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Rabeh N, Hajjar B, Maraka JO, Sammanasunathan AF, Khan M, Alkhaaldi SMI, Mansour S, Almheiri RT, Hamdan H, Abd-Elrahman KS. Targeting mGluR group III for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115733. [PMID: 37862967 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115733] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, is essential for neuronal function, and it acts on ionotropic or metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). A disturbance in glutamatergic signaling is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Developing disease-modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases targeting glutamate receptors is a promising avenue. The understudied group III mGluR 4, 6-8 are commonly found in the presynaptic membrane, and their activation inhibits glutamate release. Thus, targeted mGluRs therapies could aid in treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review describes group III mGluRs and their pharmacological ligands in the context of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. Attempts to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs in clinical trials are also discussed. Despite a growing list of group III mGluR-specific pharmacological ligands, research on the use of these drugs in neurodegenerative diseases is limited, except for Parkinson's disease. Future efforts should focus on delineating the contribution of group III mGluR to neurodegeneration and developing novel ligands with superior efficacy and a favorable side effect profile for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Rabeh
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Baraa Hajjar
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jude O Maraka
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ashwin F Sammanasunathan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Khan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saif M I Alkhaaldi
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samy Mansour
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rashed T Almheiri
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hamdan Hamdan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaled S Abd-Elrahman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt.
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Dupont AC, Arlicot N, Vercouillie J, Serrière S, Maia S, Bonnet-Brilhault F, Santiago-Ribeiro MJ. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 5 Positron-Emission-Tomography Radioligands as a Tool for Central Nervous System Drug Development: Between Progress and Setbacks. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1127. [PMID: 37631042 PMCID: PMC10458693 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) is a class C G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that has been implicated in various neuronal processes and, consequently, in several neuropsychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders. Over the past few decades, mGluR5 has become a major focus for pharmaceutical companies, as an attractive target for drug development, particularly through the therapeutic potential of its modulators. In particular, allosteric binding sites have been targeted for better specificity and efficacy. In this context, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) appears as a useful tool for making decisions along a drug candidate's development process, saving time and money. Thus, PET provides quantitative information about a potential drug candidate and its target at the molecular level. However, in this area, particular attention has to be given to the interpretation of the PET signal and its conclusions. Indeed, the complex pharmacology of both mGluR5 and radioligands, allosterism, the influence of endogenous glutamate and the choice of pharmacokinetic model are all factors that may influence the PET signal. This review focuses on mGluR5 PET radioligands used at several stages of central nervous system drug development, highlighting advances and setbacks related to the complex pharmacology of these radiotracers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Claire Dupont
- Radiopharmacie, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Tours University, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Nicolas Arlicot
- Radiopharmacie, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Tours University, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France
- CIC 1415, Tours University, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France
| | | | - Sophie Serrière
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Tours University, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Serge Maia
- Radiopharmacie, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Tours University, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Tours University, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France
- Excellence Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Maria-Joao Santiago-Ribeiro
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Tours University, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France
- Nuclear Medicine Department, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
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Lei X, Hofmann CS, Rodriguez AL, Niswender CM. Differential Activity of Orthosteric Agonists and Allosteric Modulators at Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 104:17-27. [PMID: 37105671 PMCID: PMC10289241 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) is a G protein coupled receptor that has demonstrated promise as a therapeutic target across a number of neurologic and psychiatric diseases. Compounds that modulate the activity of mGlu7, such as positive and negative allosteric modulators, may represent new therapeutic strategies to modulate receptor activity. The endogenous neurotransmitter associated with the mGlu receptor family, glutamate, exhibits low efficacy and potency in activating mGlu7, and surrogate agonists, such as the compound L-(+)-2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4), are often used for receptor activation and compound profiling. To understand the implications of the use of such agonists in the development of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), we performed a systematic evaluation of receptor activation using a system in which mutations can be made in either protomer of the mGlu7 dimer; we employed mutations that prevent interaction with the orthosteric site as well as the G-protein coupling site of the receptor. We then measured increases in calcium levels downstream of a promiscuous G protein to assess the effects of mutations in one of the two protomers in the presence of two different agonists and three positive allosteric modulators. Our results reveal that distinct PAMs, for example N-[3-Chloro-4-[(5-chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]phenyl]-2-pyridinecarboxamide (VU0422288) and 3-(2,3-Difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (VU6005649), do exhibit different maximal levels of potentiation with L-AP4 versus glutamate, but there appear to be common stable receptor conformations that are shared among all of the compounds examined here. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This manuscript describes the systematic evaluation of the mGlu7 agonists glutamate and L-(+)-2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) in the presence and absence of three distinct potentiators examining possible mechanistic differences. These findings demonstrate that mGlu7 potentiators display subtle variances in response to glutamate versus L-AP4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Lei
- Department of Pharmacology (X.L., C.S.H., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (X.L., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee (C.M.N.); and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
| | - Christopher S Hofmann
- Department of Pharmacology (X.L., C.S.H., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (X.L., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee (C.M.N.); and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
| | - Alice L Rodriguez
- Department of Pharmacology (X.L., C.S.H., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (X.L., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee (C.M.N.); and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology (X.L., C.S.H., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (X.L., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee (C.M.N.); and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
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Domin H. Group III metabotropic glutamate receptors as promising targets for neuroprotective therapy: Particular emphasis on the role of mGlu4 and mGlu7 receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 219:173452. [PMID: 36030890 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There is still no effective treatment for central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, including cerebral ischemia, neurotrauma, and neurodegenerative diseases in which the Glu/GABA balance is disturbed with associated excitotoxicity. It is thus important to search for new efficacious therapeutic strategies. Preclinical studies on the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in neuroprotection conducted over the years show that these receptors may have therapeutic potential in these CNS disorders. However, clinical trials, especially for treating Parkinson's disease, have been unsatisfactory. This review focuses on the specific role of group III mGluRs in neuroprotection in experimental in vitro and in vivo models of excitotoxicity/neurotoxicity using neurotoxins as well as ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's diseases, and multiple sclerosis. The review highlights recent preclinical studies in which group III mGluR ligands (especially those acting at mGluR4 or mGluR7) were administered after damage, thus emphasizing the importance of the therapeutic time window in the treatment of ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. From a clinical standpoint, the review also highlights studies using group III mGluR agonists with favorable neuroprotective efficacy (histological and functional) in experimental ischemic stroke, including healthy normotensive and-hypertensive rats. This review also summarizes possible mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective activity of the group III mGluR ligands, which may be helpful in developing more effective and safe therapeutic strategies. Therefore, to fully assess the role of these receptors in neuroprotection, it is necessary to uncover new selective ligands, primarily those stimulating mGlu4 and mGlu7 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Domin
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
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5
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Stankiewicz A, Kaczorowska K, Bugno R, Kozioł A, Paluchowska MH, Burnat G, Chruścicka B, Chorobik P, Brański P, Wierońska JM, Duszyńska B, Pilc A, Bojarski AJ. New 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with positive mGlu 4 receptor modulation activity and antipsychotic-like properties. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 37:211-225. [PMID: 34894953 PMCID: PMC8667925 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1998022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the allosteric regulation of mGlu receptors for potential therapeutic applications, we developed a group of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives that displayed mGlu4 receptor positive allosteric modulatory activity (EC50 = 282–656 nM). Selectivity screening revealed that they were devoid of activity at mGlu1, mGlu2 and mGlu5 receptors, but modulated mGlu7 and mGlu8 receptors, thus were classified as group III-preferring mGlu receptor agents. None of the compounds was active towards hERG channels or in the mini-AMES test. The most potent in vitro mGlu4 PAM derivative 52 (N-(3-chloro-4-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl)picolinamide) was readily absorbed after i.p. administration (male Albino Swiss mice) and reached a maximum brain concentration of 949.76 ng/mL. Five modulators (34, 37, 52, 60 and 62) demonstrated significant anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like properties in the SIH and DOI-induced head twitch test, respectively. Promising data were obtained, especially for N-(4-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-3-methylphenyl)picolinamide (62), whose effects in the DOI-induced head twitch test were comparable to those of clozapine and better than those reported for the selective mGlu4 PAM ADX88178.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stankiewicz
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kaczorowska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ryszard Bugno
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Aneta Kozioł
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria H Paluchowska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Burnat
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Barbara Chruścicka
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paulina Chorobik
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Brański
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna M Wierońska
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Beata Duszyńska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej J Bojarski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
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Orgován Z, Ferenczy GG, Keserű GM. Allosteric Molecular Switches in Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:81-93. [PMID: 32686363 PMCID: PMC7818470 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu) are class C G protein-coupled receptors of eight subtypes that are omnipresently expressed in the central nervous system. mGlus have relevance in several psychiatric and neurological disorders, therefore they raise considerable interest as drug targets. Allosteric modulators of mGlus offer advantages over orthosteric ligands owing to their increased potential to achieve subtype selectivity, and this has prompted discovery programs that have produced a large number of reported allosteric mGlu ligands. However, the optimization of allosteric ligands into drug candidates has proved to be challenging owing to induced-fit effects, flat or steep structure-activity relationships and unexpected changes in theirpharmacology. Subtle structural changes identified as molecular switches might modulate the functional activity of allosteric ligands. Here we review these switches discovered in the metabotropic glutamate receptor family..
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Orgován
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 2Budapest1117Hungary
| | - György G. Ferenczy
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 2Budapest1117Hungary
| | - György M. Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 2Budapest1117Hungary
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Doller D, Bespalov A, Miller R, Pietraszek M, Kalinichev M. A case study of foliglurax, the first clinical mGluR4 PAM for symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease: translational gaps or a failing industry innovation model? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:1323-1338. [PMID: 33074728 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1839047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 40% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients that take mostly dopamine receptor agonists for motor fluctuations, experience the return of symptoms between regular doses. This is a phenomenon known as 'OFF periods.' Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) are a promising non-dopaminergic mechanism with potential to address the unmet need of patients suffering from OFF periods. Foliglurax is the first mGluR4 PAM that has advanced into clinical testing in PD patients. AREAS COVERED We summarize the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical pharmacology of foliglurax. Translational PET imaging studies, clinical efficacy data, and a competitive landscape analysis of available therapies are presented to the readers. In this Perspective article, foliglurax is used as a case study to illustrate the inherent R&D challenges that companies face when developing drugs. These challenges include the delivery of drugs acting through novel mechanisms, long-term scientific investment, and commercial success and shorter-term positive financial returns. EXPERT OPINION Failure to meet the primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2 study led Lundbeck to discontinue the development of foliglurax. Understanding the evidence supporting compound progression into Phase 2 will enable the proper assessment of the therapeutic potential of mGluR4 PAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anton Bespalov
- Partnership for Assessment and Accreditation of Scientific Practice , Heidelberg, Germany.,Valdman Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov Medical University , St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Rob Miller
- Ventral Stream Consulting LLC ., IL, USA
| | - Malgorzata Pietraszek
- Partnership for Assessment and Accreditation of Scientific Practice , Heidelberg, Germany
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Sogunmez N, Akten ED. Distinctive communication networks in inactive states of β 2 -adrenergic receptor: Mutual information and entropy transfer analysis. Proteins 2020; 88:1458-1471. [PMID: 32530095 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mutual information and entropy transfer analysis employed on two inactive states of human beta-2 adrenergic receptor (β2 -AR) unraveled distinct communication pathways. Previously, a so-called "highly" inactive state of the receptor was observed during 1.5 microsecond long molecular dynamics simulation where the largest intracellular loop (ICL3) was swiftly packed onto the G-protein binding cavity, becoming entirely inaccessible. Mutual information quantifying the degree of correspondence between backbone-Cα fluctuations was mostly shared between intra- and extra-cellular loop regions in the original inactive state, but shifted to entirely different regions in this latest inactive state. Interestingly, the largest amount of mutual information was always shared among the mobile regions. Irrespective of the conformational state, polar residues always contributed more to mutual information than hydrophobic residues, and also the number of polar-polar residue pairs shared the highest degree of mutual information compared to those incorporating hydrophobic residues. Entropy transfer, quantifying the correspondence between backbone-Cα fluctuations at different timesteps, revealed a distinctive pathway directed from the extracellular site toward intracellular portions in this recently exposed inactive state for which the direction of information flow was the reverse of that observed in the original inactive state where the mobile ICL3 and its intracellular surroundings drove the future fluctuations of extracellular regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuray Sogunmez
- Graduate Program of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kadir Has University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ebru Demet Akten
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Kadir Has University, Istanbul, Turkey
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9
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Boccella S, Marabese I, Guida F, Luongo L, Maione S, Palazzo E. The Modulation of Pain by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors 7 and 8 in the Dorsal Striatum. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:34-50. [PMID: 31210112 PMCID: PMC7327935 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666190618121859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal striatum, apart from controlling voluntary movement, displays a recently demonstrated pain inhibition. It is connected to the descending pain modulatory system and in particular to the rostral ventromedial medulla through the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus. Diseases of the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson's disease, in addition to being characterized by motor disorders, are associated with pain and hyperactivation of the excitatory transmission. A way to counteract glutamatergic hyperactivation is through the activation of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which are located on presynaptic terminals inhibiting neurotransmitter release. So far the mGluRs of group III have been the least investigated, owing to a lack of selective tools. More recently, selective ligands for each mGluR of group III, in particular positive and negative allosteric modulators, have been developed and the role of each subtype is starting to emerge. The neuroprotective potential of group III mGluRs in pathological conditions, such as those characterized by elevate glutamate, has been recently shown. In the dorsal striatum, mGluR7 and mGluR8 are located at glutamatergic corticostriatal terminals and their stimulation inhibits pain in pathological conditions such as neuropathic pain. The two receptors in the dorsal striatum have instead a different role in pain control in normal conditions. This review will discuss recent results focusing on the contribution of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the dorsal striatal control of pain. The role of mGluR4, whose antiparkinsonian activity is widely reported, will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ida Marabese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Srivastava A, Das B, Yao AY, Yan R. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease Synaptic Dysfunction: Therapeutic Opportunities and Hope for the Future. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 78:1345-1361. [PMID: 33325389 PMCID: PMC8439550 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The impaired synaptic plasticity and dendritic loss at the synaptic level is an early event associated with the AD pathogenesis. The abnormal accumulation of soluble oligomeric amyloid-β (Aβ), the major toxic component in amyloid plaques, is viewed to trigger synaptic dysfunctions through binding to several presynaptic and postsynaptic partners and thus to disrupt synaptic transmission. Over time, the abnormalities in neural transmission will result in cognitive deficits, which are commonly manifested as memory loss in AD patients. Synaptic plasticity is regulated through glutamate transmission, which is mediated by various glutamate receptors. Here we review recent progresses in the study of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in AD cognition. We will discuss the role of mGluRs in synaptic plasticity and their modulation as a possible strategy for AD cognitive improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akriti Srivastava
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Brati Das
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Annie Y. Yao
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Riqiang Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
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11
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Gryksa K, Mittmann L, Bauer A, Peterlik D, Flor PJ, Uschold-Schmidt N, Bosch OJ. Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 7 controls maternal care, maternal motivation and maternal aggression in mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 19:e12627. [PMID: 31793148 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The group III metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 7 (mGlu7) is an important regulator of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission and known to mediate emotionality and male social behavior. However, a possible regulatory role in maternal behavior remains unknown to date. Adequate expression of maternal behavior is essential for successful rearing and healthy development of the young. By understanding genetic and neural mechanisms underlying this important prosocial behavior, we gain valuable insights into possible dysregulations. Using genetic ablation as well as pharmacological modulation, we studied various parameters of maternal behavior in two different mouse strains under the influence of mGlu7. We can clearly show a regulatory role of mGlu7 in maternal behavior. Naïve virgin female C57BL/6 mGlu7 knockout mice showed more often nursing postures and less spontaneous maternal aggression compared to their heterozygous and wildtype littermates. In lactating C57BL/6 wildtype mice, acute central activation of mGlu7 by the selective agonist AMN082 reduced arched back nursing and accelerated pup retrieval without affecting maternal aggression. In addition, in lactating CD1 wildtype mice the selective mGlu7 antagonist XAP044 increased both pup retrieval and maternal aggression. With respect to receptor expression levels, mGlu7 mRNA expression was higher in lactating vs virgin C57BL/6 mice in the prefrontal cortex, but not hypothalamus or hippocampus. In conclusion, these findings highlight a significant role of the mGlu7 receptor subtype in mediating maternal behavior in mice. Region-dependent studies are warranted to further extend our knowledge on the specific function of the brain glutamate system in maternal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gryksa
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Laura Mittmann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Bauer
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Peterlik
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter J Flor
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Uschold-Schmidt
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Oliver J Bosch
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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12
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Orgován Z, Ferenczy GG, Keserű GM. Fragment-Based Approaches for Allosteric Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (mGluR) Modulators. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1768-1781. [PMID: 31393248 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190808150039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are members of the class C G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR-s) and have eight subtypes. These receptors are responsible for a variety of functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems and their modulation has therapeutic utility in neurological and psychiatric disorders. It was previously established that selective orthosteric modulation of these receptors is challenging, and this stimulated the search for allosteric modulators. Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD) is a viable approach to find ligands binding at allosteric sites owing to their limited size and interactions. However, it was also observed that the structure-activity relationship of allosteric modulators is often sharp and inconsistent. This can be attributed to the characteristics of the allosteric binding site of mGluRs that is a water channel where ligand binding is accompanied with induced fit and interference with the water network, both playing a role in receptor activation. In this review, we summarize fragment-based drug discovery programs on mGluR allosteric modulators and their contribution identifying of new mGluR ligands with better activity and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Orgován
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudosok Korutja, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - György G Ferenczy
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudosok Korutja, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudosok Korutja, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
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13
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Ricart-Ortega M, Font J, Llebaria A. GPCR photopharmacology. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 488:36-51. [PMID: 30862498 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
New technologies for spatial and temporal remote control of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are necessary to unravel the complexity of GPCR signalling in cells, tissues and living organisms. An effective approach, recently developed, consists on the design of light-operated ligands whereby light-dependent GPCR activity regulation can be achieved. In this context, the use of light provides an advantage as it combines safety, easy delivery, high resolution and it does not interfere with most cellular processes. In this review we summarize the most relevant successful achievements in GPCR photopharmacology. These recent findings constitute a significant advance in research studies on the molecular dynamics of receptor activation and their physiological roles in vivo. Moreover, these molecules hold potential toward clinical uses as light-operated drugs, which can overcome some of the problems of conventional pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ricart-Ortega
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; IGF, CNRS, INSERM, University de Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France.
| | - Joan Font
- IGF, CNRS, INSERM, University de Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France.
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
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14
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Coughlin Q, Hopper AT, Blanco MJ, Tirunagaru V, Robichaud AJ, Doller D. Allosteric Modalities for Membrane-Bound Receptors: Insights from Drug Hunting for Brain Diseases. J Med Chem 2019; 62:5979-6002. [PMID: 30721063 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Medicinal chemists are accountable for embedding the appropriate drug target profile into the molecular architecture of a clinical candidate. An accurate characterization of the functional effects following binding of a drug to its biological target is a fundamental step in the discovery of new medicines, informing the translation of preclinical efficacy and safety observations into human trials. Membrane-bound proteins, particularly ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), are biological targets prone to allosteric modulation. Investigations using allosteric drug candidates and chemical tools suggest that their functional effects may be tailored with a high degree of translational alignment, making them molecular tools to correct pathophysiological functional tone and enable personalized medicine when a causative target-to-disease link is known. We present select examples of functional molecular fine-tuning of allosterism and discuss consequences relevant to drug design.
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15
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E-pharmacophore-based screening of mGluR5 negative allosteric modulators for central nervous system disorder. Comput Biol Chem 2019; 78:414-423. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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16
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Bossi S, Helleringer R, Galante M, Monlleó E, Trapero A, Rovira X, Daniel H, Llebaria A, McLean H. A Light-Controlled Allosteric Modulator Unveils a Role for mGlu 4 Receptors During Early Stages of Ischemia in the Rodent Cerebellar Cortex. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:449. [PMID: 30542267 PMCID: PMC6277836 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) are G Protein coupled-receptors that modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity in the central nervous system. Some act as autoreceptors to control neurotransmitter release at excitatory synapses and have become attractive targets for drug therapy to treat certain neurological disorders. However, the high degree of sequence conservation around the glutamate binding site makes the development of subtype-specific orthosteric ligands difficult to achieve. This problem can be circumvented by designing molecules that target specific less well conserved allosteric sites. One such allosteric drug, the photo-switchable compound OptoGluNAM4.1, has been recently employed to reversibly inhibit the activity of metabotropic glutamate 4 (mGlu4) receptors in cell cultures and in vivo. We studied OptoGluNAM4.1 as a negative modulator of neurotransmission in rodent cerebellar slices at the parallel fiber – Purkinje cell synapse. Our data show that OptoGluNAM4.1 antagonizes pharmacological activation of mGlu4 receptors in a fully reversible and photo-controllable manner. In addition, for the first time, this new allosteric modulator allowed us to demonstrate that, in brain slices from the rodent cerebellar cortex, mGlu4 receptors are endogenously activated in excitotoxic conditions, such as the early phases of simulated cerebellar ischemia, which is associated with elevated levels of extracellular glutamate. These findings support OptoGluNAM4.1 as a promising new tool for unraveling the role of mGlu4 receptors in the central nervous system in physio-pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Bossi
- Pharmacologie et Biochimie de la Synapse, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud - CNRS, UMR 9197, Orsay, France
| | - Romain Helleringer
- Pharmacologie et Biochimie de la Synapse, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud - CNRS, UMR 9197, Orsay, France
| | - Micaela Galante
- Pharmacologie et Biochimie de la Synapse, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud - CNRS, UMR 9197, Orsay, France
| | - Ester Monlleó
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Trapero
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Rovira
- Molecular Photopharmacology Research Group, The Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Spain
| | - Hervé Daniel
- Pharmacologie et Biochimie de la Synapse, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud - CNRS, UMR 9197, Orsay, France
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Heather McLean
- Pharmacologie et Biochimie de la Synapse, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud - CNRS, UMR 9197, Orsay, France
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17
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Belhocine A, Veglianese P, Hounsou C, Dupuis E, Acher F, Durroux T, Goudet C, Pin JP. Profiling of orthosteric and allosteric group-III metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands on various G protein-coupled receptors with Tag-lite ® assays. Neuropharmacology 2018; 140:233-245. [PMID: 30099051 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Group-III metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are important synaptic regulators and are potential druggable targets for Parkinson disease, autism and pain. Potential drugs include orthosteric agonists in the glutamate binding extracellular domain and positive allosteric modulators interacting with seven-pass transmembrane domains. Orthosteric agonists are rarely completely specific for an individual group-III mGlu subtype. Furthermore they often fail to pass the blood-brain barrier and they constitutively activate their target receptor. These properties limit the potential therapeutic use of orthosteric agonists. Allosteric modulators are more specific and maintain the biological activity of the targeted receptor. However, they bind in a hydrophobic pocket and this limits their bio-availability and increases possible off-target action. It is therefore important to characterize the action of potential drug targets with a multifaceted and deeply informative assay. Here we aimed at multifaceted deep profiling of the effect of seven different agonists, and seven positive allosteric modulators on 34 different G protein-coupled receptors by a Tag-lite® assay. Our results did not reveal off-target activity of mGlu orthosteric agonists. However, five allosteric modulators had either positive or negative effects on non-cognate G protein-coupled receptors. In conclusion, we demonstrate the power of the Tag-lite® assay for potential drug ligand profiling on G protein-coupled receptors and its potential to identify positive allosteric compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Francine Acher
- Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, CNRS UMR8601, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Cyril Goudet
- IGF, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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18
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Volpi C, Fallarino F, Mondanelli G, Macchiarulo A, Grohmann U. Opportunities and challenges in drug discovery targeting metabotropic glutamate receptor 4. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:411-423. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1443076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Volpi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Giada Mondanelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ursula Grohmann
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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19
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Goudet C, Rovira X, Llebaria A. Shedding light on metabotropic glutamate receptors using optogenetics and photopharmacology. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2018; 38:8-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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20
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Hajasova Z, Canestrelli C, Acher F, Noble F, Marie N. Role of mGlu7 receptor in morphine rewarding effects is uncovered by a novel orthosteric agonist. Neuropharmacology 2018; 131:424-430. [PMID: 29307544 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Opiate dependence is a major health issue and despite the existence of opioid substitution treatment, relapse frequently occurs. Group III metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors has received much attention as a putative target in ethanol and cocaine addiction, but no data on opiate addiction exist. So we investigated the role of group III mGlu receptors in morphine rewarding effects through the expression and the reinstatement of conditioned place preference (CPP) using a newly synthesized mGlu4/mGlu7 receptor orthosteric agonist, LSP2-9166. We found that LSP2-9166 blocked morphine CPP expression and reinstatement after extinction. Blockade of CPP expression with LSP2-9166 was abolished when using XAP044, a mGlu7 antagonist. We also found that LSP2-9166 at the dose active for blocking morphine reward was devoid of any effect on locomotion, hedonic state, spatial memory, anxiety or depression. Altogether our data demonstrated that group III mGlu receptors, and more specifically mGlu7, might be a valuable target in opiate addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Hajasova
- CNRS ERL 3649, Neuroplasticité et Thérapie des Addictions, Paris, France; INSERM UMR-S 1124, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Corinne Canestrelli
- CNRS ERL 3649, Neuroplasticité et Thérapie des Addictions, Paris, France; INSERM UMR-S 1124, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Francine Acher
- Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; CNRS UMR8601, Laboratoire de Chimie & Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Paris, France
| | - Florence Noble
- CNRS ERL 3649, Neuroplasticité et Thérapie des Addictions, Paris, France; INSERM UMR-S 1124, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Marie
- CNRS ERL 3649, Neuroplasticité et Thérapie des Addictions, Paris, France; INSERM UMR-S 1124, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
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21
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Abstract
An orthosteric site is commonly viewed as the primary, functionally binding pocket on a receptor. Signal molecules, endogenous agonists, and substrates are recognized by and bind to the orthosteric site of a specific target, resulting in a biological effect. A malfunctioning active site on a crucial receptor has been confirmed as the culprit that causes many metabolic disturbances, neurologic disorders, and genetic diseases. A competitive inhibitor that has a stronger binding affinity can outcompete an orthosteric ligand. An allosteric site, which is nonoverlapping and topographically distinct from the active pocket, can emerge as a potential regulatory site on the protein surface. An allosteric modulator interacts with a specific binding site, affecting the atoms of nearby residues, thus eliciting a series of conformational changes in the residues at the active site through propagation pathways. Allosteric regulation can potentiate or inhibit function instead of blocking it, and this is a promising strategy for drug design. In this chapter, we describe the tools and protocols for allosteric site analysis and allosteric ligand design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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22
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Scholler P, Nevoltris D, de Bundel D, Bossi S, Moreno-Delgado D, Rovira X, Møller TC, El Moustaine D, Mathieu M, Blanc E, McLean H, Dupuis E, Mathis G, Trinquet E, Daniel H, Valjent E, Baty D, Chames P, Rondard P, Pin JP. Allosteric nanobodies uncover a role of hippocampal mGlu2 receptor homodimers in contextual fear consolidation. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1967. [PMID: 29213077 PMCID: PMC5719040 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01489-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies have enormous therapeutic and biotechnology potential. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the main targets in drug development, are of major interest in antibody development programs. Metabotropic glutamate receptors are dimeric GPCRs that can control synaptic activity in a multitude of ways. Here we identify llama nanobodies that specifically recognize mGlu2 receptors, among the eight subtypes of mGluR subunits. Among these nanobodies, DN10 and 13 are positive allosteric modulators (PAM) on homodimeric mGlu2, while DN10 displays also a significant partial agonist activity. DN10 and DN13 have no effect on mGlu2-3 and mGlu2-4 heterodimers. These PAMs enhance the inhibitory action of the orthosteric mGlu2/mGlu3 agonist, DCG-IV, at mossy fiber terminals in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices. DN13 also impairs contextual fear memory when injected in the CA3 region of hippocampal region. These data highlight the potential of developing antibodies with allosteric actions on GPCRs to better define their roles in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Scholler
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
- Cisbio Bioassays, F-30200, Codolet, France
| | - Damien Nevoltris
- Cisbio Bioassays, F-30200, Codolet, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, F-13009, Marseille, France
| | - Dimitri de Bundel
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Simon Bossi
- CNRS UMR9197, Université Paris-Sud, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, F-91405, Orsay, France
| | - David Moreno-Delgado
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Xavier Rovira
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Thor C Møller
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Driss El Moustaine
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Michaël Mathieu
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Emilie Blanc
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Heather McLean
- CNRS UMR9197, Université Paris-Sud, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, F-91405, Orsay, France
| | | | | | | | - Hervé Daniel
- CNRS UMR9197, Université Paris-Sud, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, F-91405, Orsay, France
| | - Emmanuel Valjent
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Daniel Baty
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, F-13009, Marseille, France
| | - Patrick Chames
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, F-13009, Marseille, France.
| | - Philippe Rondard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France.
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, F-34094, Montpellier, France.
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23
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Dalton JAR, Pin JP, Giraldo J. Analysis of positive and negative allosteric modulation in metabotropic glutamate receptors 4 and 5 with a dual ligand. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4944. [PMID: 28694498 PMCID: PMC5504000 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05095-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As class C GPCRs and regulators of synaptic activity, human metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) 4 and 5 are prime targets for allosteric modulation, with mGlu5 inhibition or mGlu4 stimulation potentially treating conditions like chronic pain and Parkinson’s disease. As an allosteric modulator that can bind both receptors, 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP) is able to negatively modulate mGlu5 or positively modulate mGlu4. At a structural level, how it elicits these responses and how mGluRs undergo activation is unclear. Here, we employ homology modelling and 30 µs of atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to probe allosteric conformational change in mGlu4 and mGlu5, with and without docked MPEP. Our results identify several structural differences between mGlu4 and mGlu5, as well as key differences responsible for MPEP-mediated positive and negative allosteric modulation, respectively. A novel mechanism of mGlu4 activation is revealed, which may apply to all mGluRs in general. This involves conformational changes in TM3, TM4 and TM5, separation of intracellular loop 2 (ICL2) from ICL1/ICL3, and destabilization of the ionic-lock. On the other hand, mGlu5 experiences little disturbance when MPEP binds, maintaining its inactive state with reduced conformational fluctuation. In addition, when MPEP is absent, a lipid molecule can enter the mGlu5 allosteric pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A R Dalton
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain.,Network Biomedical Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Université de Montpellier, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5302 CNRS, Montpellier, France.,Unité de recherche U1191, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain. .,Network Biomedical Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.
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24
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Congreve M, Oswald C, Marshall FH. Applying Structure-Based Drug Design Approaches to Allosteric Modulators of GPCRs. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2017. [PMID: 28648526 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2017.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Structural insights have been revealed from X-ray co-complexes of a range of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their allosteric ligands. The understanding of how small molecules can modulate the function of this important class of receptors by binding to a diverse range of pockets on and inside the proteins has had a profound impact on the structure-based drug design (SBDD) of new classes of therapeutic agents. The types of allosteric pockets and the mode of modulation as well as the advantages and disadvantages of targeting allosteric pockets (as opposed to the natural orthosteric site) are considered in the context of these new structural findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles Congreve
- Heptares Therapeutics Ltd, Biopark, Welwyn Garden City, UK
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25
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Palazzo E, Marabese I, Luongo L, Guida F, de Novellis V, Maione S. Nociception modulation by supraspinal group III metabotropic glutamate receptors. J Neurochem 2017; 141:507-519. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine; The Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
| | - Ida Marabese
- Department of Experimental Medicine; The Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine; The Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine; The Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
| | - Vito de Novellis
- Department of Experimental Medicine; The Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine; The Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
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26
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Gómez-Santacana X, Dalton JA, Rovira X, Pin JP, Goudet C, Gorostiza P, Giraldo J, Llebaria A. Positional isomers of bispyridine benzene derivatives induce efficacy changes on mGlu 5 negative allosteric modulation. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 127:567-576. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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27
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Palazzo E, Marabese I, de Novellis V, Rossi F, Maione S. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7: From Synaptic Function to Therapeutic Implications. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 14:504-13. [PMID: 27306064 PMCID: PMC4983754 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666150716165323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) is localized presynaptically at the active zone of neurotransmitter release. Unlike mGluR4 and mGluR8, which share mGluR7's presynaptic location, mGluR7 shows low affinity for glutamate and is activated only by high glutamate concentrations. Its wide distribution in the central nervous system (CNS) and evolutionary conservation across species suggest that mGluR7 plays a primary role in controlling excitatory synapse function. High mGluR7 expression has been observed in several brain regions that are critical for CNS functioning and are involved in neurological and psychiatric disorder development. Until the recent discovery of selective ligands for mGluR7, techniques to elucidate its role in neural function were limited to the use of knockout mice and gene silencing. Studies using these two techniques have revealed that mGluR7 modulates emotionality, stress and fear responses. N,N`-dibenzhydrylethane-1,2-diamine dihydrochloride (AMN082) was reported as the first selective mGluR7 allosteric agonist. Pharmacological effects of AMN082 have not completely confirmed the mGluR7-knockout mouse phenotype; this has been attributed to rapid receptor internalization after drug treatment and to the drug's apparent lack of in vivo selectivity. Therefore, the more recently developed mGluR7 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) are crucial for understanding mGluR7 function and for exploiting its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions. This review presents the main findings regarding mGluR7's effect on modulation of synaptic function and its role in normal CNS function and in models of neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enza Palazzo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Emergency, The Second University of Naples, Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy.
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Nakano N, Matsuda S, Ichimura M, Minami A, Ogino M, Murai T, Kitagishi Y. PI3K/AKT signaling mediated by G protein-coupled receptors is involved in neurodegenerative Parkinson's disease (Review). Int J Mol Med 2016; 39:253-260. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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RGS10 Negatively Regulates Platelet Activation and Thrombogenesis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165984. [PMID: 27829061 PMCID: PMC5102365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins act as GTPase activating proteins to negatively regulate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Although several RGS proteins including RGS2, RGS16, RGS10, and RGS18 are expressed in human and mouse platelets, the respective unique function(s) of each have not been fully delineated. RGS10 is a member of the D/R12 subfamily of RGS proteins and is expressed in microglia, macrophages, megakaryocytes, and platelets. We used a genetic approach to examine the role(s) of RGS10 in platelet activation in vitro and hemostasis and thrombosis in vivo. GPCR-induced aggregation, secretion, and integrin activation was much more pronounced in platelets from Rgs10-/- mice relative to wild type (WT). Accordingly, these mice had markedly reduced bleeding times and were more susceptible to vascular injury-associated thrombus formation than control mice. These findings suggest a unique, non-redundant role of RGS10 in modulating the hemostatic and thrombotic functions of platelets in mice. RGS10 thus represents a potential therapeutic target to control platelet activity and/or hypercoagulable states.
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The neuroprotective effects of orthosteric agonists of group II and III mGluRs in primary neuronal cell cultures are dependent on developmental stage. Neuropharmacology 2016; 111:195-211. [PMID: 27600687 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulates neuronal excitability. Here, we evaluated the neuroprotective potential of four structurally diverse activators of group II and III mGluRs: an orthosteric agonist of group II (LY354740), an orthosteric agonist of group III (ACPT-I), an allosteric agonist of mGluR7 (AMN082) and a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of mGluR4 (VU0361737). Neurotoxicity was induced by the pro-apoptotic agents: staurosporine (St) and doxorubicin (Dox) or the excitotoxic factor glutamate (Glu). The effects were analyzed in primary hippocampal (HIP) and cerebellar granule cell (CGC) cultures at two developmental stages, at 7 and 12 days in vitro (DIV). The data reveal a general neuroprotective effect of group II and III mGluR activators against the St- and Glu- but not Dox-induced cell damage. We found that neuroprotective effects of group II and III mGluR orthosteric agonists (LY354740 and ACPT-I) were higher at 12 DIV when compared to 7 DIV cells. In contrast, the efficiency of allosteric mGluR agents (AMN082 and VU0361737) did not differ between 7 and 12 DIV in both, St and Glu models of neuronal cell damage. Interestingly, the protective effects of activators of group II and III mGluRs were blocked by relevant antagonists only against Glu-induced neurotoxicity. Moreover, the observed neuroprotective action of group II and III mGluR activators in the St model was associated with a decreased number of PI-positive cells and no alterations in the caspase-3 activity. Finally, we showed that MAPK/ERK pathway activation was potentially involved in the mechanism of ACPT-I- and AMN082-induced neuroprotection against the St-evoked cellular damage. Our comparative study demonstrated the developmental stage-dependent neuroprotective effect of orthosteric group II and III mGluR agonists. In comparison to allosteric modulators, orthosteric compounds may provide more specific tools for suppression of neuronal cell loss associated with various chronic neurodegenerative conditions. Our results also suggest that the inhibition of intracellular pathways mediating necrotic, rather than apoptotic cascades, may be involved in neuroprotective effects of activators of group II and III mGluRs.
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Pałucha-Poniewiera A, Pilc A. Glutamate-Based Drug Discovery for Novel Antidepressants. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:873-83. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1213234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Woźniak M, Gołembiowska K, Noworyta-Sokołowska K, Acher F, Cieślik P, Kusek M, Tokarski K, Pilc A, Wierońska JM. Neurochemical and behavioral studies on the 5-HT 1A-dependent antipsychotic action of the mGlu 4 receptor agonist LSP4-2022. Neuropharmacology 2016; 115:149-165. [PMID: 27465045 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
LSP4-2022 is a novel, orthosteric agonist of mGlu4 receptor that induces antipsychotic-like activity in animal studies. In the present study, the involvement of 5-HT1A receptors in LSP4-2022-induced antipsychotic actions and the neurochemical background of that interaction were investigated. In several behavioral tests the actions of effective doses of the compound (0.5-2 mg/kg) were antagonized via the administration of the 5-HT1A antagonist WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg). The co-administration of sub-effective dose of the 5-HT1A agonist (R)-(S)-8-OH-DPAT (0.01 mg/kg) intensified the activity of ineffective doses of LSP4-2022, having no influence on the efficacy of the active doses. The co-administration of effective doses of both compounds did not intensify each other's action. In the microdialysis in vivo tests, MK-801 (0.6 mg/kg) induced an enhancement of the release of dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and GABA in the prefrontal cortex. Administration of LSP4-2022 (2 mg/kg) abolished this MK-801-induced effect on neurotransmitter release. Co-administration with WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg), a 5-HT1A antagonist, completely (dopamine, serotonin) or partially (glutamate, GABA) counteracted this LSP4-2022-induced effect. Subsequently, the patch-clamp recordings of spontaneous EPSCs were performed. sEPSCs were evoked in slices from the mouse prefrontal cortex by DOI (10 μM). LSP4-2022 (2.5; 5 and 10 μm) reversed DOI-induced changes in both the frequency and amplitude of the sEPSCs, but the more robust effect on the frequency was observed. The administration of WAY100635 had no effect on the LSP4-2022-induced effects on sEPSCs, indicating that the mGlu4-5-HT1A interaction does not occur via single-neuron signaling but involves neuronal circuits that regulate neurotransmitter release. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors, 5 years on'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Woźniak
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | - Francine Acher
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Chemistry and Biochemistry, UMR8601-CNRS, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cite,45, rue des Saints-Peres, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
| | - Paulina Cieślik
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kusek
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Tokarski
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna M Wierońska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
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Peterlik D, Flor PJ, Uschold-Schmidt N. The Emerging Role of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Stress-Related Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016; 14:514-39. [PMID: 27296643 PMCID: PMC4983752 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666150515234920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress-related psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse are an enormous public health concern. The etiology of these pathologies is complex, with psychosocial stressors being among the most frequently discussed risk factors. The brain glutamatergic neurotransmitter system has often been found involved in behaviors and pathophysiologies resulting from acute stress and fear. Despite this, relatively little is known about the role of glutamatergic system components in chronic psychosocial stress, neither in rodents nor in humans. Recently, drug discovery efforts at the metabotropic receptor subtypes of the glutamatergic system (mGlu1-8 receptors) led to the identification of pharmacological tools with emerging potential in psychiatric conditions. But again, the contribution of individual mGlu subtypes to the manifestation of physiological, molecular, and behavioral consequences of chronic psychosocial stress remains still largely unaddressed. The current review will describe animal models typically used to analyze acute and particularly chronic stress conditions, including models of psychosocial stress, and there we will discuss the emerging roles for mGlu receptor subtypes. Indeed, accumulating evidence indicates relevance and potential therapeutic usefulness of mGlu2/3 ligands and mGlu5 receptor antagonists in chronic stress-related disorders. In addition, a role for further mechanisms, e.g. mGlu7-selective compounds, is beginning to emerge. These mechanisms are important to be analyzed in chronic psychosocial stress paradigms, e.g. in the chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC) model. We summarize the early results and discuss necessary future investigations, especially for mGlu5 and mGlu7 receptor blockers, which might serve to suggest improved therapeutic strategies to treat stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J Flor
- Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Nicole Uschold-Schmidt
- Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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Dalton JAR, Lans I, Rovira X, Malhaire F, Gómez-Santacana X, Pittolo S, Gorostiza P, Llebaria A, Goudet C, Pin JP, Giraldo J. Shining Light on an mGlu5 Photoswitchable NAM: A Theoretical Perspective. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016; 14:441-54. [PMID: 26391742 PMCID: PMC4983757 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666150407231417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are important drug targets because of their involvement in several neurological diseases. Among mGluRs, mGlu5 is a particularly high-profile target because its positive or negative allosteric modulation can potentially treat schizophrenia or anxiety and chronic pain, respectively. Here, we computationally and experimentally probe the functional binding of a novel photoswitchable mGlu5 NAM, termed alloswitch-1, which loses its NAM functionality under violet light. We show alloswitch-1 binds deep in the allosteric pocket in a similar fashion to mavoglurant, the co-crystallized NAM in the mGlu5 transmembrane domain crystal structure. Alloswitch-1, like NAM 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), is significantly affected by P655M mutation deep in the allosteric pocket, eradicating its functionality. In MD simulations, we show alloswitch-1 and MPEP stabilize the co-crystallized water molecule located at the bottom of the allosteric site that is seemingly characteristic of the inactive receptor state. Furthermore, both NAMs form H-bonds with S809 on helix 7, which may constitute an important stabilizing interaction for NAM-induced mGlu5 inactivation. Alloswitch-1, through isomerization of its amide group from trans to cis is able to form an additional interaction with N747 on helix 5. This may be an important interaction for amide-containing mGlu5 NAMs, helping to stabilize their binding in a potentially unusual cis-amide state. Simulated conformational switching of alloswitch-1 in silico suggests photoisomerization of its azo group from trans to cis may be possible within the allosteric pocket. However, photoexcited alloswitch-1 binds in an unstable fashion, breaking H-bonds with the protein and destabilizing the co-crystallized water molecule. This suggests photoswitching may have destabilizing effects on mGlu5 binding and functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
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Wierońska JM, Zorn SH, Doller D, Pilc A. Metabotropic glutamate receptors as targets for new antipsychotic drugs: Historical perspective and critical comparative assessment. Pharmacol Ther 2015; 157:10-27. [PMID: 26549541 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we aim to present, discuss and clarify our current understanding regarding the prediction of possible antipsychotic effects of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor ligands. The number of preclinical trials clearly indicates, that this group of compounds constitutes an excellent alternative to presently used antipsychotic therapy, being effective not only to positive, but also negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Although the results of clinical trials that were performed for the group of mGlu2/3 agonists were not so enthusiastic as in animal studies, they still showed that mGlu ligands do not induced variety of side effects typical for presently used antipsychotics, and were generally well tolerated. The lack of satisfactory effectiveness towards schizophrenia symptoms of mGlu2/3 activators in humans could be a result of variety of uncontrolled factors and unidentified biomarkers different for each schizophrenia patient, that should be taken into consideration in the future set of clinical trials. The subject is still open for further research, and the novel classes of mGlu5 or mGlu2/3 agonists/PAMs were recently introduced, including the large group of compounds from the third group of mGlu receptors, especially of mGlu4 subtype. Finally, more precise treatment based on simultaneous administration of minimal doses of the ligands for two or more receptors, seems to be promising in the context of symptoms-specific schizophrenia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Wierońska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | | | | | - Andrzej Pilc
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Krakow, Poland.
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mGlu5-GABAB interplay in animal models of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Neurochem Int 2015; 88:97-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Podkowa K, Rzeźniczek S, Marciniak M, Acher F, Pilc A, Pałucha-Poniewiera A. A novel mGlu4 selective agonist LSP4-2022 increases behavioral despair in mouse models of antidepressant action. Neuropharmacology 2015; 97:338-45. [PMID: 26074092 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Numerous data have indicated that metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor ligands may be potentially useful as novel antidepressant drugs (ADs). The Group III mGlu receptor has not been explored much because of the limited access to selective ligands, but some behavioral studies have indicated that modulating group III mGlu receptors may result in benefits for the therapy of depression. Here, we investigated the potential antidepressant-like effects of a new mGlu4 selective orthosteric agonist, LSP4-2022. We found that the drug induced pro-depressant effects in the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swim test (FST) in mice at doses that did not change the locomotor activity of the animals. Additional experiments that used knock-out (KO) mice and aimed to verify the selectivity of LSP4-2022 revealed that the drug induced strong pro-depressant-like effects in mGlu7 KO mice but did not affect the behavior of mGlu4 KO mice in the TST, suggesting that the activation of the mGlu4 receptor plays a role in producing the pro-depressant activity of the tested drug. The results of our study indicate that the inhibition rather than activation of mGlu4 receptors might induce antidepressant effects, but this hypothesis should be verified using a selective mGlu4 receptor antagonist, which is currently not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Podkowa
- Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Szymon Rzeźniczek
- Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcin Marciniak
- Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Francine Acher
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Chemistry and Biochemistry, UMR8601-CNRS, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cite,45, rue des Saints-Peres, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; Jagiellonian University Medical College, Department of Drug Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Grzegórzecka 20, 31-531 Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Pałucha-Poniewiera
- Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
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Poutiainen P, Kil KE, Zhang Z, Kuruppu D, Tannous B, Brownell AL. Co-operative binding assay for the characterization of mGlu4 allosteric modulators. Neuropharmacology 2015; 97:142-8. [PMID: 26025660 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The interest in the role of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGlu4) in CNS related disorders has increased the need for methods to investigate the binding of allosteric drug candidates. Our aim is to present the first fully characterized in vitro binding assay of mGlu4 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). Results suggest that mGlu4 PAMs have characteristic co-operative binding with orthosteric glutamate, which offers a notable insight to the further development of mGlu4 targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pekka Poutiainen
- Athinoula A. Martinos Biomedical Imaging Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kun-Eek Kil
- Athinoula A. Martinos Biomedical Imaging Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhaoda Zhang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Biomedical Imaging Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darshini Kuruppu
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bakhos Tannous
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna-Liisa Brownell
- Athinoula A. Martinos Biomedical Imaging Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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The regulator of G-protein signaling 18 regulates platelet aggregation, hemostasis and thrombosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 462:378-82. [PMID: 25969426 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.04.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are known to interact with and negatively regulate/turn-off G protein activation. RGS18 is identified as an R4 subfamily member of this family with specific expression in hematopoietic progenitors, myeloerythroid cells, megakaryocytes and platelets. Studies focused on understanding its function in platelet biology have been limited, in part, due to lack of pharmacological inhibitors. Thus, the present study investigated the function of RGS18 in platelets, using the RGS18 knockout mouse model (RGS18(-/-)). We identified phenotypic differences between RGS18(-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice, and show that RGS18 plays a significant role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Hence, RGS18 deficiency markedly shortened bleeding as well as occlusion times (in vivo). Furthermore, RGS18(-/-) platelets displayed hyper-responsiveness with regards to agonist induced aggregation (in vitro). This gain of function phenotype may serve as the mechanism or explain, at least in part, the enhanced hemostasis and thrombosis phenotype observed in the RGS18 deletion mice. Collectively, our findings provide valuable insight and highlight a critical and direct role for RGS18 in modulating platelet function.
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Feng Z, Hu G, Ma S, Xie XQ. Computational Advances for the Development of Allosteric Modulators and Bitopic Ligands in G Protein-Coupled Receptors. AAPS JOURNAL 2015; 17:1080-95. [PMID: 25940084 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-015-9776-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Allosteric modulators of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which target at allosteric sites, have significant advantages against the corresponding orthosteric compounds including higher selectivity, improved chemical tractability or physicochemical properties, and reduced risk of receptor oversensitization. Bitopic ligands of GPCRs target both orthosteric and allosteric sites. Bitopic ligands can improve binding affinity, enhance subtype selectivity, stabilize receptors, and reduce side effects. Discovering allosteric modulators or bitopic ligands for GPCRs has become an emerging research area, in which the design of allosteric modulators is a key step in the detection of bitopic ligands. Radioligand binding and functional assays ([(35)S]GTPγS and ERK1/2 phosphorylation) are used to test the effects for potential modulators or bitopic ligands. High-throughput screening (HTS) in combination with disulfide trapping and fragment-based screening are used to aid the discovery of the allosteric modulators or bitopic ligands of GPCRs. When used alone, these methods are costly and can often result in too many potential drug targets, including false positives. Alternatively, low-cost and efficient computational approaches are useful in drug discovery of novel allosteric modulators and bitopic ligands to help refine the number of targets and reduce the false-positive rates. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art computational methods for the discovery of modulators and bitopic ligands. The challenges and opportunities for future drug discovery are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, 3501 Terrace Street, 529 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, USA
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Feng Z, Ma S, Hu G, Xie XQ. Allosteric Binding Site and Activation Mechanism of Class C G-Protein Coupled Receptors: Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Family. AAPS J 2015; 17:737-53. [PMID: 25762450 PMCID: PMC4406965 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-015-9742-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are mainly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and contain eight receptor subtypes, named mGluR1 to mGluR8. The crystal structures of mGluR1 and mGluR5 that are bound with the negative allosteric modulator (NAM) were reported recently. These structures provide a basic model for all class C of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and may aid in the design of new allosteric modulators for the treatment of CNS disorders. However, these structures are only combined with NAMs in the previous reports. The conformations that are bound with positive allosteric modulator (PAM) or agonist of mGluR1/5 remain unknown. Moreover, the structural information of the other six mGluRs and the comparisons of the mGluRs family have not been explored in terms of their binding pockets, the binding modes of different compounds, and important binding residues. With these crystal structures as the starting point, we built 3D structural models for six mGluRs by using homology modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We systematically compared their allosteric binding sites/pockets, the important residues, and the selective residues by using a series of comparable dockings with both the NAM and the PAM. Our results show that several residues played important roles for the receptors' selectivity. The observations of detailed interactions between compounds and their correspondent receptors are congruent with the specificity and potency of derivatives or compounds bioassayed in vitro. We then carried out 100 ns MD simulations of mGluR5 (residue 26-832, formed by Venus Flytrap domain, a so-called cysteine-rich domain, and 7 trans-membrane domains) bound with antagonist/NAM and with agonist/PAM. Our results show that both the NAM and the PAM seemed stable in class C GPCRs during the MD. However, the movements of "ionic lock," of trans-membrane domains, and of some activation-related residues in 7 trans-membrane domains of mGluR5 were congruent with the findings in class A GPCRs. Finally, we selected nine representative bound structures to perform 30 ns MD simulations for validating the stabilities of interactions, respectively. All these bound structures kept stable during the MD simulations, indicating that the binding poses in this present work are reasonable. We provided new insight into better understanding of the structural and functional roles of the mGluRs family and facilitated the future structure-based design of novel ligands of mGluRs family with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Feng
- />Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />NIDA National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
| | - Shifan Ma
- />Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />NIDA National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
| | - Guanxing Hu
- />Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />NIDA National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
| | - Xiang-Qun Xie
- />Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />NIDA National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
- />Departments of Computational Biology and of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 USA
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Jantas D, Greda A, Leskiewicz M, Grygier B, Pilc A, Lason W. Neuroprotective effects of mGluR II and III activators against staurosporine- and doxorubicin-induced cellular injury in SH-SY5Y cells: New evidence for a mechanism involving inhibition of AIF translocation. Neurochem Int 2015; 88:124-37. [PMID: 25661514 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 12/06/2014] [Accepted: 12/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There are several experimental data sets demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of activation of group II and III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR II/III), however, their effect on neuronal apoptotic processes has yet to be fully recognized. Thus, the comparison of the neuroprotective potency of the mGluR II agonist LY354740, mGluR III agonist ACPT-I, mGluR4 PAM VU0361737, mGluR8 PAM AZ12216052 and allosteric mGluR7 agonist AMN082 against staurosporine (St-) and doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cell death has been performed in undifferentiated (UN-) and retinoic acid differentiated (RA-) human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The highest neuroprotection in UN-SH-SY5Y cells was noted for AZ12216052 (0.01-1 µM) and VU0361737 (1-10 µM), with both agents partially attenuating the St- and Dox-evoked cell death. LY354740 (0.01-10 µM) and ACPT-I (10 µM) were protective only against the St-evoked cell damage, whereas AMN082 (0.001-0.01 µM) attenuated only the Dox-induced cell death. In RA-SH-SY5Y, a moderate neuroprotective response of mGluR II/III activators was observed for LY354740 (10 µM) and AZ12216052 (0.01 and 10 µM), which afforded protection only against the St-induced cell damage. The protection mediated by mGluR II/III activators against the St- and Dox-evoked cell death in UN-SH-SY5Y cells was not related to attenuation of caspase-3 activity, however, a decrease in the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei was found. Moreover, mGluR II/III activators attenuated the cytosolic level of the apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), which was increased after St and Dox exposure. Our data point to differential neuroprotective efficacy of various mGluR II/III activators in attenuating St- and Dox-evoked cell damage in SH-SY5Y cells, and dependence of the effects on the cellular differentiation state, as well on the type of the pro-apoptotic agent that is employed. Moreover, the neuroprotection mediated by mGluR II/III activators is accompanied by inhibition of caspase-3-independent DNA fragmentation evoked by AIF translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Jantas
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12 Street, Krakow PL 31-343, Poland.
| | - A Greda
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12 Street, Krakow PL 31-343, Poland
| | - M Leskiewicz
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12 Street, Krakow PL 31-343, Poland
| | - B Grygier
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12 Street, Krakow PL 31-343, Poland
| | - A Pilc
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12 Street, Krakow PL 31-343, Poland
| | - W Lason
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12 Street, Krakow PL 31-343, Poland
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Structures of mGluRs shed light on the challenges of drug development of allosteric modulators. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2015; 20:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2014.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Rymer JK, Hauser M, Bourdon AK, Campagna SR, Naider F, Becker JM. Novobiocin and peptide analogs of α-factor are positive allosteric modulators of the yeast G protein-coupled receptor Ste2p. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1848:916-24. [PMID: 25576192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the target of many drugs prescribed for human medicine and are therefore the subject of intense study. It has been recognized that compounds called allosteric modulators can regulate GPCR activity by binding to the receptor at sites distinct from, or overlapping with, that occupied by the orthosteric ligand. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of the interaction between putative allosteric modulators and Ste2p, a model GPCR expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that binds the tridecapeptide mating pheromone α-factor. Biological assays demonstrated that an eleven amino acid α-factor analog and the antibiotic novobiocin were positive allosteric modulators of Ste2p. Both compounds enhanced the biological activity of α-factor, but did not compete with α-factor binding to Ste2p. To determine if novobiocin and the 11-mer shared a common allosteric binding site, a biologically-active analog of the 11-mer peptide ([Bio-DOPA]11-mer) was chemically cross-linked to Ste2p in the presence and absence of novobiocin. Immunoblots probing for the Ste2p-[Bio-DOPA]11-mer complex revealed that novobiocin markedly decreased cross-linking of the [Bio-DOPA]11-mer to the receptor, but cross-linking of the α-factor analog [Bio-DOPA]13-mer, which interacts with the orthosteric binding site of the receptor, was minimally altered. This finding suggests that both novobiocin and [Bio-DOPA]11-mer compete for an allosteric binding site on the receptor. These results indicate that Ste2p may provide an excellent model system for studying allostery in a GPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey K Rymer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Melinda Hauser
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Allen K Bourdon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Shawn R Campagna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Fred Naider
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecular Assemblies Institute, College of Staten Island, CUNY, New York, NY 10314, United States; Graduate School and University Center, CUNY, New York, NY 10314, United States
| | - Jeffrey M Becker
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
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Wang J, Rainier JD. Reactivity of vinyl phosphonate containing diazoesters: formation, reactivity, and utility. Org Lett 2014; 17:266-9. [PMID: 25534147 DOI: 10.1021/ol5033514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of diazo vinyl phosphonate with alcohols, amines, and thiols in the presence of Rh(II) results in the chemo- and stereoselective generation of enol ethers, enamines and vinyl sulfides via an X-H insertion process. The utility of the products from these reactions was demonstrated through their conversion into quaternary substituted heterocycles including furans and oxetanes as highlighted by the generation of a bicyclic phosphonate analogue of neodysiherbaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- Department of Chemistry University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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Chruścicka B, Burnat G, Brański P, Chorobik P, Lenda T, Marciniak M, Pilc A. Tetracycline-based system for controlled inducible expression of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:350-8. [PMID: 25394730 DOI: 10.1177/1087057114559183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A stable and inducible expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 4, 7, and 8 was obtained in T-REx 293 cells using the tetracycline system. Tetracycline administration to the cell medium resulted in rapid induction and time-dependent expression of mGlu receptors, which also correlates with its functionality in a cAMP accumulation assay. The pharmacological properties of recombinant mGlu receptors were verified using orthosteric and allosteric ligands. Data suggest that the Tet-on inducible system is suitable for functional mGlu receptors' expression and characterization by means of the cAMP accumulation assay. It makes this system a precise, reproducible, and large-scale screening method, as well as a reasonable tool to study signaling properties of mGlu receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Chruścicka
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Burnat
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Piotr Brański
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Paulina Chorobik
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Tomasz Lenda
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Marcin Marciniak
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Grzegórzecka, Poland
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Rovira X, Malhaire F, Scholler P, Rodrigo J, Gonzalez-Bulnes P, Llebaria A, Pin JP, Giraldo J, Goudet C. Overlapping binding sites drive allosteric agonism and positive cooperativity in type 4 metabotropic glutamate receptors. FASEB J 2014; 29:116-30. [PMID: 25342125 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-257287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Type 4 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu4) receptors are emerging targets for the treatment of various disorders. Accordingly, numerous mGlu4-positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been identified, some of which also display agonist activity. To identify the structural bases for their allosteric action, we explored the relationship between the binding pockets of mGlu4 PAMs with different chemical scaffolds and their functional properties. By use of innovative mGlu4 biosensors and second-messenger assays, we show that all PAMs enhance agonist action on the receptor through different degrees of allosteric agonism and positive cooperativity. For example, whereas VU0155041 and VU0415374 display equivalent efficacies [log(τ(B)) = 1.15 ± 0.38 and 1.25 ± 0.44, respectively], they increase the ability of L-AP4 to stabilize the active conformation of the receptor by 4 and 39 times, respectively. Modeling and docking studies identify 2 overlapping binding pockets as follows: a first site homologous to the pocket of natural agonists of class A GPCRs linked to allosteric agonism and a second one pointing toward a site topographically homologous to the Na(+) binding pocket of class A GPCRs, occupied by PAMs exhibiting the strongest cooperativity. These results reveal that intrinsic efficacy and cooperativity of mGlu4 PAMs are correlated with their binding mode, and vice versa, integrating structural and functional knowledge from different GPCR classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Rovira
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Fanny Malhaire
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Scholler
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Jordi Rodrigo
- Laboratoire de Chimie Thérapeutique, BioCIS UMR-CNRS 8076, LabEx LERMIT, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris-Sud, Châtenay-Malabry, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Gonzalez-Bulnes
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Departament of Biomedicinal Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia IQAC-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; and
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Departament of Biomedicinal Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia IQAC-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; and
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Cyril Goudet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France;
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Rovira X, Harrak Y, Trapero A, González-Bulnes P, Malhaire F, Pin JP, Goudet C, Giraldo J, Llebaria A. Exploring the active conformation of cyclohexane carboxylate positive allosteric modulators of the type 4 metabotropic glutamate receptor. ChemMedChem 2014; 9:2685-98. [PMID: 25196639 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201402190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The active conformation of a family of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGlu4 ) positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) with the cyclohexane 1,2-dicarboxylic scaffold present in cis-2-(3,5-dichlorophenylcarbamoyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (VU0155041) was investigated by testing structurally similar six-membered ring compounds that have a locked conformation. The norbornane and cyclohexane molecules designed as mGlu4 conformational probes and the enantiomers of the trans diastereomer were computationally characterized and tested in mGlu4 pharmacological assays. The results support a VU0155041 active conformation, with the chair cyclohexane having the aromatic amide substituent in an axial position and the carboxylate in an equatorial position. Moreover, the receptor displays enantiomeric discrimination of the chiral PAMs. The constructed pharmacophore characterized a highly constrained mGlu4 allosteric binding site, thus providing a step forward in structure-based drug design for mGlu4 PAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Rovira
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology & Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Spain); Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR5203, Université de Montpellier; U661, INSERM, 141 Rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier (France)
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Mercier MS, Lodge D. Group III metabotropic glutamate receptors: pharmacology, physiology and therapeutic potential. Neurochem Res 2014; 39:1876-94. [PMID: 25146900 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-014-1415-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS), exerts neuromodulatory actions via the activation of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. There are eight known mGlu receptor subtypes (mGlu1-8), which are widely expressed throughout the brain, and are divided into three groups (I-III), based on signalling pathways and pharmacological profiles. Group III mGlu receptors (mGlu4/6/7/8) are primarily, although not exclusively, localised on presynaptic terminals, where they act as both auto- and hetero-receptors, inhibiting the release of neurotransmitter. Until recently, our understanding of the role of individual group III mGlu receptor subtypes was hindered by a lack of subtype-selective pharmacological tools. Recent advances in the development of both orthosteric and allosteric group III-targeting compounds, however, have prompted detailed investigations into the possible functional role of these receptors within the CNS, and revealed their involvement in a number of pathological conditions, such as epilepsy, anxiety and Parkinson's disease. The heterogeneous expression of group III mGlu receptor subtypes throughout the brain, as well as their distinct distribution at glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses, makes them ideal targets for therapeutic intervention. This review summarises the advances in subtype-selective pharmacology, and discusses the individual roles of group III mGlu receptors in physiology, and their potential involvement in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion S Mercier
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology and Pharmacology, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK,
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Pomierny-Chamioło L, Rup K, Pomierny B, Niedzielska E, Kalivas PW, Filip M. Metabotropic glutamatergic receptors and their ligands in drug addiction. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 142:281-305. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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