1
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Rakotoarivelo V, Mayer TZ, Simard M, Flamand N, Di Marzo V. The Impact of the CB 2 Cannabinoid Receptor in Inflammatory Diseases: An Update. Molecules 2024; 29:3381. [PMID: 39064959 PMCID: PMC11279428 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29143381] [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: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of inflammatory diseases is a heavy burden on modern societies. Cannabis has been used for several millennia to treat inflammatory disorders such as rheumatism or gout. Since the characterization of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, the potential of cannabinoid pharmacotherapy in inflammatory conditions has received great interest. Several studies have identified the importance of these receptors in immune cell migration and in the production of inflammatory mediators. As the presence of the CB2 receptor was documented to be more predominant in immune cells, several pharmacological agonists and antagonists have been designed to treat inflammation. To better define the potential of the CB2 receptor, three online databases, PubMed, Google Scholar and clinicaltrial.gov, were searched without language restriction. The full texts of articles presenting data on the endocannabinoid system, the CB2 receptor and its role in modulating inflammation in vitro, in animal models and in the context of clinical trials were reviewed. Finally, we discuss the clinical potential of the latest cannabinoid-based therapies in inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volatiana Rakotoarivelo
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire De Cardiologie Et De Pneumologie de Québec, Département of Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
| | - Thomas Z. Mayer
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire De Cardiologie Et De Pneumologie de Québec, Département of Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
- Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, and Centre NUTRISS, École de Nutrition, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
| | - Mélissa Simard
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire De Cardiologie Et De Pneumologie de Québec, Département of Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
| | - Nicolas Flamand
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire De Cardiologie Et De Pneumologie de Québec, Département of Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire De Cardiologie Et De Pneumologie de Québec, Département of Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
- Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, and Centre NUTRISS, École de Nutrition, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
- Joint International Unit between the CNR of Italy and Université Laval on Chemical and Biomolecular Research on the Microbiome and Its Impact on Metabolic Health and Nutrition (UMI-MicroMeNu), Québec City, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
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2
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Brust CA, Swanson MA, Bohn LM. Structural and functional insights into the G protein-coupled receptors: CB1 and CB2. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1533-1543. [PMID: 37646476 PMCID: PMC10586759 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 mediate a variety of physiological processes and continue to be explored as desirable drug targets. Both receptors are activated by the endogenous endocannabinoids and the psychoactive components of marijuana. Over the years, many efforts have been made to make selective ligands; however, the high degree of homology between cannabinoid receptor subtypes introduces challenges in studying either receptor in isolation. Recent advancements in structure biology have resulted in a surge of high-resolution structures, enriching our knowledge and understanding of receptor structure and function. In this review, of recent cannabinoid receptor structures, key features of the inactive and active state CB1 and CB2 are presented. These structures will provide additional insight into the modulation and signaling mechanism of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and aid in the development of future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A. Brust
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, U.S.A
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A
| | - Matthew A. Swanson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, U.S.A
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A
| | - Laura M. Bohn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, U.S.A
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A
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3
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Vasincu A, Rusu RN, Ababei DC, Neamțu M, Arcan OD, Macadan I, Beșchea Chiriac S, Bild W, Bild V. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists in Inflammation, Diabetes Mellitus, and Obesity. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1667. [PMID: 37371762 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061667] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, research has greatly expanded the knowledge of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its involvement in several therapeutic applications. Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) are present in nearly every mammalian tissue, performing a vital role in different physiological processes (neuronal development, immune modulation, energy homeostasis). The ECS has an essential role in metabolic control and lipid signaling, making it a potential target for managing conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Its malfunction is closely linked to these pathological conditions. Additionally, the immunomodulatory function of the ECS presents a promising avenue for developing new treatments for various types of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Preclinical investigations using peripherally restricted CBR antagonists that do not cross the BBB have shown promise for the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases, highlighting the importance of continuing efforts to discover novel molecules with superior safety profiles. The purpose of this review is to examine the roles of CB1R and CB2Rs, as well as their antagonists, in relation to the above-mentioned disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Vasincu
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Răzvan-Nicolae Rusu
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Daniela-Carmen Ababei
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Monica Neamțu
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Oana Dana Arcan
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana Macadan
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Sorin Beșchea Chiriac
- Department of Toxicology, "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Life Sciences, 8 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, Romania
| | - Walther Bild
- Department of Physiology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Center of Biomedical Research of the Romanian Academy, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Veronica Bild
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Center of Biomedical Research of the Romanian Academy, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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4
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Stasiulewicz A, Lesniak A, Bujalska-Zadrożny M, Pawiński T, Sulkowska JI. Identification of Novel CB2 Ligands through Virtual Screening and In Vitro Evaluation. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:1012-1027. [PMID: 36693026 PMCID: PMC9930120 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) is a very promising therapeutic target for a variety of potential indications. However, despite the existence of multiple high affinity CB2 ligands, none have yet been approved as a drug. Therefore, it would be beneficial to explore new chemotypes of CB2 ligands. The recent elucidation of CB2 tertiary structure allows for rational hit identification with structure-based (SB) methods. In this study, we established a virtual screening workflow based on SB techniques augmented with ligand-based ones, including molecular docking, MM-GBSA binding energy calculations, pharmacophore screening, and QSAR. We screened nearly 7 million drug-like, commercially available compounds. We selected 16 molecules for in vitro evaluation and identified two novel, selective CB2 antagonists with Ki values of 65 and 210 nM. Both compounds are structurally diverse from CB2 ligands known to date. The established virtual screening protocol may prove useful for hit identification for CB2 and similar molecular targets. The two novel CB2 ligands provide a desired starting point for future optimization and development of potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Stasiulewicz
- Department
of Drug Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland,Centre
of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Lesniak
- Department
of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bujalska-Zadrożny
- Department
of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Pawiński
- Department
of Drug Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna I. Sulkowska
- Centre
of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland,E-mail:
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5
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Endocannabinoid System: Chemical Characteristics and Biological Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16020148. [PMID: 37017445 PMCID: PMC9966761 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (eCB) has been studied to identify the molecular structures present in Cannabis sativa. eCB consists of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands, and the associated enzymatic apparatus responsible for maintaining energy homeostasis and cognitive processes. Several physiological effects of cannabinoids are exerted through interactions with various receptors, such as CB1 and CB2 receptors, vanilloid receptors, and the recently discovered G-protein-coupled receptors (GPR55, GPR3, GPR6, GPR12, and GPR19). Anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidoylglycerol (2-AG), two small lipids derived from arachidonic acid, showed high-affinity binding to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. eCB plays a critical role in chronic pain and mood disorders and has been extensively studied because of its wide therapeutic potential and because it is a promising target for the development of new drugs. Phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids have shown varied affinities for eCB and are relevant to the treatment of several neurological diseases. This review provides a description of eCB components and discusses how phytocannabinoids and other exogenous compounds may regulate the eCB balance. Furthermore, we show the hypo- or hyperfunctionality of eCB in the body and how eCB is related to chronic pain and mood disorders, even with integrative and complementary health practices (ICHP) harmonizing the eCB.
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6
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Cáceres D, Ochoa M, González-Ortiz M, Bravo K, Eugenín J. Effects of Prenatal Cannabinoids Exposure upon Placenta and Development of Respiratory Neural Circuits. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1428:199-232. [PMID: 37466775 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32554-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has risen dangerously during pregnancy in the face of incipient therapeutic use and a growing perception of safety. The main psychoactive compound of the Cannabis sativa plant is the phytocannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A-9 THC), and its status as a teratogen is controversial. THC and its endogenous analogues, anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG, exert their actions through specific receptors (eCBr) that activate intracellular signaling pathways. CB1r and CB2r, also called classic cannabinoid receptors, together with their endogenous ligands and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade them, constitute the endocannabinoid system. This system is distributed ubiquitously in various central and peripheral tissues. Although the endocannabinoid system's most studied role is controlling the release of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, the study of long-term exposure to cannabinoids on fetal development is not well known and is vital for understanding environmental or pathological embryo-fetal or postnatal conditions. Prenatal exposure to cannabinoids in animal models has induced changes in placental and embryo-fetal organs. Particularly, cannabinoids could influence both neural and nonneural tissues and induce embryo-fetal pathological conditions in critical processes such as neural respiratory control. This review aims at the acute and chronic effects of prenatal exposure to cannabinoids on placental function and the embryo-fetal neurodevelopment of the respiratory pattern. The information provided here will serve as a theoretical framework to critically evaluate the teratogen effects of the consumption of cannabis during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martín Ochoa
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcelo González-Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Karina Bravo
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Chile
| | - Jaime Eugenín
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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7
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Atz K, Guba W, Grether U, Schneider G. Machine Learning and Computational Chemistry for the Endocannabinoid System. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:477-493. [PMID: 36152211 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_39] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Computational methods in medicinal chemistry facilitate drug discovery and design. In particular, machine learning methodologies have recently gained increasing attention. This chapter provides a structured overview of the current state of computational chemistry and its applications for the interrogation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), highlighting methods in structure-based drug design, virtual screening, ligand-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, and de novo molecular design. We emphasize emerging methods in machine learning and anticipate a forecast of future opportunities of computational medicinal chemistry for the ECS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Atz
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Guba
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Grether
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Gisbert Schneider
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
- ETH Singapore SEC Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
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8
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Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Adipose Tissue with Focus on Energy Metabolism. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061279. [PMID: 34064024 PMCID: PMC8224009 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is involved in a wide range of processes including the control of energy acquisition and expenditure. Endocannabinoids and their receptors are present in the central nervous system but also in peripheral tissues, notably the adipose tissues. The endocannabinoid system interacts with two main hormones regulating appetite, namely leptin and ghrelin. The inhibitory effect of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonist rimonabant on fat mass suggested that the endocannabinoid system can also have a peripheral action in addition to its effect on appetite reduction. Thus, several investigations have focused on the peripheral role of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of metabolism. The white adipose tissue stores energy as triglycerides while the brown adipose tissue helps to dissipate energy as heat. The endocannabinoid system regulates several functions of the adipose tissues to favor energy accumulation. In this review we will describe the presence of the endocannabinoid system in the adipose tissue. We will survey the role of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of white and brown adipose tissue metabolism and how the eCB system participates in obesity and metabolic diseases.
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9
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Criscuolo E, De Sciscio ML, Fezza F, Maccarrone M. In Silico and In Vitro Analysis of Major Cannabis-Derived Compounds as Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitors. Molecules 2020; 26:molecules26010048. [PMID: 33374180 PMCID: PMC7795171 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulated evidence suggests that enhancing the endocannabinoid (eCB) tone, in particular of anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA), has therapeutic potential in many human diseases. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a membrane-bound enzyme principally responsible for the degradation of AEA, and thus it represents a relevant target to increase signaling thereof. In recent years, different synthetic and natural compounds have been developed and tested on rat FAAH, but little is known of their effect on the human enzyme. Here, we sought to investigate six major cannabis-derived compounds to compare their action on rat and human FAAHs. To this aim, we combined an in silico analysis of their binding mode and affinity, with in vitro assays of their effect on enzyme activity. This integrated approach allowed to disclose differences in efficacy towards rat and human FAAHs, and to highlight the role of key residues involved in the inhibition of both enzymes. This study suggests that the therapeutic efficacy of compounds targeted towards FAAH should be always tested in vitro on both rat and human enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Criscuolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00121 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Laura De Sciscio
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Filomena Fezza
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00121 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (M.M.)
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio snc, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 54, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (M.M.)
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10
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Cooray R, Gupta V, Suphioglu C. Current Aspects of the Endocannabinoid System and Targeted THC and CBD Phytocannabinoids as Potential Therapeutics for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases: a Review. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4878-4890. [PMID: 32813239 PMCID: PMC7515854 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration leading to Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a major health burden globally. Current treatments mainly target controlling symptoms and there are no therapeutics available in clinical practice to preventing the neurodegeneration or inducing neuronal repairing. Thus, the demand of novel research for the two disorders is imperative. This literature review aims to provide a collection of published work on PD and AD and current uses of endocannabinoid system (ECS) as a potential drug target for neurodegeneration. PD is frequently treated with L-DOPA and deep brain stimulation. Recent gene modification and remodelling techniques, such as CRISPR through human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, have shown promising strategy for personalised medicine. AD characterised by extracellular deposits of amyloid β-senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein commonly uses choline acetyltransferase enhancers as therapeutics. The ECS is currently being studied as PD and AD drug targets where overexpression of ECS receptors exerted neuroprotection against PD and reduced neuroinflammation in AD. The delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinoid (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) cannabinoids of plant Cannabis sativa have shown neuroprotection upon PD and AD animal models yet triggered toxic effects on patients when administered directly. Therefore, understanding the precise molecular cascade following cannabinoid treatment is suggested, focusing especially on gene expression to identify drug targets for preventing and repairing neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Cooray
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
- Section of Genetics, Institute for Research & Development in Health & Social Care, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
| | - V Gupta
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - C Suphioglu
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
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11
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Mangiatordi GF, Intranuovo F, Delre P, Abatematteo FS, Abate C, Niso M, Creanza TM, Ancona N, Stefanachi A, Contino M. Cannabinoid Receptor Subtype 2 (CB2R) in a Multitarget Approach: Perspective of an Innovative Strategy in Cancer and Neurodegeneration. J Med Chem 2020; 63:14448-14469. [PMID: 33094613 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2R) represents an interesting and new therapeutic target for its involvement in the first steps of neurodegeneration as well as in cancer onset and progression. Several studies, focused on different types of tumors, report a promising anticancer activity induced by CB2R agonists due to their ability to reduce inflammation and cell proliferation. Moreover, in neuroinflammation, the stimulation of CB2R, overexpressed in microglial cells, exerts beneficial effects in neurodegenerative disorders. With the aim to overcome current treatment limitations, new drugs can be developed by specifically modulating, together with CB2R, other targets involved in such multifactorial disorders. Building on successful case studies of already developed multitarget strategies involving CB2R, in this Perspective we aim at prompting the scientific community to consider new promising target associations involving HDACs (histone deacetylases) and σ receptors by employing modern approaches based on molecular hybridization, computational polypharmacology, and machine learning algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Intranuovo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Pietro Delre
- CNR-Institute of Crystallography, Via Amendola 122/o, 70126 Bari, Italy.,Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Serena Abatematteo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Mauro Niso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Teresa Maria Creanza
- CNR-Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing, Via Amendola 122/o, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Ancona
- CNR-Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing, Via Amendola 122/o, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Stefanachi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marialessandra Contino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
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12
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Haspula D, Clark MA. Cannabinoid Receptors: An Update on Cell Signaling, Pathophysiological Roles and Therapeutic Opportunities in Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Inflammatory Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7693. [PMID: 33080916 PMCID: PMC7590033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of the human cannabinoid receptors and their roles in health and disease, has been one of the most significant biochemical and pharmacological advancements to have occurred in the past few decades. In spite of the major strides made in furthering endocannabinoid research, therapeutic exploitation of the endocannabinoid system has often been a challenging task. An impaired endocannabinoid tone often manifests as changes in expression and/or functions of type 1 and/or type 2 cannabinoid receptors. It becomes important to understand how alterations in cannabinoid receptor cellular signaling can lead to disruptions in major physiological and biological functions, as they are often associated with the pathogenesis of several neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. This review focusses mostly on the pathophysiological roles of type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptors, and it attempts to integrate both cellular and physiological functions of the cannabinoid receptors. Apart from an updated review of pre-clinical and clinical studies, the adequacy/inadequacy of cannabinoid-based therapeutics in various pathological conditions is also highlighted. Finally, alternative strategies to modulate endocannabinoid tone, and future directions are also emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanush Haspula
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Michelle A. Clark
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
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13
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Shahbazi F, Grandi V, Banerjee A, Trant JF. Cannabinoids and Cannabinoid Receptors: The Story so Far. iScience 2020; 23:101301. [PMID: 32629422 PMCID: PMC7339067 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Like most modern molecular biology and natural product chemistry, understanding cannabinoid pharmacology centers around molecular interactions, in this case, between the cannabinoids and their putative targets, the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2). Understanding the complex structure and interplay between the partners in this molecular dance is required to understand the mechanism of action of synthetic, endogenous, and phytochemical cannabinoids. This review, with 91 references, surveys our understanding of the structural biology of the cannabinoids and their target receptors including both a critical comparison of the extant crystal structures and the computationally derived homology models, as well as an in-depth discussion about the binding modes of the major cannabinoids. The aim is to assist in situating structural biochemists, synthetic chemists, and molecular biologists who are new to the field of cannabis research. Cannabinoid research has greatly expanded Structural biology and computational chemistry jointly provide mechanistic insight Structural data are being generated at an exponentially increasing rate Phytocannabinoid targeting of other GPCR receptors deserves investigation
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred Shahbazi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Victoria Grandi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Abhinandan Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - John F Trant
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada.
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Ji B, Liu S, He X, Man VH, Xie XQ, Wang J. Prediction of the Binding Affinities and Selectivity for CB1 and CB2 Ligands Using Homology Modeling, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, and MM-PBSA Binding Free Energy Calculations. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1139-1158. [PMID: 32196303 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids are a group of chemical compounds that have been used for thousands of years due to their psychoactive function and systemic physiological effects. There are at least two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, which belong to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily and can trigger different signaling pathways to exert their physiological functions. In this study, several representative agonists and antagonists of both CB1 and CB2 were systematically studied to predict their binding affinities and selectivity against both cannabinoid receptors using a set of hierarchical molecular modeling and simulation techniques, including homology modeling, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and end point binding free energy calculations using the molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area-WSAS (MM-PBSA-WSAS) method, and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) free energy decomposition. Encouragingly, the calculated binding free energies correlated very well with the experimental values and the correlation coefficient square (R2), 0.60, was much higher than that of an efficient but less accurate docking scoring function (R2 = 0.37). The hotspot residues for CB1 and CB2 in both active and inactive conformations were identified via MM-GBSA free energy decomposition analysis. The comparisons of binding free energies, ligand-receptor interaction patterns, and hotspot residues among the four systems, namely, agonist-bound CB1, agonist-bound CB2, antagonist-bound CB1, and antagonist-bound CB2, enabled us to investigate and identify distinct binding features of these four systems, with which one can rationally design potent, selective, and function-specific modulators for the cannabinoid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beihong Ji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Shuhan Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Xibing He
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Viet Hoang Man
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Xiang-Qun Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Junmei Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
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15
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Li H, Liu Y, Tian D, Tian L, Ju X, Qi L, Wang Y, Liang C. Overview of cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogues: Structures, biological activities, and neuroprotective mechanisms in epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 192:112163. [PMID: 32109623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Herein, 11 general types of natural cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa as well as 50 (-)-CBD analogues with therapeutic potential were described. The underlying molecular mechanisms of CBD as a therapeutic candidate for epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases were comprehensively clarified. CBD indirectly acts as an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist to exert its neuroprotective effects. CBD also promotes neuroprotection through different signal transduction pathways mediated indirectly by cannabinoid receptors. Furthermore, CBD prevents the glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) hyperphosphorylation caused by Aβ and may be developed as a new therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Yuzhi Liu
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Danni Tian
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Lei Tian
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Xingke Ju
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Liang Qi
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Yongbo Wang
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Chengyuan Liang
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China.
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16
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Li Y, Sun Y, Song Y, Dai D, Zhao Z, Zhang Q, Zhong W, Hu LA, Ma Y, Li X, Wang R. Fragment-Based Computational Method for Designing GPCR Ligands. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 60:4339-4349. [PMID: 31652060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface receptors, which is arguably the most important family of drug target. With the technology breakthroughs in X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, more than 300 GPCR-ligand complex structures have been publicly reported since 2007, covering about 60 unique GPCRs. Such abundant structural information certainly will facilitate the structure-based drug design by targeting GPCRs. In this study, we have developed a fragment-based computational method for designing novel GPCR ligands. We first extracted the characteristic interaction patterns (CIPs) on the binding interfaces between GPCRs and their ligands. The CIPs were used as queries to search the chemical fragments derived from GPCR ligands, which were required to form similar interaction patterns with GPCR. Then, the selected chemical fragments were assembled into complete molecules by using the AutoT&T2 software. In this work, we chose β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) as the targets to validate this method. Based on the designs suggested by our method, samples of 63 compounds were purchased and tested in a cell-based functional assay. A total of 15 and 22 compounds were identified as active antagonists for β2-AR and mAChR M1, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy analysis were performed to explore the key interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions) between those active compounds and their target GPCRs. In summary, our work presents a useful approach to the de novo design of GPCR ligands based on the relevant 3D structural information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaping Sun
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunpeng Song
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongcheng Dai
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixiong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenge Zhong
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Liaoyuan A Hu
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingli Ma
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun Li
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Renxiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanxi Key Laboratory of Innovative Drugs for the Treatment of Serious Diseases Basing on Chronic Inflammation, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030619, People's Republic of China
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17
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Loo JSE, Emtage A, Murali L, Lee SS, Kueh ALW, Alexander SPH. Ligand discrimination during virtual screening of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor crystal structures following cross-docking and microsecond molecular dynamics simulations. RSC Adv 2019; 9:15949-15956. [PMID: 35521393 PMCID: PMC9064321 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra01095e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ligands of inactive and active-state CB1 receptor crystal structures were swapped and virtual screening performance assessed after molecular dynamics simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S. E. Loo
- School of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
- Taylor's University
- 47500 Subang Jaya
- Malaysia
| | - Abigail L. Emtage
- School of Pharmacy
- The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
- 43500 Semenyih
- Malaysia
| | - Lahari Murali
- School of Pharmacy
- The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
- 43500 Semenyih
- Malaysia
| | - Sze Siew Lee
- School of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
- Taylor's University
- 47500 Subang Jaya
- Malaysia
| | - Alvina L. W. Kueh
- School of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
- Taylor's University
- 47500 Subang Jaya
- Malaysia
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18
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Expression and localization of CB1R, NAPE-PLD, and FAAH in the vervet monkey nucleus accumbens. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8689. [PMID: 29875385 PMCID: PMC5989267 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26826-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive rodent literature suggests that the endocannabinoid (eCB) system present in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) modulates dopamine (DA) release in this area. However, expression patterns of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), the synthesizing enzyme N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), and the degradation enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the NAc have not yet been described in non-human primates. The goal of this study is therefore to characterize the expression and localization of the eCB system within the NAc of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) using Western blots and immunohistochemistry. Results show that CB1R, NAPE-PLD, and FAAH are expressed across the NAc rostrocaudal axis, both in the core and shell. CB1R, NAPE-PLD, and FAAH are localized in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons (FSIs). Dopaminergic projections and astrocytes did not express CB1R, NAPE-PLD, or FAAH. These data show that the eCB system is present in the vervet monkey NAc and supports its role in the primate brain reward circuit.
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Adelli GR, Bhagav P, Taskar P, Hingorani T, Pettaway S, Gul W, ElSohly MA, Repka MA, Majumdar S. Development of a Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Amino Acid-Dicarboxylate Prodrug With Improved Ocular Bioavailability. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:2167-2179. [PMID: 28399267 PMCID: PMC5389743 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-20757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of the relatively hydrophilic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) prodrugs, mono and di-valine esters (THC-Val and THC-Val-Val) and the amino acid (valine)-dicarboxylic acid (hemisuccinate) ester (THC-Val-HS), with respect to ocular penetration and intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering activity. THC, timolol, and pilocarpine eye drops were used as controls. Methods THC-Val, THC-Val-Val, and THC-Val-HS were synthesized and chemically characterized. Aqueous solubility and in vitro transcorneal permeability of THC and the prodrugs, in the presence of various surfactants and cyclodextrins, were determined. Two formulations were evaluated for therapeutic activity in the α-chymotrypsin induced rabbit glaucoma model, and the results were compared against controls comprising of THC emulsion and marketed timolol maleate and pilocarpine eye drops. Results THC-Val-HS demonstrated markedly improved solubility (96-fold) and in vitro permeability compared to THC. Selected formulations containing THC-Val-HS effectively delivered THC to the anterior segment ocular tissues in the anesthetized rabbits: 62.1 ng/100 μL of aqueous humor (AH) and 51.4 ng/50 mg of iris ciliary bodies (IC) (total THC). The duration and extent of IOP lowering induced by THC-Val-HS was 1 hour longer and 10% greater, respectively, than that obtained with THC and was comparable with the pilocarpine eye drops. Timolol ophthalmic drops, however, exhibited a longer duration of activity. Both THC and THC-Val-HS were detected in the ocular tissues following multiple dosing of THC-Val-HS in conscious animals. The concentration of THC in the iris-ciliary bodies at the 60- and 120-minute time points (53 and 57.4 ng/50 mg) were significantly greater than that of THC-Val-HS (24.2 and 11.3 ng/50 mg). Moreover, at the two time points studied, the concentration of THC was observed to increase or stay relatively constant, whereas THC-Val-HS concentration decreased by at least 50%. A similar trend was observed in the retina-choroid tissues. Conclusions A combination of prodrug derivatization and formulation development approaches significantly improved the penetration of THC into the anterior segment of the eye following topical application. Enhanced ocular penetration resulted in significantly improved IOP-lowering activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goutham R Adelli
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States
| | - Prakash Bhagav
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States
| | - Pranjal Taskar
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States
| | - Tushar Hingorani
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States
| | - Sara Pettaway
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States
| | - Waseem Gul
- ElSohly Laboratories, Inc., Oxford, Mississippi, United States
| | - Mahmoud A ElSohly
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States 3ElSohly Laboratories, Inc., Oxford, Mississippi, United States
| | - Michael A Repka
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States 4Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States
| | - Soumyajit Majumdar
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States
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20
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Dore A, Asproni B, Scampuddu A, Gessi S, Murineddu G, Cichero E, Fossa P, Merighi S, Bencivenni S, Pinna GA. Synthesis, molecular modeling and SAR study of novel pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridines as CB 2 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:5291-5301. [PMID: 27624523 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for the affinity at CB1 and CB2 receptors. Based on the AgOTf and proline-cocatalyzed multicomponent methodology, the ethyl 5-(p-tolyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxylate (12) and ethyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxylate (13) intermediates were synthesized from the appropriate o-alkynylaldehydes, p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide and ethyl pyruvate. Most of the novel compounds feature a p-tolyl (8a-i) or a 2,4-dichlorophenyl (8j) motif at the C5-position of the tricyclic pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine scaffold. Structural variation on the carboxamide moiety at the C2-position includes basic monocyclic, terpenoid and adamantine-based amines. Among these derivatives, compound 8h (N-adamant-1-yl-5-(p-tolyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxamide) exhibited the highest CB2 receptor affinity (Ki=33nM) and a high degree of selectivity (KiCB1/KiCB2=173:1), whereas a similar trend in the near nM range was seen for the bornyl analogue (compound 8f, Ki=53nM) and the myrtanyl derivative 8j (Ki=67nM). Effects of 8h, 8f and 8j on forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were determined, showing antagonist/inverse agonist properties for such compounds. Docking studies conducted for these derivatives and the reference antagonist/inverse agonist compound 4 (SR144528) disclosed the specific pattern of interactions probably related to the pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine scaffold as CB2 inverse agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Dore
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Battistina Asproni
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Alessia Scampuddu
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Gessi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Murineddu
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV n. 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV n. 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Stefania Merighi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Serena Bencivenni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gérard A Pinna
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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21
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Deiana V, Gómez-Cañas M, Pazos MR, Fernández-Ruiz J, Asproni B, Cichero E, Fossa P, Muñoz E, Deligia F, Murineddu G, García-Arencibia M, Pinna GA. Tricyclic pyrazoles. Part 8. Synthesis, biological evaluation and modelling of tricyclic pyrazole carboxamides as potential CB2 receptor ligands with antagonist/inverse agonist properties. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 112:66-80. [PMID: 26890113 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have investigated the relevance and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of pyrazole derivatives in relation with cannabinoid receptors, and the series of tricyclic 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles emerged as potent CB2 receptor ligands. In the present study, novel 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazole and 1H-benzo[g]indazole carboxamides containing a cyclopropyl or a cyclohexyl substituent were designed and synthesized to evaluate the influence of these structural modifications towards CB1 and CB2 receptor affinities. Among these derivatives, compound 15 (6-cyclopropyl-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxamide) showed the highest CB2 receptor affinity (Ki = 4 nM) and remarkable selectivity (KiCB1/KiCB2 = 2232), whereas a similar affinity, within the nM range, was seen for the fenchyl derivative (compound 10: Ki = 6 nM), for the bornyl analogue (compound 14: Ki = 38 nM) and, to a lesser extent, for the aminopiperidine derivative (compound 6: Ki = 69 nM). Compounds 10 and 14 were also highly selective for the CB2 receptor (KiCB1/KiCB2 > 1000), whereas compound 6 was relatively selective (KiCB1/KiCB2 = 27). The four compounds were also subjected to GTPγS binding analysis showing antagonist/inverse agonist properties (IC50 for compound 14 = 27 nM, for 15 = 51 nM, for 10 = 80 nM and for 6 = 294 nM), and this activity was confirmed for the three more active compounds in a CB2 receptor-specific in vitro bioassay consisting in the quantification of prostaglandin E2 release by LPS-stimulated BV2 cells, in the presence and absence of WIN55,212-2 and/or the investigated compounds. Modelling studies were also conducted with the four compounds, which conformed with the structural requirements stated for the binding of antagonist compounds to the human CB2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Deiana
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - María Gómez-Cañas
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI-Moncloa), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - M Ruth Pazos
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI-Moncloa), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI-Moncloa), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Battistina Asproni
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Dipartmento di Farmacia, Sezione Chimica del Farmaco e del Prodotto Cosmetico, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Dipartmento di Farmacia, Sezione Chimica del Farmaco e del Prodotto Cosmetico, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Eduardo Muñoz
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Dept of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Avda Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Francesco Deligia
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Murineddu
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Moisés García-Arencibia
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI-Moncloa), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain; Grupo de Investigación en Medio Ambiente y Salud, Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Gerard A Pinna
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via F. Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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22
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Sharma MK, Murumkar PR, Kuang G, Tang Y, Yadav MR. Identifying the structural features and diversifying the chemical domain of peripherally acting CB1 receptor antagonists using molecular modeling techniques. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra20612j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A four featured pharmacophore and predictive 3D-QSAR models were developed which were used for virtual screening of the Asinex database to get chemically diverse hits of peripherally active CB1 receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Guanglin Kuang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai–200237
- China
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai–200237
- China
| | - Mange Ram Yadav
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- The M. S. University of Baroda
- Vadodara–390 001
- India
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23
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Dolles D, Nimczick M, Scheiner M, Ramler J, Stadtmüller P, Sawatzky E, Drakopoulos A, Sotriffer C, Wittmann HJ, Strasser A, Decker M. Aminobenzimidazoles and Structural Isomers as Templates for Dual-Acting Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors andhCB2R Ligands To Combat Neurodegenerative Disorders. ChemMedChem 2015; 11:1270-83. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Dolles
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Martin Nimczick
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Matthias Scheiner
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Jacqueline Ramler
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Patricia Stadtmüller
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Edgar Sawatzky
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Antonios Drakopoulos
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Christoph Sotriffer
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Wittmann
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry II; Institute of Pharmacy; University of Regensburg; 95053 Regensburg Germany
| | - Andrea Strasser
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry II; Institute of Pharmacy; University of Regensburg; 95053 Regensburg Germany
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry; Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
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24
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Nimczick M, Decker M. New Approaches in the Design and Development of Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands: Multifunctional and Bivalent Compounds. ChemMedChem 2015; 10:773-86. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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25
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Cichero E, Menozzi G, Guariento S, Fossa P. Ligand-based homology modelling of the human CB2 receptor SR144528 antagonist binding site: a computational approach to explore the 1,5-diaryl pyrazole scaffold. MEDCHEMCOMM 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5md00333d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
SR144528 docking mode into the LBHM of the human CB2 receptor antagonist binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Genoa
- 3 - 16132 Genoa
- Italy
| | - Giulia Menozzi
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Genoa
- 3 - 16132 Genoa
- Italy
| | - Sara Guariento
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Genoa
- 3 - 16132 Genoa
- Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Genoa
- 3 - 16132 Genoa
- Italy
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26
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Prospective therapeutic agents for obesity: Molecular modification approaches of centrally and peripherally acting selective cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonists. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 79:298-339. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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27
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Tai S, Fantegrossi WE. Synthetic Cannabinoids: Pharmacology, Behavioral Effects, and Abuse Potential. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2014; 1:129-136. [PMID: 26413452 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-014-0014-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis has been used throughout the world for centuries. The psychoactive effects of cannabis are largely attributable to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the prototypical cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the plant. More recently, chemically- and pharmacologically-distinct synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) have emerged as drugs of abuse. As compared to Δ9-THC, the distinct structures of these compounds allow them to avoid legal restrictions (at least initially) and detection in standard drug screens. This has contributed to the popularity of SCBs among drug users who seek to avoid positive drug screens. Importantly, the distinct structures of the SCBs also typically result in increased affinity for and efficacy at cannabinoid CB1 receptors, which are thought to be responsible for the psychoactive effects of Δ9-THC and its analogues. Accordingly, it seems likely that these more powerful cannabimimetic effects could result in increased adverse reactions and toxicities not elicited by Δ9-THC in cannabis. Animal models useful for the study of emerging SCBs include the cannabinoid tetrad, drug discrimination, and assays of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. However, these in vivo procedures have not been particularly informative with regards to drug efficacy, where the majority of SCB effects are comparable to those of Δ9-THC. In contrast, essentially all in vitro measures of drug efficacy confirm Δ9-THC as a relatively weak CB1 partial agonist, while the majority of the SCBs detected in commercial preparations are full agonists at the CB1 receptor. As use of these emerging SCBs continues to rise, there is an urgent need to better understand the pharmacology and toxicology of these novel compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherrica Tai
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR
| | - William E Fantegrossi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR
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28
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Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and comparative docking study of 1,2,4-triazolones as CB1 receptor selective antagonists. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 74:73-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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29
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González-Naranjo P, Pérez-Macias N, Campillo NE, Pérez C, Arán VJ, Girón R, Sánchez-Robles E, Martín MI, Gómez-Cañas M, García-Arencibia M, Fernández-Ruiz J, Páez JA. Cannabinoid agonists showing BuChE inhibition as potential therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 73:56-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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30
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Liu H, Patel RY, Doerksen RJ. Structure of the cannabinoid receptor 1: homology modeling of its inactive state and enrichment study based on CB1 antagonist docking. MEDCHEMCOMM 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4md00121d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Multiple cannabinoid 1 receptor models were prepared and the best one was selected based on the models' performance in selecting known ligands from a pool of competitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haining Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry
- School of Pharmacy
- University of Mississippi
- University, USA
| | - Ronak Y. Patel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry
- School of Pharmacy
- University of Mississippi
- University, USA
| | - Robert J. Doerksen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry
- School of Pharmacy
- University of Mississippi
- University, USA
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31
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Mastering tricyclic ring systems for desirable functional cannabinoid activity. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 69:881-907. [PMID: 24125850 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
There is growing interest in using cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonists for the treatment of neuropathic pain and other indications. In continuation of our ongoing program aiming for the development of new small molecule cannabinoid ligands, we have synthesized a novel series of carbazole and γ-carboline derivatives. The affinities of the newly synthesized compounds were determined by a competitive radioligand displacement assay for human CB2 cannabinoid receptor and rat CB1 cannabinoid receptor. Functional activity and selectivity at human CB1 and CB2 receptors were characterized using receptor internalization and [(35)S]GTP-γ-S assays. The structure-activity relationship and optimization studies of the carbazole series have led to the discovery of a non-selective CB1 and CB2 agonist, compound 4. Our subsequent research efforts to increase CB2 selectivity of this lead compound have led to the discovery of CB2 selective compound 64, which robustly internalized CB2 receptors. Compound 64 had potent inhibitory effects on pain hypersensitivity in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Other potent and CB2 receptor-selective compounds, including compounds 63 and 68, and a selective CB1 agonist, compound 74 were also discovered. In addition, we identified the CB2 ligand 35 which failed to promote CB2 receptor internalization and inhibited compound CP55,940-induced CB2 internalization despite a high CB2 receptor affinity. The present study provides novel tricyclic series as a starting point for further investigations of CB2 pharmacology and pain treatment.
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32
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Nagarathnam B, Kalaimathy S, Balakrishnan V, Sowdhamini R. Cross-Genome Clustering of Human and C. elegans G-Protein Coupled Receptors. Evol Bioinform Online 2012; 8:229-59. [PMID: 22807621 PMCID: PMC3396462 DOI: 10.4137/ebo.s9405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the largest groups of membrane proteins and are popular drug targets. The work reported here attempts to perform cross-genome phylogeny on GPCRs from two widely different taxa, human versus C. elegans genomes and to address the issues on evolutionary plasticity, to identify functionally related genes, orthologous relationship, and ligand binding properties through effective bioinformatic approaches. Through RPS blast around 1106 nematode GPCRs were given chance to associate with previously established 8 types of human GPCR profiles at varying E-value thresholds and resulted 32 clusters were illustrating co-clustering and class-specific retainsionship. In the significant thresholds, 81% of the C. elegans GPCRs were associated with 32 clusters and 27 C. elegans GPCRs (2%) inferred for orthology. 177 hypothetical proteins were observed in cluster association and could be reliably associated with one of 32 clusters. Several nematode-specific GPCR clades were observed suggesting lineage-specific functional recruitment in response to environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balasubramanian Nagarathnam
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560065, India
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33
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Ligand-specific homology modeling of human cannabinoid (CB1) receptor. J Mol Graph Model 2012; 38:155-64. [PMID: 23079645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2012.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Revised: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid (CB1) receptor is a therapeutic drug target, and its structure and conformational changes after ligand binding are of great interest. To study the protein conformations in ligand bound state and assist in drug discovery, CB1 receptor homology models are needed for computer-based ligand screening. The known CB1 ligands are highly diverse structurally, so CB1 receptor may undergo considerable conformational changes to accept different ligands, which is challenging for molecular docking methods. To account for the flexibility of CB1 receptor, we constructed four CB1 receptor models based on four structurally distinct ligands, HU-210, ACEA, WIN55212-2 and SR141716A, using the newest X-ray crystal structures of human β₂ adrenergic receptor and adenosine A(2A) receptor as templates. The conformations of these four CB1-ligand complexes were optimized by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The models revealed interactions between CB1 receptor and known binders suggested by experiments and could successfully discriminate known ligands and non-binders in our docking assays. MD simulations were used to study the most flexible ligand, ACEA, in its free and bound states to investigate structural mobility achieved by the rearrangement of the fatty acid chain. Our models may capture important conformational changes of CB1 receptor to help improve accuracy in future CB1 drug screening.
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34
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In silico investigation of interactions between human cannabinoid receptor-1 and its antagonists. J Mol Model 2012; 18:3831-45. [PMID: 22402754 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-012-1381-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB(1)) is widely expressed in the central nervous system and plays a vital role in regulating food intake and energy expenditure. CB(1) antagonists such as Rimonabant have been used in clinic to inhibit food intake, and therefore reduce body weight in obese animals and humans. To investigate the binding modes of CB(1) antagonists to the receptor, both receptor- and ligand-based methods were implemented in this study. At first, a pharmacophore model was generated based on 31 diverse CB(1) antagonists collected from literature. A test set validation and a simulated virtual screening evaluation were then performed to verify the reliability and discriminating ability of the pharmacophore. Meanwhile, the homology model of CB(1) receptor was constructed based on the crystal structure of human β (2) adrenergic receptor (β (2)-AR). Several classical antagonists were then docked into the optimized homology model with induced fit docking method. A hydrogen bond between the antagonists and Lys192 on the third transmembrane helix of the receptor was formed in the docking study, which has proven to be critical for receptor-ligand interaction by biological experiments. The structure obtained from induced fit docking was then confirmed to be a reliable model for molecular docking from the result of the simulated virtual screening. The consistency between the pharmacophore and the homology structure further proved the previous observation. The built receptor structure and antagonists' pharmacophore should be useful for the understanding of inhibitory mechanism and development of novel CB(1) antagonists.
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35
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Fanelli F, De Benedetti PG. Update 1 of: computational modeling approaches to structure-function analysis of G protein-coupled receptors. Chem Rev 2011; 111:PR438-535. [PMID: 22165845 DOI: 10.1021/cr100437t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fanelli
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 183, 41125 Modena, Italy.
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36
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Hingorani T, Gul W, Elsohly M, Repka MA, Majumdar S. Effect of ion pairing on in vitro transcorneal permeability of a Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol prodrug: potential in glaucoma therapy. J Pharm Sci 2011; 101:616-26. [PMID: 21989812 DOI: 10.1002/jps.22791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Revised: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate and improve the in vitro transcorneal permeability characteristics of Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) through prodrug derivatization and formulation approaches. In vitro corneal permeability of THC and its hemisuccinate (THC-HS) and hemiglutarate (THC-HG) ester prodrugs and WIN 55-212-2 (WIN), a synthetic cannabinoid, was determined using isolated rabbit cornea. The formulations studied included hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin (HPβCD) or randomly methylated beta cyclodextrin (RMβCD), as well as prodrug-ion-pair complexes with l-arginine or tromethamine. Corneal permeability of WIN was found to be two-fold higher than THC in the presence of HPβCD. THC-HS and THC-HG exhibited pH-dependent permeability. In the presence of HPβCD, at pH 5 (donor solution pH), both prodrugs exhibited six-fold higher permeability compared with THC. However, permeability of the prodrugs was about three-fold lower than that of THC at pH 7.4. RMβCD, at pH 7.4, led to a significant improvement in permeability. Formation of ion-pair complexes markedly improved the solubility and permeability of THC-HG (sevenfold and threefold greater permeability compared with THC and WIN, respectively) at pH 7.4. The in vitro results demonstrate that the use of an ion-pair complex of THC-HG could be an effective strategy for topical delivery of THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushar Hingorani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA
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37
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Shim JY. Understanding functional residues of the cannabinoid CB1. Curr Top Med Chem 2011; 10:779-98. [PMID: 20370713 DOI: 10.2174/156802610791164210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 10/27/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The brain cannabinoid (CB(1)) receptor that mediates numerous physiological processes in response to marijuana and other psychoactive compounds is a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and shares common structural features with many rhodopsin class GPCRs. For the rational development of therapeutic agents targeting the CB(1) receptor, understanding of the ligand-specific CB(1) receptor interactions responsible for unique G protein signals is crucial. For a more than a decade, a combination of mutagenesis and computational modeling approaches has been successfully employed to study the ligand-specific CB(1) receptor interactions. In this review, after a brief discussion about recent advances in understanding of some structural and functional features of GPCRs commonly applicable to the CB(1) receptor, the CB(1) receptor functional residues reported from mutational studies are divided into three different types, ligand binding (B), receptor stabilization (S) and receptor activation (A) residues, to delineate the nature of the binding pockets of anandamide, CP55940, WIN55212-2 and SR141716A and to describe the molecular events of the ligand-specific CB(1) receptor activation from ligand binding to G protein signaling. Taken these CB(1) receptor functional residues, some of which are unique to the CB(1) receptor, together with the biophysical knowledge accumulated for the GPCR active state, it is possible to propose the early stages of the CB(1) receptor activation process that not only provide some insights into understanding molecular mechanisms of receptor activation but also are applicable for identifying new therapeutic agents by applying the validated structure-based approaches, such as virtual high throughput screening (HTS) and fragment-based approach (FBA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joong-Youn Shim
- J.L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA.
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38
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Zhang Y, Xie Z, Wang L, Schreiter B, Lazo JS, Gertsch J, Xie XQ. Mutagenesis and computer modeling studies of a GPCR conserved residue W5.43(194) in ligand recognition and signal transduction for CB2 receptor. Int Immunopharmacol 2011; 11:1303-10. [PMID: 21539938 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2011.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2010] [Revised: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
W5.43(194), a conserved tryptophan residue among G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and cannabinoid receptors (CB), was examined in the present report for its significance in CB2 receptor ligand binding and adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity. Computer modeling postulates that this site in CB2 may be involved in the affinity of WIN55212-2 and SR144528 through aromatic contacts. In the present study, we reported that a CB2 receptor mutant, W5.43(194)Y, which had a tyrosine (Y) substitution for tryptophan (W), retained the binding affinity for CB agonist CP55940, but reduced binding affinity for CB2 agonist WIN55212-2 and inverse agonist SR144528 by 8-fold and 5-fold, respectively; the CB2 W5.43(194)F and W5.43(194)A mutations significantly affect the binding activities of CP55940, WIN55212-2 and SR144528. Furthermore, we found that agonist-mediated inhibition of the forskolin-induced cAMP production was dramatically diminished in the CB2 mutant W5.43(194)Y, whereas W5.43(194)F and W5.43(194)A mutants resulted in complete elimination of downstream signaling, suggesting that W5.43(194) was essential for the full activation of CB2. These results indicate that both aromatic interaction and hydrogen bonding are involved in ligand binding for the residue W5.43(194), and the mutations of this tryptophan site may affect the conformation of the ligand binding pocket and therefore control the active conformation of the wild type CB2 receptor. W5.43(194)Y/F/A mutations also displayed noticeable enhancement of the constitutive activation probably attributed to the receptor conformational changes resulted from the mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxun Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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39
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Tiburu EK, Tyukhtenko S, Zhou H, Janero DR, Struppe J, Makriyannis A. Human cannabinoid 1 GPCR C-terminal domain interacts with bilayer phospholipids to modulate the structure of its membrane environment. AAPS JOURNAL 2011; 13:92-8. [PMID: 21234731 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-010-9244-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2010] [Accepted: 11/21/2010] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play critical physiological and therapeutic roles. The human cannabinoid 1 GPCR (hCB1) is a prime pharmacotherapeutic target for addiction and cardiometabolic disease. Our prior biophysical studies on the structural biology of a synthetic peptide representing the functionally significant hCB1 transmembrane helix 7 (TMH7) and its cytoplasmic extension, helix 8 (H8), [hCB1(TMH7/H8)] demonstrated that the helices are oriented virtually perpendicular to each other in membrane-mimetic environments. We identified several hCB1(TMH7/H8) structure-function determinants, including multiple electrostatic amino-acid interactions and a proline kink involving the highly conserved NPXXY motif. In phospholipid bicelles, TMH7 structure, orientation, and topology relative to H8 are dynamically modulated by the surrounding membrane phospholipid bilayer. These data provide a contextual basis for the present solid-state NMR study to investigate whether intermolecular interactions between hCB1(TMH7/H8) and its phospholipid environment may affect membrane-bilayer structure. For this purpose, we measured (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear dipolar couplings for the choline, glycerol, and acyl-chain regions of dimyristoylphosphocholine in a magnetically aligned hCB1(TMH7/H8) bicelle sample. The results identify discrete regional interactions between hCB1(TMH7/H8) and membrane lipid molecules that increase phospholipid motion and decrease phospholipid order, indicating that the peptide's partial traversal of the bilayer alters membrane structure. These data offer new insight into hCB1(TMH7/H8) properties and support the concept that the membrane bilayer itself may serve as a mechanochemical mediator of hCB1/GPCR signal transduction. Since interaction with its membrane environment has been implicated in hCB1 function and its modulation by small-molecule therapeutics, our work should help inform hCB1 pharmacology and the design of hCB1-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis K Tiburu
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 116 Mugar Hall, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, United States of America
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Ramos J, Cruz VL, Martínez-Salazar J, Campillo NE, Páez JA. Dissimilar interaction of CB1/CB2 with lipid bilayers as revealed by molecular dynamics simulation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2011; 13:3660-8. [DOI: 10.1039/c0cp01456g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Zvonok N, Xu W, Williams J, Janero DR, Krishnan SC, Makriyannis A. Mass spectrometry-based GPCR proteomics: comprehensive characterization of the human cannabinoid 1 receptor. J Proteome Res 2010; 9:1746-53. [PMID: 20131867 DOI: 10.1021/pr900870p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The human cannabinoid 1 receptor (hCB1), a ubiquitous G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), transmits cannabinergic signals that participate in diverse (patho)physiological processes. Pharmacotherapeutic hCB1 targeting is considered a tractable approach for treating such prevalent diseases as obesity, mood disorders, and drug addiction. The hydrophobic nature of the transmembrane helices of hCB1 presents a formidable difficulty to its direct structural analysis. Comprehensive experimental characterization of functional hCB1 by mass spectrometry (MS) is essential to the targeting of affinity probes that can be used to define directly hCB1 binding domains using a ligand-assisted experimental approach. Such information would greatly facilitate the rational design of hCB1-selective agonists/antagonists with therapeutic potential. We report the first high-coverage MS analysis of the primary sequence of the functional hCB1 receptor, one of the few such comprehensive MS-based analyses of any GPCR. Recombinant C-terminal hexa-histidine-tagged hCB1 (His6-hCB1) was expressed in cultured insect (Spodoptera frugiperda) cells, solubilized by a procedure devised to enhance receptor purity following metal-affinity chromatography, desalted by buffer exchange, and digested in solution with (chymo)trypsin. "Bottom-up" nanoLC-MS/MS of the (chymo)tryptic digests afforded a degree of overall hCB1 coverage (>94%) thus far reported for only two other GPCRs. This MS-compatible procedure devised for His6-hCB1 sample preparation, incorporating in-solution (chymo)trypsin digestion in the presence of a low concentration of CYMAL-5 detergent, may be applicable to the MS-based proteomic characterization of other GPCRs. This work should help enable future ligand-assisted structural characterization of hCB1 binding motifs at the amino-acid level using rationally designed and targeted covalent cannabinergic probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Zvonok
- Northeastern University, Center for Drug Discovery, 116 Mugar Life Sciences Building, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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André A, Gonthier MP. The endocannabinoid system: its roles in energy balance and potential as a target for obesity treatment. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2010; 42:1788-801. [PMID: 20541029 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2010.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Revised: 05/28/2010] [Accepted: 06/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Obesity and cardiometabolic risk continue to be major public health concerns. A better understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms leading to obesity may help to identify novel therapeutic targets. The endocannabinoid system discovered in the early 1990s is believed to influence body weight regulation and cardiometabolic risk factors. This article aims to review the literature on the endocannabinoid system including the biological roles of its major components, namely, the cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous ligands the endocannabinoids and the ligand-metabolising enzymes. The review also discusses evidence that the endocannabinoid system constitutes a new physiological pathway occurring in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues that has a key role in the control of food intake and energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism. Based on the important finding that there is a close association between obesity and the hyperactivity of the endocannabinoid system, interest in blocking stimulation of this pathway to aid weight loss and reduce cardiometabolic risk factor development has become an important area of research. Among the pharmacological strategies proposed, the antagonism of the cannabinoid receptors has been particularly investigated and several clinical trials have been conducted. One challenging pharmacological task will be to target the endocannabinoid system in a more selective, and hence, safe way. As the management of obesity also requires lifestyle modifications in terms of healthy eating and physical activity, the targeting of the endocannabinoid system may represent a novel approach for a multifactorial therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore André
- Groupe d'Etude sur l'Inflammation Chronique et l'Obésité, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, Université de La Réunion, La Réunion, France
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Diaz P, Phatak SS, Xu J, Fronczek FR, Astruc-Diaz F, Thompson CM, Cavasotto CN, Naguib M. 2,3-Dihydro-1-benzofuran derivatives as a series of potent selective cannabinoid receptor 2 agonists: design, synthesis, and binding mode prediction through ligand-steered modeling. ChemMedChem 2009; 4:1615-29. [PMID: 19637157 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.200900226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We recently discovered and reported a series of N-alkyl-isatin acylhydrazone derivatives that are potent cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB(2)) agonists. In an effort to improve the druglike properties of these compounds and to better understand and improve the treatment of neuropathic pain, we designed and synthesized a new series of 2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran derivatives bearing an asymmetric carbon atom that behave as potent selective CB(2) agonists. We used a multidisciplinary medicinal chemistry approach with binding mode prediction through ligand-steered modeling. Enantiomer separation and configuration assignment were carried out for the racemic mixture for the most selective compound, MDA7 (compound 18). It appeared that the S enantiomer, compound MDA104 (compound 33), was the active enantiomer. Compounds MDA42 (compound 19) and MDA39 (compound 30) were the most potent at CB(2). MDA42 was tested in a model of neuropathic pain and exhibited activity in the same range as that of MDA7. Preliminary ADMET studies for MDA7 were performed and did not reveal any problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Diaz
- Core Laboratory for Neuromolecular Production, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812 (USA)
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Ahn KH, Bertalovitz AC, Mierke DF, Kendall DA. Dual role of the second extracellular loop of the cannabinoid receptor 1: ligand binding and receptor localization. Mol Pharmacol 2009; 76:833-42. [PMID: 19643997 DOI: 10.1124/mol.109.057356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The seven transmembrane alpha-helices of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the hallmark of this superfamily. Intrahelical interactions are critical to receptor assembly and, for the GPCR subclass that binds small molecules, ligand binding. Most research has focused on identifying the ligand binding pocket within the helical bundle, whereas the role of the extracellular loops remains undefined. Molecular modeling of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) extracellular loop 2 (EC2), however, suggests that EC2 is poised for key interactions. To test this possibility, we employed alanine scanning mutagenesis of CB1 EC2 and identified two distinct regions critical for ligand binding, G protein coupling activity, and receptor trafficking. Receptors with mutations in the N terminus of EC2 (W255A, N256A) were retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and did not bind the agonist (1R,3R,4R)-3-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-phenyl]-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexan-1-ol (CP55940) or the inverse agonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide(SR141716A). In contrast, the C terminus of EC2 differentiates agonist and inverse agonist; the P269A, H270A, and I271A receptors exhibited diminished binding for several agonists but bound inverse agonists SR141716A, N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (AM251), and 4-[6-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzofuran-3-carbonyl]benzonitrile (LY320135) with wild-type receptor affinity. The F268A receptor involving substitution in the Cys-X-X-X-Ar motif, displayed both impaired localization and ligand binding. Other amino acid substitutions at position 268 revealed that highly hydrophobic residues are required to accomplish both functions. It is noteworthy that a F268W receptor was trafficked to the cell surface yet displayed differential binding preference for inverse agonists comparable with the P269A, H270A, and I271A receptors. The findings are consistent with a dual role for EC2 in stabilizing receptor assembly and in ligand binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang H Ahn
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
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Tiburu EK, Tyukhtenko S, Deshmukh L, Vinogradova O, Janero DR, Makriyannis A. Structural biology of human cannabinoid receptor-2 helix 6 in membrane-mimetic environments. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 384:243-8. [PMID: 19397896 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.04.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2009] [Accepted: 04/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We detail the structure and dynamics of a synthetic peptide corresponding to transmembrane helix 6 (TMH6) of human cannabinoid receptor-2 (hCB2) in biomembrane-mimetic environments. The peptide's NMR structural biology is characterized by two alpha-helical domains bridged by a flexible, nonhelical hinge region containing a highly-conserved CWFP motif with an environmentally sensitive, Pro-based conformational switch. Buried within the peptide's flexible region, W(258) may hydrogen-bond with L(255) to help stabilize the Pro-kinked hCB2 TMH6 structure and position C(257) advantageously for interaction with agonist ligands. These characteristics of hCB2 TMH6 are potential structural features of ligand-induced hCB2 activation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis K Tiburu
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115-5000, USA
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Alkorta I, Alvarado M, Elguero J, García-Granda S, Goya P, Torre-Fernández L, Menéndez-Taboada L. Structural study of diarylazoles related to Rimonabant. J Mol Struct 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2008.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Diaz P, Phatak SS, Xu J, Astruc-Diaz F, Cavasotto CN, Naguib M. 6-Methoxy-N-alkyl Isatin Acylhydrazone Derivatives as a Novel Series of Potent Selective Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Inverse Agonists: Design, Synthesis, and Binding Mode Prediction. J Med Chem 2008; 52:433-44. [DOI: 10.1021/jm801353p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Diaz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Unit 409, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, School of Health Information Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin, Suite 860B, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Sharangdhar S. Phatak
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Unit 409, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, School of Health Information Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin, Suite 860B, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Jijun Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Unit 409, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, School of Health Information Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin, Suite 860B, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Fanny Astruc-Diaz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Unit 409, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, School of Health Information Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin, Suite 860B, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Claudio N. Cavasotto
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Unit 409, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, School of Health Information Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin, Suite 860B, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Mohamed Naguib
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Unit 409, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, School of Health Information Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin, Suite 860B, Houston, Texas 77030
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Markt P, Feldmann C, Rollinger JM, Raduner S, Schuster D, Kirchmair J, Distinto S, Spitzer GM, Wolber G, Laggner C, Altmann KH, Langer T, Gertsch J. Discovery of Novel CB2 Receptor Ligands by a Pharmacophore-Based Virtual Screening Workflow. J Med Chem 2008; 52:369-78. [DOI: 10.1021/jm801044g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Markt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Clemens Feldmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Judith Maria Rollinger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Stefan Raduner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Daniela Schuster
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Johannes Kirchmair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Simona Distinto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Gudrun Maria Spitzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Christian Laggner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Karl-Heinz Altmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Department of Chemistry and Applied BioSciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Inte:Ligand Softwareentwicklungs- und Consulting GmbH, Clemens Maria Hofbauer-Gasse 6, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, Dipartimento Farmaco
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Pagé D, Balaux E, Boisvert L, Liu Z, Milburn C, Tremblay M, Wei Z, Woo S, Luo X, Cheng YX, Yang H, Srivastava S, Zhou F, Brown W, Tomaszewski M, Walpole C, Hodzic L, St-Onge S, Godbout C, Salois D, Payza K. Novel benzimidazole derivatives as selective CB2 agonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2008; 18:3695-700. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.05.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2008] [Revised: 05/16/2008] [Accepted: 05/16/2008] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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50
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Bu L, Michino M, Wolf RM, Brooks CL. Improved model building and assessment of the Calcium-sensing receptor transmembrane domain. Proteins 2008; 71:215-26. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.21685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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