1
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Abdollahzadeh Hamzekalayi MR, Hooshyari Ardakani M, Moeini Z, Rezaei R, Hamidi N, Rezaei Somee L, Zolfaghar M, Darzi R, Kamalipourazad M, Riazi G, Meknatkhah S. A systematic review of novel cannabinoids and their targets: Insights into the significance of structure in activity. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 976:176679. [PMID: 38821167 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
To provide a comprehensive framework of the current information on the potency and efficacy of interaction between phyto- and synthetic cannabinoids and their respective receptors, an electronic search of the PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE literature was performed. Experimental studies included reports of mechanistic data providing affinity, efficacy, and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50). Among the 108 included studies, 174 structures, and 16 targets were extracted. The most frequent ligands belonged to the miscellaneous category with 40.2% followed by phytocannabinoid-similar, indole-similar, and pyrrole-similar structures with an abundance of 17.8%, 16.6%, and 12% respectively. 64.8% of structures acted as agonists, 17.1 % appeared as inverse agonists, 10.8% as antagonists, and 7.2% of structures were reported with antagonist/inverse agonist properties. Our outcomes identify the affinity, EC50, and efficacy of the interactions between cannabinoids and their corresponding receptors and the subsequent response, evaluated in the available evidence. Considering structures' significance and very important effects of on the activities, the obtained results also provide clues to drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zahra Moeini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Rezaei
- Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negin Hamidi
- Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Rezaei Somee
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdis Zolfaghar
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Raheleh Darzi
- Department of Plant Science, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Kamalipourazad
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamhossein Riazi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sogol Meknatkhah
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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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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3
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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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4
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Ortiz Zacarías NV, Chahal KK, Šimková T, van der Horst C, Zheng Y, Inoue A, Theunissen E, Mallee L, van der Es D, Louvel J, IJzerman AP, Handel TM, Kufareva I, Heitman LH. Design and Characterization of an Intracellular Covalent Ligand for CC Chemokine Receptor 2. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2608-2621. [PMID: 33600174 PMCID: PMC7958898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Covalently acting inhibitors constitute a large and growing fraction of approved
small-molecule therapeutics as well as useful tools for a variety of in
vitro and in vivo applications. Here, we aimed to develop a
covalent antagonist of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), a class A GPCR that has been
pursued as a therapeutic target in inflammation and immuno-oncology. Based on a known
intracellularly binding CCR2 antagonist, several covalent derivatives were synthesized
and characterized by radioligand binding and functional assays. These studies revealed
compound 14 as an intracellular covalent ligand for CCR2. In
silico modeling followed by site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that
14 forms a covalent bond with one of three proximal cysteine residues,
which can be engaged interchangeably. To our knowledge, compound 14
represents the first covalent ligand reported for CCR2. Due to its unique properties, it
may represent a promising tool for ongoing and future studies of CCR2 pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia V Ortiz Zacarías
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kirti K Chahal
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Tereza Šimková
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cas van der Horst
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yi Zheng
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
| | - Emy Theunissen
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lloyd Mallee
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daan van der Es
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Louvel
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tracy M Handel
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Irina Kufareva
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Laura H Heitman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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5
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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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6
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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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7
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Yang X, Dilweg MA, Osemwengie D, Burggraaff L, van der Es D, Heitman LH, IJzerman AP. Design and pharmacological profile of a novel covalent partial agonist for the adenosine A 1 receptor. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 180:114144. [PMID: 32653590 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Partial agonists for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) provide opportunities for novel pharmacotherapies with enhanced on-target safety compared to full agonists. For the human adenosine A1 receptor (hA1AR) this has led to the discovery of capadenoson, which has been in phase IIa clinical trials for heart failure. Accordingly, the design and profiling of novel hA1AR partial agonists has become an important research focus. In this study, we report on LUF7746, a capadenoson derivative bearing an electrophilic fluorosulfonyl moiety, as an irreversibly binding hA1AR modulator. Meanwhile, a nonreactive ligand bearing a methylsulfonyl moiety, LUF7747, was designed as a control probe in our study. In a radioligand binding assay, LUF7746's apparent affinity increased to nanomolar range with longer pre-incubation time, suggesting an increasing level of covalent binding over time. Moreover, compared to the reference full agonist CPA, LUF7746 was a partial agonist in a hA1AR-mediated G protein activation assay and resistant to blockade with an antagonist/inverse agonist. An in silico structure-based docking study combined with site-directed mutagenesis of the hA1AR demonstrated that amino acid Y2717.36 was the primary anchor point for the covalent interaction. Additionally, a label-free whole-cell assay was set up to identify LUF7746's irreversible activation of an A1 receptor-mediated cell morphological response. These results led us to conclude that LUF7746 is a novel covalent hA1AR partial agonist and a valuable chemical probe for further mapping the receptor activation process. It may also serve as a prototype for a therapeutic approach in which a covalent partial agonist may cause less on-target side effects, conferring enhanced safety compared to a full agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Majlen A Dilweg
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dion Osemwengie
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lindsey Burggraaff
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daan van der Es
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laura H Heitman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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8
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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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9
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Bukiya AN, Dopico AM. Cannabinoid Interactions with Proteins: Insights from Structural Studies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1162:39-50. [PMID: 31332733 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21737-2_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoids have been widely used for recreational and medicinal purposes. The increasing legalization of cannabinoid use and the growing success in Medicinal Chemistry of cannabinoids have fueled recent interest in cannabinoid-sensing sites in receptor proteins. Here, we review structural data from high-resolution cryo-EM and crystallography studies that depict phytocannabinoid, endocannabinoid, and synthetic cannabinoid molecules bound to various proteins. The latter include antigen-binding fragment (Fab), cellular retinol binding protein 2 (CRBP2), fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ), and cannabinoid receptor types 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2). Cannabinoid-protein complexes reveal the complex design of cannabinoid binding sites that are usually presented by conventional ligand-binding pockets on respective proteins. However, subtle differences in cannabinoid interaction with amino acids within the binding pocket often result in diverse consequences for protein function. The rapid increase in available structural data on cannabinoid-protein interactions will ultimately direct drug design efforts toward rendering highly potent cannabinoid-related pharmacotherapies that are devoid of side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna N Bukiya
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Alex M Dopico
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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10
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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: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.4] [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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11
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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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12
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Mallipeddi S, Kreimer S, Zvonok N, Vemuri K, Karger BL, Ivanov AR, Makriyannis A. Binding Site Characterization of AM1336, a Novel Covalent Inverse Agonist at Human Cannabinoid 2 Receptor, Using Mass Spectrometric Analysis. J Proteome Res 2017; 16:2419-2428. [PMID: 28374590 PMCID: PMC11208095 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R), a Class-A G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), is a promising drug target under a wide array of pathological conditions. Rational drug design has been hindered due to our poor understanding of the structural features involved in ligand binding. Binding of a high-affinity biarylpyrazole inverse agonist AM1336 to a library of the human CB2 receptor (hCB2R) cysteine-substituted mutants provided indirect evidence that two cysteines in transmembrane helix-7 (H7) were critical for the covalent attachment. We used proteomics analysis of the hCB2R with bound AM1336 to directly identify peptides with covalently attached ligand and applied in silico modeling for visualization of the ligand-receptor interactions. The hCB2R, with affinity tags (FlaghCB2His6), was produced in a baculovirus-insect cell expression system and purified as a functional receptor using immunoaffinity chromatography. Using mass spectrometry-based bottom-up proteomic analysis of the hCB2R-AM1336, we identified a peptide with AM1336 attached to the cysteine C284(7.38) in H7. The hCB2R homology model in lipid bilayer accommodated covalent attachment of AM1336 to C284(7.38), supporting both biochemical and mass spectrometric data. This work consolidates proteomics data and in silico modeling and integrates with our ligand-assisted protein structure (LAPS) experimental paradigm to assist in structure-based design of cannabinoid antagonist/inverse agonists.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Motifs
- Animals
- Baculoviridae/genetics
- Baculoviridae/metabolism
- Binding Sites
- Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/chemistry
- Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/metabolism
- Cloning, Molecular
- Cysteine/chemistry
- Cysteine/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Humans
- Ligands
- Mass Spectrometry
- Models, Molecular
- Mutation
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- Pyrazoles/chemistry
- Pyrazoles/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/chemistry
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Spodoptera
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikrishnan Mallipeddi
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Simion Kreimer
- Barnett Institute, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nikolai Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kiran Vemuri
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Barry L. Karger
- Barnett Institute, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Alexander R. Ivanov
- Barnett Institute, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Barnett Institute, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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13
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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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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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15
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Hua T, Vemuri K, Pu M, Qu L, Han GW, Wu Y, Zhao S, Shui W, Li S, Korde A, Laprairie RB, Stahl EL, Ho JH, Zvonok N, Zhou H, Kufareva I, Wu B, Zhao Q, Hanson MA, Bohn LM, Makriyannis A, Stevens RC, Liu ZJ. Crystal Structure of the Human Cannabinoid Receptor CB 1. Cell 2016; 167:750-762.e14. [PMID: 27768894 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 374] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is the principal target of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive chemical from Cannabis sativa with a wide range of therapeutic applications and a long history of recreational use. CB1 is activated by endocannabinoids and is a promising therapeutic target for pain management, inflammation, obesity, and substance abuse disorders. Here, we present the 2.8 Å crystal structure of human CB1 in complex with AM6538, a stabilizing antagonist, synthesized and characterized for this structural study. The structure of the CB1-AM6538 complex reveals key features of the receptor and critical interactions for antagonist binding. In combination with functional studies and molecular modeling, the structure provides insight into the binding mode of naturally occurring CB1 ligands, such as THC, and synthetic cannabinoids. This enhances our understanding of the molecular basis for the physiological functions of CB1 and provides new opportunities for the design of next-generation CB1-targeting pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Hua
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kiran Vemuri
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mengchen Pu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lu Qu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Gye Won Han
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Yiran Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenqing Shui
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Anisha Korde
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Robert B Laprairie
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Edward L Stahl
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jo-Hao Ho
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Nikolai Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Han Zhou
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Irina Kufareva
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Beili Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | | | - Laura M Bohn
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Raymond C Stevens
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Zhi-Jie Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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16
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Molecular mechanisms of target recognition by lipid GPCRs: relevance for cancer. Oncogene 2015; 35:4021-35. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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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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18
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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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19
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Species differences in cannabinoid receptor 2 and receptor responses to cocaine self-administration in mice and rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:1037-51. [PMID: 25374096 PMCID: PMC4330519 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of functional cannabinoid receptors 2 (CB2Rs) in brain suggests a potential new therapeutic target for neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, recent findings in experimental animals appear controversial. Here we report that there are significant species differences in CB2R mRNA splicing and expression, protein sequences, and receptor responses to CB2R ligands in mice and rats. Systemic administration of JWH133, a highly selective CB2R agonist, significantly and dose-dependently inhibited intravenous cocaine self-administration under a fixed ratio (FR) schedule of reinforcement in mice, but not in rats. However, under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement, JWH133 significantly increased breakpoint for cocaine self-administration in rats, but decreased it in mice. To explore the possible reasons for these conflicting findings, we examined CB2R gene expression and receptor structure in the brain. We found novel rat-specific CB2C and CB2D mRNA isoforms in addition to CB2A and CB2B mRNA isoforms. In situ hybridization RNAscope assays found higher levels of CB2R mRNA in different brain regions and cell types in mice than in rats. By comparing CB2R-encoding regions, we observed a premature stop codon in the mouse CB2R gene that truncated 13 amino-acid residues including a functional autophosphorylation site in the intracellular C-terminus. These findings suggest that species differences in the splicing and expression of CB2R genes and receptor structures may in part explain the different effects of CB2R-selective ligands on cocaine self-administration in mice and rats.
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20
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Srivastava A, Yano J, Hirozane Y, Kefala G, Gruswitz F, Snell G, Lane W, Ivetac A, Aertgeerts K, Nguyen J, Jennings A, Okada K. High-resolution structure of the human GPR40 receptor bound to allosteric agonist TAK-875. Nature 2014; 513:124-7. [DOI: 10.1038/nature13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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21
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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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22
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Yeliseev AA. Methods for recombinant expression and functional characterization of human cannabinoid receptor CB2. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2013; 6:e201303011. [PMID: 24688719 PMCID: PMC3962128 DOI: 10.5936/csbj.201303011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Revised: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor CB2 is a seven transmembrane-domain integral membrane protein that belongs to a large superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). CB2 is a part of the endocannabinoid system that plays vital role in regulation of immune response, inflammation, pain sensitivity, obesity and other physiological responses. Information about the structure and mechanisms of functioning of this receptor in cell membranes is essential for the rational development of specific pharmaceuticals. Here we review the methodology for recombinant expression, purification, stabilization and biochemical characterization of CB2 suitable for preparation of multi-milligram quantities of functionally active receptor. The biotechnological protocols include expression of the recombinant CB2 in E. coli cells as a fusion with the maltose binding protein, stabilization with a high affinity ligand and a derivative of cholesterol in detergent micelles, efficient purification by tandem affinity chromatography, and reconstitution of the receptor into lipid bilayers. The purified recombinant CB2 receptor is amenable to functional and structural studies including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a wide range of biochemical and biophysical techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei A Yeliseev
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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23
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Nijmeijer S, Engelhardt H, Schultes S, van de Stolpe AC, Lusink V, de Graaf C, Wijtmans M, Haaksma EEJ, de Esch IJP, Stachurski K, Vischer HF, Leurs R. Design and pharmacological characterization of VUF14480, a covalent partial agonist that interacts with cysteine 98(3.36) of the human histamine H₄ receptor. Br J Pharmacol 2013; 170:89-100. [PMID: 23347159 PMCID: PMC3764852 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The recently proposed binding mode of 2-aminopyrimidines to the human (h) histamine H₄ receptor suggests that the 2-amino group of these ligands interacts with glutamic acid residue E182(5.46) in the transmembrane (TM) helix 5 of this receptor. Interestingly, substituents at the 2-position of this pyrimidine are also in close proximity to the cysteine residue C98(3.36) in TM3. We hypothesized that an ethenyl group at this position will form a covalent bond with C98(3.36) by functioning as a Michael acceptor. A covalent pyrimidine analogue will not only prove this proposed binding mode, but will also provide a valuable tool for H4 receptor research. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We designed and synthesized VUF14480, and pharmacologically characterized this compound in hH4 receptor radioligand binding, G protein activation and β-arrestin2 recruitment experiments. The ability of VUF14480 to act as a covalent binder was assessed both chemically and pharmacologically. KEY RESULTS VUF14480 was shown to be a partial agonist of hH4 receptor-mediated G protein signalling and β-arrestin2 recruitment. VUF14480 bound covalently to the hH₄ receptor with submicromolar affinity. Serine substitution of C98(3.36) prevented this covalent interaction. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS VUF14480 is thought to bind covalently to the hH₄ receptor-C98(3.36) residue and partially induce hH₄ receptor-mediated G protein activation and β-arrestin2 recruitment. Moreover, these observations confirm our previously proposed binding mode of 2-aminopyrimidines. VUF14480 will be a useful tool to stabilize the receptor into an active confirmation and further investigate the structure of the active hH₄ receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nijmeijer
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Engelhardt
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KGVienna, Austria
| | - S Schultes
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KGVienna, Austria
| | - A C van de Stolpe
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - V Lusink
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C de Graaf
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Wijtmans
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E E J Haaksma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KGVienna, Austria
| | - I J P de Esch
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Stachurski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KGVienna, Austria
| | - H F Vischer
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R Leurs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, The Netherlands
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Szymanski DW, Papanastasiou M, Melchior K, Zvonok N, Mercier RW, Janero DR, Thakur GA, Cha S, Wu B, Karger B, Makriyannis A. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics of human cannabinoid receptor 2: covalent cysteine 6.47(257)-ligand interaction affording megagonist receptor activation. J Proteome Res 2011; 10:4789-98. [PMID: 21861534 DOI: 10.1021/pr2005583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The lack of experimental characterization of the structures and ligand-binding motifs of therapeutic G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) hampers rational drug discovery. The human cannabinoid receptor 2 (hCB2R) is a class-A GPCR and promising therapeutic target for small-molecule cannabinergic agonists as medicines. Prior mutational and modeling data constitute provisional evidence that AM-841, a high-affinity classical cannabinoid, interacts with cysteine C6.47(257) in hCB2R transmembrane helix 6 (TMH6) to afford improved hCB2R selectivity and unprecedented agonist potency. We now apply bottom-up mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics to define directly the hCB2R-AM-841 interaction at the amino-acid level. Recombinant hCB2R, overexpressed as an N-terminal FLAG-tagged/C-terminal 6His-tagged protein (FLAG-hCB2R-6His) with a baculovirus system, was solubilized and purified by immunochromatography as functional receptor. A multiplex multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-MS method was developed that allowed us to observe unambiguously all seven discrete TMH peptides in the tryptic digest of purified FLAG-hCB2R-6His and demonstrate that AM-841 modifies hCB2R TMH6 exclusively. High-resolution mass spectra of the TMH6 tryptic peptide obtained by Q-TOF MS/MS analysis demonstrated that AM-841 covalently and selectively modifies hCB2R at TMH6 cysteine C6.47(257). These data demonstrate how integration of MS-based proteomics into a ligand-assisted protein structure (LAPS) experimental paradigm can offer guidance to structure-enabled GPCR agonist design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis W Szymanski
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, College of Science, Northeastern University , Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States
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Schiedel AC, Hinz S, Thimm D, Sherbiny F, Borrmann T, Maass A, Müller CE. The four cysteine residues in the second extracellular loop of the human adenosine A2B receptor: role in ligand binding and receptor function. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 82:389-99. [PMID: 21620804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2011] [Revised: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The adenosine A(2B) receptor is of considerable interest as a new drug target for the treatment of asthma, inflammatory diseases, pain, and cancer. In the present study we investigated the role of the cysteine residues in the extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) of the receptor, which is particularly cysteine-rich, by a combination of mutagenesis, molecular modeling, chemical and pharmacological experiments. Pretreatment of CHO cells recombinantly expressing the human A(2B) receptor with dithiothreitol led to a 74-fold increase in the EC(50) value of the agonist NECA in cyclic AMP accumulation. In the C78(3.25)S and the C171(45.50)S mutant high-affinity binding of the A(2B) antagonist radioligand [(3)H]PSB-603 was abolished and agonists were virtually inactive in cAMP assays. This indicates that the C3.25-C45.50 disulfide bond, which is highly conserved in GPCRs, is also important for binding and function of A(2B) receptors. In contrast, the C166(45.45)S and the C167(45.46)S mutant as well as the C166(45.45)S-C167(45.46)S double mutant behaved like the wild-type receptor, while in the C154(45.33)S mutant significant, although more subtle effects on cAMP accumulation were observed - decrease (BAY60-6583) or increase (NECA) - depending on the structure of the investigated agonist. In contrast to the X-ray structure of the closely related A(2A) receptor, which showed four disulfide bonds, the present data indicate that in the A(2B) receptor only the C3.25-C45.50 disulfide bond is essential for ligand binding and receptor activation. Thus, the cysteine residues in the ECL2 of the A(2B) receptor not involved in stabilization of the receptor structure may have other functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke C Schiedel
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany.
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