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Vasile S, Hallberg A, Sallander J, Hallberg M, Åqvist J, Gutiérrez-de-Terán H. Evolution of Angiotensin Peptides and Peptidomimetics as Angiotensin II Receptor Type 2 (AT2) Receptor Agonists. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E649. [PMID: 32340100 PMCID: PMC7226584 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II receptor type 1 and 2 (AT1R and AT2R) are two G-protein coupled receptors that mediate most biological functions of the octapeptide Angiotensin II (Ang II). AT2R is upregulated upon tissue damage and its activation by selective AT2R agonists has become a promising approach in the search for new classes of pharmaceutical agents. We herein analyzed the chemical evolution of AT2R agonists starting from octapeptides, through shorter peptides and peptidomimetics to the first drug-like AT2R-selective agonist, C21, which is in Phase II clinical trials and aimed for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Based on the recent crystal structures of AT1R and AT2R in complex with sarile, we identified a common binding model for a series of 11 selected AT2R agonists, consisting of peptides and peptidomimetics of different length, affinity towards AT2R and selectivity versus AT1R. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations and free energy perturbation (FEP) calculations of binding affinities allowed the identification of the bioactive conformation and common pharmacophoric points, responsible for the key interactions with the receptor, which are maintained by the drug-like agonists. The results of this study should be helpful and facilitate the search for improved and even more potent AT2R-selective drug-like agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Vasile
- Sweden and Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC (H.G.T.), Biomedical Centre (BMC), Uppsala University, P.O. BOX 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.V.); (J.S.); (J.Å.)
| | - Anders Hallberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Division of Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jessica Sallander
- Sweden and Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC (H.G.T.), Biomedical Centre (BMC), Uppsala University, P.O. BOX 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.V.); (J.S.); (J.Å.)
| | - Mathias Hallberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, BMC, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Johan Åqvist
- Sweden and Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC (H.G.T.), Biomedical Centre (BMC), Uppsala University, P.O. BOX 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.V.); (J.S.); (J.Å.)
| | - Hugo Gutiérrez-de-Terán
- Sweden and Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC (H.G.T.), Biomedical Centre (BMC), Uppsala University, P.O. BOX 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.V.); (J.S.); (J.Å.)
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A convenient transesterification method for synthesis of AT2 receptor ligands with improved stability in human liver microsomes. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 28:519-522. [PMID: 29279275 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A series of AT2R ligands have been synthesized applying a quick, simple, and safe transesterification-type reaction whereby the sulfonyl carbamate alkyl tail of the selective AT2R antagonist C38 was varied. Furthermore, a limited number of compounds where acyl sulfonamides and sulfonyl ureas served as carboxylic acid bioisosteres were synthesized and evaluated. By reducing the size of the alkyl chain of the sulfonyl carbamates, ligands 7a and 7b were identified with significantly improved in vitro metabolic stability in both human and mouse liver microsomes as compared to C38 while retaining the AT2R binding affinity and AT2R/AT1R selectivity. Eight of the compounds synthesized exhibit an improved stability in human microsomes as compared to C38.
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Kellici TF, Tzakos AG, Mavromoustakos T. Rational drug design and synthesis of molecules targeting the angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptors. Molecules 2015; 20:3868-97. [PMID: 25738535 PMCID: PMC6272512 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20033868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 and type 2 receptors (AT1R and AT2R) orchestrate an array of biological processes that regulate human health. Aberrant function of these receptors triggers pathophysiological responses that can ultimately lead to death. Therefore, it is important to design and synthesize compounds that affect beneficially these two receptors. Cardiovascular disease, which is attributed to the overactivation of the vasoactive peptide hormone Αng II, can now be treated with commercial AT1R antagonists. Herein, recent achievements in rational drug design and synthesis of molecules acting on the two AT receptors are reviewed. Quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) and molecular modeling on the two receptors aim to assist the search for new active compounds. As AT1R and AT2R are GPCRs and drug action is localized in the transmembrane region the role of membrane bilayers is exploited. The future perspectives in this field are outlined. Tremendous progress in the field is expected if the two receptors are crystallized, as this will assist the structure based screening of the chemical space and lead to new potent therapeutic agents in cardiovascular and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahsin F Kellici
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou 15771, Greece
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece
| | - Andreas G Tzakos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece
| | - Thomas Mavromoustakos
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou 15771, Greece.
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