1
|
Ma X, Peddibhotla S, Zheng Y, Pan S, Mehta A, Moroni DG, Chen QY, Ma X, Burnett JC, Malany S, Sangaralingham SJ. Discovery of small molecule guanylyl cyclase B receptor positive allosteric modulators. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae225. [PMID: 38894878 PMCID: PMC11185183 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis is a pathological hallmark of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and excessive fibrosis can lead to new-onset heart failure and increased mortality. Currently, pharmacological therapies for myocardial fibrosis are limited, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. The particulate guanylyl cyclase B (GC-B) receptor possesses beneficial antifibrotic actions through the binding of its natural ligand C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and the generation of the intracellular second messenger, cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP). These actions include the suppression of fibroblast proliferation and reduction in collagen synthesis. With its abundant expression on fibroblasts, the GC-B receptor has emerged as a key molecular target for innovative CVD therapeutics. However, small molecules that can bind and potentiate the GC-B/cGMP pathway have yet to be discovered. From a cell-based high-throughput screening initiative of the NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository and hit-to-lead evolution based on a series of structure-activity relationships, we report the successful discovery of MCUF-42, a GC-B-targeted small molecule that acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM). Studies herein support MCUF-42's ability to enhance the binding affinity between GC-B and CNP. Moreover, MCUF-42 potentiated cGMP levels induced by CNP in human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) and notably also enhanced the inhibitory effect of CNP on HCF proliferation. Together, our findings highlight that MCUF-42 is a small molecule that can modulate the GC-B/cGMP signaling pathway, potentially enhancing the antifibrotic actions of CNP. Thus, these data underscore the continued development of GC-B small molecule PAMs as a novel therapeutic strategy for targeting cardiac fibrosis and CVD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Ma
- Cardiorenal Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | - Ye Zheng
- Cardiorenal Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Shuchong Pan
- Cardiorenal Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Alka Mehta
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Dante G Moroni
- Cardiorenal Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Qi-Yin Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- Cardiorenal Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - John C Burnett
- Cardiorenal Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Siobhan Malany
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - S Jeson Sangaralingham
- Cardiorenal Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Andresen H, Pérez‐Ternero C, Robinson J, Dickey DM, Hobbs AJ, Potter LR, Levy FO, Cataliotti A, Moltzau LR. Novel enhancers of guanylyl cyclase-A activity acting via allosteric modulation. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:3254-3270. [PMID: 37522273 PMCID: PMC10952227 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A), activated by endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular and renal homeostasis and is an attractive drug target. Even though small molecule modulators allow oral administration and longer half-life, drug targeting of GC-A has so far been limited to peptides. Thus, in this study we aimed to develop small molecular activators of GC-A. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Hits were identified through high-throughput screening and optimized by in silico design. Cyclic GMP was measured in QBIHEK293A cells expressing GC-A, GC-B or chimerae of the two receptors using AlphaScreen technology. Binding assays were performed in membrane preparations or whole cells using 125 I-ANP. Vasorelaxation was measured in aortic rings isolated from Wistar rats. KEY RESULTS We have identified small molecular allosteric enhancers of GC-A, which enhanced ANP or BNP effects in cellular systems and ANP-induced vasorelaxation in rat aortic rings. The mechanism of action appears novel and not mediated through previously described allosteric binding sites. In addition, the selectivity and activity depend on a single amino acid residue that differs between the two similar receptors GC-A and GC-B. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS We describe a novel allosteric binding site on GC-A, which can be targeted by small molecules to enhance ANP and BNP effects. These compounds will be valuable tools in further development and proof-of-concept of GC-A enhancement for the potential use in cardiovascular therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Andresen
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of Oslo and Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Institute for Experimental Medical ResearchUniversity of Oslo and Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Cristina Pérez‐Ternero
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Jerid Robinson
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and BiophysicsUniversity of Minnesota Medical SchoolMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Deborah M. Dickey
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and BiophysicsUniversity of Minnesota Medical SchoolMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Adrian J. Hobbs
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Lincoln R. Potter
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and BiophysicsUniversity of Minnesota Medical SchoolMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Finn Olav Levy
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of Oslo and Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Alessandro Cataliotti
- Institute for Experimental Medical ResearchUniversity of Oslo and Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Lise Román Moltzau
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of Oslo and Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Andresen H, Moltzau LR, Fagerheim S, Gloriam D, Bach T, Levy FO. Identification and characterization of small molecular NPR-B receptor antagonists. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2015. [PMCID: PMC4565088 DOI: 10.1186/2050-6511-16-s1-a70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
|
5
|
Moltzau LR, Aronsen JM, Meier S, Skogestad J, Ørstavik Ø, Lothe GB, Sjaastad I, Skomedal T, Osnes JB, Levy FO, Qvigstad E. Different Compartmentation of Responses to Brain Natriuretic Peptide and C-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Failing Rat Ventricle. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 350:681-90. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.214882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
|