , 60 Nanyang Drive, SG 637551, Singapore
| | - Morten Meldal
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Bajaj K, Sakhuja R. Aziridine-Mediated Ligation at Phenylalanine and Tryptophan Sites. Chem Asian J 2017; 12:1869-1874. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201700538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Bajaj
- Department of Chemistry; Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences; Pilani 333031 India
| | - Rajeev Sakhuja
- Department of Chemistry; Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences; Pilani 333031 India
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