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Akçalı İ, Akkan SS, Bülbül M. The regulatory role of central neuropeptide-S in locomotion. Peptides 2023; 170:171110. [PMID: 37832875 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171110] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Central exogenous Neuropeptide-S (NPS) was demonstrated to increase locomotor activity (LMA) in rodent studies. NPS receptor (NPSR) is produced in locomotion-related brain regions including basal ganglia while NPS mediates dopaminergic neurotransmission suggesting that endogenous brain NPS is involved in the regulation of locomotion. Aim of the study was to elucidate whether antagonism of NPSR impairs locomotion and to determine the neurochemical profile of NPSR-expressing cells in basal ganglia network. In the rats received intracerebroventricular injection of selective non-peptide NPSR antagonist ML154 (20 nmol/5 µL) or vehicle, in addition to measurement of catalepsy, motor performance, and motor coordination were evaluated by assessment of LMA and RR test, respectively. The immunoreactivities for NPSR, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were detected by immunofluorescence in frozen sections. Compared to the control rats, total LMA was significantly declined following ML154 administration. The ML154-injected rats were more prone to fall in rotarod (RR) test, while they exhibited remarkably high catalepsy time. The most robust immunoreactivity for NPSR was detected in globus pallidus externa (GPe), while moderate levels of NPSR expression were observed in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), but not in striatum. The NPSR-ir cell bodies were found to express GAD67 in GPe and TH in SNpc and VTA, respectively. NPSR expression was detected in SNpc-projecting pallidal cells. The present findings indicate the regulatory role of central endogenous NPS in the control of locomotion. NPSR may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- İrem Akçalı
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Simla Su Akkan
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Bülbül
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
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2
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Albanese V, Ruzza C, Marzola E, Bernardi T, Fabbri M, Fantinati A, Trapella C, Reinscheid RK, Ferrari F, Sturaro C, Calò G, Amendola G, Cosconati S, Pacifico S, Guerrini R, Preti D. Structure-Activity Relationship Studies on Oxazolo[3,4- a]pyrazine Derivatives Leading to the Discovery of a Novel Neuropeptide S Receptor Antagonist with Potent In Vivo Activity. J Med Chem 2021; 64:4089-4108. [PMID: 33733768 PMCID: PMC8041306 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S modulates important neurobiological functions including locomotion, anxiety, and drug abuse through interaction with its G protein-coupled receptor known as neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR). NPSR antagonists are potentially useful for the treatment of substance abuse disorders against which there is an urgent need for new effective therapeutic approaches. Potent NPSR antagonists in vitro have been discovered which, however, require further optimization of their in vivo pharmacological profile. This work describes a new series of NPSR antagonists of the oxazolo[3,4-a]pyrazine class. The guanidine derivative 16 exhibited nanomolar activity in vitro and 5-fold improved potency in vivo compared to SHA-68, a reference pharmacological tool in this field. Compound 16 can be considered a new tool for research studies on the translational potential of the NPSergic system. An in-depth molecular modeling investigation was also performed to gain new insights into the observed structure-activity relationships and provide an updated model of ligand/NPSR interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Albanese
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Technopole of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Erika Marzola
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Tatiana Bernardi
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Martina Fabbri
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Fantinati
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Technopole of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Rainer K Reinscheid
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Physiology I, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Sturaro
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Largo Meneghetti, 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giorgio Amendola
- "DiSTABiF", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- "DiSTABiF", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Technopole of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Delia Preti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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The Neural Network of Neuropeptide S (NPS): Implications in Food Intake and Gastrointestinal Functions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14040293. [PMID: 33810221 PMCID: PMC8065993 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Neuropeptide S (NPS), a 20 amino acids peptide, is recognized as the endogenous ligand of a previously orphan G protein-coupled receptor, now termed NPS receptor (NPSR). The limited distribution of the NPS-expressing neurons in few regions of the brainstem is in contrast with the extensive expression of NPSR in the rodent central nervous system, suggesting the involvement of this receptor in several brain functions. In particular, NPS promotes locomotor activity, behavioral arousal, wakefulness, and unexpectedly, at the same time, it exerts anxiolytic-like properties. Intriguingly, the NPS system is implicated in the rewarding properties of drugs of abuse and in the regulation of food intake. Here, we focus on the anorexigenic effect of NPS, centrally injected in different brain areas, in both sated and fasted animals, fed with standard or palatable food, and, in addition, on its influence in the gastrointestinal tract. Further investigations, regarding the role of the NPS/NPSR system and its potential interaction with other neurotransmitters could be useful to understand the mechanisms underlying its action and to develop novel pharmacological tools for the treatment of aberrant feeding patterns and obesity.
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Blough B, Namjoshi O. Small Molecule Neuropeptide S and Melanocortin 4 Receptor Ligands as Potential Treatments for Substance Use Disorders. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 258:61-87. [PMID: 31628605 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is a vital need for novel approaches and biological targets for drug discovery and development. Treatment strategies for substance use disorders (SUDs) to date have been mostly ineffective other than substitution-like therapeutics. Two such targets are the peptide G-protein-coupled receptors neuropeptide S (NPS) and melanocortin 4 (MC4). Preclinical evidence suggests that antagonists, inverse agonists, or negative allosteric modulators of these receptors might be novel therapeutics for SUDs. NPS is a relatively unexplored receptor with high potential for treating SUD. MC4 has a strong link to early-onset obesity, and emerging evidence suggests significant overlap between food-maintained and drug-maintained behaviors making MC4 an intriguing target for SUD. This chapter provides an overview of the literature in relation to the roles of NPS and MC4 in drug-seeking behaviors and then provides a medicinal chemistry-based survey of the small molecule ligands for each receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Ojas Namjoshi
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Batran RZ, Dawood DH, El-Seginy SA, Maher TJ, Gugnani KS, Rondon-Ortiz AN. Coumarinyl pyranopyrimidines as new neuropeptide S receptor antagonists; design, synthesis, homology and molecular docking. Bioorg Chem 2017; 75:274-290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ruzza C, Calò G, Di Maro S, Pacifico S, Trapella C, Salvadori S, Preti D, Guerrini R. Neuropeptide S receptor ligands: a patent review (2005-2016). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 27:347-362. [PMID: 27788040 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2017.1254195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a 20-residue peptide and endogenous ligand of the NPS receptor (NPSR). This receptor was a formerly orphan GPCR whose activation increases calcium and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. The NPS/NPSR system is expressed in several brain regions where it controls important biological functions including locomotor activity, arousal and sleep, anxiety, food intake, memory, pain, and drug addiction. Areas covered: This review furnishes an updated overview of the patent literature covering NPSR ligands since 2005, when the first example of an NPSR antagonist was disclosed. Expert opinion: Several potent NPSR antagonists are available as valuable pharmacological tools despite showing suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. The optimization of these ligands is needed to speed up their potential clinical advancement as pharmaceuticals to treat drug addiction. In order to support the design of novel NPSR antagonists, we performed a ligand-based conformational analysis recognizing some structural requirements for NPSR antagonism. The identification of small-molecule NPSR agonists now represents an unmet challenge to be addressed. These molecules will allow investigation of the beneficial effects of selective NPSR activation in a large panel of psychiatric disorders and to foresee their therapeutic potential as anxiolytics, nootropics, and analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ruzza
- a Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and National Institute of Neuroscience , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Girolamo Calò
- a Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and National Institute of Neuroscience , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Pacifico
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Severo Salvadori
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Delia Preti
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
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Purinergic P2X receptors: structural models and analysis of ligand-target interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 89:561-80. [PMID: 25462266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.10.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The purinergic P2X receptors are ligand-gated cation channels activated by the endogenous ligand ATP. They assemble as homo- or heterotrimers from seven cloned subtypes (P2X1-7) and all trimer subunits present a common topology consisting in intracellular N- and C- termini, two transmembrane domains and a large extracellular domain. These membrane proteins are present in virtually all mammalian tissues and regulate a large variety of responses in physio- and pathological conditions. The development of ligands that selectively activate or block specific P2X receptor subtypes hence represents a promising strategy to obtain novel pharmacological tools for the treatment of pain, cancer, inflammation, and neurological, cardiovascular, and endocrine diseases. The publication of the crystal structures of zebrafish P2X4 receptor in inactive and ATP-bound active forms provided structural data for the analysis of the receptor structure, the interpretation of mutagenesis data, and the depiction of ligand binding and receptor activation mechanism. In addition, the availability of ATP-competitive ligands presenting selectivity for P2X receptor subtypes supports the design of new potent and selective ligands with possibly improved pharmacokinetic profiles, with the final aim to obtain new drugs. This study describes molecular modelling studies performed to develop structural models of the human and rat P2X receptors in inactive and active states. These models allowed to analyse the role of some non-conserved residues at ATP binding site and to study the receptor interaction with some non-specific or subtype selective agonists and antagonists.
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Dal Ben D, Buccioni M, Lambertucci C, Kachler S, Falgner N, Marucci G, Thomas A, Cristalli G, Volpini R, Klotz KN. Different efficacy of adenosine and NECA derivatives at the human A3 adenosine receptor: insight into the receptor activation switch. Biochem Pharmacol 2013; 87:321-31. [PMID: 24161786 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2013.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A3 Adenosine receptors are promising drug targets for a number of diseases and intense efforts are dedicated to develop selective agonists and antagonists of these receptors. A series of adenosine derivatives with 2-(ar)-alkynyl chains, with high affinity and different degrees of selectivity for human A3 adenosine receptors was tested for the ability to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase. All these derivatives are partial agonists at A3 adenosine receptors; their efficacy is not significantly modified by the introduction of small alkyl substituents in the N(6)-position. In contrast, the adenosine-5'-N-ethyluronamide (NECA) analogs of 2-(ar)-alkynyladenosine derivatives are full A3 agonists. Molecular modeling analyses were performed considering both the conformational behavior of the ligands and the impact of 2- and 5'-substituents on ligand-target interaction. The results suggest an explanation for the different agonistic behavior of adenosine and NECA derivatives, respectively. A sub-pocket of the binding site was analyzed as a crucial interaction domain for receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Dal Ben
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Michela Buccioni
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Catia Lambertucci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Sonja Kachler
- Universität Würzburg, Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Versbacher Str. 9, D-97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nico Falgner
- Universität Würzburg, Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Versbacher Str. 9, D-97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gabriella Marucci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Ajiroghene Thomas
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Gloria Cristalli
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Rosaria Volpini
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Karl-Norbert Klotz
- Universität Würzburg, Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Versbacher Str. 9, D-97078, Würzburg, Germany.
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9
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Liu Y, Chen B, Wei J. Computational studies of the binding modes of CCR1 antagonists. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2012.679617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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10
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Ruzza C, Rizzi A, Camarda V, Pulga A, Marzola G, Filaferro M, Novi C, Ruggieri V, Marzola E, Vitale G, Salvadori S, Guerrini R, Calo' G. [tBu-D-Gly5]NPS, a pure and potent antagonist of the neuropeptide S receptor: in vitro and in vivo studies. Peptides 2012; 34:404-11. [PMID: 22342393 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Revised: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) regulates various biological functions by selectively activating the NPS receptor (NPSR). Recently, the NPSR ligand [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS was generated and in vitro characterized as a pure antagonist at the mouse NPSR. In the present study the pharmacological profile of [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS has been investigated. [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS activity was evaluated in vitro in the calcium mobilization assay at the rat NPSR and in vivo in the locomotor activity and righting reflex tests in mice and in the elevated plus maze and defensive burying assays in rats. In vitro, [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS was inactive per se while it inhibited the calcium mobilization induced by 30 nM NPS (pK(B) 7.42). In Schild analysis experiments [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS (0.1-10 μM) produced a concentration-dependent rightward shift of the concentration-response curve to NPS, showing a pA(2) value of 7.17. In mouse locomotor activity experiments, supraspinal injection of [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS (1-10 nmol) dose dependently counteracted NPS (0.1 nmol) stimulant effects. In the mouse righting reflex assay [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS (0.1-10 nmol) fully prevented the arousal-promoting action of the natural peptide (0.1 nmol). Finally, [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS (3-30 nmol) was able to completely block NPS (1 nmol) anxiolytic-like actions in rat elevated plus maze and defensive burying assays. Collectively, the present results demonstrated that [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS behaves both in vitro and in vivo as a pure and potent NPSR antagonist. This compound represents a novel and useful tool for investigating the pharmacology and neurobiology of the NPS/NPSR system.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Calcium/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Infusions, Intraventricular
- Injections, Spinal
- Kinetics
- Male
- Maze Learning/drug effects
- Maze Learning/physiology
- Mice
- Motor Activity/drug effects
- Motor Activity/physiology
- Neuropeptides/pharmacology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, Neuropeptide/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Neuropeptide/metabolism
- Reflex, Righting/drug effects
- Reflex, Righting/physiology
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ruzza
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Center and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Anedda F, Zucchelli M, Schepis D, Hellquist A, Corrado L, D'Alfonso S, Achour A, McInerney G, Bertorello A, Lördal M, Befrits R, Björk J, Bresso F, Törkvist L, Halfvarson J, Kere J, D'Amato M. Multiple polymorphisms affect expression and function of the neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR1). PLoS One 2011; 6:e29523. [PMID: 22216302 PMCID: PMC3244468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor NPSR1 act along the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to modulate anxiety, fear responses, nociception and inflammation. The importance of the NPS-NPSR1 signaling pathway is highlighted by the observation that, in humans, NPSR1 polymorphism associates with asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, panic disorders, and intermediate phenotypes of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Because of the genetic complexity at the NPSR1 locus, however, true causative variations remain to be identified, together with their specific effects on receptor expression or function. To gain insight into the mechanisms leading to NPSR1 disease-predisposing effects, we performed a thorough functional characterization of all NPSR1 promoter and coding SNPs commonly occurring in Caucasians (minor allele frequency >0.02). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS we identified one promoter SNP (rs2530547 [-103]) that significantly affects luciferase expression in gene reporter assays and NPSR1 mRNA levels in human leukocytes. We also detected quantitative differences in NPS-induced genome-wide transcriptional profiles and CRE-dependent luciferase activities associated with three NPSR1 non-synonymous SNPs (rs324981 [Ile107Asn], rs34705969 [Cys197Phe], rs727162 [Arg241Ser]), with a coding variant exhibiting a loss-of-function phenotype (197Phe). Potential mechanistic explanations were sought with molecular modelling and bioinformatics, and a pilot study of 2230 IBD cases and controls provided initial support to the hypothesis that different cis-combinations of these functional SNPs variably affect disease risk. SIGNIFICANCE these findings represent a first step to decipher NPSR1 locus complexity and its impact on several human conditions NPS antagonists have been recently described, and our results are of potential pharmacogenetic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Anedda
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology - CNR, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Zucchelli
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Danika Schepis
- Department of Microbiology Tumor Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Hellquist
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lucia Corrado
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont and IRCAD, Novara, Italy
| | - Sandra D'Alfonso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont and IRCAD, Novara, Italy
| | - Adnane Achour
- Department of Microbiology Tumor Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerald McInerney
- Department of Microbiology Tumor Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Mikael Lördal
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ragnar Befrits
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Björk
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesca Bresso
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leif Törkvist
- Department for Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Halfvarson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
- School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Juha Kere
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, and Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
- Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mauro D'Amato
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Fanelli F, De Benedetti PG. Update 1 of: computational modeling approaches to structure-function analysis of G protein-coupled receptors. Chem Rev 2011; 111:PR438-535. [PMID: 22165845 DOI: 10.1021/cr100437t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fanelli
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 183, 41125 Modena, Italy.
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13
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Trapella C, Pela M, Del Zoppo L, Calo G, Camarda V, Ruzza C, Cavazzini A, Costa V, Bertolasi V, Reinscheid RK, Salvadori S, Guerrini R. Synthesis and separation of the enantiomers of the neuropeptide S receptor antagonist (9R/S)-3-oxo-1,1-diphenyl-tetrahydro-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyrazine-7-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide (SHA 68). J Med Chem 2011; 54:2738-44. [PMID: 21466221 DOI: 10.1021/jm200138r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study reports the synthesis, chromatographic separation, and pharmacological evaluation of the two enantiomers of the neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) antagonist (9R/S)-3-oxo-1,1-diphenyl-tetrahydro-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyrazine-7-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide (SHA 68). The (9R)-3-oxo-1,1-diphenyl-tetrahydro-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyrazine-7-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide (compound 10) and (9S)-3-oxo-1,1-diphenyl-tetrahydro-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyrazine-7-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-benzylamide (compound 10a) were synthesized and their purity assessed by chiral chromatography. The absolute configuration of the enantiomer 10 has been assigned from the crystal structure of the corresponding (S)-phenyl ethyl amine derivative 8. Calcium mobilization studies performed on cells expressing the recombinant NPSR demonstrated that compound 10 is the active enantiomer while the contribution of 10a to the NPSR antagonist properties of the racemic mixture is negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Trapella
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Dal Ben D, Antonini I, Buccioni M, Lambertucci C, Marucci G, Thomas A, Volpini R, Cristalli G. Neuropeptide S receptor: recent updates on nonpeptide antagonist discovery. ChemMedChem 2011; 6:1163-71. [PMID: 21452188 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Revised: 02/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a 20-amino acid peptide of great interest due to its possible involvement in several biological processes, including food intake, locomotion, wakefulness, arousal, and anxiety. Structure-activity relationship studies of NPS have identified key points for structural modifications with the goal of modulating NPS receptor (NPSR) agonist activity or achieving antagonism at the same receptor. Only limited information is available for nonpeptide NPSR antagonists. In the last year, several studies have been reported in literature which present various series of small molecules as antagonists of this receptor. The results allow a comparison of the structures and activities of these molecules, leading to the design of new ligands with increased potency and improved pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles. This work presents a brief overview of the available information regarding structural features and pharmacological characterization of published nonpeptide NPSR antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Dal Ben
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy.
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15
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Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of 5-phenyl-2-[2-(1-piperidinylcarbonyl)phenyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazol-1-ones: A new class of Neuropeptide S antagonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 20:7308-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.10.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Revised: 10/13/2010] [Accepted: 10/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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