The urotensin II receptor antagonist DS37001789 ameliorates mortality in pressure-overload mice with heart failure

2-{N-[(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) acetyl]-N-methylamino}-3-pyrrolidinepropanamide analogs as potential antagonists of Urotensin II receptor

THE PURPOSE OF THE ARTICLE

To identify novel small molecule antagonists of Urotensin II receptor with acceptable pharmacological profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies on 2-{N-[(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) acetyl]-N-methylamino}-3-pyrrolidinepropanamide series were conducted and shortlisted compounds were synthesized and evaluated in in vitro cell-based assays. Human and mouse Urotensin II receptor overexpressing CHO cells were used for calcium release and radioligand binding assays. Initial molecules in this series had solubility and inter-species variability issue in the calcium release assay. We, therefore, conducted SAR to overcome these 2 issues and molecules with accepted in vitro profile were evaluated further in mouse pressor response model to generate the in vivo proof of concept for UII receptor antagonization.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

We report herewith identification of 2-{N-[(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetyl]-N-methylamino}-3-pyrrolidinepropanamides series to obtain novel small molecule antagonists of Urotensin II receptor with acceptable pharmacological profile.

Combination of Docking-Based and Pharmacophore-Based Virtual Screening Identifies Novel Agonists That Target the Urotensin Receptor

The urotensin receptor (UT receptor), a G-protein-coupled receptor mediating urotensin-II and urotensin-II-related peptide signaling in the urotensinergic system, has multiple pharmacological activities. However, there is no drug targeting the UT receptor currently in clinical use, and the discovery of new leads is still important. The complete crystal structure of the UT receptor has not yet been resolved and a screening strategy combining multiple methods can improve the accuracy and efficiency of drug screening. This study aimed to identify novel UT receptor agonists using a combination of docking-based, pharmacophore-based, and cell-based drug screening. First, the three-dimensional structures of the UT receptor were constructed through single-template, multi-template homologous modeling and threading strategies. After structure evaluation and ligand enrichment analysis, a model from the threading modeling was selected for docking-based virtual screening based on stepwise filtering, and 1368 positive compounds were obtained from our compound library. Second, the pharmacophore models were constructed using known ligands targeting the UT receptor for pharmacophore-based virtual screening. A model was selected after model validation, and 300 positive compounds were retrieved. Then, after intersecting the results of two different virtual screening methods with 570 compound entities from our primary screening, 14 compounds were obtained. Finally, three hits were obtained after in vitro confirmation. Furthermore, preliminary evaluation of the hits showed that they influenced glucose consumption. In summary, by integrating docking-based, pharmacophore-based, and in vitro drug screening, three new agonists targeting the UT receptor were identified which may serve as promising therapeutic agents for urotensinergic system disorders.

The complicated lives of GPCRs in cardiac fibroblasts

The role of different G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the cardiovascular system is well understood in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In the former, stimulation of Gs-coupled receptors leads to increases in contractility, while stimulation of Gq-coupled receptors modulates cellular survival and hypertrophic responses. In VSMCs, stimulation of GPCRs also modulates contractile and cell growth phenotypes. Here, we will focus on the relatively less well studied effects of GPCRs in cardiac fibroblasts, focusing on key signalling events involved in the activation and differentiation of these cells. We also review the hierarchy of signalling events driving the fibrotic response and the communications between fibroblasts and other cells in the heart. We discuss how such events may be distinct depending on where the GPCRs and their associated signalling machinery are localized in these cells with an emphasis on nuclear membrane-localized receptors. Finally, we explore what such connections between cell surface and nuclear GPCR signalling might mean for cardiac fibrosis.

Urotensin-II As a Promising Key-Point of Cardiovascular Disturbances Sequel

Arterial hypertension is a highly urgent problem of modern medicine since the crisis of blood pressure control remains open, due to the increasing number of uncontrolled arterial hypertension. Today, one of the most critical problems of cardiology is the study of the mechanisms of development and progression of arterial hypertension. Therefore, our international and multidisciplinary working group presents a vision of a new therapeutic target - urotensin II in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. Thus, this article reflects the concept of the Armenian, Georgian and Iranian medical schools.