1
|
Jülke EM, Fischer JP, Els-Heindl S, Bierer D, Flamme I, Köbberling J, Riedl B, Beck-Sickinger AG. Rational design of highly stabilized and selective adrenomedullin analogs. J Pept Sci 2023; 29:e3530. [PMID: 37423610 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The peptide hormone adrenomedullin (ADM) consists of 52 amino acids with a disulfide bond and an amidated C-terminus. Due to the vasodilatory and cardioprotective effects, the agonistic activity of the peptide on the adrenomedullin 1 receptor (AM1 R) is of high pharmacological interest. However, the wild-type peptide shows low metabolic stability leading to rapid degradation in the cardiovascular system. Previous work by our group has identified proteolytic cleavage sites and demonstrated stabilization of ADM by lipidation, cyclization, and N-methylation. Nevertheless, these ADM analogs showed reduced activity and subtype selectivity toward the closely related calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRPR). Here, we report on the rational development of ADM derivatives with increased proteolytic stability and high receptor selectivity. Stabilizing motifs, including lactamization and lipidation, were evaluated regarding AM1 R and CGRPR activation. Furthermore, the central DKDK motif of the peptide was replaced by oligoethylene glycol linkers. The modified peptides were synthesized by Fmoc/t-Bu solid-phase peptide synthesis and receptor activation of AM1 R and CGRPR was measured by cAMP reporter gene assay. Peptide stability was tested in human blood plasma and porcine liver homogenate and analyzed by RP-HPLC and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. Combination of the favorable lactam, lipidation, ethylene glycol linker, and previously described disulfide mimetic resulted in highly stabilized analogs with a plasma half-life of more than 144 h. The compounds display excellent AM1 R activity and wild-type-like selectivity toward CGRPR. Additionally, dose-dependent vasodilatory effects of the ADM derivatives lasted for several hours in rodents. Thus, we successfully developed an ADM analog with long-term in vivo activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Jülke
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan-Patrick Fischer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sylvia Els-Heindl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Donald Bierer
- Division Pharmaceuticals, Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ingo Flamme
- Division Pharmaceuticals, Research & Early Development, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Johannes Köbberling
- Division Pharmaceuticals, Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Bernd Riedl
- Division Pharmaceuticals, Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vázquez R, Riveiro ME, Berenguer-Daizé C, O'Kane A, Gormley J, Touzelet O, Rezai K, Bekradda M, Ouafik L. Targeting Adrenomedullin in Oncology: A Feasible Strategy With Potential as Much More Than an Alternative Anti-Angiogenic Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 10:589218. [PMID: 33489885 PMCID: PMC7815935 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.589218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The development, maintenance and metastasis of solid tumors are highly dependent on the formation of blood and lymphatic vessels from pre-existing ones through a series of processes that are respectively known as angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Both are mediated by specific growth-stimulating molecules, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and adrenomedullin (AM), secreted by diverse cell types which involve not only the cancerogenic ones, but also those constituting the tumor stroma (i.e., macrophages, pericytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells). In this sense, anti-angiogenic therapy represents a clinically-validated strategy in oncology. Current therapeutic approaches are mainly based on VEGF-targeting agents, which, unfortunately, are usually limited by toxicity and/or tumor-acquired resistance. AM is a ubiquitous peptide hormone mainly secreted in the endothelium with an important involvement in blood vessel development and cardiovascular homeostasis. In this review, we will introduce the state-of-the-art in terms of AM physiology, while putting a special focus on its pro-tumorigenic role, and discuss its potential as a therapeutic target in oncology. A large amount of research has evidenced AM overexpression in a vast majority of solid tumors and a correlation between AM levels and disease stage, progression and/or vascular density has been observed. The analysis presented here indicates that the involvement of AM in the pathogenesis of cancer arises from: 1) direct promotion of cell proliferation and survival; 2) increased vascularization and the subsequent supply of nutrients and oxygen to the tumor; 3) and/or alteration of the cell phenotype into a more aggressive one. Furthermore, we have performed a deep scrutiny of the pathophysiological prominence of each of the AM receptors (AM1 and AM2) in different cancers, highlighting their differential locations and functions, as well as regulatory mechanisms. From the therapeutic point of view, we summarize here an exhaustive series of preclinical studies showing a reduction of tumor angiogenesis, metastasis and growth following treatment with AM-neutralizing antibodies, AM receptor antagonists, or AM receptor interference. Anti-AM therapy is a promising strategy to be explored in oncology, not only as an anti-angiogenic alternative in the context of acquired resistance to VEGF treatment, but also as a potential anti-metastatic approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramiro Vázquez
- Preclinical Department, Early Drug Development Group (E2DG), Boulogne-Billancourt, France.,Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan, Italy
| | - Maria E Riveiro
- Preclinical Department, Early Drug Development Group (E2DG), Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | | | - Anthony O'Kane
- Discovery and Scientific Affairs Department, Fusion Antibodies plc., Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Gormley
- Discovery and Scientific Affairs Department, Fusion Antibodies plc., Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Olivier Touzelet
- Discovery and Scientific Affairs Department, Fusion Antibodies plc., Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Keyvan Rezai
- Department of Radio-Pharmacology, Institute Curie-René Huguenin Hospital, Saint-Cloud, France
| | - Mohamed Bekradda
- Preclinical Department, Early Drug Development Group (E2DG), Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - L'Houcine Ouafik
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, INP, Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, Marseille, France.,APHM, CHU Nord, Service de Transfert d'Oncologie Biologique, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fischer JP, Els-Heindl S, Beck-Sickinger AG. Adrenomedullin - Current perspective on a peptide hormone with significant therapeutic potential. Peptides 2020; 131:170347. [PMID: 32569606 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The peptide hormone adrenomedullin (ADM) consists of 52 amino acids and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of many physiological processes, particularly those of the cardiovascular and lymphatic system. Like calcitonin (CT), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), intermedin (IMD) and amylin (AMY), it belongs to the CT/CGRP family of peptide hormones, which despite their low little sequence identity share certain characteristic structural features as well as a complex multicomponent receptor system. ADM, IMD and CGRP exert their biological effects by activation of the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) as a complex with one of three receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMP), which alter the ligand affinity. Selectivity within the receptor system is largely mediated by the amidated C-terminus of the peptide hormones, which bind to the extracellular domains of the receptors. This enables their N-terminus consisting of a disulfide-bonded ring structure and a helical segment to bind within the transmembrane region and to induce an active receptor confirmation. ADM is expressed in a variety of tissues in the human body and is fundamentally involved in multitude biological processes. Thus, it is of interest as a diagnostic marker and a promising candidate for therapeutic interventions. In order to fully exploit the potential of ADM, it is necessary to improve its pharmacological profile by increasing the metabolic stability and, ideally, creating receptor subtype-selective analogs. While several successful attempts to prolong the half-life of ADM were recently reported, improving or even retaining receptor selectivity remains challenging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Patrick Fischer
- Institut für Biochemie, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sylvia Els-Heindl
- Institut für Biochemie, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Garelja M, Au M, Brimble MA, Gingell JJ, Hendrikse ER, Lovell A, Prodan N, Sexton PM, Siow A, Walker CS, Watkins HA, Williams GM, Wootten D, Yang SH, Harris PWR, Hay DL. Molecular Mechanisms of Class B GPCR Activation: Insights from Adrenomedullin Receptors. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:246-262. [PMID: 32296766 PMCID: PMC7155197 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adrenomedullin (AM) is a 52 amino acid peptide that plays a regulatory role in the vasculature. Receptors for AM comprise the class B G protein-coupled receptor, the calcitonin-like receptor (CLR), in complex with one of three receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). The C-terminus of AM is involved in binding to the extracellular domain of the receptor, while the N-terminus is proposed to interact with the juxtamembranous portion of the receptor to activate signaling. There is currently limited information on the molecular determinants involved in AM signaling, thus we set out to define the importance of the AM N-terminus through five signaling pathways (cAMP production, ERK phosphorylation, CREB phosphorylation, Akt phosphorylation, and IP1 production). We characterized the three CLR:RAMP complexes through the five pathways, finding that each had a distinct repertoire of intracellular signaling pathways that it is able to regulate. We then performed an alanine scan of AM from residues 15-31 and found that most residues could be substituted with only small effects on signaling, and that most substitutions affected signaling through all receptors and pathways in a similar manner. We identify F18, T20, L26, and I30 as being critical for AM function, while also identifying an analogue (AM15-52 G19A) which has unique signaling properties relative to the unmodified AM. We interpret our findings in the context of new structural information, highlighting the complementary nature of structural biology and functional assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael
L. Garelja
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Maggie Au
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Margaret A. Brimble
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- School
of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Joseph J. Gingell
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Erica R. Hendrikse
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Annie Lovell
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Nicole Prodan
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Patrick M. Sexton
- Drug
Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew Siow
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- School
of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Christopher S. Walker
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Harriet A. Watkins
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Geoffrey M. Williams
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- School
of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Denise Wootten
- Drug
Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sung H. Yang
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Paul W. R. Harris
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- School
of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Debbie L. Hay
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Musa H, Hendrikse ER, Brimble MA, Garelja ML, Watkins HA, Harris PWR, Hay DL. Pharmacological Characterization and Investigation of N-Terminal Loop Amino Acids of Adrenomedullin 2 That Are Important for Receptor Activation. Biochemistry 2019; 58:3468-3474. [PMID: 31328503 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Adrenomedullin 2 (AM2) is a peptide hormone with potent effects in the cardiovascular system. The N-terminal disulfide loop of AM2 is thought to be important for interacting with its receptors to initiate a signaling response. However, the relative contribution of each amino acid within this region is currently unknown. Thus, the region was investigated using an alanine scanning approach. Two AM2 peptides (AM2-47 and AM2-40) were directly compared at the CGRP, AM1, and AM2 receptors in transfected Cos7 cells and found to have equivalent activity. Analogues of AM2-40 were then synthesized, substituting each individual amino acid within the disulfide loop with alanine. The ability of these analogues to stimulate a cAMP response was evaluated at the CGRP, AM1, and AM2 receptors. AM2-40 L12A and T14A were less able to elicit cAMP responses through all tested receptors. In contrast, AM2-40 G13A was slightly more potent than the unmodified peptide at all tested receptors. Thus, it appears that residues within the disulfide loop region play differential roles in the ability of AM2 to stimulate cAMP production. The data provide the first structure-function investigation of AM2 agonism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hala Musa
- School of Biological Sciences , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Erica R Hendrikse
- School of Biological Sciences , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- School of Biological Sciences , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand.,School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , 23 Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Michael L Garelja
- School of Biological Sciences , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Harriet A Watkins
- School of Biological Sciences , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Paul W R Harris
- School of Biological Sciences , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand.,School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , 23 Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Debbie L Hay
- School of Biological Sciences , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery , The University of Auckland , 3A Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
|
7
|
|