1
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Zheng Y, Gao M, Wijtmans M, Vischer HF, Leurs R. Synthesis and Pharmacological Characterization of New Photocaged Agonists for Histamine H 3 and H 4 Receptors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:536. [PMID: 38675496 PMCID: PMC11053687 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The modulation of biological processes with light-sensitive chemical probes promises precise temporal and spatial control. Yet, the design and synthesis of suitable probes is a challenge for medicinal chemists. This article introduces a photocaging strategy designed to modulate the pharmacology of histamine H3 receptors (H3R) and H4 receptors (H4R). Employing the photoremovable group BODIPY as the caging entity for two agonist scaffolds-immepip and 4-methylhistamine-for H3R and H4R, respectively, we synthesized two BODIPY-caged compounds, 5 (VUF25657) and 6 (VUF25678), demonstrating 10-100-fold reduction in affinity for their respective receptors. Notably, the caged H3R agonist, VUF25657, exhibits approximately a 100-fold reduction in functional activity. The photo-uncaging of VUF25657 at 560 nm resulted in the release of immepip, thereby restoring binding affinity and potency in functional assays. This approach presents a promising method to achieve optical control of H3R receptor pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rob Leurs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (Y.Z.); (M.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.V.)
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2
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Coene J, Wilms S, Verhelst SHL. Photopharmacology of Protease Inhibitors: Current Status and Perspectives. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303999. [PMID: 38224181 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303999] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Proteases are involved in many essential biological processes. Dysregulation of their activity underlies a wide variety of human diseases. Photopharmacology, as applied on various classes of proteins, has the potential to assist protease research by enabling spatiotemporal control of protease activity. Moreover, it may be used to decrease side-effects of protease-targeting drugs. In this review, we discuss the current status of the chemical design of photoactivatable proteases inhibitors and their biological application. Additionally, we give insight into future possibilities for further development of this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Coene
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, box 901b, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon Wilms
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, box 901b, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven H L Verhelst
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, box 901b, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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3
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Steinmüller SAM, Odaybat M, Galli G, Prischich D, Fuchter MJ, Decker M. Arylazobenzimidazoles: versatile visible-light photoswitches with tuneable Z-isomer stability. Chem Sci 2024; 15:5360-5367. [PMID: 38577348 PMCID: PMC10988581 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05246j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Benzimidazole heterocycles are of great importance in medicinal chemistry due to their applicability to a wide range of pharmacological targets, therefore representing a prototypical "privileged structure". In photopharmacology, azoheteroarene photoswitches have emerged as valuable tools for a variety of applications due to the high tuneability of their photophysical properties. Benzimidazole-based photoswitches could therefore enable the optically-controlled investigation of many pharmacological targets and find application in materials science. Here we report a combined experimental and computational investigation of such arylazobenzimidazoles, which allowed us to identify derivatives with near-quantitative bidirectional photoswitching using visible light and highly tuneable Z-isomer stability. We further demonstrate that arylazobenzimidazoles bearing a free benzimidazole N-H group not only exhibit efficient bidirectional photoswitching, but also excellent thermal Z-isomer stability, contrary to previously reported fast-relaxing Z-isomers of N-H azoheteroarenes. Finally, we describe derivatives which can be reversibly isomerized with cyan and red light, thereby enabling significantly "red-shifted" photocontrol over prior azoheteroarenes. The understanding gained in this study should enable future photopharmacological efforts by employing photoswitches based on the privileged benzimidazole structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A M Steinmüller
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Magdalena Odaybat
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Giulia Galli
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Davia Prischich
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Matthew J Fuchter
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
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4
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Sink A, Gerwe H, Hübner H, Boivin-Jahns V, Fender J, Lorenz K, Gmeiner P, Decker M. "Photo-Adrenalines": Photoswitchable β 2 -Adrenergic Receptor Agonists as Molecular Probes for the Study of Spatiotemporal Adrenergic Signaling. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303506. [PMID: 38212242 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303506] [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: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
β2 -adrenergic receptor (β2 -AR) agonists are used for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but also play a role in other complex disorders including cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. As the cellular and molecular mechanisms in various cells and tissues of the β2 -AR remain vastly elusive, we developed tools for this investigation with high temporal and spatial resolution. Several photoswitchable β2 -AR agonists with nanomolar activity were synthesized. The most potent agonist for β2 -AR with reasonable switching is a one-digit nanomolar active, trans-on arylazopyrazole-based adrenaline derivative and comprises valuable photopharmacological properties for further biological studies with high structural accordance to the native ligand adrenaline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sink
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hubert Gerwe
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Medicinal Chemistry Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valerie Boivin-Jahns
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Versbacher Straße 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Fender
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Versbacher Straße 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kristina Lorenz
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Versbacher Straße 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Str. 11, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Medicinal Chemistry Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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5
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Dumazer A, Gómez-Santacana X, Malhaire F, Jopling C, Maurel D, Lebon G, Llebaria A, Goudet C. Optical Control of Adenosine A 2A Receptor Using Istradefylline Photosensitivity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:645-655. [PMID: 38275568 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00721] [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] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential therapeutic use of inhibitors of adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Nevertheless, the widespread expression of A2AR throughout the body emphasizes the importance of temporally and spatially selective ligands. Photopharmacology is an emerging strategy that utilizes photosensitive ligands to attain high spatiotemporal precision and regulate the function of biomolecules using light. In this study, we combined photochemistry and cellular and in vivo photopharmacology to investigate the light sensitivity of the FDA-approved antagonist istradefylline and its potential use as an A2AR photopharmacological tool. Our findings reveal that istradefylline exhibits rapid trans-to-cis isomerization under near-UV light, and prolonged exposure results in the formation of photocycloaddition products. We demonstrate that exposure to UV light triggers a time-dependent decrease in the antagonistic activity of istradefylline in A2AR-expressing cells and enables real-time optical control of A2AR signaling in living cells and zebrafish. Together, these data demonstrate that istradefylline is a photoinactivatable A2AR antagonist and that this property can be utilized to perform photopharmacological experiments in living cells and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaëlle Dumazer
- IGF, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Gómez-Santacana
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fanny Malhaire
- IGF, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Chris Jopling
- IGF, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Damien Maurel
- IGF, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Guillaume Lebon
- IGF, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cyril Goudet
- IGF, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France
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6
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Sortino R, Cunquero M, Castro-Olvera G, Gelabert R, Moreno M, Riefolo F, Matera C, Fernàndez-Castillo N, Agnetta L, Decker M, Lluch JM, Hernando J, Loza-Alvarez P, Gorostiza P. Three-Photon Infrared Stimulation of Endogenous Neuroreceptors in Vivo. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202311181. [PMID: 37823736 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
To interrogate neural circuits and crack their codes, in vivo brain activity imaging must be combined with spatiotemporally precise stimulation in three dimensions using genetic or pharmacological specificity. This challenge requires deep penetration and focusing as provided by infrared light and multiphoton excitation, and has promoted two-photon photopharmacology and optogenetics. However, three-photon brain stimulation in vivo remains to be demonstrated. We report the regulation of neuronal activity in zebrafish larvae by three-photon excitation of a photoswitchable muscarinic agonist at 50 pM, a billion-fold lower concentration than used for uncaging, and with mid-infrared light of 1560 nm, the longest reported photoswitch wavelength. Robust, physiologically relevant photoresponses allow modulating brain activity in wild-type animals with spatiotemporal and pharmacological precision. Computational calculations predict that azobenzene-based ligands have high three-photon absorption cross-section and can be used directly with pulsed infrared light. The expansion of three-photon pharmacology will deeply impact basic neurobiology and neuromodulation phototherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Sortino
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Cunquero
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Gustavo Castro-Olvera
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Ricard Gelabert
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Miquel Moreno
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Fabio Riefolo
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Current address: Teamit Institute, Partnerships, Barcelona Health Hub, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlo Matera
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Current address: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la, Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD), 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Luca Agnetta
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Ludwig Maximilian University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Ludwig Maximilian University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - José M Lluch
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), UAB, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jordi Hernando
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Pablo Loza-Alvarez
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Pau Gorostiza
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), 08010, Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Lahmy R, Hübner H, Lachmann D, Gmeiner P, König B. Development of Photoswitchable Tethered Ligands that Target the μ-Opioid Receptor. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300228. [PMID: 37817331 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300228] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Converting known ligands into photoswitchable derivatives offers the opportunity to modulate compound structure with light and hence, biological activity. In doing so, these probes provide unique control when evaluating G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) mechanism and function. Further conversion of such compounds into covalent probes, known as photoswitchable tethered ligands (PTLs), offers additional advantages. These include localization of the PTLs to the receptor binding pocket. Covalent localization increases local ligand concentration, improves site selectivity and may improve the biological differences between the respective isomers. This work describes chemical, photophysical and biochemical characterizations of a variety of PTLs designed to target the μ-opioid receptor (μOR). These PTLs were modeled on fentanyl, with the lead disulfide-containing agonist found to covalently interact with a cysteine-enriched mutant of this medically-relevant receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranit Lahmy
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniel Lachmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Burkhard König
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
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8
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Simon I, Homan EJ, Wijtmans M, Sundström M, Leurs R, De Esch IJP, Zarzycka BA. PSW-Designer: An Open-Source Computational Platform for the Design and Virtual Screening of Photopharmacological Ligands. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:6696-6705. [PMID: 37831965 PMCID: PMC10647043 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Photoswitchable (PSW) molecules offer an attractive opportunity for the optical control of biological processes. However, the successful design of such compounds remains a challenging multioptimization endeavor, resulting in several biological target classes still relatively poorly explored by photoswitchable ligands, as is the case for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here, we present the PSW-Designer, a fully open-source computational platform, implemented in the KNIME Analytics Platform, to design and virtually screen novel photoswitchable ligands for photopharmacological applications based on privileged scaffolds. We demonstrate the applicability of the PSW-Designer to GPCRs and assess its predictive capabilities via two retrospective case studies. Furthermore, by leveraging bioactivity information on known ligands, typical and atypical strategies for photoswitchable group incorporation, and the increasingly structural information available for biological targets, the PSW-Design will facilitate the design of novel photoswitchable molecules with improved photopharmacological properties and increased binding affinity shifts upon illumination for GPCRs and many other protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Icaro
A. Simon
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for
Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Evert J. Homan
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maikel Wijtmans
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for
Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Sundström
- Centre
for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rob Leurs
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for
Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Iwan J. P. De Esch
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for
Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara A. Zarzycka
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for
Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Wirth U, Raabe K, Kalaba P, Keimpema E, Muttenthaler M, König B. Photoswitchable Probes of Oxytocin and Vasopressin. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14853-14865. [PMID: 37857356 PMCID: PMC10641831 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) are related neuropeptides that regulate many biological processes. In humans, OT and VP act via four G protein-coupled receptors, OTR, V1aR, V1bR, and V2R (VPRs), which are associated with several disorders. To investigate the therapeutic potential of these receptors, particularly in the receptor-dense areas of the brain, molecular probes with a high temporal and spatial resolution are required. Such a spatiotemporal resolution can be achieved by incorporating photochromic moieties into OT and VP. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and (photo)pharmacological characterization of 12 OT- and VP-derived photoprobes using different modification strategies. Despite OT's and VP's sensitivity toward structural changes, we identified two photoprobes with good potency and photoswitch window for investigating the OTR and V1bR. These photoprobes should be of high value for producing cutting-edge photocontrollable peptide probes for the study of dynamic and kinetic receptor activation processes in specific regions of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Wirth
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Raabe
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Predrag Kalaba
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Erik Keimpema
- Medical
University of Vienna, Center for Brain Research, Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Spitalgasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Burkhard König
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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10
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Marcus DJ, Bruchas MR. Optical Approaches for Investigating Neuromodulation and G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:1119-1139. [PMID: 37429736 PMCID: PMC10595021 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that roughly 40% of all US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacological therapeutics target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), there remains a gap in our understanding of the physiologic and functional role of these receptors at the systems level. Although heterologous expression systems and in vitro assays have revealed a tremendous amount about GPCR signaling cascades, how these cascades interact across cell types, tissues, and organ systems remains obscure. Classic behavioral pharmacology experiments lack both the temporal and spatial resolution to resolve these long-standing issues. Over the past half century, there has been a concerted effort toward the development of optical tools for understanding GPCR signaling. From initial ligand uncaging approaches to more recent development of optogenetic techniques, these strategies have allowed researchers to probe longstanding questions in GPCR pharmacology both in vivo and in vitro. These tools have been employed across biologic systems and have allowed for interrogation of everything from specific intramolecular events to pharmacology at the systems level in a spatiotemporally specific manner. In this review, we present a historical perspective on the motivation behind and development of a variety of optical toolkits that have been generated to probe GPCR signaling. Here we highlight how these tools have been used in vivo to uncover the functional role of distinct populations of GPCRs and their signaling cascades at a systems level. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remain one of the most targeted classes of proteins for pharmaceutical intervention, yet we still have a limited understanding of how their unique signaling cascades effect physiology and behavior at the systems level. In this review, we discuss a vast array of optical techniques that have been devised to probe GPCR signaling both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Marcus
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion (D.J.M., M.R.B.), Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (D.J.M., M.R.B.), Department of Pharmacology (M.R.B.), and Department of Bioengineering (M.R.B.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion (D.J.M., M.R.B.), Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (D.J.M., M.R.B.), Department of Pharmacology (M.R.B.), and Department of Bioengineering (M.R.B.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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11
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A multi-dimensional view of context-dependent G protein-coupled receptor function. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:13-20. [PMID: 36688421 PMCID: PMC9987931 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family members can sense an extraordinary variety of biomolecules to activate intracellular signalling cascades that modulate key aspects of cell physiology. Apart from their crucial role in maintaining cell homeostasis, these critical sensory and modulatory properties have made GPCRs the most successful drug target class to date. However, establishing direct links between receptor activation of specific intracellular partners and individual physiological outcomes is still an ongoing challenge. By studying this receptor signalling complexity at increasing resolution through the development of novel biosensors and high-throughput techniques, a growing number of studies are revealing how receptor function can be diversified in a spatial, temporal or cell-specific manner. This mini-review will introduce recent examples of this context-dependent receptor signalling and discuss how it can impact our understanding of receptor function in health and disease, and contribute to the search of more selective, efficacious and safer GPCR drug candidates.
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Lahmy R, Hübner H, Schmidt MF, Lachmann D, Gmeiner P, König B. Photochromic Fentanyl Derivatives for Controlled μ-Opioid Receptor Activation. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202201515. [PMID: 35899620 PMCID: PMC9826449 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Photoswitchable ligands as biological tools provide an opportunity to explore the kinetics and dynamics of the clinically relevant μ-opioid receptor. These ligands can potentially activate or deactivate the receptor when desired by using light. Spatial and temporal control of biological activity allows for application in a diverse range of biological investigations. Photoswitchable ligands have been developed in this work, modelled on the known agonist fentanyl, with the aim of expanding the current "toolbox" of fentanyl photoswitchable ligands. In doing so, ligands have been developed that change geometry (isomerize) upon exposure to light, with varying photophysical and biochemical properties. This variation in properties could be valuable in further studying the functional significance of the μ-opioid receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranit Lahmy
- Institute of Organic ChemistryDepartment of Chemistry and PharmacyUniversity of Regensburg93053RegensburgGermany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyFriedrich Alexander University91052ErlangenGermany
| | - Maximilian F. Schmidt
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyFriedrich Alexander University91052ErlangenGermany
| | - Daniel Lachmann
- Institute of Organic ChemistryDepartment of Chemistry and PharmacyUniversity of Regensburg93053RegensburgGermany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyFriedrich Alexander University91052ErlangenGermany
| | - Burkhard König
- Institute of Organic ChemistryDepartment of Chemistry and PharmacyUniversity of Regensburg93053RegensburgGermany
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Bosma R, Dijon NC, Zheng Y, Schihada H, Hauwert NJ, Shi S, Arimont M, Riemens R, Custers H, van de Stolpe A, Vischer HF, Wijtmans M, Holliday ND, Kuster DW, Leurs R. Optical control of the β2-adrenergic receptor with Opto-prop-2: a cis-active azobenzene analog of propranolol. iScience 2022; 25:104882. [PMID: 36060054 PMCID: PMC9436767 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we synthesized and evaluated new photoswitchable ligands for the beta-adrenergic receptors β1-AR and β2-AR, applying an azologization strategy to the first-generation beta-blocker propranolol. The resulting compounds (Opto-prop-1, -2, -3) have good photochemical properties with high levels of light-induced trans-cis isomerization (>94%) and good thermal stability (t1/2 > 10 days) of the resulting cis-isomer in an aqueous buffer. Upon illumination with 360-nm light to PSScis, large differences in binding affinities were observed for photoswitchable compounds at β1-AR as well as β2-AR. Notably, Opto-prop-2 (VUF17062) showed one of the largest optical shifts in binding affinities at the β2-AR (587-fold, cis-active), as recorded so far for photoswitches of G protein-coupled receptors. We finally show the broad utility of Opto-prop-2 as a light-dependent competitive antagonist of the β2-AR as shown with a conformational β2-AR sensor, by the recruitment of downstream effector proteins and functional modulation of isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes. A photoswitchable antagonist of the β2-AR was developed: Opto-prop-2 β2-AR binding affinity of the light-induced cis-Opto-prop-2 is 578-fold stronger Opto-prop-2 allowed dynamic control of β2-AR antagonism Opto-prop-2 allowed light-dependent modulation of cardiomyocyte function
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Affiliation(s)
- Reggie Bosma
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nicola C. Dijon
- School of Life Sciences, The Medical School, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Yang Zheng
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Niels J. Hauwert
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Shuang Shi
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Arimont
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rick Riemens
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Custers
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea van de Stolpe
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henry F. Vischer
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maikel Wijtmans
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nicholas D. Holliday
- School of Life Sciences, The Medical School, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Diederik W.D. Kuster
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Physiology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Leurs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author
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Gómez-Santacana X, Panarello S, Rovira X, Llebaria A. Photoswitchable allosteric modulators for metabotropic glutamate receptors. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2022; 66:102266. [PMID: 35870289 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu) are a family of class C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with important biological functions and widespread expression. The mechanisms of mGlu activation and the development of allosteric modulators for these dimeric proteins have attracted singular attention including the use of light regulated ligands. Photopharmacology involves the integration of a photoactive moiety into the ligand structure that following specific illumination undergoes a structural rearrangement and changes its biological activity. The use of light-regulated allosteric ligands offers the opportunity to manipulate mGlu signalling with spatiotemporal precision, unattainable with classical pharmacological approaches. In this review, we will discuss some of the innovations that have been made in the allosteric photopharmacology of mGlu receptors to date. We discuss the prospects of these molecular tools in the control of mGluRs and the new perspectives in understanding mGlu mechanisms, pharmacology and (patho)physiology that can ultimately result in innovative drug discovery concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Panarello
- MCS, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Rovira
- MCS, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- MCS, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
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