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Janero DR. Current strategic trends in drug discovery: the present as prologue. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:147-159. [PMID: 37936504 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2275640] [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] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Escalating costs and inherent uncertainties associated with drug discovery invite initiatives to improve its efficiency and de-risk campaigns for inventing better therapeutics. One such initiative involves recognizing and exploiting current approaches in therapeutics invention with molecular mechanisms of action that hold promise for designing and targeting new chemical entities as drugs. AREAS COVERED This perspective considers the current contextual framework around three drug-discovery approaches and evaluates their potential to help identify new targets/modalities in small-molecule molecular pharmacology: diversifying ligand-directed phenotypes for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pharmacotherapeutic signaling; developing therapeutic-protein degraders and stabilizers for proximity-inducing pharmacology; and mining organelle biology for druggable therapeutic targets. EXPERT OPINION The contemporary drug-discovery approaches examined appear generalizable and versatile to have applications in therapeutics invention beyond those case studies discussed herein. Accordingly, they may be considered strategic trends worthy of note in advancing the field toward novel ways of addressing pharmacotherapeutically unmet medical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Janero
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Health Sciences Entrepreneurs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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Margolis EB, Moulton MG, Lambeth PS, O'Meara MJ. The life and times of endogenous opioid peptides: Updated understanding of synthesis, spatiotemporal dynamics, and the clinical impact in alcohol use disorder. Neuropharmacology 2023; 225:109376. [PMID: 36516892 PMCID: PMC10548835 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109376] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The opioid G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) strongly modulate many of the central nervous system structures that contribute to neurological and psychiatric disorders including pain, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorders. To better treat these and related diseases, it is essential to understand the signaling of their endogenous ligands. In this review, we focus on what is known and unknown about the regulation of the over two dozen endogenous peptides with high affinity for one or more of the opioid receptors. We briefly describe which peptides are produced, with a particular focus on the recently proposed possible synthesis pathways for the endomorphins. Next, we describe examples of endogenous opioid peptide expression organization in several neural circuits and how they appear to be released from specific neural compartments that vary across brain regions. We discuss current knowledge regarding the strength of neural activity required to drive endogenous opioid peptide release, clues about how far peptides diffuse from release sites, and their extracellular lifetime after release. Finally, as a translational example, we discuss the mechanisms of action of naltrexone (NTX), which is used clinically to treat alcohol use disorder. NTX is a synthetic morphine analog that non-specifically antagonizes the action of most endogenous opioid peptides developed in the 1960s and FDA approved in the 1980s. We review recent studies clarifying the precise endogenous activity that NTX prevents. Together, the works described here highlight the challenges and opportunities the complex opioid system presents as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyssa B Margolis
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Madelyn G Moulton
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Philip S Lambeth
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew J O'Meara
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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3
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Kelly E, Conibear A, Henderson G. Biased Agonism: Lessons from Studies of Opioid Receptor Agonists. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:491-515. [PMID: 36170657 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052120-091058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In ligand bias different agonist drugs are thought to produce distinct signaling outputs when activating the same receptor. If these signaling outputs mediate therapeutic versus adverse drug effects, then agonists that selectively activate the therapeutic signaling pathway would be extremely beneficial. It has long been thought that μ-opioid receptor agonists that selectively activate G protein- over β-arrestin-dependent signaling pathways would produce effective analgesia without the adverse effects such as respiratory depression. However, more recent data indicate that most of the therapeutic and adverse effects of agonist-induced activation of the μ-opioid receptor are actually mediated by the G protein-dependent signaling pathway, and that a number of drugs described as G protein biased in fact may not be biased, but instead may be low-intrinsic-efficacy agonists. In this review we discuss the current state of the field of bias at the μ-opioid receptor and other opioid receptor subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Alexandra Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Graeme Henderson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
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4
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Hoare SRJ, Tewson PH, Sachdev S, Connor M, Hughes TE, Quinn AM. Quantifying the Kinetics of Signaling and Arrestin Recruitment by Nervous System G-Protein Coupled Receptors. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:814547. [PMID: 35110998 PMCID: PMC8801586 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.814547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons integrate inputs over different time and space scales. Fast excitatory synapses at boutons (ms and μm), and slow modulation over entire dendritic arbors (seconds and mm) are all ultimately combined to produce behavior. Understanding the timing of signaling events mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of action of therapeutics targeting the nervous system. Measuring signaling kinetics in live cells has been transformed by the adoption of fluorescent biosensors and dyes that convert biological signals into optical signals that are conveniently recorded by microscopic imaging or by fluorescence plate readers. Quantifying the timing of signaling has now become routine with the application of equations in familiar curve fitting software to estimate the rates of signaling from the waveform. Here we describe examples of the application of these methods, including (1) Kinetic analysis of opioid signaling dynamics and partial agonism measured using cAMP and arrestin biosensors; (2) Quantifying the signaling activity of illicit synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists measured using a fluorescent membrane potential dye; (3) Demonstration of multiplicity of arrestin functions from analysis of biosensor waveforms and quantification of the rates of these processes. These examples show how temporal analysis provides additional dimensions to enhance the understanding of GPCR signaling and therapeutic mechanisms in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam R. J. Hoare
- Pharmechanics LLC, Owego, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Sam R. J. Hoare
| | | | - Shivani Sachdev
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Connor
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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5
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Buprenorphine: Far Beyond the "Ceiling". Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060816. [PMID: 34072706 PMCID: PMC8230089 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, represents an untreated disease with important repercussions on the quality of life and huge costs on the national health system. It is well known that opioids are the most powerful analgesic drugs, but they represent the second or third line in neuropathic pain, that remain difficult to manage. Moreover, these drugs show several side effects that limit their use. In addition, opioids possess addictive properties that are associated with misuse and drug abuse. Among available opioids compounds, buprenorphine has been suggested advantageous for a series of clinical reasons, including the effectiveness in neuropathic pain. Some properties are partly explained by its unique pharmacological characteristics. However, questions on the dynamic profile remain to be answered. Pharmacokinetics optimization strategies, and additional potentialities, are still to be explored. In this paper, we attempt to conceptualize the potential undiscovered dynamic profile of buprenorphine.
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6
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Aghajani N, Pourhamzeh M, Azizi H, Semnanian S. Central blockade of orexin type 1 receptors reduces naloxone induced activation of locus coeruleus neurons in morphine dependent rats. Neurosci Lett 2021; 755:135909. [PMID: 33892002 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135909] [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: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Orexin neuropeptides are implicated in the expression of morphine dependence. Locus coeruleus (LC) nucleus is an important brain area involving in the development of withdrawal signs of morphine and contains high expression of orexin type 1 receptors (OX1Rs). Despite extensive considerations, effects of immediate inhibition of OX1Rs by a single dose administration of SB-334867 prior to the naloxone-induced activation of LC neurons remains unknown. Therefore, we examined the direct effects of OX1Rs acute blockade on the neuronal activity of the morphine-dependent rats which underwent naloxone administration. Adult male rats underwent subcutaneous administration of 10 mg/kg morphine (two times/day) for a ten-day period. On the last day of experiment, intra-cerebroventricular administration of 10 μg/μl antagonist of OX1Rs, SB-334867, was performed just before intra-peritoneal injection of 2 mg/kg naloxone. Thereafter, in vivo extracellular single unit recording was employed to evaluate the electrical activity of LC neuronal cells. The outcomes demonstrated that morphine tolerance developed following ten-day of injection. Then, naloxone administration causes hyperactivity of LC neuronal cells, whereas a single dose administration of SB-334867 prior to naloxone prevented the enhanced activity of neurons upon morphine withdrawal. Our findings indicate that increased response of LC neuronal cells to applied naloxone could be prevented by the acute inhibition of the OX1Rs just before the naloxone treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Aghajani
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Pourhamzeh
- Division of Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Azizi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeed Semnanian
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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7
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Hauge Pedersen M, Pham J, Mancebo H, Inoue A, Asher WB, Javitch JA. A novel luminescence-based β-arrestin recruitment assay for unmodified receptors. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100503. [PMID: 33684444 PMCID: PMC8027564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal through activation of G proteins and subsequent modulation of downstream effectors. More recently, signaling mediated by β-arrestin has also been implicated in important physiological functions. This has led to great interest in the identification of biased ligands that favor either G protein or β-arrestin-signaling pathways. However, nearly all screening techniques for measuring β-arrestin recruitment have required C-terminal receptor modifications that can in principle alter protein interactions and thus signaling. Here, we have developed a novel luminescence-based assay to measure β-arrestin recruitment to the membrane or early endosomes by unmodified receptors. Our strategy uses NanoLuc, an engineered luciferase from Oplophorus gracilirostris (deep-sea shrimp) that is smaller and brighter than other well-established luciferases. Recently, several publications have explored functional NanoLuc split sites for use in complementation assays. We have identified a unique split site within NanoLuc and fused the corresponding N-terminal fragment to either a plasma membrane or early endosome tether and the C-terminal fragment to β-arrestins, which form the basis for the MeNArC and EeNArC assays, respectively. Upon receptor activation, β-arrestin is recruited to the membrane and subsequently internalized in an agonist concentration-dependent manner. This recruitment promotes complementation of the two NanoLuc fragments, thereby reconstituting functional NanoLuc, allowing for quantification of β-arrestin recruitment with a single luminescence signal. Our assay avoids potential artifacts related to C-terminal receptor modification and has promise as a new generic assay for measuring β-arrestin recruitment to diverse GPCR types in heterologous or native cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hauge Pedersen
- Departments of Psychiatry & Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA; NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Section for Metabolic Receptology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Asuka Inoue
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Wesley B Asher
- Departments of Psychiatry & Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan A Javitch
- Departments of Psychiatry & Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA.
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8
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Pineyro G, Nagi K. Signaling diversity of mu- and delta- opioid receptor ligands: Re-evaluating the benefits of β-arrestin/G protein signaling bias. Cell Signal 2020; 80:109906. [PMID: 33383156 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Opioid analgesics are elective for treating moderate to severe pain but their use is restricted by severe side effects. Signaling bias has been proposed as a viable means for improving this situation. To exploit this opportunity, continuous efforts are devoted to understand how ligand-specific modulations of receptor functions could mediate the different in vivo effects of opioids. Advances in the field have led to the development of biased agonists based on hypotheses that allocated desired and undesired effects to specific signaling pathways. However, the prevalent hypothesis associating β-arrestin to opioid side effects was recently challenged and multiple of the newly developed biased drugs may not display the superior side effects profile that was sought. Moreover, biased agonism at opioid receptors is now known to be time- and cell-dependent, which adds a new layer of complexity for bias estimation. Here, we first review the signaling mechanisms underlying desired and undesired effects of opioids. We then describe biased agonism at opioid receptors and discuss the different perspectives that support the desired and undesired effects of opioids in view of exploiting biased signaling for therapeutic purposes. Finally, we explore how signaling kinetics and cellular background can influence the magnitude and directionality of bias at those receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graciela Pineyro
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine research center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Karim Nagi
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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9
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Derouiche L, Pierre F, Doridot S, Ory S, Massotte D. Heteromerization of Endogenous Mu and Delta Opioid Receptors Induces Ligand-Selective Co-Targeting to Lysosomes. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25194493. [PMID: 33007971 PMCID: PMC7583997 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that native mu and delta opioid receptors can associate to form heteromers in discrete brain neuronal circuits. However, little is known about their signaling and trafficking. Using double-fluorescent knock-in mice, we investigated the impact of neuronal co-expression on the internalization profile of mu and delta opioid receptors in primary hippocampal cultures. We established ligand selective mu–delta co-internalization upon activation by 1-[[4-(acetylamino)phenyl]methyl]-4-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (CYM51010), [d-Ala2, NMe-Phe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO), and deltorphin II, but not (+)-4-[(αR)-α-((2S,5R)-4-Allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC80), morphine, or methadone. Co-internalization was driven by the delta opioid receptor, required an active conformation of both receptors, and led to sorting to the lysosomal compartment. Altogether, our data indicate that mu–delta co-expression, likely through heteromerization, alters the intracellular fate of the mu opioid receptor, which provides a way to fine-tune mu opioid receptor signaling. It also represents an interesting emerging concept for the development of novel therapeutic drugs and strategies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Endocytosis
- Hippocampus/cytology
- Ligands
- Lysosomes
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Neurons/metabolism
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Protein Multimerization
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyes Derouiche
- French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (L.D.); (F.P.); (S.O.)
| | - Florian Pierre
- French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (L.D.); (F.P.); (S.O.)
| | - Stéphane Doridot
- French National Centre for Scientific Research, Chronobiotron, 67200 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Stéphane Ory
- French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (L.D.); (F.P.); (S.O.)
| | - Dominique Massotte
- French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (L.D.); (F.P.); (S.O.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Abstract
Opioids, such as morphine and fentanyl, are widely used for the treatment of severe pain; however, prolonged treatment with these drugs leads to the development of tolerance and can lead to opioid use disorder. The "Opioid Epidemic" has generated a drive for a deeper understanding of the fundamental signaling mechanisms of opioid receptors. It is generally thought that the three types of opioid receptors (μ, δ, κ) are activated by endogenous peptides derived from three different precursors: Proopiomelanocortin, proenkephalin, and prodynorphin. Posttranslational processing of these precursors generates >20 peptides with opioid receptor activity, leading to a long-standing question of the significance of this repertoire of peptides. Here, we address some aspects of this question using a technical tour de force approach to systematically evaluate ligand binding and signaling properties ([35S]GTPγS binding and β-arrestin recruitment) of 22 peptides at each of the three opioid receptors. We show that nearly all tested peptides are able to activate the three opioid receptors, and many of them exhibit agonist-directed receptor signaling (functional selectivity). Our data also challenge the dogma that shorter forms of β-endorphin do not exhibit receptor activity; we show that they exhibit robust signaling in cultured cells and in an acute brain slice preparation. Collectively, this information lays the groundwork for improved understanding of the endogenous opioid system that will help in developing more effective treatments for pain and addiction.
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11
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Reiss D, Maduna T, Maurin H, Audouard E, Gaveriaux-Ruff C. Mu opioid receptor in microglia contributes to morphine analgesic tolerance, hyperalgesia, and withdrawal in mice. J Neurosci Res 2020; 100:203-219. [PMID: 32253777 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A major challenge in medicine is developing potent pain therapies without the adverse effects of opiates. Neuroinflammation and in particular microglial activation have been shown to contribute to these effects. However, the implication of the microglial mu opioid receptor (MOR) is not known. We developed a novel conditional knockout (cKO) mouse line, wherein MOR is deleted in microglia. Morphine analgesic tolerance was delayed in both sexes in cKO mice in the hot plate assay. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) as measured in the tail immersion assay was abolished in male cKO mice, and physical dependence to morphine as assessed by naloxone-induced withdrawal was attenuated in female cKO mice. Our results show a sex-dependent contribution of microglial MOR in morphine analgesic tolerance, OIH, and physical dependence. In conclusion, our data suggest that blockade of microglial MOR could represent a therapeutic target for opiate analgesia without the opiate adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Reiss
- Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics Department, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France.,IGBMC, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.,UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Illkirch, France.,U1258, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
| | - Tando Maduna
- Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics Department, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France.,IGBMC, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.,UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Illkirch, France.,U1258, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France.,Neurology Research Group, Department of Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Hervé Maurin
- Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics Department, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France.,IGBMC, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.,UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Illkirch, France.,U1258, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
| | - Emilie Audouard
- Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics Department, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France.,IGBMC, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.,UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Illkirch, France.,U1258, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
| | - Claire Gaveriaux-Ruff
- Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics Department, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France.,IGBMC, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.,UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Illkirch, France.,U1258, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France.,Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
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12
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Gillis A, Gondin AB, Kliewer A, Sanchez J, Lim HD, Alamein C, Manandhar P, Santiago M, Fritzwanker S, Schmiedel F, Katte TA, Reekie T, Grimsey NL, Kassiou M, Kellam B, Krasel C, Halls ML, Connor M, Lane JR, Schulz S, Christie MJ, Canals M. Low intrinsic efficacy for G protein activation can explain the improved side effect profiles of new opioid agonists. Sci Signal 2020; 13:13/625/eaaz3140. [PMID: 32234959 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaz3140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Biased agonism at G protein-coupled receptors describes the phenomenon whereby some drugs can activate some downstream signaling activities to the relative exclusion of others. Descriptions of biased agonism focusing on the differential engagement of G proteins versus β-arrestins are commonly limited by the small response windows obtained in pathways that are not amplified or are less effectively coupled to receptor engagement, such as β-arrestin recruitment. At the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), G protein-biased ligands have been proposed to induce less constipation and respiratory depressant side effects than opioids commonly used to treat pain. However, it is unclear whether these improved safety profiles are due to a reduction in β-arrestin-mediated signaling or, alternatively, to their low intrinsic efficacy in all signaling pathways. Here, we systematically evaluated the most recent and promising MOR-biased ligands and assessed their pharmacological profile against existing opioid analgesics in assays not confounded by limited signal windows. We found that oliceridine, PZM21, and SR-17018 had low intrinsic efficacy. We also demonstrated a strong correlation between measures of efficacy for receptor activation, G protein coupling, and β-arrestin recruitment for all tested ligands. By measuring the antinociceptive and respiratory depressant effects of these ligands, we showed that the low intrinsic efficacy of opioid ligands can explain an improved side effect profile. Our results suggest a possible alternative mechanism underlying the improved therapeutic windows described for new opioid ligands, which should be taken into account for future descriptions of ligand action at this important therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gillis
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Arisbel B Gondin
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Andrea Kliewer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Julie Sanchez
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia.,Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Herman D Lim
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Claudia Alamein
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Preeti Manandhar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Marina Santiago
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Sebastian Fritzwanker
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Frank Schmiedel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Timothy A Katte
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Tristan Reekie
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Natasha L Grimsey
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Barrie Kellam
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Cornelius Krasel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Mark Connor
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - J Robert Lane
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Macdonald J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia. .,Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands, UK
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13
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Jullié D, Gondin AB, von Zastrow M, Canals M. Opioid Pharmacology under the Microscope. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:425-432. [PMID: 32198210 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.119321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The powerful analgesic effects of opioid drugs have captivated the interest of physicians and scientists for millennia, and the ability of opioid drugs to produce serious undesired effects has been recognized for a similar period of time (Kieffer and Evans, 2009). Many of these develop progressively with prolonged or repeated drug use and then persist, motivating particular interest in understanding how opioid drugs initiate adaptive or maladaptive modifications in neural function or regulation. Exciting advances have been made over the past several years in elucidating drug-induced changes at molecular, cellular, and physiologic scales of analysis. The present review will highlight some recent cellular studies that we believe bridge across scales and will focus on optical imaging approaches that put opioid drug action "under the microscope." SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Opioid receptors are major pharmacological targets, but their signaling at the cellular level results from a complex interplay between pharmacology, regulation, subcellular localization, and membrane trafficking. This minireview discusses recent advances in understanding the cellular biology of opioid receptors, emphasizing particular topics discussed at the 50th anniversary of the International Narcotics Research Conference. Our goal is to highlight distinct signaling and regulatory properties emerging from the cellular biology of opioid receptors and discuss potential relevance to therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Jullié
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California (D.J., M.v.Z.); Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (A.B.G.); Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (M.C.); and Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, United Kingdom (M.C.)
| | - Arisbel B Gondin
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California (D.J., M.v.Z.); Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (A.B.G.); Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (M.C.); and Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, United Kingdom (M.C.)
| | - Mark von Zastrow
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California (D.J., M.v.Z.); Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (A.B.G.); Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (M.C.); and Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, United Kingdom (M.C.)
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California (D.J., M.v.Z.); Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (A.B.G.); Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (M.C.); and Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, United Kingdom (M.C.)
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14
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Kliewer A, Gillis A, Hill R, Schmiedel F, Bailey C, Kelly E, Henderson G, Christie MJ, Schulz S. Morphine-induced respiratory depression is independent of β-arrestin2 signalling. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:2923-2931. [PMID: 32052419 PMCID: PMC7280004 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE GPCRs can signal through both G proteins and β-arrestin2. For the μ-opioid receptor, early experimental evidence from a single study suggested that G protein signalling mediates analgesia, whereas β-arrestin2 signalling mediates respiratory depression and constipation. Consequently, for more than a decade, much research effort has been focused on developing biased μ-opioid agonists that preferentially target G protein signalling over β-arrestin signalling, as it was believed that such drugs would be analgesics devoid of respiratory depressant activity. However, the prototypical compounds that have been developed based on this concept have so far failed in clinical and preclinical development. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The present study was set up to re-examine opioid-induced respiratory depression in β-arrestin2 knockout mice. To this end, a consortium was formed consisting of three different laboratories located in different countries to evaluate independently opioid-induced respiratory depression. KEY RESULTS Our consensus results unequivocally demonstrate that the prototypical μ-opioid agonist morphine (3.75-100 mg·kg-1 s.c. or 3-30 mg·kg-1 i.p.) as well as the potent opioid fentanyl (0.05-0.35 mg·kg-1 s.c.) do indeed induce respiratory depression and constipation in β-arrestin2 knockout mice in a dose-dependent manner indistinguishable from that observed in wild-type mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings do not support the original suggestion that β-arrestin2 signalling plays a key role in opioid-induced respiratory depression and call into question the concept of developing G protein-biased μ-opioid receptor agonists as a strategy for the development of safer opioid analgesic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kliewer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Gillis
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rob Hill
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Frank Schmiedel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
| | - Chris Bailey
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Graeme Henderson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Macdonald J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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15
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Abstract
Research on the effects of opioids on immune responses was stimulated in the 1980s by the intersection of use of intravenous heroin and HIV infection, to determine if opioids were enhancing HIV progression. The majority of experiments administering opioid alkaloids (morphine and heroin) in vivo, or adding these drugs to cell cultures in vitro, showed that they were immunosuppressive. Immunosuppression was reported as down-regulation: of Natural Killer cell activity; of responses of T and B cells to mitogens; of antibody formation in vivo and in vitro; of depression of phagocytic and microbicidal activity of neutrophils and macrophages; of cytokine and chemokine production by macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes; by sensitization to various infections using animal models; and by enhanced replication of HIV in vitro. The specificity of the receptor involved in the immunosuppression was shown to be the mu opioid receptor (MOR) by using pharmacological antagonists and mice genetically deficient in MOR. Beginning with a paper published in 2005, evidence was presented that morphine is immune-stimulating via binding to MD2, a molecule associated with Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4), the receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This concept was pursued to implicate inflammation as a mechanism for the psychoactive effects of the opioid. This review considers the validity of this hypothesis and concludes that it is hard to sustain. The experiments demonstrating immunosuppression were carried out in vivo in rodent strains with normal levels of TLR4, or involved use of cells taken from animals that were wild-type for expression of TLR4. Since engagement of TLR4 is universally accepted to result in immune activation by up-regulation of NF-κB, if morphine were binding to TLR4, it would be predicted that opioids would have been found to be pro-inflammatory, which they were not. Further, morphine is immunosuppressive in mice with a defective TLR4 receptor. Morphine and morphine withdrawal have been shown to permit leakage of Gram-negative bacteria and LPS from the intestinal lumen. LPS is the major ligand for TLR4. It is proposed that an occult variable in experiments where morphine is being proposed to activate TLR4 is actually underlying sepsis induced by the opioid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby K. Eisenstein
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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16
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Dekan Z, Sianati S, Yousuf A, Sutcliffe KJ, Gillis A, Mallet C, Singh P, Jin AH, Wang AM, Mohammadi SA, Stewart M, Ratnayake R, Fontaine F, Lacey E, Piggott AM, Du YP, Canals M, Sessions RB, Kelly E, Capon RJ, Alewood PF, Christie MJ. A tetrapeptide class of biased analgesics from an Australian fungus targets the µ-opioid receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:22353-22358. [PMID: 31611414 PMCID: PMC6825270 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908662116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An Australian estuarine isolate of Penicillium sp. MST-MF667 yielded 3 tetrapeptides named the bilaids with an unusual alternating LDLD chirality. Given their resemblance to known short peptide opioid agonists, we elucidated that they were weak (Ki low micromolar) μ-opioid agonists, which led to the design of bilorphin, a potent and selective μ-opioid receptor (MOPr) agonist (Ki 1.1 nM). In sharp contrast to all-natural product opioid peptides that efficaciously recruit β-arrestin, bilorphin is G protein biased, weakly phosphorylating the MOPr and marginally recruiting β-arrestin, with no receptor internalization. Importantly, bilorphin exhibits a similar G protein bias to oliceridine, a small nonpeptide with improved overdose safety. Molecular dynamics simulations of bilorphin and the strongly arrestin-biased endomorphin-2 with the MOPr indicate distinct receptor interactions and receptor conformations that could underlie their large differences in bias. Whereas bilorphin is systemically inactive, a glycosylated analog, bilactorphin, is orally active with similar in vivo potency to morphine. Bilorphin is both a unique molecular tool that enhances understanding of MOPr biased signaling and a promising lead in the development of next generation analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Dekan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Setareh Sianati
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Arsalan Yousuf
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Katy J Sutcliffe
- Schools of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, and Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Gillis
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Christophe Mallet
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Paramjit Singh
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Aihua H Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Anna M Wang
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Sarasa A Mohammadi
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael Stewart
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ranjala Ratnayake
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Frank Fontaine
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ernest Lacey
- Microbial Screening Technologies Pty. Ltd., Smithfield, NSW, 2164, Australia
| | - Andrew M Piggott
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yan P Du
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 3052 Parkville, Australia
| | - Richard B Sessions
- Schools of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, and Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Eamonn Kelly
- Schools of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, and Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J Capon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia;
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia;
| | - MacDonald J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
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17
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Jeong P, Kim SK, Li Q, Oh SJ, Son S, Chen G, Tan H, Kim S, Park JH, Park KD, Kim YO, Yoon MH, Kim YC, Goddard WA. Discovery of Novel Biased Opioid Receptor Ligands through Structure-Based Pharmacophore Virtual Screening and Experiment. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:1783-1794. [PMID: 31359587 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Gi -protein-biased agonists with minimal β-arrestin recruitment represent opportunities to overcome the serious adverse effects of human mu opioid receptor (μ-OR) agonists and developing alternative and safe treatments for pain. In order to discover novel non-morphinan opioid receptor agonists, we applied hierarchical virtual screening of our in-house database against a pharmacophore based on modeling the active conformations of opioid receptors. We discovered an initial hit compound, a novel μ-OR agonist with a pyrazoloisoquinoline scaffold. We applied computational R-group screening to this compound and synthesized 14 derivatives predicted to be the best. Of these, a new Gi -protein-biased compound, 1-{5-(3-chlorophenyl)-7,8-dimethoxy-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)benzyl]-3H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolin-1-yl}-N,N-dimethylmethanamine, showed an EC50 value of 179 nm against the μ-OR. This resulted in significant pain relief for mice in the phase II period of formalin response tests. This study provides a new strategy to identify diverse sets of promising compounds that might prove useful for the development of drugs that target other G-protein-coupled receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pyeonghwa Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, 61005, South Korea
| | - Soo-Kyung Kim
- Materials and Process Simulation Center (MC-139-74), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA
| | - Quanjie Li
- Materials and Process Simulation Center (MC-139-74), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA.,College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China.,Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China
| | - Su-Jin Oh
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, 61005, South Korea
| | - Seonil Son
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, 61005, South Korea
| | - Guangju Chen
- College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| | - Hongwei Tan
- College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| | - Siwon Kim
- Convergence Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care system of Dementia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea.,Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Jong-Hyun Park
- Convergence Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care system of Dementia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Ki Duk Park
- Convergence Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care system of Dementia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea.,Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, South Korea.,KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, South Korea
| | - Yeo Ok Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Medical School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 501-757, South Korea
| | - Myung Ha Yoon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Medical School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 501-757, South Korea
| | - Yong-Chul Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, 61005, South Korea.,School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, 61005, South Korea
| | - William A Goddard
- Materials and Process Simulation Center (MC-139-74), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA
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18
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Pedersen MF, Wróbel TM, Märcher-Rørsted E, Pedersen DS, Møller TC, Gabriele F, Pedersen H, Matosiuk D, Foster SR, Bouvier M, Bräuner-Osborne H. Biased agonism of clinically approved μ-opioid receptor agonists and TRV130 is not controlled by binding and signaling kinetics. Neuropharmacology 2019; 166:107718. [PMID: 31351108 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Binding and signaling kinetics have previously proven important in validation of biased agonism at GPCRs. Here we provide a comprehensive kinetic pharmacological comparison of clinically relevant μ-opioid receptor agonists, including the novel biased agonist oliceridine (TRV130) which is in clinical trial for pain management. We demonstrate that the bias profile observed for the selected agonists is not time-dependent and that agonists with dramatic differences in their binding kinetic properties can display the same degree of bias. Binding kinetics analyses demonstrate that buprenorphine has 18-fold higher receptor residence time than oliceridine. This is thus the largest pharmacodynamic difference between the clinically approved drug buprenorphine and the clinical candidate oliceridine, since their bias profiles are similar. Further, we provide the first pharmacological characterization of (S)-TRV130 demonstrating that it has a similar pharmacological profile as the (R)-form, oliceridine, but displays 90-fold lower potency than the (R)-form. This difference is driven by a significantly slower association rate. Finally, we show that the selected agonists are differentially affected by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 and 5 (GRK2 and GRK5) expression. GRK2 and GRK5 overexpression greatly increased μ-opioid receptor internalization induced by morphine, but only had modest effects on buprenorphine and oliceridine-induced internalization. Overall, our data reveal that the clinically available drug buprenorphine displays a similar pharmacological bias profile in vitro compared to the clinical candidate drug oliceridine and that this bias is independent of binding kinetics suggesting a mechanism driven by receptor-conformations. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'New Vistas in Opioid Pharmacology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mie Fabricius Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tomasz Marcin Wróbel
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Emil Märcher-Rørsted
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Sejer Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thor Christian Møller
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Federica Gabriele
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Dariusz Matosiuk
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Simon Richard Foster
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Hans Bräuner-Osborne
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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19
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Poujol de Molliens M, Jamadagni P, Létourneau M, Devost D, Hébert TE, Patten SA, Fournier A, Chatenet D. Design and biological assessment of membrane-tethering neuroprotective peptides derived from the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type 1 receptor. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2019; 1863:129398. [PMID: 31306709 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) type 1 receptor (PAC1), a class B G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), has emerged as a promising target for treating neurodegenerative conditions. Unfortunately, despite years of research, no PAC1-specific agonist has been discovered, as activity on two other GPCRs, VPAC1 and VPAC2, is retained with current analogs. Cell signaling is related to structural modifications in the intracellular loops (ICLs) of GPCRs. Thus, we hypothesized that peptides derived from the ICLs (called pepducins) of PAC1 might initiate, as allosteric ligands, signaling cascades after recognition of the parent receptor and modulation of its conformational landscape. METHODS Three pepducins were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to 1) promote cell survival; 2) stimulate various signaling pathways associated with PAC1 activation; 3) modulate selectively PAC1, VPAC1 or VPAC2 activation; and 4) sustain mobility and prevent death of dopaminergic neurons in a zebrafish model of neurodegeneration. RESULTS Assays demonstrated that these molecules promote SH-SY5Y cell survival, a human neuroblastoma cell line expressing PAC1, and activate signaling via Gαs and Gαq, with distinct potencies and efficacies. Also, PAC1-Pep1 and PAC1-Pep2 activated selectively PAC1-mediated Gαs stimulation. Finally, experiments, using a zebrafish neurodegeneration model, showed a neuroprotective action with all three pepducins and in particular, revealed the ability of PAC1-Pep1 and PAC1-Pep3 to preserve fish mobility and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the brain. CONCLUSION We have developed the first neuroprotective pepducins derived from PAC1, a class B GPCR. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE PAC1-derived pepducins represent attractive templates for the development of innovative neuroprotecting molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Poujol de Molliens
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec, Ville de Laval, QC, Canada; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier, Laboratoire d'études moléculaires et pharmacologiques des peptides (LEMPP), Université du Québec, Ville de Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Priyanka Jamadagni
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec, Ville de Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Myriam Létourneau
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec, Ville de Laval, QC, Canada; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier, Laboratoire d'études moléculaires et pharmacologiques des peptides (LEMPP), Université du Québec, Ville de Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Dominic Devost
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Shunmoogum A Patten
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec, Ville de Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Alain Fournier
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier, Laboratoire d'études moléculaires et pharmacologiques des peptides (LEMPP), Université du Québec, Ville de Laval, QC, Canada
| | - David Chatenet
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec, Ville de Laval, QC, Canada.
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20
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Conibear AE, Kelly E. A Biased View of μ-Opioid Receptors? Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:542-549. [PMID: 31175184 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.115956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of biased agonism has grown substantially in recent years and the μ-opioid receptor has been one of the most intensively studied receptor targets for developing biased agonists. Yet, despite extensive research efforts, the development of analgesics with reduced adverse effects remains a significant challenge. In this review we discuss the evidence to support the prevailing hypothesis that a G protein-biased agonist at the μ-opioid receptor would be an effective analgesic without the accompanying adverse effects associated with conventional μ-opioid agonists. We also assess the current status of established and novel μ-opioid-receptor ligands that are proposed to be biased ligands. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The idea that biased agonists at the μ-opioid receptor might provide a therapeutic advantage in terms of producing effective analgesia with fewer adverse effects has driven the design of novel G protein-biased agonists. However, is the desirability of G protein-biased agonists at μ-opioid receptor substantiated by what we know of the physiology and pharmacology of the receptor? Also, do any of the novel biased agonists live up to their initial promise? Here we address these issues by critically examining the evidence that G protein bias really is desirable and also by discussing whether the ligands so far developed are clearly biased in vitro and whether this produces responses in vivo that might be commensurate with such bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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21
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Temporal dependence of shifts in mu opioid receptor mobility at the cell surface after agonist binding observed by single-particle tracking. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7297. [PMID: 31086197 PMCID: PMC6514008 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43657-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Agonist binding to the mu opioid receptor (MOR) results in conformational changes that allow recruitment of G-proteins, activation of downstream effectors and eventual desensitization and internalization, all of which could affect receptor mobility. The present study employed single particle tracking (SPT) of quantum dot labeled FLAG-tagged MORs to examine shifts in MOR mobility after agonist binding. FLAG-MORs on the plasma membrane were in both mobile and immobile states under basal conditions. Activation of FLAG-MORs with DAMGO caused an acute increase in the fraction of mobile MORs, and free portions of mobile tracks were partially dependent on interactions with G-proteins. In contrast, 10-minute exposure to DAMGO or morphine increased the fraction of immobile FLAG-MORs. While the decrease in mobility with prolonged DAMGO exposure corresponded to an increase in colocalization with clathrin, the increase in colocalization was present in both mobile and immobile FLAG-MORs. Thus, no single mobility state of the receptor accounted for colocalization with clathrin. These findings demonstrate that SPT can be used to track agonist-dependent changes in MOR mobility over time, but that the mobility states observed likely arise from a diverse set of interactions and will be most informative when examined in concert with particular downstream effectors.
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23
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Ehrlich AT, Kieffer BL, Darcq E. Current strategies toward safer mu opioid receptor drugs for pain management. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:315-326. [PMID: 30802415 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1586882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pain relief remains a major public health challenge. The most efficient available painkillers are opioids targeting the mu opioid receptor (MOR). MORs are expressed in the areas of the brain [including pain and respiratory centers] that are important for processing reward and aversion. Thus, MOR activation efficiently alleviates severe pain, but the concomitant reward and respiratory depressant effects pose a threat; patients taking opioids potentially develop opioid addiction and high risk for overdose. Areas covered: Ongoing efforts to generate safer opioid analgesics are reviewed here. The design of biased compounds that trigger MOR induced G protein over β-arrestin signaling, peripheral opioids, drugs targeting MORs in heteromers and drugs enhancing endogenous opioid activity are discussed. Expert opinion: There is evidence that throttling MOR signaling may lead to an era of opioids that are truly efficient painkillers with lower side effects and risk of overdose. However, few of the drugs derived from the advanced approaches outlined here, are getting approval by regulatory committees for use in clinical settings. Thus, there is an urgent need to (i) better clarify mechanisms underlying the hazardous physiological effects of MOR activation, and (ii) fully validate the safety of these new MOR-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza T Ehrlich
- a Department of Psychiatry , McGill University, Douglas Hospital Research Center , Montréal , QC , Canada
| | - Brigitte L Kieffer
- a Department of Psychiatry , McGill University, Douglas Hospital Research Center , Montréal , QC , Canada
| | - Emmanuel Darcq
- a Department of Psychiatry , McGill University, Douglas Hospital Research Center , Montréal , QC , Canada
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24
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Applications and limitations of fitting of the operational model to determine relative efficacies of agonists. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4637. [PMID: 30874590 PMCID: PMC6420642 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40993-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper determination of agonist efficacy is essential in the assessment of agonist selectivity and signalling bias. Agonist efficacy is a relative term that is dependent on the system in which it is measured, especially being dependent on receptor expression level. The operational model (OM) of functional receptor agonism is a useful means for the determination of agonist functional efficacy using the maximal response to agonist and ratio of agonist functional potency to its equilibrium dissociation constant (KA) at the active state of the receptor. However, the functional efficacy parameter τ is inter-dependent on two other parameters of OM; agonist’s KA and the highest response that could be evoked in the system by any stimulus (EMAX). Thus, fitting of OM to functional response data is a tricky process. In this work we analyse pitfalls of fitting OM to experimental data and propose a rigorous fitting procedure where KA and EMAX are derived from half-efficient concentration of agonist and apparent maximal responses obtained from a series of functional response curves. Subsequently, OM with fixed KA and EMAX is fitted to functional response data to obtain τ. The procedure was verified at M2 and M4 muscarinic receptors fused with the G15 G-protein α-subunit. The procedure, however, is applicable to any receptor-effector system.
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25
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Lin SY, Kuo YH, Tien YW, Ke YY, Chang WT, Chang HF, Ou LC, Law PY, Xi JH, Tao PL, Loh HH, Chao YS, Shih C, Chen CT, Yeh SH, Ueng SH. The in vivo antinociceptive and μ-opioid receptor activating effects of the combination of N-phenyl-2',4'-dimethyl-4,5'-bi-1,3-thiazol-2-amines and naloxone. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 167:312-323. [PMID: 30776693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.01.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Morphine is widely used for the treatment of severe pain. This analgesic effect is mediated principally by the activation of μ-opioid receptors (MOR). However, prolonged activation of MOR also results in tolerance, dependence, addiction, constipation, nausea, sedation, and respiratory depression. To address this problem, we sought alternative ways to activate MOR - either by use of novel ligands, or via a novel activation mechanism. To this end, a series of compounds were screened using a sensitive CHO-K1/MOR/Gα15 cell-based FLIPR® calcium high-throughput screening (HTS) assay, and the bithiazole compound 5a was identified as being able activate MOR in combination with naloxone. Structural modifications of 5a resulted in the discovery of lead compound 5j, which could effectively activate MOR in combination with the MOR antagonist naloxone or naltrexone. In vivo, naloxone in combination with 100 mg/kg of compound 5j elicited antinociception in a mouse tail-flick model with an ED50 of 17.5 ± 4 mg/kg. These results strongly suggest that the mechanism by which the 5j/naloxone combination activates MOR is worthy of further study, as its discovery has the potential to yield an entirely novel class of analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yu Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Hsien Kuo
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ya-Wen Tien
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Yu Ke
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wan-Ting Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsiao-Fu Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Li-Chin Ou
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ping-Yee Law
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jing-Hua Xi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Pao-Luh Tao
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Horace H Loh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Yu-Sheng Chao
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chuan Shih
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chiung-Tong Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shiu-Hwa Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC; The PhD Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Shau-Hua Ueng
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC; School of Pharmacy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.
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Abstract
Pharmacology, the chemical control of physiology, emerged as an offshoot of physiology when the physiologists using chemicals to probe physiological systems became more interested in the probes than the systems. Pharmacologists were always, and in many ways still are, bound to study drugs in systems they do not fully understand. Under these circumstances, null methods were the main ways in which conclusions about biologically active molecules were made. However, as understanding of the basic mechanisms of cellular function and biochemical systems were elucidated, so too did the understanding of how drugs affected these systems. Over the past 20 years, new ideas have emerged in the field that have completely changed and revitalized it; these are described herein. It will be seen how null methods in isolated tissues gave way to, first biochemical radioligand binding studies, and then to a wide array of functional assay technologies that can measure the effects of molecules on drug targets. In addition, the introduction of molecular dynamics, the appreciation of the allosteric nature of receptors, protein X-ray crystal structures, genetic manipulations in the form of knock-out and knock-in systems and Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs have revolutionized pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Kenakin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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27
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GPCR drug discovery: integrating solution NMR data with crystal and cryo-EM structures. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 18:59-82. [PMID: 30410121 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2018.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The 826 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the human proteome regulate key physiological processes and thus have long been attractive drug targets. With the crystal structures of more than 50 different human GPCRs determined over the past decade, an initial platform for structure-based rational design has been established for drugs that target GPCRs, which is currently being augmented with cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of higher-order GPCR complexes. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in solution is one of the key approaches for expanding this platform with dynamic features, which can be accessed at physiological temperature and with minimal modification of the wild-type GPCR covalent structures. Here, we review strategies for the use of advanced biochemistry and NMR techniques with GPCRs, survey projects in which crystal or cryo-EM structures have been complemented with NMR investigations and discuss the impact of this integrative approach on GPCR biology and drug discovery.
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28
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Valkovic AL, Leckey MB, Whitehead AR, Hossain MA, Inoue A, Kocan M, Bathgate RAD. Real-time examination of cAMP activity at relaxin family peptide receptors using a BRET-based biosensor. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2018; 6:e00432. [PMID: 30263124 PMCID: PMC6153321 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin family peptide (RXFPs) 1-4 receptors modulate the activity of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to produce a range of physiological functions. RXFP1 and RXFP2 increase cAMP via Gαs, whereas RXFP3 and RXFP4 inhibit cAMP via Gαi/o. RXFP1 also shows a delayed increase in cAMP downstream of Gαi3. In this study we have assessed whether the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based biosensor CAMYEL (cAMP sensor using YFP-Epac-Rluc), which allows real-time measurement of cAMP activity in live cells, will aid in understanding ligand- and cell-specific RXFP signaling. CAMYEL detected concentration-dependent changes in cAMP activity at RXFP1-4 in recombinant cell lines, using a variety of ligands with potencies comparable to those seen in conventional cAMP assays. We used RXFP2 and RXFP3 antagonists to demonstrate that CAMYEL detects dynamic changes in cAMP by reversing cAMP activation or inhibition respectively, with real-time addition of antagonist after agonist stimulation. To demonstrate the utility of CAMYEL to detect cAMP activation in native cells expressing low levels of RXFP receptor, we cloned CAMYEL into a lentiviral vector and transduced THP-1 cells, which express low levels of RXFP1. THP-1 CAMYEL cells demonstrated robust cAMP activation in response to relaxin. However, the CAMYEL assay was unable to detect the Gαi3-mediated phase of RXFP1 cAMP activation in PTX-treated THP-1 cells or HEK293A cells with knockout of Gαs. Our data demonstrate that cytoplasmically-expressed CAMYEL efficiently detects real-time cAMP activation by Gαs or inhibition by Gαi/o but may not detect cAMP generated in specific intracellular compartments such as that generated by Gαi3 upon RXFP1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L. Valkovic
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Miranda B. Leckey
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alice R. Whitehead
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mohammed A. Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesTohoku UniversityAobaMiyagiJapan
| | - Martina Kocan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Ross A. D. Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
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29
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Mechanisms of signalling and biased agonism in G protein-coupled receptors. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2018; 19:638-653. [DOI: 10.1038/s41580-018-0049-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 323] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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30
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Billard É, Iddir M, Nassour H, Lee-Gosselin L, Poujol de Molliens M, Chatenet D. New directions for urotensin II receptor ligands. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Billard
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec; Ville de Laval Québec H7V 1B7 Canada
| | - Mustapha Iddir
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec; Ville de Laval Québec H7V 1B7 Canada
| | - Hassan Nassour
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec; Ville de Laval Québec H7V 1B7 Canada
| | - Laura Lee-Gosselin
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec; Ville de Laval Québec H7V 1B7 Canada
| | - Mathilde Poujol de Molliens
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec; Ville de Laval Québec H7V 1B7 Canada
| | - David Chatenet
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie des Peptides et en Pharmacothérapie (GRIPP), Université du Québec; Ville de Laval Québec H7V 1B7 Canada
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31
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-ninth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2016 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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32
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Lam R, Gondin AB, Canals M, Kellam B, Briddon SJ, Graham B, Scammells PJ. Fluorescently Labeled Morphine Derivatives for Bioimaging Studies. J Med Chem 2018; 61:1316-1329. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Lam
- School
of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Arisbel B. Gondin
- Cell Signalling
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K
| | | | - Barrie Kellam
- School
of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Stephen J. Briddon
- Cell Signalling
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K
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Männel B, Hübner H, Möller D, Gmeiner P. β-Arrestin biased dopamine D2 receptor partial agonists: Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:5613-5628. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Madariaga-Mazón A, Marmolejo-Valencia AF, Li Y, Toll L, Houghten RA, Martinez-Mayorga K. Mu-Opioid receptor biased ligands: A safer and painless discovery of analgesics? Drug Discov Today 2017; 22:1719-1729. [PMID: 28743488 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Biased activation of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is shifting drug discovery efforts and appears promising for the development of safer drugs. The most effective analgesics to treat acute pain are agonists of the μ opioid receptor (μ-OR), a member of the GPCR superfamily. However, the analgesic use of opioid drugs, such as morphine, is hindered by adverse effects. Only a few μ-OR agonists have been reported to selectively activate the Gi over β-arrestin signaling pathway, resulting in lower gastrointestinal dysfunction and respiratory suppression. Here, we discuss the strategies that led to the development of biased μ-OR agonists, and potential areas for improvement, with an emphasis on structural aspects of the ligand-receptor recognition process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Madariaga-Mazón
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Andrés F Marmolejo-Valencia
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Yangmei Li
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Richard A Houghten
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Karina Martinez-Mayorga
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
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da Silva Junior ED, Sato M, Merlin J, Broxton N, Hutchinson DS, Ventura S, Evans BA, Summers RJ. Factors influencing biased agonism in recombinant cells expressing the human α 1A -adrenoceptor. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:2318-2333. [PMID: 28444738 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Agonists acting at GPCRs promote biased signalling via Gα or Gβγ subunits, GPCR kinases and β-arrestins. Since the demonstration of biased agonism has implications for drug discovery, it is essential to consider confounding factors contributing to bias. We have examined bias at human α1A -adrenoceptors stably expressed at low levels in CHO-K1 cells, identifying off-target effects at endogenous receptors that contribute to ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to the agonist oxymetazoline. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization was monitored in a Flexstation® using Fluo 4-AM. The accumulation of cAMP and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were measured using AlphaScreen® proximity assays, and mRNA expression was measured by RT-qPCR. Ligand bias was determined using the operational model of agonism. KEY RESULTS Noradrenaline, phenylephrine, methoxamine and A61603 increased Ca2+ mobilization, cAMP accumulation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, oxymetazoline showed low efficacy for Ca+2 mobilization, no effect on cAMP generation and high efficacy for ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The apparent functional selectivity of oxymetazoline towards ERK1/2 was related to off-target effects at 5-HT1B receptors endogenously expressed in CHO-K1 cells. Phenylephrine and methoxamine showed genuine bias towards ERK1/2 phosphorylation compared to Ca2+ and cAMP pathways, whereas A61603 displayed bias towards cAMP accumulation compared to ERK1/2 phosphorylation. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS We have shown that while adrenergic agonists display bias at human α1A -adrenoceptors, the marked bias of oxymetazoline for ERK1/2 phosphorylation originates from off-target effects. Commonly used cell lines express a repertoire of endogenous GPCRs that may confound studies on biased agonism at recombinant receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masaaki Sato
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jon Merlin
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Natalie Broxton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Dana S Hutchinson
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sabatino Ventura
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Bronwyn A Evans
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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36
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Johnstone S, Albert JS. Pharmacological property optimization for allosteric ligands: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:2239-2258. [PMID: 28408223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.03.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
New strategies to potentially improve drug safety and efficacy emerge with allosteric programs. Biased allosteric modulators can be designed with high subtype selectivity and defined receptor signaling endpoints, however, selecting the most meaningful parameters for optimization can be perplexing. Historically, "potency hunting" at the expense of physicochemical and pharmacokinetic optimization has led to numerous tool compounds with excellent pharmacological properties but no path to drug development. Conversely, extensive physicochemical and pharmacokinetic screening with only post hoc bias and allosteric characterization has led to inefficacious compounds or compounds with on-target toxicities. This field is rapidly evolving with new mechanistic understanding, changes in terminology, and novel opportunities. The intent of this digest is to summarize current understanding and debates within the field. We aim to discuss, from a medicinal chemistry perspective, the parameter choices available to drive SAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Johnstone
- Department of Chemistry, IntelliSyn Pharma, 7171 Frederick-Banting, Montreal, Quebec H4S 1Z9, Canada.
| | - Jeffrey S Albert
- Department of Chemistry, IntelliSyn Pharma, 7171 Frederick-Banting, Montreal, Quebec H4S 1Z9, Canada; Department of Chemistry, AviSyn Pharma, 4275 Executive Square, Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States.
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37
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Mallipeddi S, Janero DR, Zvonok N, Makriyannis A. Functional selectivity at G-protein coupled receptors: Advancing cannabinoid receptors as drug targets. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 128:1-11. [PMID: 27890725 PMCID: PMC5470118 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The phenomenon of functional selectivity, whereby a ligand preferentially directs the information output of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) along (a) particular effector pathway(s) and away from others, has redefined traditional GPCR signaling paradigms to provide a new approach to structure-based drug design. The two principal cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) 1 and 2 belong to the class-A GPCR subfamily and are considered tenable therapeutic targets for several indications. Yet conventional orthosteric ligands (agonists, antagonists/inverse agonists) for these receptors have had very limited clinical utility due to their propensity to incite on-target adverse events. Chemically distinct classes of cannabinergic ligands exhibit signaling bias at CBRs towards individual subsets of signal transduction pathways. In this review, we discuss the known signaling pathways regulated by CBRs and examine the current evidence for functional selectivity at CBRs in response to endogenous and exogenous cannabinergic ligands as biased agonists. We further discuss the receptor and ligand structural features allowing for selective activation of CBR-dependent functional responses. The design and development of biased ligands may offer a pathway to therapeutic success for novel CBR-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikrishnan Mallipeddi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - David R Janero
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Nikolai Zvonok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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Schrage R, Kostenis E. Functional selectivity and dualsteric/bitopic GPCR targeting. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2017; 32:85-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Benredjem B, Dallaire P, Pineyro G. Analyzing biased responses of GPCR ligands. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2017; 32:71-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Siuda ER, Carr R, Rominger DH, Violin JD. Biased mu-opioid receptor ligands: a promising new generation of pain therapeutics. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2016; 32:77-84. [PMID: 27936408 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Opioid chemistry and biology occupy a pivotal place in the history of pharmacology and medicine. Morphine offers unmatched efficacy in alleviating acute pain, but is also associated with a host of adverse side effects. The advent of biased agonism at G protein-coupled receptors has expanded our understanding of intracellular signaling and highlighted the concept that certain ligands are able to differentially modulate downstream pathways. The ability to target one pathway over another has allowed for the development of biased ligands with robust clinical efficacy and fewer adverse events. In this review we summarize these concepts with an emphasis on biased mu opioid receptor pharmacology and highlight how far opioid pharmacology has evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward R Siuda
- Trevena Inc., 1018 West 8th Avenue, Suite A, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
| | - Richard Carr
- Trevena Inc., 1018 West 8th Avenue, Suite A, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
| | - David H Rominger
- Trevena Inc., 1018 West 8th Avenue, Suite A, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
| | - Jonathan D Violin
- Trevena Inc., 1018 West 8th Avenue, Suite A, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA.
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Jones-Tabah J, Clarke PB, Hébert TE. Measuring G protein-coupled receptor signalling in the brain with resonance energy transfer based biosensors. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2016; 32:44-48. [PMID: 27837687 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Activation of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) triggers downstream signalling pathways whose identity is determined not only by the genetic background of the cell, but also by the interacting ligand. Assays that measure endogenous GPCR signalling in vivo are needed to specify the intracellular signalling pathways leading to therapeutic vs. adverse outcomes in animal models. To this end, genetically encoded biosensors can be expressed in vivo with cell type specificity to report GPCR signalling in real time. Biosensor imaging is facilitated by novel microscopic and photometric techniques developed for imaging in behaving animals. The techniques discussed here herald a new wave of in vivo signalling studies that will help identify therapeutically relevant signalling, and design functionally selective drugs for neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jace Jones-Tabah
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Paul Bs Clarke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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Costa-Neto CM, Parreiras-E-Silva LT, Bouvier M. A Pluridimensional View of Biased Agonism. Mol Pharmacol 2016; 90:587-595. [PMID: 27638872 DOI: 10.1124/mol.116.105940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
When studying G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and ligand-biased agonism, at least three dimensional spaces must be considered, as follows: 1) the distinct conformations that can be stabilized by different ligands promoting the engagement of different signaling effectors and accessory regulators; 2) the distinct subcellular trafficking that can be conferred by different ligands, which results in spatially distinct signals; and 3) the differential binding kinetics that maintain the receptor in specific conformation and/or subcellular localization for different periods of time, allowing for the engagement of distinct signaling effector subsets. These three pluridimensional aspects of signaling contribute to different faces of functional selectivity and provide a complex, interconnected way to define the signaling profile of each individual ligand acting at GPCRs. In this review, we discuss how each of these aspects may contribute to the diversity of signaling, but also how they shed light on the complexity of data analyses and interpretation. The impact of phenotype variability as a source of signaling diversity, and the influence of novel and more sensitive assays in the detection and analysis of signaling pluridimensionality, is also discussed. Finally, we discuss perspectives for the use of the concept of pluridimensional signaling in drug discovery, in which we highlight future predictive tools that may facilitate the identification of compounds with optimal therapeutic and safety properties based on the signaling signatures of drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio M Costa-Neto
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil (C.M.C.-N., L.T.P.-S.); and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada (L.T.P.-S., M.B.)
| | - Lucas T Parreiras-E-Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil (C.M.C.-N., L.T.P.-S.); and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada (L.T.P.-S., M.B.)
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil (C.M.C.-N., L.T.P.-S.); and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada (L.T.P.-S., M.B.)
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Distinct roles of exogenous opioid agonists and endogenous opioid peptides in the peripheral control of neuropathy-triggered heat pain. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32799. [PMID: 27605249 PMCID: PMC5015056 DOI: 10.1038/srep32799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain often results from peripheral nerve damage, which can involve immune response. Local leukocyte-derived opioid peptides or exogenous opioid agonists inhibit neuropathy-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in animal models. Since neuropathic pain can also be augmented by heat, in this study we investigated the role of opioids in the modulation of neuropathy-evoked heat hypersensitivity. We used a chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in wild-type and opioid peptide-knockout mice, and tested opioid effects in heat and mechanical hypersensitivity using Hargreaves and von Frey tests, respectively. We found that although perineural exogenous opioid agonists, including peptidergic ligands, were effective, the endogenous opioid peptides β-endorphin, Met-enkephalin and dynorphin A did not alleviate heat hypersensitivity. Specifically, corticotropin-releasing factor, an agent triggering opioid peptide secretion from leukocytes, applied perineurally did not attenuate heat hypersensitivity in wild-type mice. Exogenous opioids, also shown to release opioid peptides via activation of leukocyte opioid receptors, were equally analgesic in wild-type and opioid peptide-knockout mice, indicating that endogenous opioids do not contribute to exogenous opioid analgesia in heat hypersensitivity. Furthermore, exogenously applied opioid peptides were ineffective as well. Conversely, opioid peptides relieved mechanical hypersensitivity. Thus, both opioid type and sensory modality may determine the outcome of neuropathic pain treatment.
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