1
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Gloriam D, Thorsen T, Kulkarni Y, Sykes D, Bøggild A, Drace T, Hompluem P, Iliopoulos-Tsoutsouvas C, Nikas S, Daver H, Makriyannis A, Nissen P, Gajhede M, Veprintsev D, Boesen T, Kastrup J. Structural basis of Δ 9-THC analog activity at the Cannabinoid 1 receptor. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4277209. [PMID: 38826401 PMCID: PMC11142349 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4277209/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the principal psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant Cannabis sativa and approved for emetic conditions, appetite stimulation and sleep apnea relief. THC's psychoactive actions are mediated primarily by the cannabinoid receptor CB1. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of HU210, a THC analog and widely used tool compound, bound to CB1 and its primary transducer, Gi1. We leverage this structure for docking and 1,000 ns molecular dynamics simulations of THC and 10 structural analogs delineating their spatiotemporal interactions at the molecular level. Furthermore, we pharmacologically profile their recruitment of Gi and β-arrestins and reversibility of binding from an active complex. By combining detailed CB1 structural information with molecular models and signaling data we uncover the differential spatiotemporal interactions these ligands make to receptors governing potency, efficacy, bias and kinetics. This may help explain the actions of abused substances, advance fundamental receptor activation studies and design better medicines.
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2
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Brust CA, Swanson MA, Bohn LM. Structural and functional insights into the G protein-coupled receptors: CB1 and CB2. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1533-1543. [PMID: 37646476 PMCID: PMC10586759 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 mediate a variety of physiological processes and continue to be explored as desirable drug targets. Both receptors are activated by the endogenous endocannabinoids and the psychoactive components of marijuana. Over the years, many efforts have been made to make selective ligands; however, the high degree of homology between cannabinoid receptor subtypes introduces challenges in studying either receptor in isolation. Recent advancements in structure biology have resulted in a surge of high-resolution structures, enriching our knowledge and understanding of receptor structure and function. In this review, of recent cannabinoid receptor structures, key features of the inactive and active state CB1 and CB2 are presented. These structures will provide additional insight into the modulation and signaling mechanism of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and aid in the development of future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A. Brust
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, U.S.A
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A
| | - Matthew A. Swanson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, U.S.A
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A
| | - Laura M. Bohn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, U.S.A
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A
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3
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Obi P, Natesan S. Membrane Lipids Are an Integral Part of Transmembrane Allosteric Sites in GPCRs: A Case Study of Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Bound to a Negative Allosteric Modulator, ORG27569, and Analogs. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12240-12255. [PMID: 36066412 PMCID: PMC9512009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A growing number of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structures reveal novel transmembrane lipid-exposed allosteric sites. Ligands must first partition into the surrounding membrane and take lipid paths to these sites. Remarkably, a significant part of the bound ligands appears exposed to the membrane lipids. The experimental structures do not usually account for the surrounding lipids, and their apparent contribution to ligand access and binding is often overlooked and poorly understood. Using classical and enhanced molecular dynamics simulations, we show that membrane lipids are critical in the access and binding of ORG27569 and its analogs at the transmembrane site of cannabinoid CB1 receptor. The observed differences in the binding affinity and cooperativity arise from the functional groups that interact primarily with lipids. Our results demonstrate the significance of incorporating membrane lipids as an integral component of transmembrane sites for accurate characterization, binding-affinity calculations, and lead optimization in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Obi
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington 99202, United States
| | - Senthil Natesan
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington 99202, United States
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4
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Crooks BA, Mckenzie D, Cadd LC, McCoy CJ, McVeigh P, Marks NJ, Maule AG, Mousley A, Atkinson LE. Pan-phylum In Silico Analyses of Nematode Endocannabinoid Signalling Systems Highlight Novel Opportunities for Parasite Drug Target Discovery. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:892758. [PMID: 35846343 PMCID: PMC9283691 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.892758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid signalling (ECS) system is a complex lipid signalling pathway that modulates diverse physiological processes in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. In nematodes, knowledge of endocannabinoid (EC) biology is derived primarily from the free-living model species Caenorhabditis elegans, where ECS has been linked to key aspects of nematode biology. The conservation and complexity of nematode ECS beyond C. elegans is largely uncharacterised, undermining the understanding of ECS biology in nematodes including species with key importance to human, veterinary and plant health. In this study we exploited publicly available omics datasets, in silico bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses to examine the presence, conservation and life stage expression profiles of EC-effectors across phylum Nematoda. Our data demonstrate that: (i) ECS is broadly conserved across phylum Nematoda, including in therapeutically and agriculturally relevant species; (ii) EC-effectors appear to display clade and lifestyle-specific conservation patterns; (iii) filarial species possess a reduced EC-effector complement; (iv) there are key differences between nematode and vertebrate EC-effectors; (v) life stage-, tissue- and sex-specific EC-effector expression profiles suggest a role for ECS in therapeutically relevant parasitic nematodes. To our knowledge, this study represents the most comprehensive characterisation of ECS pathways in phylum Nematoda and inform our understanding of nematode ECS complexity. Fundamental knowledge of nematode ECS systems will seed follow-on functional studies in key nematode parasites to underpin novel drug target discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Louise E. Atkinson
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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5
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Liddle I, Glass M, Tyndall JDA, Vernall AJ. Covalent cannabinoid receptor ligands - structural insight and selectivity challenges. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:497-510. [PMID: 35694688 PMCID: PMC9132230 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00006g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electronic microscopy have provided significant advancement in the knowledge of GPCR structure and have allowed the rational design of GPCR ligands. The class A GPCRs cannabinoid receptor type 1 and type 2 are implicated in many pathophysiological processes and thus rational design of drug and tool compounds is of great interest. Recent structural insight into cannabinoid receptors has already led to a greater understanding of ligand binding sites and receptor residues that likely contribute to ligand selectivity. Herein, classes of heterocyclic covalent cannabinoid receptor ligands are reviewed in light of the recent advances in structural knowledge of cannabinoid receptors, with particular discussion regarding covalent ligand selectivity and rationale design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Liddle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand +64 3 479 5214
| | - Michelle Glass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
| | | | - Andrea J Vernall
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand +64 3 479 5214
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6
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Morris G, Walder K, Berk M, Carvalho AF, Marx W, Bortolasci CC, Yung AR, Puri BK, Maes M. Intertwined associations between oxidative and nitrosative stress and endocannabinoid system pathways: Relevance for neuropsychiatric disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 114:110481. [PMID: 34826557 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) appears to regulate metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, gastrointestinal, lung, and reproductive system functions, as well as the central nervous system. There is also evidence that neuropsychiatric disorders are associated with ECS abnormalities as well as oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways. The goal of this mechanistic review is to investigate the mechanisms underlying the ECS's regulation of redox signalling, as well as the mechanisms by which activated oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways may impair ECS-mediated signalling. Cannabinoid receptor (CB)1 activation and upregulation of brain CB2 receptors reduce oxidative stress in the brain, resulting in less tissue damage and less neuroinflammation. Chronically high levels of oxidative stress may impair CB1 and CB2 receptor activity. CB1 activation in peripheral cells increases nitrosative stress and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) activity, reducing mitochondrial activity. Upregulation of CB2 in the peripheral and central nervous systems may reduce iNOS, nitrosative stress, and neuroinflammation. Nitrosative stress may have an impact on CB1 and CB2-mediated signalling. Peripheral immune activation, which frequently occurs in response to nitro-oxidative stress, may result in increased expression of CB2 receptors on T and B lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages, reducing the production of inflammatory products and limiting the duration and intensity of the immune and oxidative stress response. In conclusion, high levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress may compromise or even abolish ECS-mediated redox pathway regulation. Future research in neuropsychiatric disorders like mood disorders and deficit schizophrenia should explore abnormalities in these intertwined signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Orygen, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Wolf Marx
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Chiara C Bortolasci
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Alison R Yung
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Orygen, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; School of Health Science, University of Manchester, UK.
| | - Basant K Puri
- University of Winchester, UK, and C.A.R., Cambridge, UK.
| | - Michael Maes
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
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7
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Krishna Deepak RNV, Verma RK, Hartono YD, Yew WS, Fan H. Recent Advances in Structure, Function, and Pharmacology of Class A Lipid GPCRs: Opportunities and Challenges for Drug Discovery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 15:12. [PMID: 35056070 PMCID: PMC8779880 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Great progress has been made over the past decade in understanding the structural, functional, and pharmacological diversity of lipid GPCRs. From the first determination of the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin in 2000, much progress has been made in the field of GPCR structural biology. The extraordinary progress in structural biology and pharmacology of GPCRs, coupled with rapid advances in computational approaches to study receptor dynamics and receptor-ligand interactions, has broadened our comprehension of the structural and functional facets of the receptor family members and has helped usher in a modern age of structure-based drug design and development. First, we provide a primer on lipid mediators and lipid GPCRs and their role in physiology and diseases as well as their value as drug targets. Second, we summarize the current advancements in the understanding of structural features of lipid GPCRs, such as the structural variation of their extracellular domains, diversity of their orthosteric and allosteric ligand binding sites, and molecular mechanisms of ligand binding. Third, we close by collating the emerging paradigms and opportunities in targeting lipid GPCRs, including a brief discussion on current strategies, challenges, and the future outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. N. V. Krishna Deepak
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore; (R.K.V.); (Y.D.H.)
| | - Ravi Kumar Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore; (R.K.V.); (Y.D.H.)
| | - Yossa Dwi Hartono
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore; (R.K.V.); (Y.D.H.)
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Wen Shan Yew
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Hao Fan
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore; (R.K.V.); (Y.D.H.)
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
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8
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Ho TC, Tius MA, Nikas SP, Tran NK, Tong F, Zhou H, Zvonok N, Makriyannis A. Oxa-adamantyl cannabinoids. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 38:127882. [PMID: 33636308 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
As a continuation of earlier work on classical cannabinoids bearing bulky side chains we report here the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 3'-functionalized oxa-adamantyl cannabinoids as a novel class of cannabinergic ligands. Key synthetic steps involve nucleophilic addition/transannular cyclization of aryllithium to epoxyketone in the presence of cerium chloride and stereoselective construction of the tricyclic cannabinoid nucleus. The synthesis of the oxa-adamantyl cannabinoids is convenient, and amenable to scale up allowing the preparation of these analogs in sufficient quantities for detailed in vitro evaluation. The novel oxa-adamantyl cannabinoids reported here were found to be high affinity ligands for the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. In the cyclase assay these compounds were found to behave as potent and efficacious CB1 receptor agonists. Isothiocyanate analog AM10504 is capable of irreversibly labeling both the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh C Ho
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 The Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Marcus A Tius
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 The Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States.
| | - Spyros P Nikas
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Ngan K Tran
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Fei Tong
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Han Zhou
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Nikolai Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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9
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Jiang S, Iliopoulos-Tsoutsouvas C, Tong F, Brust CA, Keenan CM, Raghav JG, Hua T, Wu S, Ho JH, Wu Y, Grim TW, Zvonok N, Thakur GA, Liu ZJ, Sharkey KA, Bohn LM, Nikas SP, Makriyannis A. Novel Functionalized Cannabinoid Receptor Probes: Development of Exceptionally Potent Agonists. J Med Chem 2021; 64:3870-3884. [PMID: 33761251 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We report the development of novel cannabinergic probes that can stabilize the cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) through tight binding interactions. Ligand design involves the introduction of select groups at a judiciously chosen position within the classical hexahydrocannabinol template (monofunctionalized probes). Such groups include the electrophilic isothiocyanato, the photoactivatable azido, and the polar cyano moieties. These groups can also be combined to produce bifunctionalized probes potentially capable of interacting at two distinct sites within the CBR-binding domains. These novel compounds display remarkably high binding affinities for CBRs and are exceptionally potent agonists. A key ligand (27a, AM11245) exhibits exceptionally high potency in both in vitro and in vivo assays and was designated as "megagonist," a property attributed to its tight binding profile. By acting both centrally and peripherally, 27a distinguishes itself from our previously reported "megagonist" AM841, whose functions are restricted to the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christina A Brust
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Catherine M Keenan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | | | - Tian Hua
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | | | - Jo-Hao Ho
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Yiran Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Travis W Grim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | | | | | - Zhi-Jie Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Keith A Sharkey
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Laura M Bohn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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10
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Hamilton AJ, Payne AD, Mocerino M, Gunosewoyo H. Imaging Cannabinoid Receptors: A Brief Collection of Covalent and Fluorescent Probes for CB1 and CB2 Receptors. Aust J Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/ch21007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There has been an expanding public interest towards the notion that modulation of the sophisticated endocannabinoid system can lead to various therapeutic benefits that are yet to be fully explored. In recent years, the drug discovery paradigm in this field has been largely based on the development of selective CB2 receptor agonists, avoiding the unwanted CB1 receptor-mediated psychoactive side effects. Mechanistically, target engagement studies are crucial for confirming the ligand–receptor interaction and the subsequent biological cascades that lead to the observed therapeutic effects. Concurrently, imaging techniques for visualisation of cannabinoid receptors are increasingly reported in the literature. Small molecule imaging tools ranging from phytocannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) to the endocannabinoids as well as the purely synthetic cannabimimetics, have been explored to date with varying degrees of success. This Review will cover currently known photoactivatable, electrophilic, and fluorescent ligands for both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Structural insights from techniques such as ligand-assisted protein structure (LAPS) and the discovery of novel allosteric modulators are significant additions for better understanding of the endocannabinoid system. There has also been a plethora of fluorescent conjugates that have been assessed for their binding to cannabinoid receptors as well as their potential for cellular imaging. More recently, bifunctional probes containing either fluorophores or electrophilic tags are becoming more prevalent in the literature. Collectively, these molecular tools are invaluable in demonstrating target engagement within the human endocannabinoid system.
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11
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Ren R, Pang B, Han Y, Li Y. A Glimpse of the Structural Biology of the Metabolism of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate. CONTACT (THOUSAND OAKS (VENTURA COUNTY, CALIF.)) 2021; 4:2515256421995601. [PMID: 37366379 PMCID: PMC10243590 DOI: 10.1177/2515256421995601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
As a key sphingolipid metabolite, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) plays crucial roles in vascular and immune systems. It regulates angiogenesis, vascular integrity and homeostasis, allergic responses, and lymphocyte trafficking. S1P is interconverted with sphingosine, which is also derived from the deacylation of ceramide. S1P levels and the ratio to ceramide in cells are tightly regulated by its metabolic pathways. Abnormal S1P production causes the occurrence and progression of numerous severe diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, cancers, autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, and kidney and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, huge advances on the structure of S1P metabolic pathways have been accomplished. In this review, we have got a glimpse of S1P metabolism through structural and biochemical studies of: sphingosine kinases, S1P transporters and S1P receptors, and the development of therapeutics targeting S1P signaling. The progress we summarize here could provide fresh perspectives to further the exploration of S1P functions and facilitate the development of therapeutic molecules targeting S1P signaling with improved specificity and therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruobing Ren
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug
Discovery, School of Life and Health Sciences, the Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin Pang
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug
Discovery, School of Life and Health Sciences, the Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yufei Han
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug
Discovery, School of Life and Health Sciences, the Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yihao Li
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug
Discovery, School of Life and Health Sciences, the Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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12
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Basagni F, Rosini M, Decker M. Functionalized Cannabinoid Subtype 2 Receptor Ligands: Fluorescent, PET, Photochromic and Covalent Molecular Probes. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1374-1389. [PMID: 32578963 PMCID: PMC7497013 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid subtype 2 receptors (CB2 Rs) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) belonging to the endocannabinoid system, a complex network of signalling pathways leading to the regulation of key physiological processes. Interestingly, CB2 Rs are strongly up-regulated in pathological conditions correlated with the onset of inflammatory events like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, CB2 Rs represent an important biological target for therapeutic as well as diagnostic purposes. No CB2 R-selective drugs are yet on the market, thus underlining a that deeper comprehension of CB2 Rs' complex activation pathways and their role in the regulation of diseases is needed. Herein, we report an overview of pharmacological and imaging tools such as fluorescent, positron emission tomography (PET), photochromic and covalent selective CB2 R ligands. These molecular probes can be used in vitro as well as in vivo to investigate and explore the unravelled role(s) of CB2 Rs, and they can help to design suitable CB2 R-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Basagni
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food ChemistryJulius Maximilian University of WürzburgAm Hubland97074WürzburgGermany
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyUniversity of BolognaVia Belmeloro 640126BolognaItaly
| | - Michela Rosini
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyUniversity of BolognaVia Belmeloro 640126BolognaItaly
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food ChemistryJulius Maximilian University of WürzburgAm Hubland97074WürzburgGermany
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13
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Computational Investigations on the Binding Mode of Ligands for the Cannabinoid-Activated G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR18. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10050686. [PMID: 32365486 PMCID: PMC7277601 DOI: 10.3390/biom10050686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
GPR18 is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed in cells of the immune system. It is activated by the cannabinoid receptor (CB) agonist ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Several further lipids have been proposed to act as GPR18 agonists, but these results still require unambiguous confirmation. In the present study, we constructed a homology model of the human GPR18 based on an ensemble of three GPCR crystal structures to investigate the binding modes of the agonist THC and the recently reported antagonists which feature an imidazothiazinone core to which a (substituted) phenyl ring is connected via a lipophilic linker. Docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies were performed. As a result, a hydrophobic binding pocket is predicted to accommodate the imidazothiazinone core, while the terminal phenyl ring projects towards an aromatic pocket. Hydrophobic interaction of Cys251 with substituents on the phenyl ring could explain the high potency of the most potent derivatives. Molecular dynamics simulation studies suggest that the binding of imidazothiazinone antagonists stabilizes transmembrane regions TM1, TM6 and TM7 of the receptor through a salt bridge between Asp118 and Lys133. The agonist THC is presumed to bind differently to GPR18 than to the distantly related CB receptors. This study provides insights into the binding mode of GPR18 agonists and antagonists which will facilitate future drug design for this promising potential drug target.
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Highly Selective, Amine‐Derived Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Probes. Chemistry 2020; 26:1380-1387. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201904584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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15
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Park J, Langmead CJ, Riddy DM. New Advances in Targeting the Resolution of Inflammation: Implications for Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediator GPCR Drug Discovery. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:88-106. [PMID: 32259091 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a component of numerous diseases including autoimmune, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and cancer. The discovery and characterization of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) critical to the resolution of inflammation, and their cognate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has led to a significant increase in the understanding of this physiological process. Approximately 20 ligands, including lipoxins, resolvins, maresins, and protectins, and 6 receptors (FPR2/ALX, GPR32, GPR18, chemerin1, BLT1, and GPR37) have been identified highlighting the complex and multilayered nature of resolution. Therapeutic efforts in targeting these receptors have proved challenging, with very few ligands apparently progressing through to preclinical or clinical development. To date, some knowledge gaps remain in the understanding of how the activation of these receptors, and their downstream signaling, results in efficient resolution via apoptosis, phagocytosis, and efferocytosis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (mainly neutrophils) and macrophages. SPMs bind and activate multiple receptors (ligand poly-pharmacology), while most receptors are activated by multiple ligands (receptor pleiotropy). In addition, allosteric binding sites have been identified signifying the capacity of more than one ligand to bind simultaneously. These fundamental characteristics of SPM receptors enable alternative targeting strategies to be considered, including biased signaling and allosteric modulation. This review describes those ligands and receptors involved in the resolution of inflammation, and highlights the most recent clinical trial results. Furthermore, we describe alternative mechanisms by which these SPM receptors could be targeted, paving the way for the identification of new therapeutics, perhaps with greater efficacy and fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Park
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Christopher J Langmead
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Darren M Riddy
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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16
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Covalent Inhibition of the Histamine H 3 Receptor. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24244541. [PMID: 31835873 PMCID: PMC6943558 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24244541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Covalent binding of G protein-coupled receptors by small molecules is a useful approach for better understanding of the structure and function of these proteins. We designed, synthesized and characterized a series of 6 potential covalent ligands for the histamine H3 receptor (H3R). Starting from a 2-amino-pyrimidine scaffold, optimization of anchor moiety and warhead followed by fine-tuning of the required reactivity via scaffold hopping resulted in the isothiocyanate H3R ligand 44. It shows high reactivity toward glutathione combined with appropriate stability in water and reacts selectively with the cysteine sidechain in a model nonapeptide equipped with nucleophilic residues. The covalent interaction of 44 with H3R was validated with washout experiments and leads to inverse agonism on H3R. Irreversible binder 44 (VUF15662) may serve as a useful tool compound to stabilize the inactive H3R conformation and to study the consequences of prolonged inhibition of the H3R.
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Abstract
Background: :
One of the best known to date GPCR class A (Rhodopsin) includes more
than 100 orphan receptors for which the endogenous ligand is not known or is unclear. One of them
is N-arachidonyl glycine receptor, named GPR18, a receptor that has been reported to be activated
by Δ9-THC, endogenous cannabinoid receptors agonist anandamide and other cannabinoid receptor
ligands suggesting it could be considered as third cannabinoid receptor. GPR18 activity, as well as
its distribution might suggest usage of GPR18 ligands in treatment of endometriosis, cancer, and
neurodegenerative disorders. Yet, so far only few GPR18 antagonists have been described, thus
only ligand-based design approaches appear to be most useful to identify new ligands for this orphan
receptor.
Methods: :
Main goal of this study, GPR18 inactive form homology model was built on the basis of
the evolutionary closest homologous template: Human P2Y1 Receptor crystal structure.
Results: :
Obtained model was further evaluated and showed active/nonactive ligands differentiating
properties with acceptable confidence. Moreover, it allowed for preliminary assessment of proteinligand
interactions for a set of previously described ligands.
Conclusion::
Thus collected data might serve as a starting point for a discovery of novel, active
GPR18 blocking ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil J. Kuder
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Karcz
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria Kaleta
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kiec-Kononowicz
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
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Szlenk CT, Gc JB, Natesan S. Does the Lipid Bilayer Orchestrate Access and Binding of Ligands to Transmembrane Orthosteric/Allosteric Sites of G Protein-Coupled Receptors? Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:527-541. [PMID: 30967440 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.115113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ligand-binding sites of many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are situated around and deeply embedded within the central pocket formed by their seven transmembrane-spanning α-helical domains. Generally, these binding sites are assumed accessible to endogenous ligands from the aqueous phase. Recent advances in the structural biology of GPCRs, along with biophysical and computational studies, suggest that amphiphilic and lipophilic molecules may gain access to these receptors by first partitioning into the membrane and then reaching the binding site via lateral diffusion through the lipid bilayer. In addition, several crystal structures of class A and class B GPCRs bound to their ligands offer unprecedented details on the existence of lipid-facing allosteric binding sites outside the transmembrane helices that can only be reached via lipid pathways. The highly organized structure of the lipid bilayer may direct lipophilic or amphiphilic drugs to a specific depth within the bilayer, changing local concentration of the drug near the binding site and affecting its binding kinetics. Additionally, the constraints of the lipid bilayer, including its composition and biophysical properties, may play a critical role in "pre-organizing" ligand molecules in an optimal orientation and conformation to facilitate receptor binding. Despite its clear involvement in molecular recognition processes, the critical role of the membrane in binding ligands to lipid-exposed transmembrane binding sites remains poorly understood and warrants comprehensive investigation. Understanding the mechanistic basis of the structure-membrane interaction relationship of drugs will not only provide useful insights about receptor binding kinetics but will also enhance our ability to take advantage of the apparent membrane contributions when designing drugs that target transmembrane proteins with improved efficacy and safety. In this minireview, we summarize recent structural and computational studies on membrane contributions to binding processes, elucidating both lipid pathways of ligand access and binding mechanisms for several orthosteric and allosteric ligands of class A and class B GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Szlenk
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Jeevan B Gc
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Senthil Natesan
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
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19
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Abstract
The endogenous lipids N-arachidonylglycine and oleoyl-l-carnitine are potential therapeutic leads in the treatment of chronic pain through their inhibition of the glycine transporter GlyT2. However, their mechanism of action is unknown. It has been hypothesized that these "bioactive" lipids either inhibit GlyT2 indirectly, by significantly perturbing the biophysical properties of the membrane, or directly, by binding directly to the transporter (either from a membrane-exposed or solvent-exposed binding site). Here, we used molecular dynamics simulations to study the effects of the lipids anandamide, N-arachidonylglycine, and oleoyl-l-carnitine on (a) the biophysical properties of the bilayer and (b) direct binding interactions with GlyT2. During the simulations, the biophysical properties of the bilayer itself, for example, the area per lipid, bilayer thickness, and order parameters, were not significantly altered by the presence or type of bioactive lipid, regardless of the presence of GlyT2. Our work, together with previous computational and experimental data, suggests that these acyl-inhibitors of GlyT2 inhibit the transporter by directly binding to it. However, these bioactive lipids bound to various parts of GlyT2 and did not prefer a single binding site during 4.5 μs of simulation. We postulate that the binding site is located at the solvent-exposed regions of GlyT2. Understanding the mechanism of action of these and related bioactive lipids is essential in effectively developing high-affinity GlyT2 inhibitors for the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan L. O’Mara
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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20
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Crystal Structure of the Human Cannabinoid Receptor CB2. Cell 2019; 176:459-467.e13. [PMID: 30639103 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptor CB2 is predominately expressed in the immune system, and selective modulation of CB2 without the psychoactivity of CB1 has therapeutic potential in inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we report the crystal structure of human CB2 in complex with a rationally designed antagonist, AM10257, at 2.8 Å resolution. The CB2-AM10257 structure reveals a distinctly different binding pose compared with CB1. However, the extracellular portion of the antagonist-bound CB2 shares a high degree of conformational similarity with the agonist-bound CB1, which led to the discovery of AM10257's unexpected opposing functional profile of CB2 antagonism versus CB1 agonism. Further structural analysis using mutagenesis studies and molecular docking revealed the molecular basis of their function and selectivity for CB2 and CB1. Additional analyses of our designed antagonist and agonist pairs provide important insight into the activation mechanism of CB2. The present findings should facilitate rational drug design toward precise modulation of the endocannabinoid system.
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21
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Szymanski D, Papanastasiou M, Pandarinathan L, Zvonok N, Janero DR, Pavlopoulos S, Vouros P, Makriyannis A. Aliphatic Azides as Selective Cysteine Labeling Reagents for Integral Membrane Proteins. J Med Chem 2018; 61:11199-11208. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Szymanski
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Malvina Papanastasiou
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Lakshmipathi Pandarinathan
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nikolai Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - David R. Janero
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Spiro Pavlopoulos
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Paul Vouros
- Barnett Institute, Northeastern University, 215 Hurtig Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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22
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Zhang XC, Zhou Y, Cao C. Proton transfer during class-A GPCR activation: do the CWxP motif and the membrane potential act in concert? BIOPHYSICS REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s41048-018-0056-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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23
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Ragusa G, Bencivenni S, Morales P, Callaway T, Hurst DP, Asproni B, Merighi S, Loriga G, Pinna GA, Reggio PH, Gessi S, Murineddu G. Synthesis, Pharmacological Evaluation, and Docking Studies of Novel Pyridazinone-Based Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Ligands. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:1102-1114. [PMID: 29575721 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2 R) have emerged as promising therapeutic targets in a wide variety of diseases. Selective ligands of CB2 R are devoid of the psychoactive effects typically observed for CB1 R ligands. Based on our recent studies on a class of pyridazinone 4-carboxamides, further structural modifications of the pyridazinone core were made to better investigate the structure-activity relationships for this promising scaffold with the aim to develop potent CB2 R ligands. In binding assays, two of the new synthesized compounds [6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-cis-N-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-3-oxo-2,3-dihydropyridazine-4-carboxamide (2) and 6-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-cis-N-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-3-oxo-2-pentyl-2,3-dihydropyridazine-4-carboxamide (22)] showed high CB2 R affinity, with Ki values of 2.1 and 1.6 nm, respectively. In addition, functional assays of these compounds and other new active related derivatives revealed their pharmacological profiles as CB2 R inverse agonists. Compound 22 displayed the highest CB2 R selectivity and potency, presenting a favorable in silico pharmacokinetic profile. Furthermore, a molecular modeling study revealed how 22 produces inverse agonism through blocking the movement of the toggle-switch residue, W6.48.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Ragusa
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Serena Bencivenni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paula Morales
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA
| | - Tyra Callaway
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA
| | - Dow P Hurst
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA
| | - Battistina Asproni
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Merighi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loriga
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 09010 Pula, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gerard A Pinna
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Patricia H Reggio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA
| | - Stefania Gessi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gabriele Murineddu
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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24
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Giorgi PD, Liautard V, Pucheault M, Antoniotti S. Biomimetic Cannabinoid Synthesis Revisited: Batch and Flow All-Catalytic Synthesis of (±)-ortho
-Tetrahydrocannabinols and Analogues from Natural Feedstocks. European J Org Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201800064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal D. Giorgi
- Institut de Chimie de Nice; CNRS; Université Cote d'Azur; Parc Valrose 06108 Nice cedex 2 France
| | - Virginie Liautard
- Institut des Sciences Moléculaires; UMR 5255 CNRS - Université de Bordeaux; 351 cours de la libération 33405 Talence cedex France
| | - Mathieu Pucheault
- Institut des Sciences Moléculaires; UMR 5255 CNRS - Université de Bordeaux; 351 cours de la libération 33405 Talence cedex France
| | - Sylvain Antoniotti
- Institut de Chimie de Nice; CNRS; Université Cote d'Azur; Parc Valrose 06108 Nice cedex 2 France
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25
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Expression, Purification and Characterization of the Human Cannabinoid 1 Receptor. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2935. [PMID: 29440756 PMCID: PMC5811539 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19749-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human cannabinoid 1 receptor (hCB1) is involved in numerous physiological processes and therefore provides a wide scope of potential therapeutic opportunities to treat maladies such as obesity, cardio-metabolic disorders, substance abuse, neuropathic pain, and multiple sclerosis. Structure-based drug design using the current knowledge of the hCB1 receptor binding site is limited and requires purified active protein. Heterologous expression and purification of functional hCB1 has been the bottleneck for ligand binding structural studies using biophysical methods such as mass spectrometry, x-ray crystallography and NMR. We constructed several plasmids for in-cell or in vitro Escherichia coli (E. coli) based expression of truncated and stabilized hCB1 receptor (hΔCB1 and hΔCB1T4L) variants and evaluated their competency to bind the CP-55,940 ligand. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of in vitro expressed and purified hΔCB1T4Lhis6 variants, following trypsin digestion, generated ~80% of the receptor sequence coverage. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of a cell-free expression system as a promising part of the strategy for the elucidation of ligand binding sites of the hCB1 receptor using a "Ligand Assisted Protein Structure" (LAPS) approach.
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26
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Cooper A, Singh S, Hook S, Tyndall JDA, Vernall AJ. Chemical Tools for Studying Lipid-Binding Class A G Protein-Coupled Receptors. Pharmacol Rev 2017; 69:316-353. [PMID: 28655732 DOI: 10.1124/pr.116.013243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid, free fatty acid, lysophosphatidic acid, sphingosine 1-phosphate, prostanoid, leukotriene, bile acid, and platelet-activating factor receptor families are class A G protein-coupled receptors with endogenous lipid ligands. Pharmacological tools are crucial for studying these receptors and addressing the many unanswered questions surrounding expression of these receptors in normal and diseased tissues. An inherent challenge for developing tools for these lipid receptors is balancing the often lipophilic requirements of the receptor-binding pharmacophore with favorable physicochemical properties to optimize highly specific binding. In this study, we review the radioligands, fluorescent ligands, covalent ligands, and antibodies that have been used to study these lipid-binding receptors. For each tool type, the characteristics and design rationale along with in vitro and in vivo applications are detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cooper
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sameek Singh
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Hook
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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27
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Mostyn SN, Carland JE, Shimmon S, Ryan RM, Rawling T, Vandenberg RJ. Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Acyl-Glycine Inhibitors of GlyT2. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1949-1959. [PMID: 28574249 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been demonstrated previously that the endogenous compound N-arachidonyl-glycine inhibits the glycine transporter GlyT2, stimulates glycinergic neurotransmission, and provides analgesia in animal models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. However, it is a relatively weak inhibitor with an IC50 of 9 μM and is subject to oxidation via cyclooxygenase, limiting its therapeutic value. In this paper we describe the synthesis and testing of a novel series of monounsaturated C18 and C16 acyl-glycine molecules as inhibitors of the glycine transporter GlyT2. We demonstrate that they are up to 28 fold more potent that N-arachidonyl-glycine with no activity at the closely related GlyT1 transporter at concentrations up to 30 μM. This novel class of compounds show considerable promise as a first generation of GlyT2 transport inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon N. Mostyn
- Discipline
of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jane E. Carland
- Discipline
of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Susan Shimmon
- School
of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Renae M. Ryan
- Discipline
of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Tristan Rawling
- School
of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Robert J. Vandenberg
- Discipline
of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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28
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Martella A, Sijben H, Rufer AC, Grether U, Fingerle J, Ullmer C, Hartung T, IJzerman AP, van der Stelt M, Heitman LH. A Novel Selective Inverse Agonist of the CB2 Receptor as a Radiolabeled Tool Compound for Kinetic Binding Studies. Mol Pharmacol 2017; 92:389-400. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.117.108605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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29
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Zhou H, Peng Y, Halikhedkar A, Fan P, Janero DR, Thakur GA, Mercier RW, Sun X, Ma X, Makriyannis A. Human Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Ligand-Interaction Motif: Transmembrane Helix 2 Cysteine, C2.59(89), as Determinant of Classical Cannabinoid Agonist Activity and Binding Pose. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1338-1347. [PMID: 28220706 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R)-dependent signaling is implicated in neuronal physiology and immune surveillance by brain microglia. Selective CB2R agonists hold therapeutic promise for inflammatory and other neurological disorders. Information on human CB2R (hCB2R) ligand-binding and functional domains is needed to inform the rational design and optimization of candidate druglike hCB2R agonists. Prior demonstration that hCB2R transmembrane helix 2 (TMH2) cysteine C2.59(89) reacts with small-molecule methanethiosulfonates showed that this cysteine residue is accessible to sulfhydryl derivatization reagents. We now report the design and application of two novel, pharmacologically active, high-affinity molecular probes, AM4073 and AM4099, as chemical reporters to interrogate directly the interaction of classical cannabinoid agonists with hCB2R cysteine residues. AM4073 has one electrophilic isothiocyanate (NCS) functionality at the C9 position of its cyclohexenyl C-ring, whereas AM4099 has NCS groups at that position and at the terminus of its aromatic A-ring C3 side chain. Pretreatment of wild-type hCB2R with either probe reduced subsequent [3H]CP55,940 specific binding by ∼60%. Conservative serine substitution of any hCB2R TMH cysteine residue except C2.59(89) did not affect the reduction of [3H]CP55,940 specific binding by either probe, suggesting that AM4073 and AM4099 interact irreversibly with this TMH2 cysteine. In contrast, AM841, an exceptionally potent hCB2R megagonist and direct AM4073/4099 congener bearing a single electrophilic NCS group at the terminus of its C3 side chain, had been demonstrated to bind covalently to TMH6 cysteine C6.47(257) and not C2.59(89). Molecular modeling indicates that the AM4073-hCB2R* interaction at C2.59(89) orients this classical cannabinoid away from TMH6 and toward the TMH2-TMH3 interface in the receptor's hydrophobic binding pocket, whereas the AM841-hCB2R* interaction at C6.47(257) favors agonist orientation toward TMH6/7. These data constitute initial evidence that TMH2 cysteine C2.59(89) is a component of the hCB2R binding pocket for classical cannabinoids. The results further demonstrate how interactions between classical cannabinoids and specific amino acids within the hCB2R* ligand-binding domain act as determinants of agonist pharmacological properties and the architecture of the agonist-hCB2R* conformational ensemble, allowing the receptor to adopt distinct activity states, such that interaction of classical cannabinoids with TMH6 cysteine C6.47(257) favors a binding pose more advantageous for agonist potency than does their interaction with TMH2 cysteine C2.59(89).
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhou
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - Yan Peng
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - Aneetha Halikhedkar
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - Pusheng Fan
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - David R. Janero
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - Ganesh A. Thakur
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - Richard W. Mercier
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - Xin Sun
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bioengineering; College of Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
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Molecular Targets of the Phytocannabinoids: A Complex Picture. PROGRESS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC NATURAL PRODUCTS 2017; 103:103-131. [PMID: 28120232 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
For centuries, hashish and marihuana, both derived from the Indian hemp Cannabis sativa L., have been used for their medicinal, as well as, their psychotropic effects. These effects are associated with the phytocannabinoids which are oxygen containing C21 aromatic hydrocarbons found in Cannabis sativa L. To date, over 120 phytocannabinoids have been isolated from Cannabis. For many years, it was assumed that the beneficial effects of the phytocannabinoids were mediated by the cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. However, today we know that the picture is much more complex, with the same phytocannabinoid acting at multiple targets. This contribution focuses on the molecular pharmacology of the phytocannabinoids, including Δ9-THC and CBD, from the prospective of the targets at which these important compounds act.
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31
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Janero DR, Korde A, Makriyannis A. Ligand-Assisted Protein Structure (LAPS): An Experimental Paradigm for Characterizing Cannabinoid-Receptor Ligand-Binding Domains. Methods Enzymol 2017; 593:217-235. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2017.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
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32
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Janero DR, Thakur GA. Leveraging allostery to improve G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-directed therapeutics: cannabinoid receptor 1 as discovery target. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:1223-1237. [PMID: 27712124 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1245289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allosteric modulators of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) hold the promise of improved pharmacology and safety over typical orthosteric GPCR ligands. These features are particularly relevant to the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) GPCR, since typical orthosteric CB1R ligands are associated with adverse events that limit their translational potential. Areas covered: The contextual basis for applying allostery to CB1R is considered from pharmacological, drug-discovery, and medicinal standpoints. Rational design of small-molecule CB1R allosteric modulators as potential pharmacotherapeutics would be greatly facilitated by direct experimental characterization of structure-function correlates underlying the biological activity of chemically-diverse CB1R allosteric modulators, CB1R allosteric ligand-binding binding pockets, and amino acid contact residues critical to allosteric ligand engagement and activity. In these regards, designer covalent probes exhibiting well-characterized molecular pharmacology as CB1R allosteric modulators are emerging as valuable molecular reporters enabling experimental interrogation of CB1R allosteric site(s) and informing the design of new CB1R agents as drugs. Expert opinion: Synthesis and pharmacological profiling of CB1R allosteric ligands will continue to provide valuable insights into CB1R structure-function correlates. The resulting data should expand the repertoire of novel agents capable of exerting therapeutic benefit by modulating CB1R-dependent signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Janero
- a Center for Drug Discovery; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, College of Science; and Health Sciences Entrepreneurs , Northeastern University , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Ganesh A Thakur
- b Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences , Northeastern University , Boston , MA , USA
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33
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Morales P, Gómez-Cañas M, Navarro G, Hurst DP, Carrillo-Salinas FJ, Lagartera L, Pazos R, Goya P, Reggio PH, Guaza C, Franco R, Fernández-Ruiz J, Jagerovic N. Chromenopyrazole, a Versatile Cannabinoid Scaffold with in Vivo Activity in a Model of Multiple Sclerosis. J Med Chem 2016; 59:6753-6771. [PMID: 27309150 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A combination of molecular modeling and structure-activity relationship studies has been used to fine-tune CB2 selectivity in the chromenopyrazole ring, a versatile CB1/CB2 cannabinoid scaffold. Thus, a series of 36 new derivatives covering a wide range of structural diversity has been synthesized, and docking studies have been performed for some of them. Biological evaluation of the new compounds includes, among others, cannabinoid binding assays, functional studies, and surface plasmon resonance measurements. The most promising compound [43 (PM226)], a selective and potent CB2 agonist isoxazole derivative, was tested in the acute phase of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD), a well-established animal model of primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Compound 43 dampened neuroinflammation by reducing microglial activation in the TMEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Calle Juan de la Cierva, 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Gómez-Cañas
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dow P Hurst
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | - Francisco J Carrillo-Salinas
- Grupo de Neuroinmunología Neurobiología Funcional y de Sistemas, Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Lagartera
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Calle Juan de la Cierva, 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruth Pazos
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Goya
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Calle Juan de la Cierva, 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia H Reggio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | - Carmen Guaza
- Grupo de Neuroinmunología Neurobiología Funcional y de Sistemas, Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Franco
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nadine Jagerovic
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Calle Juan de la Cierva, 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
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34
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Laprairie RB, Kulkarni AR, Kulkarni PM, Hurst DP, Lynch D, Reggio PH, Janero DR, Pertwee RG, Stevenson LA, Kelly MEM, Denovan-Wright EM, Thakur GA. Mapping Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Allosteric Site(s): Critical Molecular Determinant and Signaling Profile of GAT100, a Novel, Potent, and Irreversibly Binding Probe. ACS Chem Neurosci 2016; 7:776-98. [PMID: 27046127 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most abundant G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in brain, the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R), is a tractable therapeutic target for treating diverse psychobehavioral and somatic disorders. Adverse on-target effects associated with small-molecule CB1R orthosteric agonists and inverse agonists/antagonists have plagued their translational potential. Allosteric CB1R modulators offer a potentially safer modality through which CB1R signaling may be directed for therapeutic benefit. Rational design of candidate, druglike CB1R allosteric modulators requires greater understanding of the architecture of the CB1R allosteric endodomain(s) and the capacity of CB1R allosteric ligands to tune the receptor's information output. We have recently reported the synthesis of a focused library of rationally designed, covalent analogues of Org27569 and PSNCBAM-1, two prototypic CB1R negative allosteric modulators (NAMs). Among the novel, pharmacologically active CB1R NAMs reported, the isothiocyanate GAT100 emerged as the lead by virtue of its exceptional potency in the [(35)S]GTPγS and β-arrestin signaling assays and its ability to label CB1R as a covalent allosteric probe with significantly reduced inverse agonism in the [(35)S]GTPγS assay as compared to Org27569. We report here a comprehensive functional profiling of GAT100 across an array of important downstream cell-signaling pathways and analysis of its potential orthosteric probe-dependence and signaling bias. The results demonstrate that GAT100 is a NAM of the orthosteric CB1R agonist CP55,940 and the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide for β-arrestin1 recruitment, PLCβ3 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, cAMP accumulation, and CB1R internalization in HEK293A cells overexpressing CB1R and in Neuro2a and STHdh(Q7/Q7) cells endogenously expressing CB1R. Distinctively, GAT100 was a more potent and efficacious CB1R NAM than Org27569 and PSNCBAM-1 in all signaling assays and did not exhibit the inverse agonism associated with Org27569 and PSNCBAM-1. Computational docking studies implicate C7.38(382) as a key feature of GAT100 ligand-binding motif. These data help inform the engineering of newer-generation, druggable CB1R allosteric modulators and demonstrate the utility of GAT100 as a covalent probe for mapping structure-function correlates characteristic of the druggable CB1R allosteric space.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dow P. Hurst
- Center
for Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | - Diane Lynch
- Center
for Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | - Patricia H. Reggio
- Center
for Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | | | - Roger G. Pertwee
- School of
Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill,
Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland
| | - Lesley A. Stevenson
- School of
Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill,
Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland
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Grundmann M, Tikhonova IG, Hudson BD, Smith NJ, Mohr K, Ulven T, Milligan G, Kenakin T, Kostenis E. A Molecular Mechanism for Sequential Activation of a G Protein-Coupled Receptor. Cell Chem Biol 2016; 23:392-403. [PMID: 26991104 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Ligands targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are currently classified as either orthosteric, allosteric, or dualsteric/bitopic. Here, we introduce a new pharmacological concept for GPCR functional modulation: sequential receptor activation. A hallmark feature of this is a stepwise ligand binding mode with transient activation of a first receptor site followed by sustained activation of a second topographically distinct site. We identify 4-CMTB (2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-N-(thiazol-2-yl)butanamide), previously classified as a pure allosteric agonist of the free fatty acid receptor 2, as the first sequential activator and corroborate its two-step activation in living cells by tracking integrated responses with innovative label-free biosensors that visualize multiple signaling inputs in real time. We validate this unique pharmacology with traditional cellular readouts, including mutational and pharmacological perturbations along with computational methods, and propose a kinetic model applicable to the analysis of sequential receptor activation. We envision this form of dynamic agonism as a common principle of nature to spatiotemporally encode cellular information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Grundmann
- Molecular-, Cellular- and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Irina G Tikhonova
- Molecular Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University, Belfast BT7 1NN Northern Ireland
| | - Brian D Hudson
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ Scotland
| | - Nicola J Smith
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ Scotland; Molecular Cardiology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Klaus Mohr
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, 53347 Bonn, Germany
| | - Trond Ulven
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Graeme Milligan
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ Scotland
| | - Terry Kenakin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular-, Cellular- and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
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Glass M, Govindpani K, Furkert DP, Hurst DP, Reggio PH, Flanagan JU. One for the Price of Two…Are Bivalent Ligands Targeting Cannabinoid Receptor Dimers Capable of Simultaneously Binding to both Receptors? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:353-363. [PMID: 26917061 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Bivalent ligands bridging two G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) provide valuable pharmacological tools to target oligomers. The success of therapeutically targeting the cannabinoid CB1 receptor has been limited, in part due to its widespread neuronal distribution. Therefore, CB1 ligands targeting oligomers that exhibit restricted distribution or altered pharmacology are highly desirable, and several bivalent ligands containing a CB1 pharmacophore have been reported. Bivalent ligand action presumes that the ligand simultaneously binds to both receptors within the dimeric complex. However, based on the current understanding of CB1 ligand binding, existing bivalent ligands are too short to bind both receptors simultaneously. However, ligands with longer linkers may not be the solution, because evidence suggests that ligands enter CB1 through the lipid bilayer and, thus, linkers are unlikely to exit the receptor through its external face. Thus, the entire premise of designing bivalent ligands targeting CB1 must be revisited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Glass
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Karan Govindpani
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Daniel P Furkert
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dow P Hurst
- Center for Drug Design, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA
| | - Patricia H Reggio
- Center for Drug Design, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA
| | - Jack U Flanagan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre and Maurice Wilkens Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
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37
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Abalo R, Chen C, Vera G, Fichna J, Thakur GA, López-Pérez AE, Makriyannis A, Martín-Fontelles MI, Storr M. In vitro and non-invasive in vivo effects of the cannabinoid-1 receptor agonist AM841 on gastrointestinal motor function in the rat. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2015; 27:1721-35. [PMID: 26387676 PMCID: PMC4918633 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabinoids have been traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, but the associated central effects, through cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1R), constitute an important drawback. Our aims were to characterize the effects of the recently developed highly potent long-acting megagonist AM841 on GI motor function and to determine its central effects in rats. METHODS Male Wistar rats were used for in vitro and in vivo studies. The effect of AM841 was tested on electrically induced twitch contractions of GI preparations (in vitro) and on GI motility measured radiographically after contrast administration (in vivo). Central effects of AM841 were evaluated using the cannabinoid tetrad. The non-selective cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) was used for comparison. The CB1R (AM251) and CB2R (AM630) antagonists were used to characterize cannabinoid receptor-mediated effects of AM841. KEY RESULTS AM841 dose-dependently reduced in vitro contractile activity of rat GI preparations via CB1R, but not CB2R or opioid receptors. In vivo, AM841 acutely and potently reduced gastric emptying and intestinal transit in a dose-dependent and AM251-sensitive manner. The in vivo GI effects of AM841 at 0.1 mg/kg were comparable to those induced by WIN at 5 mg/kg. However, at this dose, AM841 did not induce any sign of the cannabinoid tetrad, whereas WIN induced significant central effects. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES The CB1R megagonist AM841 may potently depress GI motor function in the absence of central effects. This effect may be mediated peripherally and may be useful in the treatment of GI motility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Abalo
- Área de Farmacología y Nutrición y Unidad Asociada al Instituto de Química Médica (IQM) y al Centro de Investigación de Alimentos (CIAL) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain,Grupo de Excelencia Investigadora URJC-Banco de Santander-Grupo multidisciplinar de investigación y tratamiento del dolor (i+DOL),Corresponding author: Abalo R, Área de Farmacología y Nutrición. Dpto. Ciencias Básicas de la Salud. Fac. Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n. 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain, Telf: +34 91 488 88 54, Fax: +34 91 488 89 55,
| | - C Chen
- MedizinischeKlinik 2 der Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany,Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - G Vera
- Área de Farmacología y Nutrición y Unidad Asociada al Instituto de Química Médica (IQM) y al Centro de Investigación de Alimentos (CIAL) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain,Grupo de Excelencia Investigadora URJC-Banco de Santander-Grupo multidisciplinar de investigación y tratamiento del dolor (i+DOL)
| | - J Fichna
- MedizinischeKlinik 2 der Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany,Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
| | - GA Thakur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - AE López-Pérez
- Grupo de Excelencia Investigadora URJC-Banco de Santander-Grupo multidisciplinar de investigación y tratamiento del dolor (i+DOL),Unidad del Dolor, Servicio de Anestesiología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (HGUGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - A Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeaster Universtiy, Boston, MA
| | - MI Martín-Fontelles
- Área de Farmacología y Nutrición y Unidad Asociada al Instituto de Química Médica (IQM) y al Centro de Investigación de Alimentos (CIAL) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain,Grupo de Excelencia Investigadora URJC-Banco de Santander-Grupo multidisciplinar de investigación y tratamiento del dolor (i+DOL)
| | - M Storr
- MedizinischeKlinik 2 der Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Kulkarni PM, Kulkarni AR, Korde A, Tichkule RB, Laprairie RB, Denovan-Wright EM, Zhou H, Janero DR, Zvonok N, Makriyannis A, Cascio MG, Pertwee RG, Thakur GA. Novel Electrophilic and Photoaffinity Covalent Probes for Mapping the Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Allosteric Site(s). J Med Chem 2015; 59:44-60. [PMID: 26529344 PMCID: PMC4716578 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Undesirable side effects associated
with orthosteric agonists/antagonists of cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R),
a tractable target for treating several pathologies affecting humans,
have greatly limited their translational potential. Recent discovery
of CB1R negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) has renewed interest
in CB1R by offering a potentially safer therapeutic avenue. To elucidate
the CB1R allosteric binding motif and thereby facilitate rational
drug discovery, we report the synthesis and biochemical characterization
of first covalent ligands designed to bind irreversibly to the CB1R
allosteric site. Either an electrophilic or a photoactivatable group
was introduced at key positions of two classical CB1R NAMs: Org27569
(1) and PSNCBAM-1 (2). Among these, 20 (GAT100) emerged as the most potent NAM in functional assays,
did not exhibit inverse agonism, and behaved as a robust positive
allosteric modulator of binding of orthosteric agonist CP55,940. This
novel covalent probe can serve as a useful tool for characterizing
CB1R allosteric ligand-binding motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert B Laprairie
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University , Halifax NS Canada B3H 4R2
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria G Cascio
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen , Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland
| | - Roger G Pertwee
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen , Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland
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Janero DR, Yaddanapudi S, Zvonok N, Subramanian KV, Shukla VG, Stahl E, Zhou L, Hurst D, Wager-Miller J, Bohn LM, Reggio PH, Mackie K, Makriyannis A. Molecular-interaction and signaling profiles of AM3677, a novel covalent agonist selective for the cannabinoid 1 receptor. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:1400-10. [PMID: 25978068 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) is one of the most abundant G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the central nervous system. CB1R involvement in multiple physiological processes, especially neurotransmitter release and synaptic function, has made this GPCR a prime drug discovery target, and pharmacological CB1R activation has been demonstrated to be a tenable therapeutic modality. Accordingly, the design and profiling of novel, drug-like CB1R modulators to inform the receptor's ligand-interaction landscape and molecular pharmacology constitute a prime contemporary research focus. For this purpose, we report utilization of AM3677, a designer endocannabinoid (anandamide) analogue derivatized with a reactive electrophilic isothiocyanate functionality, as a covalent, CB1R-selective chemical probe. The data demonstrate that reaction of AM3677 with a cysteine residue in transmembrane helix 6 of human CB1R (hCB1R), C6.47(355), is a key feature of AM3677's ligand-binding motif. Pharmacologically, AM3677 acts as a high-affinity, low-efficacy CB1R agonist that inhibits forskolin-stimulated cellular cAMP formation and stimulates CB1R coupling to G protein. AM3677 also induces CB1R endocytosis and irreversible receptor internalization. Computational docking suggests the importance of discrete hydrogen bonding and aromatic interactions as determinants of AM3677's topology within the ligand-binding pocket of active-state hCB1R. These results constitute the initial identification and characterization of a potent, high-affinity, hCB1R-selective covalent agonist with utility as a pharmacologically active, orthosteric-site probe for providing insight into structure-function correlates of ligand-induced CB1R activation and the molecular features of that activation by the native ligand, anandamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Janero
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Suma Yaddanapudi
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nikolai Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kumar V. Subramanian
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Vidyanand G. Shukla
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Edward Stahl
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Lei Zhou
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Dow Hurst
- Center for Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | - James Wager-Miller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Laura M. Bohn
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Patricia H. Reggio
- Center for Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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40
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Picone RP, Kendall DA. Minireview: From the bench, toward the clinic: therapeutic opportunities for cannabinoid receptor modulation. Mol Endocrinol 2015; 29:801-13. [PMID: 25866875 DOI: 10.1210/me.2015-1062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of cannabinoids have been known for centuries and over the past several decades two G protein-coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2, that are responsible for their activity have been identified. Endogenous lipid-derived cannabinergic agents have been found, biosynthetic and catabolic machinery has been characterized, and synthetic agents have been designed to modulate these receptors. Selective agents including agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists, and novel allosteric modulators targeting either CB1 or CB2 have been developed to inhibit or augment their basal tone. As a result, the role these receptors play in human physiology and their potential therapeutic applications in disease states are being elucidated. The CB1 receptor, although ubiquitous, is densely expressed in the brain, and CB2 is largely found on cells of immune origin. This minireview highlights the role of CB1 in excitotoxic assaults in the brain and its potential to limit addiction liability. In addition, it will examine the relationship between receptor activity and stimulation of insulin release from pancreatic β-cells, insulin resistance, and feeding behavior leading toward obesity. The roles of CB2 in the neuropathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in the central manifestations of chronic HIV infection potentially converge at inflammatory cell activation, thereby providing an opportunity for intervention. Last, CB2 modulation is discussed in the context of an experimental model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Achieving exquisite receptor selectivity and elucidating the mechanisms underlying receptor inhibition and activation will be essential for the development of the next generation of cannabinergic-based therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Picone
- Clinical Development (R.P.P.), Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Novo Nordisk Inc, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (D.A.K.), University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092
| | - Debra A Kendall
- Clinical Development (R.P.P.), Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Novo Nordisk Inc, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (D.A.K.), University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092
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41
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Ogawa G, Tius MA, Zhou H, Nikas SP, Halikhedkar A, Mallipeddi S, Makriyannis A. 3'-functionalized adamantyl cannabinoid receptor probes. J Med Chem 2015; 58:3104-16. [PMID: 25760146 DOI: 10.1021/jm501960u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The aliphatic side chain plays a pivotal role in determining the cannabinergic potency of tricyclic classical cannabinoids, and we have previously shown that this chain could be substituted successfully by adamantyl or other polycyclic groups. In an effort to explore the pharmacophoric features of these conformationally fixed groups, we have synthesized a series of analogues in which the C3 position is substituted directly with an adamantyl group bearing functionality at one of the tertiary carbon atoms. These substituents included the electrophilic isothiocyanate and photoactivatable azido groups, both of which are capable of covalent attachment with the target protein. Our results show that substitution at the 3'-adamantyl position can lead to ligands with improved affinities and CB1/CB2 selectivities. Our work has also led to the development of two successful covalent probes with high affinities for both cannabinoid receptors, namely, the electrophilic isothiocyanate AM994 and the photoactivatable aliphatic azido AM993 analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go Ogawa
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 The Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Marcus A Tius
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 The Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Han Zhou
- ‡Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Spyros P Nikas
- ‡Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Aneetha Halikhedkar
- ‡Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Srikrishnan Mallipeddi
- ‡Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- ‡Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.,§King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 22254, Saudi Arabia
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42
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Keenan CM, Storr MA, Thakur GA, Wood JT, Wager-Miller J, Straiker A, Eno MR, Nikas SP, Bashashati M, Hu H, Mackie K, Makriyannis A, Sharkey KA. AM841, a covalent cannabinoid ligand, powerfully slows gastrointestinal motility in normal and stressed mice in a peripherally restricted manner. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:2406-18. [PMID: 25572435 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cannabinoid (CB) ligands have been demonstrated to have utility as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of pain, metabolic conditions and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. However, many of these ligands are centrally active, which limits their usefulness. Here, we examine a unique novel covalent CB receptor ligand, AM841, to assess its potential for use in physiological and pathophysiological in vivo studies. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The covalent nature of AM841 was determined in vitro using electrophysiological and receptor internalization studies on isolated cultured hippocampal neurons. Mouse models were used for behavioural analysis of analgesia, hypothermia and hypolocomotion. The motility of the small and large intestine was assessed in vivo under normal conditions and after acute stress. The brain penetration of AM841 was also determined. KEY RESULTS AM841 behaved as an irreversible CB1 receptor agonist in vitro. AM841 potently reduced GI motility through an action on CB1 receptors in the small and large intestine under physiological conditions. AM841 was even more potent under conditions of acute stress and was shown to normalize accelerated GI motility under these conditions. This compound behaved as a peripherally restricted ligand, showing very little brain penetration and no characteristic centrally mediated CB1 receptor-mediated effects (analgesia, hypothermia or hypolocomotion). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS AM841, a novel peripherally restricted covalent CB1 receptor ligand that was shown to be remarkably potent, represents a new class of potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of functional GI disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Keenan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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43
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Mahmoud MM, Olszewska T, Liu H, Shore DM, Hurst DP, Reggio PH, Lu D, Kendall DA. (4-(Bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)piperazin-1-yl)(cyclohexyl)methanone hydrochloride (LDK1229): a new cannabinoid CB1 receptor inverse agonist from the class of benzhydryl piperazine analogs. Mol Pharmacol 2014; 87:197-206. [PMID: 25411367 DOI: 10.1124/mol.114.095471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Some inverse agonists of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) have been demonstrated to be anorectic antiobesity drug candidates. However, the first generation of CB1 inverse agonists, represented by rimonabant (SR141716A), otenabant, and taranabant, are centrally active, with a high level of psychiatric side effects. Hence, the discovery of CB1 inverse agonists with a chemical scaffold distinct from these holds promise for developing peripherally active CB1 inverse agonists with fewer side effects. We generated a new CB1 inverse agonist, (4-(bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)piperazin-1-yl)(cyclohexyl)methanone hydrochloride (LDK1229), from the class of benzhydryl piperazine analogs. This compound binds to CB1 more selectively than cannabinoid receptor type 2, with a Ki value of 220 nM. Comparable CB1 binding was also observed by analogs 1-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-cinnamylpiperazine dihydrochloride (LDK1203) and 1-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-tosylpiperazine hydrochloride (LDK1222), which differed by the substitution on the piperazine ring where the piperazine of LDK1203 and LDK1222 are substituted by an alkyl group and a tosyl group, respectively. LDK1229 exhibits efficacy comparable with SR141716A in antagonizing the basal G protein coupling activity of CB1, as indicated by a reduction in guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding. Consistent with inverse agonist behavior, increased cell surface localization of CB1 upon treatment with LDK1229 was also observed. Although docking and mutational analysis showed that LDK1229 forms similar interactions with the receptor as SR141716A does, the benzhydryl piperazine scaffold is structurally distinct from the first-generation CB1 inverse agonists. It offers new opportunities for developing novel CB1 inverse agonists through the optimization of molecular properties, such as the polar surface area and hydrophilicity, to reduce the central activity observed with SR141716A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam M Mahmoud
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (M.M.M.); Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, Texas (T.O., H. L., D.L.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina (D.M.S., D.P.H., P.H.R.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (D.A.K.)
| | - Teresa Olszewska
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (M.M.M.); Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, Texas (T.O., H. L., D.L.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina (D.M.S., D.P.H., P.H.R.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (D.A.K.)
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (M.M.M.); Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, Texas (T.O., H. L., D.L.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina (D.M.S., D.P.H., P.H.R.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (D.A.K.)
| | - Derek M Shore
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (M.M.M.); Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, Texas (T.O., H. L., D.L.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina (D.M.S., D.P.H., P.H.R.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (D.A.K.)
| | - Dow P Hurst
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (M.M.M.); Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, Texas (T.O., H. L., D.L.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina (D.M.S., D.P.H., P.H.R.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (D.A.K.)
| | - Patricia H Reggio
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (M.M.M.); Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, Texas (T.O., H. L., D.L.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina (D.M.S., D.P.H., P.H.R.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (D.A.K.)
| | - Dai Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (M.M.M.); Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, Texas (T.O., H. L., D.L.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina (D.M.S., D.P.H., P.H.R.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (D.A.K.)
| | - Debra A Kendall
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (M.M.M.); Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, Texas (T.O., H. L., D.L.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina (D.M.S., D.P.H., P.H.R.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (D.A.K.)
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Lucchesi V, Hurst DP, Shore DM, Bertini S, Ehrmann BM, Allarà M, Lawrence L, Ligresti A, Minutolo F, Saccomanni G, Sharir H, Macchia M, Di Marzo V, Abood ME, Reggio PH, Manera C. CB2-selective cannabinoid receptor ligands: synthesis, pharmacological evaluation, and molecular modeling investigation of 1,8-Naphthyridin-2(1H)-one-3-carboxamides. J Med Chem 2014; 57:8777-91. [PMID: 25272206 PMCID: PMC4234427 DOI: 10.1021/jm500807e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
![]()
We
have recently identified 1,8-naphthyridin-2(1H)-one-3-carboxamide
as a new scaffold very suitable for the development
of new CB2 receptor potent and selective ligands. In this paper we
describe a number of additional derivatives in which the same central
scaffold has been variously functionalized in position 1 or 6. All
new compounds showed high selectivity and affinity in the nanomolar
range for the CB2 receptor. Furthermore, we found that their functional
activity is controlled by the presence of the substituents at position
C-6 of the naphthyridine scaffold. In fact, the introduction of substituents
in this position determined a functionality switch from agonist to
antagonists/inverse agonists. Finally, docking studies showed that
the difference between the pharmacology of these ligands may be in
the ability/inability to block the Toggle Switch W6.48(258) (χ1 g+ → trans) transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lucchesi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa , Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Fichna J, Bawa M, Thakur GA, Tichkule R, Makriyannis A, McCafferty DM, Sharkey KA, Storr M. Cannabinoids alleviate experimentally induced intestinal inflammation by acting at central and peripheral receptors. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109115. [PMID: 25275313 PMCID: PMC4183544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims In an attempt to further investigate the role of cannabinoid (CB) system in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, we employed two recently developed ligands, AM841 (a covalently acting CB agonist) and CB13 (a peripherally-restricted CB agonist) to establish whether central and peripheral CB sites are involved in the anti-inflammatory action in the intestine. Methods and Results AM841 (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased inflammation scores in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)- and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-treated mice when administered before induction of colitis or as a treatment of existing intestinal inflammation. The effect was absent in CB1, CB2 and CB1/2-deficient mice. A peripherally-restricted agonist CB13 did not alleviate colitis when given i.p. (0.1 mg/kg), but significantly decreased inflammation score after central administration (0.1 µg/animal). Conclusions This is the first evidence that central and peripheral CB receptors are responsible for the protective and therapeutic action of cannabinoids in mouse models of colitis. Our observations provide new insight to CB pharmacology and validate the use of novel ligands AM841 and CB13 as potent tools in CB-related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Fichna
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Misha Bawa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ganesh A. Thakur
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ritesh Tichkule
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Donna-Marie McCafferty
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Keith A. Sharkey
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Martin Storr
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
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46
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Makriyannis A. 2012 Division of medicinal chemistry award address. Trekking the cannabinoid road: a personal perspective. J Med Chem 2014; 57:3891-911. [PMID: 24707904 DOI: 10.1021/jm500220s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
My involvement with the field of cannabinoids spans close to 3 decades and covers a major part of my scientific career. It also reflects the robust progress in this initially largely unexplored area of biology. During this period of time, I have witnessed the growth of modern cannabinoid biology, starting from the discovery of its two receptors and followed by the characterization of its endogenous ligands and the identification of the enzyme systems involved in their biosynthesis and biotransformation. I was fortunate enough to start at the beginning of this new era and participate in a number of the new discoveries. It has been a very exciting journey. With coverage of some key aspects of my work during this period of "modern cannabinoid research," this Award Address, in part historical, intends to give an account of how the field grew, the key discoveries, and the most promising directions for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Fay JF, Farrens DL. The membrane proximal region of the cannabinoid receptor CB1 N-terminus can allosterically modulate ligand affinity. Biochemistry 2013; 52:8286-94. [PMID: 24206272 DOI: 10.1021/bi400842k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The human cannabinoid receptor, CB1, a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), contains a relatively long (∼110 a.a.) amino terminus, whose function is still not defined. Here we explore a potential role for the CB1 N-terminus in modulating ligand binding to the receptor. Although most of the CB1 N-terminus is not necessary for ligand binding, previous studies have found that mutations introduced into its conserved membrane proximal region (MPR) do impair the receptors ability to bind ligand. Moreover, within the highly conserved MPR (∼ residues 90-110) lie two cysteine residues that are invariant in all CB1 receptors. We find these two cysteines (C98 and C107) form a disulfide in heterologously expressed human CB1, and this C98-C107 disulfide is much more accessible to reducing agents than the previously known disulfide in extracellular loop 2 (EL2). Interestingly, the presence of the C98-C107 disulfide modulates ligand binding to the receptor in a way that can be quantitatively analyzed by an allosteric model. The C98-C107 disulfide also alters the effects of allosteric ligands for CB1, Org 27569 and PSNCBAM-1. Together, these results provide new insights into how the N-terminal MPR and EL2 act together to influence the high-affinity orthosteric ligand binding site in CB1 and suggest that the CB1 N-terminal MPR may be an area through which allosteric modulators can act.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan F Fay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health and Science University , Portland, Oregon 97239-3098, United States
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48
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Kimura T, Vukoti K, Lynch DL, Hurst DP, Grossfield A, Pitman MC, Reggio PH, Yeliseev AA, Gawrisch K. Global fold of human cannabinoid type 2 receptor probed by solid-state 13C-, 15N-MAS NMR and molecular dynamics simulations. Proteins 2013; 82:452-65. [PMID: 23999926 DOI: 10.1002/prot.24411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Revised: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The global fold of human cannabinoid type 2 (CB2 ) receptor in the agonist-bound active state in lipid bilayers was investigated by solid-state (13)C- and (15)N magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR, in combination with chemical-shift prediction from a structural model of the receptor obtained by microsecond-long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Uniformly (13)C- and (15)N-labeled CB2 receptor was expressed in milligram quantities by bacterial fermentation, purified, and functionally reconstituted into liposomes. (13)C MAS NMR spectra were recorded without sensitivity enhancement for direct comparison of Cα, Cβ, and C=O bands of superimposed resonances with predictions from protein structures generated by MD. The experimental NMR spectra matched the calculated spectra reasonably well indicating agreement of the global fold of the protein between experiment and simulations. In particular, the (13) C chemical shift distribution of Cα resonances was shown to be very sensitive to both the primary amino acid sequence and the secondary structure of CB2. Thus the shape of the Cα band can be used as an indicator of CB2 global fold. The prediction from MD simulations indicated that upon receptor activation a rather limited number of amino acid residues, mainly located in the extracellular Loop 2 and the second half of intracellular Loop 3, change their chemical shifts significantly (≥ 1.5 ppm for carbons and ≥ 5.0 ppm for nitrogens). Simulated two-dimensional (13) Cα(i)-(13)C=O(i) and (13)C=O(i)-(15)NH(i + 1) dipolar-interaction correlation spectra provide guidance for selective amino acid labeling and signal assignment schemes to study the molecular mechanism of activation of CB2 by solid-state MAS NMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Kimura
- Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
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49
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Kotsikorou E, Navas F, Roche MJ, Gilliam AF, Thomas B, Seltzman HH, Kumar P, Song ZH, Hurst DP, Lynch DL, Reggio PH. The importance of hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking to the affinity and efficacy of cannabinoid receptor CB2 antagonist, 5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-N-[(1S,2S,4R)-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528). J Med Chem 2013; 56:6593-612. [PMID: 23855811 PMCID: PMC3804063 DOI: 10.1021/jm400070u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite the therapeutic promise of the subnanomolar affinity cannabinoid CB2 antagonist, 5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-N-[(1S,2S,4R)-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528, 1), little is known about its binding site interactions and no primary interaction site for 1 at CB2 has been identified. We report here the results of Glide docking studies in our cannabinoid CB2 inactive state model that were then tested via compound synthesis, binding, and functional assays. Our results show that the amide functional group of 1 is critical to its CB2 affinity and efficacy and that aromatic stacking interactions in the TMH5/6 aromatic cluster of CB2 are also important. Molecular modifications that increased the positive electrostatic potential in the region between the fenchyl and aromatic rings led to more efficacious compounds. This result is consistent with the EC-3 loop negatively charged amino acid, D275 (identified via Glide docking studies) acting as the primary interaction site for 1 and its analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank Navas
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27609
| | | | - Anne F. Gilliam
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27609
| | - Brian Thomas
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27609
| | | | - Pritesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292
| | - Zhao-Hui Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292
| | - Dow P. Hurst
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402
| | - Diane L. Lynch
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402
| | - Patricia H. Reggio
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402
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50
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Renault N, Laurent X, Farce A, El Bakali J, Mansouri R, Gervois P, Millet R, Desreumaux P, Furman C, Chavatte P. Virtual Screening of CB2Receptor Agonists from Bayesian Network and High-Throughput Docking: Structural Insights into Agonist-Modulated GPCR Features. Chem Biol Drug Des 2013; 81:442-54. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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