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Smith AA, Pacull EM, Stecher S, Hildebrand PW, Vogel A, Huster D. Analysis of the Dynamics of the Human Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor Reveals Insights into the Energy Landscape of the Molecule. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202302003. [PMID: 37205715 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202302003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors initiate signal transduction in response to ligand binding. Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), the focus of this study, binds the 28 residue peptide ghrelin. While structures of GHSR in different states of activation are available, dynamics within each state have not been investigated in depth. We analyze long molecular dynamics simulation trajectories using "detectors" to compare dynamics of the apo and ghrelin-bound states yielding timescale-specific amplitudes of motion. We identify differences in dynamics between apo and ghrelin-bound GHSR in the extracellular loop 2 and transmembrane helices 5-7. NMR of the GHSR histidine residues reveals chemical shift differences in these regions. We evaluate timescale specific correlation of motions between residues of ghrelin and GHSR, where binding yields a high degree of correlation for the first 8 ghrelin residues, but less correlation for the helical end. Finally, we investigate the traverse of GHSR over a rugged energy landscape via principal component analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert A Smith
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16/18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Emelyne M Pacull
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16/18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Stecher
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16/18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter W Hildebrand
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16/18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Vogel
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16/18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16/18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
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2
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Koehler Leman J, Künze G. Recent Advances in NMR Protein Structure Prediction with ROSETTA. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097835. [PMID: 37175539 PMCID: PMC10178863 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful method for studying the structure and dynamics of proteins in their native state. For high-resolution NMR structure determination, the collection of a rich restraint dataset is necessary. This can be difficult to achieve for proteins with high molecular weight or a complex architecture. Computational modeling techniques can complement sparse NMR datasets (<1 restraint per residue) with additional structural information to elucidate protein structures in these difficult cases. The Rosetta software for protein structure modeling and design is used by structural biologists for structure determination tasks in which limited experimental data is available. This review gives an overview of the computational protocols available in the Rosetta framework for modeling protein structures from NMR data. We explain the computational algorithms used for the integration of different NMR data types in Rosetta. We also highlight new developments, including modeling tools for data from paramagnetic NMR and hydrogen-deuterium exchange, as well as chemical shifts in CS-Rosetta. Furthermore, strategies are discussed to complement and improve structure predictions made by the current state-of-the-art AlphaFold2 program using NMR-guided Rosetta modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Koehler Leman
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Georg Künze
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany
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3
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Liessmann F, Künze G, Meiler J. Improving the Modeling of Extracellular Ligand Binding Pockets in RosettaGPCR for Conformational Selection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7788. [PMID: 37175495 PMCID: PMC10178219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of drug targets and undergo substantial conformational changes in response to ligand binding. Despite recent progress in GPCR structure determination, static snapshots fail to reflect the conformational space of putative binding pocket geometries to which small molecule ligands can bind. In comparative modeling of GPCRs in the absence of a ligand, often a shrinking of the orthosteric binding pocket is observed. However, the exact prediction of the flexible orthosteric binding site is crucial for adequate structure-based drug discovery. In order to improve ligand docking and guide virtual screening experiments in computer-aided drug discovery, we developed RosettaGPCRPocketSize. The algorithm creates a conformational ensemble of biophysically realistic conformations of the GPCR binding pocket between the TM bundle, which is consistent with a knowledge base of expected pocket geometries. Specifically, tetrahedral volume restraints are defined based on information about critical residues in the orthosteric binding site and their experimentally observed range of Cα-Cα-distances. The output of RosettaGPCRPocketSize is an ensemble of binding pocket geometries that are filtered by energy to ensure biophysically probable arrangements, which can be used for docking simulations. In a benchmark set, pocket shrinkage observed in the default RosettaGPCR was reduced by up to 80% and the binding pocket volume range and geometric diversity were increased. Compared to models from four different GPCR homology model databases (RosettaGPCR, GPCR-Tasser, GPCR-SSFE, and GPCRdb), the here-created models showed more accurate volumes of the orthosteric pocket when evaluated with respect to the crystallographic reference structure. Furthermore, RosettaGPCRPocketSize was able to generate an improved realistic pocket distribution. However, while being superior to other homology models, the accuracy of generated model pockets was comparable to AlphaFold2 models. Furthermore, in a docking benchmark using small-molecule ligands with a higher molecular weight between 400 and 700 Da, a higher success rate in creating native-like binding poses was observed. In summary, RosettaGPCRPocketSize can generate GPCR models with realistic orthosteric pocket volumes, which are useful for structure-based drug discovery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Liessmann
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (F.L.)
| | - Georg Künze
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (F.L.)
| | - Jens Meiler
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (F.L.)
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, Leipzig University, 04105 Leipzig, Germany
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4
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Gross JD, Zhou Y, Barak LS, Caron MG. Ghrelin receptor signaling in health and disease: a biased view. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023; 34:106-118. [PMID: 36567228 PMCID: PMC9852078 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
As allosteric complexes, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) respond to extracellular stimuli and pleiotropically couple to intracellular transducers to elicit signaling pathway-dependent effects in a process known as biased signaling or functional selectivity. One such GPCR, the ghrelin receptor (GHSR1a), has a crucial role in restoring and maintaining metabolic homeostasis during disrupted energy balance. Thus, pharmacological modulation of GHSR1a bias could offer a promising strategy to treat several metabolism-based disorders. Here, we summarize current evidence supporting GHSR1a functional selectivity in vivo and highlight recent structural data. We propose that precise determinations of GHSR1a molecular pharmacology and pathway-specific physiological effects will enable discovery of GHSR1a drugs with tailored signaling profiles, thereby providing safer and more effective treatments for metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Gross
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lawrence S Barak
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Marc G Caron
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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5
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Ringuet MT, Furness JB, Furness SGB. G protein-coupled receptor interactions and modification of signalling involving the ghrelin receptor, GHSR1a. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13077. [PMID: 34931385 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a) is intriguing because of its potential as a therapeutic target and its diverse molecular interactions. Initial studies of the receptor focused on the potential therapeutic ability for growth hormone (GH) release to reduce wasting in aging individuals, as well as food intake regulation for treatment of cachexia. Known roles of GHSR1a now extend to regulation of neurogenesis, learning and memory, gastrointestinal motility, glucose/lipid metabolism, the cardiovascular system, neuronal protection, motivational salience, and hedonic feeding. Ghrelin, the endogenous agonist of GHSR1a, is primarily located in the stomach and is absent from the central nervous system (CNS), including the spinal cord. However, ghrelin in the circulation does have access to a small number of CNS sites, including the arcuate nucleus, which is important in feeding control. At some sites, such as at somatotrophs, GHSR1a has high constitutive activity. Typically, ghrelin-dependent and constitutive GHSR1a activation occurs via Gαq/11 pathways. In vitro and in vivo data suggest that GHSR1a heterodimerises with multiple G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including dopamine D1 and D2, serotonin 2C, orexin, oxytocin and melanocortin 3 receptors (MCR3), as well as the MCR3 accessory protein, MRAP2, providing possible mechanisms for its many physiological effects. In all cases, the receptor interaction changes downstream signalling and the responses to receptor agonists. This review discusses the signalling mechanisms of GHSR1a alone and in combination with other GPCRs, and explores the physiological consequences of GHSR1a coupling with other GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell Ty Ringuet
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John Barton Furness
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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6
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Thomas AS, Sassi M, Angelini R, Morgan AH, Davies JS. Acylation, a Conductor of Ghrelin Function in Brain Health and Disease. Front Physiol 2022; 13:831641. [PMID: 35845996 PMCID: PMC9280358 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.831641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acyl-ghrelin (AG) is an orexigenic hormone that has a unique octanoyl modification on its third serine residue. It is often referred to as the “hunger hormone” due to its involvement in stimulating food intake and regulating energy homeostasis. The discovery of the enzyme ghrelin-O-acyltransferase (GOAT), which catalyses ghrelin acylation, provided further insights into the relevance of this lipidation process for the activation of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) by acyl-ghrelin. Although acyl-ghrelin is predominantly linked with octanoic acid, a range of saturated fatty acids can also bind to ghrelin possibly leading to specific functions. Sources of ghrelin acylation include beta-oxidation of longer chain fatty acids, with contributions from fatty acid synthesis, the diet, and the microbiome. In addition, both acyl-ghrelin and unacyl-ghrelin (UAG) have feedback effects on lipid metabolism which in turn modulate their levels. Recently we showed that whilst acyl-ghrelin promotes adult hippocampal neurogenesis and enhances memory function, UAG inhibits these processes. As a result, we postulated that the circulating acyl-ghrelin:unacyl-ghrelin (AG:UAG) ratio might be an important regulator of neurogenesis and cognition. In this review, we discuss emerging evidence behind the relevance of ghrelin acylation in the context of brain physiology and pathology, as well as the current challenges of identifying the provenance of the acyl moiety.
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7
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Discovery of a functionally selective ghrelin receptor (GHSR 1a) ligand for modulating brain dopamine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112397119. [PMID: 35239443 PMCID: PMC8915830 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112397119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The modulation of growth hormone secretagogue receptor-1a (GHSR1a) signaling is a promising strategy for treating brain conditions of metabolism, aging, and addiction. GHSR1a activation results in pleiotropic physiological outcomes through distinct and pharmacologically separable G protein– and β-arrestin (βarr)–dependent signaling pathways. Thus, pathway-selective modulation can enable improved pharmacotherapeutics that can promote therapeutic efficacy while mitigating side effects. Here, we describe the discovery of a brain-penetrant small molecule, N8279 (NCATS-SM8864), that biases GHSR1a conformations toward Gαq activation and reduces aberrant dopaminergic behavior in mice. N8279 represents a promising chemical scaffold to advance the development of better treatments for GHSR1a-related brain disorders involving the pathological dysregulation of dopamine. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor-1a (GHSR1a) is the cognate G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) for the peptide hormone ghrelin. GHSR1a is a promising therapeutic target for a wide range of metabolic, age-related, and central nervous system (CNS)–based conditions. In addition, growing evidence supports that GHSR1a is a modulator of dopamine (DA) homeostasis and is neuroprotective within brain DA circuits. GHSR1a signaling originates from pharmacologically separable G protein– and β-arrestin (βarr)–dependent pathways, and consequently, GHSR1a-mediated physiological responses depend upon their distinctive signaling contributions. Thus, when treating disorders of disrupted DA homeostasis, a pharmacological strategy that modulates biased GHSR1a signaling may uncouple desired therapeutic outcomes from unwanted side effects. Here, we report the discovery of a small molecule GHSR1a agonist, N8279 (NCATS-SM8864), functionally selective for G protein signaling. Comprehensive pharmacological characterization reveals that N8279 elicits potent Gαq activity at the apo- and ghrelin-bound GHSR1a. Further biochemical analysis and molecular modeling demonstrate that N8279 signaling requires the extracellular domain of GHSR1a, especially extracellular loop 2. Collectively, these findings suggest that N8279 possesses an extended binding mode into the extracellular vestibule of the GHSR1a that preferentially favors Gαq signaling over alternative G proteins and βarr2-dependent cellular responses. Critically, N8279 is brain-penetrant in mice, exhibits CNS stability, and attenuates dysfunctional DA-mediated behaviors in both genetic and pharmacological mouse models of hyperdopaminergia. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms governing GPCR functional selectivity and emphasize how biased ligand drug development can produce novel GHSR1a pharmacotherapeutics to treat pathological disruptions of brain DA homeostasis.
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8
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Giorgioni G, Del Bello F, Quaglia W, Botticelli L, Cifani C, Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Piergentili A. Advances in the Development of Nonpeptide Small Molecules Targeting Ghrelin Receptor. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3098-3118. [PMID: 35157454 PMCID: PMC8883476 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is an octanoylated peptide acting by the activation of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, namely, GHS-R1a. The involvement of ghrelin in several physiological processes, including stimulation of food intake, gastric emptying, body energy balance, glucose homeostasis, reduction of insulin secretion, and lipogenesis validates the considerable interest in GHS-R1a as a promising target for the treatment of numerous disorders. Over the years, several GHS-R1a ligands have been identified and some of them have been extensively studied in clinical trials. The recently resolved structures of GHS-R1a bound to ghrelin or potent ligands have provided useful information for the design of new GHS-R1a drugs. This perspective is focused on the development of recent nonpeptide small molecules acting as GHS-R1a agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists, bearing classical or new molecular scaffolds, as well as on radiolabeled GHS-R1a ligands developed for imaging. Moreover, the pharmacological effects of the most studied ligands have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfabio Giorgioni
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Fabio Del Bello
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Wilma Quaglia
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - E Micioni Di Bonaventura
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - M V Micioni Di Bonaventura
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Piergentili
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
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9
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Rudolf S, Kaempf K, Vu O, Meiler J, Beck‐Sickinger AG, Coin I. Binding of Natural Peptide Ligands to the Neuropeptide Y
5
Receptor. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202108738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarina Rudolf
- Institute of Biochemistry Faculty of Life Science Leipzig University 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Kerstin Kaempf
- Institute of Biochemistry Faculty of Life Science Leipzig University 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Oanh Vu
- Chemistry Department Vanderbilt University Nashville TN 37212 USA
| | - Jens Meiler
- Chemistry Department Vanderbilt University Nashville TN 37212 USA
- Center for Structural Biology Department of Biological Sciences Vanderbilt University Nashville TN 37212 USA
- Institute of Drug Design Faculty of Medicine Leipzig University 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | | | - Irene Coin
- Institute of Biochemistry Faculty of Life Science Leipzig University 04103 Leipzig Germany
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10
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Rudolf S, Kaempf K, Vu O, Meiler J, Beck-Sickinger AG, Coin I. Binding of Natural Peptide Ligands to the Neuropeptide Y 5 Receptor. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202108738. [PMID: 34822209 PMCID: PMC8766924 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202108738] [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: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The binding mode of natural peptide ligands to the Y5 G protein-coupled receptor (Y5 R), an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity, is largely unknown. Here, we apply complementary biochemical and computational approaches, including scanning of the receptor surface with a genetically encoded crosslinker, Ala-scanning of the ligand and double-cycle mutagenesis, to map interactions in the ligand-receptor interface and build a structural model of the NPY-Y5 R complex guided by the experimental data. In the model, the carboxyl (C)-terminus of bound NPY is placed close to the extracellular loop (ECL) 3, whereas the characteristic α-helical segment of the ligand drapes over ECL1 and is tethered towards ECL2 by a hydrophobic cluster. We further show that the other two natural ligands of Y5 R, peptide YY (PYY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) dock to the receptor in a similar pose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarina Rudolf
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Kerstin Kaempf
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Oanh Vu
- Chemistry Department, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, U.S.A
| | - Jens Meiler
- Chemistry Department, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, U.S.A
- Center for Structural Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, U.S.A
- Institute of Drug Design, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | | | - Irene Coin
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
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11
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Discovery of a dual-action small molecule that improves neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2115082119. [PMID: 35027452 PMCID: PMC8784098 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2115082119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Since Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurodegenerative disease, multitargeted therapeutic approaches are likely required for effective AD treatment. The importance of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) activation in the various neuropathological features of AD is well-known. Therefore, in this study, we focused on identifying an efficient, direct inhibitor of ASM activity. We found that KARI 201 was a highly selective ASM activity inhibitor without any off-target effects. Through RNA-sequencing analysis in brains of AD mice, we also unexpectedly uncovered the role of KARI 201 as a ghrelin receptor agonist. This dual role of KARI 201 in neurons led to improvement of Aβ accumulation, neuroinflammation, synapse loss, hippocampal neurogenesis, and memory dysfunction in AD mice. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by complex, multifactorial neuropathology, suggesting that small molecules targeting multiple neuropathological factors are likely required to successfully impact clinical progression. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) activation has been recognized as an important contributor to these neuropathological features in AD, leading to the concept of using ASM inhibitors for the treatment of this disorder. Here we report the identification of KARI 201, a direct ASM inhibitor evaluated for AD treatment. KARI 201 exhibits highly selective inhibition effects on ASM, with excellent pharmacokinetic properties, especially with regard to brain distribution. Unexpectedly, we found another role of KARI 201 as a ghrelin receptor agonist, which also has therapeutic potential for AD treatment. This dual role of KARI 201 in neurons efficiently rescued neuropathological features in AD mice, including amyloid beta deposition, autophagy dysfunction, neuroinflammation, synaptic loss, and decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, leading to an improvement in memory function. Our data highlight the possibility of potential clinical application of KARI 201 as an innovative and multifaceted drug for AD treatment.
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12
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Zimmermann A, Vu O, Brüser A, Sliwoski G, Marnett LJ, Meiler J, Schöneberg T. Mapping the binding sites of UDP and prostaglandin E2 glyceryl ester in the nucleotide receptor P2Y6. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100683. [PMID: 35034430 PMCID: PMC9305961 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Cyclooxygenase‐2 catalyzes the biosynthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid and the biosynthesis of prostaglandin glycerol esters (PG‐Gs) from 2‐arachidonoylglycerol. PG‐Gs are mediators of several biological actions such as macrophage activation, hyperalgesia, synaptic plasticity, and intraocular pressure. Recently, the human UDP receptor P2Y6 was identified as a target for the prostaglandin E2 glycerol ester (PGE2‐G). Here, we show that UDP and PGE2‐G are evolutionary conserved endogenous agonists at vertebrate P2Y6 orthologs. Using sequence comparison of P2Y6 orthologs, homology modeling, and ligand docking studies, we proposed several receptor positions participating in agonist binding. Site‐directed mutagenesis and functional analysis of these P2Y6 mutants revealed that both UDP and PGE2‐G share in parts one ligand‐binding site. Thus, the convergent signaling of these two chemically very different agonists has already been manifested in the evolutionary design of the ligand‐binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Zimmermann
- Leipzig University: Universitat Leipzig Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry GERMANY
| | - Oanh Vu
- Vanderbilt University Department of Chemistry UNITED STATES
| | - Antje Brüser
- Leipzig University: Universitat Leipzig Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry GERMANY
| | - Gregory Sliwoski
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Department of Biomedical Informatics UNITED STATES
| | - Lawrence J. Marnett
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Department of Biochemistry UNITED STATES
| | - Jens Meiler
- Leipzig University: Universitat Leipzig Institute of Drug discovery GERMANY
| | - Torsten Schöneberg
- Leipzig University: Universitat Leipzig Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry Johannisallee 30 04103 Leipzig GERMANY
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13
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Vu O, Bender BJ, Pankewitz L, Huster D, Beck-Sickinger AG, Meiler J. The Structural Basis of Peptide Binding at Class A G Protein-Coupled Receptors. Molecules 2021; 27:molecules27010210. [PMID: 35011444 PMCID: PMC8746363 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest membrane protein family and a significant target class for therapeutics. Receptors from GPCRs’ largest class, class A, influence virtually every aspect of human physiology. About 45% of the members of this family endogenously bind flexible peptides or peptides segments within larger protein ligands. While many of these peptides have been structurally characterized in their solution state, the few studies of peptides in their receptor-bound state suggest that these peptides interact with a shared set of residues and undergo significant conformational changes. For the purpose of understanding binding dynamics and the development of peptidomimetic drug compounds, further studies should investigate the peptide ligands that are complexed to their cognate receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oanh Vu
- Deparment of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA;
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (B.J.B.); (L.P.)
| | - Brian Joseph Bender
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (B.J.B.); (L.P.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Lisa Pankewitz
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (B.J.B.); (L.P.)
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Department, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16–18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Annette G. Beck-Sickinger
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Jens Meiler
- Deparment of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA;
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (B.J.B.); (L.P.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Leipzig University Medical Center, Institute for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Computer Science, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence:
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14
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Liu H, Sun D, Myasnikov A, Damian M, Baneres JL, Sun J, Zhang C. Structural basis of human ghrelin receptor signaling by ghrelin and the synthetic agonist ibutamoren. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6410. [PMID: 34737341 PMCID: PMC8568970 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26735-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The hunger hormone ghrelin activates the ghrelin receptor GHSR to stimulate food intake and growth hormone secretion and regulate reward signaling. Acylation of ghrelin at Ser3 is required for its agonistic action on GHSR. Synthetic agonists of GHSR are under clinical evaluation for disorders related to appetite and growth hormone dysregulation. Here, we report high-resolution cryo-EM structures of the GHSR-Gi signaling complex with ghrelin and the non-peptide agonist ibutamoren as an investigational new drug. Our structures together with mutagenesis data reveal the molecular basis for the binding of ghrelin and ibutamoren. Structural comparison suggests a salt bridge and an aromatic cluster near the agonist-binding pocket as important structural motifs in receptor activation. Notable structural variations of the Gi and GHSR coupling are observed in our cryo-EM analysis. Our results provide a framework for understanding GHSR signaling and developing new GHSR agonist drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Dapeng Sun
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Alexander Myasnikov
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38120, USA
| | - Marjorie Damian
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Louis Baneres
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Ji Sun
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38120, USA.
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
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15
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Molecular recognition of an acyl-peptide hormone and activation of ghrelin receptor. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5064. [PMID: 34417468 PMCID: PMC8379176 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25364-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin, also called “the hunger hormone”, is a gastric peptide hormone that regulates food intake, body weight, as well as taste sensation, reward, cognition, learning and memory. One unique feature of ghrelin is its acylation, primarily with an octanoic acid, which is essential for its binding and activation of the ghrelin receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor. The multifaceted roles of ghrelin make ghrelin receptor a highly attractive drug target for growth retardation, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Here we present two cryo-electron microscopy structures of Gq-coupled ghrelin receptor bound to ghrelin and a synthetic agonist, GHRP-6. Analysis of these two structures reveals a unique binding pocket for the octanoyl group, which guides the correct positioning of the peptide to initiate the receptor activation. Together with mutational and functional data, our structures define the rules for recognition of the acylated peptide hormone and activation of ghrelin receptor, and provide structural templates to facilitate drug design targeting ghrelin receptor. Ghrelin is a gastric peptide hormone and its acylation is required for binding to and activation of the ghrelin receptor in the brain, which initiates appetite. Here, the authors present cryo-EM structures of the Gq-coupled ghrelin receptor bound to ghrelin and the synthetic agonist GHRP-6 and they describe how the acylated peptide hormone is recognised by the receptor, which is of interest for drug design.
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16
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Ravula T, Ramamoorthy A. Synthesis, Characterization, and Nanodisc Formation of Non‐ionic Polymers**. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202101950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thirupathi Ravula
- Biophysics and Department of Chemistry Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering The University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109-1055 USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Biophysics and Department of Chemistry Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering The University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109-1055 USA
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17
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Ravula T, Ramamoorthy A. Synthesis, Characterization, and Nanodisc Formation of Non-ionic Polymers*. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:16885-16888. [PMID: 33998111 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202101950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Although lipid nanodiscs are increasingly used in the structural studies of membrane proteins, drug delivery and other applications, the interaction between the nanodisc belt and the protein to be reconstituted is a major limitation. To overcome this limitation and to further broaden the scope of nanodiscs, a family of non-ionic amphiphilic polymers synthesized by hydrophobic functionalization of fructo-oligosaccharides/inulin is reported. We show the stability of lipid nanodiscs formed by these polymers against pH and divalent metal ions, and their magnetic-alignment properties. The reported results also demonstrate that the non-ionic polymers extract membrane proteins with unprecedented efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirupathi Ravula
- Biophysics and Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1055, USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Biophysics and Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1055, USA
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18
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Gershkovich MM, Groß VE, Vu O, Schoeder CT, Meiler J, Prömel S, Kaiser A. Structural Perspective on Ancient Neuropeptide Y-like System reveals Hallmark Features for Peptide Recognition and Receptor Activation. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166992. [PMID: 33865871 PMCID: PMC8380825 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide Y (NPY) family is a peptide-activated G protein-coupled receptor system conserved across all bilaterians, and is involved in food intake, learning, and behavior. We hypothesized that comparing the NPY system in evolutionarily ancient organisms can reveal structural determinants of peptide recognition and receptor activation conserved in evolution. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the homologous FLP/NPR system of the protostome C.elegans. For three prototypic peptide-receptor complexes representing different ligand types, we integrate extensive functional data into structural models of the receptors. Common features include acidic patches in the extracellular loops (ECLs) of the receptors that cooperatively 'draw' the peptide into the binding pocket, which was functionally validated in vivo. A structurally conserved glutamate in the ECL2 anchors the peptides by a conserved salt bridge to the arginine of the RFamide motif. Beyond this conserved interaction, peptide binding show variability enabled by receptor-specific interactions. The family-conserved residue Q3.32 is a key player for peptide binding and receptor activation. Altered interaction patterns at Q3.32 may drastically increase the efficacy to activate the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miron Mikhailowitsch Gershkovich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Department of Chemistry, Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave South, BIOSCI/MRBIII, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Victoria Elisabeth Groß
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Oanh Vu
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave South, BIOSCI/MRBIII, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Clara Tabea Schoeder
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave South, BIOSCI/MRBIII, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jens Meiler
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave South, BIOSCI/MRBIII, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Prömel
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kaiser
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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19
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Li HZ, Shao XX, Shou LL, Li N, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. Unusual orthologs shed new light on the binding mechanism of ghrelin to its receptor GHSR1a. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 704:108872. [PMID: 33857472 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The gastric peptide ghrelin has important functions in energy metabolism and cellular homeostasis by activating growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR1a). The N-terminal residues of ghrelin orthologs from all vertebrates are quite conserved; however, in orthologs from Cavia porcellus and Phyllostomus discolor, Ser2 and Leu5 are replaced by a smaller Ala and a positively charged Arg, respectively. In the present study, we first demonstrated that the hydrophobic Leu5 is essential for the function of human ghrelin, because Ala replacement caused an approximately 100-fold decrease in activity. However, replacement of Leu5 by an Arg residue caused much less disruption; further replacement of Ser2 by Ala almost restored full activity, although the [S2A] mutation itself showed slight detriments, implying that the positively charged Arg5 in the [S2A,L5R] mutant might form alternative interactions with certain receptor residues to compensate for the loss of the essential Leu5. To identify the responsible receptor residues, we screened GHSR1a mutants in which all conserved negatively charged residues in the extracellular regions and all aromatic residues in the ligand-binding pocket were mutated separately. According to the decrease in selectivity of the mutant receptors towards [S2A,L5R]ghrelin, we deduced that the positively charged Arg5 of the ghrelin mutant primarily interacts with the essential aromatic Phe286 at the extracellular end of the sixth transmembrane domain of GHSR1a by forming cation-π and π-π interactions. The present study provided new insights into the binding mechanism of ghrelin with its receptor, and thus would facilitate the design of novel ligands for GHSR1a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Zheng Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Li Shou
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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20
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Stoyanova I, Lutz D. Ghrelin-Mediated Regeneration and Plasticity After Nervous System Injury. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:595914. [PMID: 33869167 PMCID: PMC8046019 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.595914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nervous system is highly vulnerable to different factors which may cause injury followed by an acute or chronic neurodegeneration. Injury involves a loss of extracellular matrix integrity, neuronal circuitry disintegration, and impairment of synaptic activity and plasticity. Application of pleiotropic molecules initiating extracellular matrix reorganization and stimulating neuronal plasticity could prevent propagation of the degeneration into the tissue surrounding the injury. To find an omnipotent therapeutic molecule, however, seems to be a fairly ambitious task, given the complex demands of the regenerating nervous system that need to be fulfilled. Among the vast number of candidates examined so far, the neuropeptide and hormone ghrelin holds within a very promising therapeutic potential with its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, to balance metabolic processes, and to stimulate neurorepair and neuroactivity. Compared with its well-established systemic effects in treatment of metabolism-related disorders, the therapeutic potential of ghrelin on neuroregeneration upon injury has received lesser appreciation though. Here, we discuss emerging concepts of ghrelin as an omnipotent player unleashing developmentally related molecular cues and morphogenic cascades, which could attenuate and/or counteract acute and chronic neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Stoyanova
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - David Lutz
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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21
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Schoeder C, Schmitz S, Adolf-Bryfogle J, Sevy AM, Finn JA, Sauer MF, Bozhanova NG, Mueller BK, Sangha AK, Bonet J, Sheehan JH, Kuenze G, Marlow B, Smith ST, Woods H, Bender BJ, Martina CE, del Alamo D, Kodali P, Gulsevin A, Schief WR, Correia BE, Crowe JE, Meiler J, Moretti R. Modeling Immunity with Rosetta: Methods for Antibody and Antigen Design. Biochemistry 2021; 60:825-846. [PMID: 33705117 PMCID: PMC7992133 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Structure-based antibody and antigen design has advanced greatly in recent years, due not only to the increasing availability of experimentally determined structures but also to improved computational methods for both prediction and design. Constant improvements in performance within the Rosetta software suite for biomolecular modeling have given rise to a greater breadth of structure prediction, including docking and design application cases for antibody and antigen modeling. Here, we present an overview of current protocols for antibody and antigen modeling using Rosetta and exemplify those by detailed tutorials originally developed for a Rosetta workshop at Vanderbilt University. These tutorials cover antibody structure prediction, docking, and design and antigen design strategies, including the addition of glycans in Rosetta. We expect that these materials will allow novice users to apply Rosetta in their own projects for modeling antibodies and antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara
T. Schoeder
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - Samuel Schmitz
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - Jared Adolf-Bryfogle
- Department
of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- IAVI
Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Alexander M. Sevy
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Chemical
and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0301, United States
- Vanderbilt
Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical
Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0417, United States
| | - Jessica A. Finn
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Vanderbilt
Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical
Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0417, United States
- Department
of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Marion F. Sauer
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Chemical
and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0301, United States
- Vanderbilt
Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical
Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0417, United States
| | - Nina G. Bozhanova
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - Benjamin K. Mueller
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - Amandeep K. Sangha
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - Jaume Bonet
- Institute
of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan H. Sheehan
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - Georg Kuenze
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Institute
for Drug Discovery, University Leipzig Medical
School, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Brennica Marlow
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Chemical
and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0301, United States
| | - Shannon T. Smith
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Chemical
and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0301, United States
| | - Hope Woods
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Chemical
and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0301, United States
| | - Brian J. Bender
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Department
of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Cristina E. Martina
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - Diego del Alamo
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Chemical
and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0301, United States
| | - Pranav Kodali
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - Alican Gulsevin
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
| | - William R. Schief
- Department
of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- IAVI
Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Bruno E. Correia
- Institute
of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - James E. Crowe
- Vanderbilt
Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical
Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0417, United States
- Department
of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department
of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical
Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Jens Meiler
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
- Institute
for Drug Discovery, University Leipzig Medical
School, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rocco Moretti
- Department
of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7917, United States
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22
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Fischer TF, Schoeder CT, Zellmann T, Stichel J, Meiler J, Beck-Sickinger AG. Cyclic Analogues of the Chemerin C-Terminus Mimic a Loop Conformation Essential for Activating the Chemokine-like Receptor 1. J Med Chem 2021; 64:3048-3058. [PMID: 33705662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1) is a promising target for treating autoinflammatory diseases, cancer, and reproductive disorders. However, the interaction between CMKLR1 and its protein-ligand chemerin remains uncharacterized, and no drugs targeting this interaction have passed clinical trials. Here, we identify the binding mode of chemerin-9, the C-terminus of chemerin, at the receptor by combining complementary mutagenesis with structure-based modeling. Incorporating our experimental data, we present a detailed model of this binding site, including experimentally confirmed pairwise interactions for the most critical ligand residues: Chemerin-9 residue F8 binds to a hydrophobic pocket in CMKLR1 formed by the extracellular loop (ECL) 2, while F6 interacts with Y2.68, suggesting a turn-like structure. On the basis of this model, we created the first cyclic peptide with nanomolar activity, confirming the overall binding conformation. This constrained agonist mimics the loop conformation adopted by the natural ligand and can serve as a lead compound for future drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias F Fischer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Clara T Schoeder
- Center for Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee37212, United States
| | - Tristan Zellmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Stichel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jens Meiler
- Center for Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee37212, United States.,Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University Medical School, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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23
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Bergmann R, Chollet C, Els-Heindl S, Ullrich M, Berndt N, Pietzsch J, Máthé D, Bachmann M, Beck-Sickinger AG. Development of a ghrelin receptor inverse agonist for positron emission tomography. Oncotarget 2021; 12:450-474. [PMID: 33747360 PMCID: PMC7939532 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Imaging of Ghrelin receptors in vivo provides unique potential to gain deeper understanding on Ghrelin and its receptors in health and disease, in particular, in cancer. Ghrelin, an octanoylated 28-mer peptide hormone activates the constitutively active growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a) with nanomolar activity. We developed novel compounds, derived from the potent inverse agonist K-(D-1-Nal)-FwLL-NH2 but structurally varied by lysine conjugation with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane,1-glutaric acid-4,7-acetic acid (NODAGA), palmitic acid and/or diethylene glycol (PEG2) to allow radiolabeling and improve pharmacokinetics, respectively. All compounds were tested for receptor binding, potency and efficacy in vitro, for biodistribution and -kinetics in rats and in preclinical prostate cancer models on mice. Radiolabeling with Cu-64 and Ga-68 was successfully achieved. The Cu-64- or Ga-68-NODAGA-NH-K-K-(D-1-NaI)-F-w-L-L-NH2 radiotracer were specifically accumulated by the GHS-R1a in xenotransplanted human prostate tumor models (PC-3, DU-145) in mice. The tumors were clearly delineated by PET. The radiotracer uptake was also partially blocked by K-(D-1-Nal)-FwLL-NH2 in stomach and thyroid. The presence of the GHS-R1a was also confirmed by immunohistology. In the arterial rat blood plasma, only the original compounds were found. The Cu-64 or Ga-68-NODAGA-NH-K-K-(D-1-NaI)-F-w-L-L-NH2 radiolabeled inverse agonists turned out to be potent and safe. Due to their easy synthesis, high affinity, medium potency, metabolic stability, and the suitable pharmacokinetic profiles, they are excellent tools for imaging and quantitation of GHS-R1a expression in normal and cancer tissues by PET. These compounds can be used as novel biomarkers of the Ghrelin system in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Constance Chollet
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Sylvia Els-Heindl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Ullrich
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Domokos Máthé
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center, Carl Gustav Carus Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Carl Gustav Carus Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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24
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Cornejo MP, Mustafá ER, Cassano D, Banères JL, Raingo J, Perello M. The ups and downs of growth hormone secretagogue receptor signaling. FEBS J 2021; 288:7213-7229. [PMID: 33460513 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) has emerged as one of the most fascinating molecules from the perspective of neuroendocrine control. GHSR is mainly expressed in the pituitary and the brain, and plays key roles regulating not only growth hormone secretion but also food intake, adiposity, body weight, glucose homeostasis and other complex functions. Quite atypically, GHSR signaling displays a basal constitutive activity that can be up- or downregulated by two digestive system-derived hormones: the octanoylated-peptide ghrelin and the liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), which was recently recognized as an endogenous GHSR ligand. The existence of two ligands with contrary actions indicates that GHSR activity can be tightly regulated and that the receptor displays the capability to integrate such opposing inputs in order to provide a balanced intracellular signal. This article provides a summary of the current understanding of the biology of ghrelin, LEAP2 and GHSR and discusses the reconceptualization of the cellular and physiological implications of the ligand-regulated GHSR signaling, based on the latest findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- María P Cornejo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emilio R Mustafá
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Cassano
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jean-Louis Banères
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier, Faculté de Pharmacie, Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Jesica Raingo
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mario Perello
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
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25
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Abiko LA, Rogowski M, Gautier A, Schertler G, Grzesiek S. Efficient production of a functional G protein-coupled receptor in E. coli for structural studies. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2021; 75:25-38. [PMID: 33501610 PMCID: PMC7897205 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-020-00354-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane signal transducers which regulate many key physiological process. Since their discovery, their analysis has been limited by difficulties in obtaining sufficient amounts of the receptors in high-quality, functional form from heterologous expression hosts. Albeit highly attractive because of its simplicity and the ease of isotope labeling for NMR studies, heterologous expression of functional GPCRs in E. coli has proven particularly challenging due to the absence of the more evolved protein expression and folding machinery of higher eukaryotic hosts. Here we first give an overview on the previous strategies for GPCR E. coli expression and then describe the development of an optimized robust protocol for the E. coli expression and purification of two mutants of the turkey β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR) uniformly or selectively labeled in 15N or 2H,15N. These mutants had been previously optimized for thermal stability using insect cell expression and used successfully in crystallographic and NMR studies. The same sequences were then used for E. coli expression. Optimization of E. coli expression was achieved by a quantitative analysis of losses of receptor material at each step of the solubilization and purification procedure. Final yields are 0.2-0.3 mg receptor per liter culture. Whereas both expressed mutants are well folded and competent for orthosteric ligand binding, the less stable YY-β1AR mutant also comprises the two native tyrosines Y5.58 and Y7.53, which enable G protein binding. High-quality 1H-15N TROSY spectra were obtained for E. coli-expressed YY-β1AR in three different functional states (antagonist, agonist, and agonist + G protein-mimicking nanobody-bound), which are identical to spectra obtained of the same forms of the receptor expressed in insect cells. NdeI and AgeI restriction sites introduced into the expression plasmid allow for the easy replacement of the receptor gene by other GPCR genes of interest, and the provided quantitative workflow analysis may guide the respective adaptation of the purification protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layara Akemi Abiko
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Marco Rogowski
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Gautier
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
- Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - Stephan Grzesiek
- Focal Area Structural Biology and Biophysics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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26
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Pacull EM, Sendker F, Bernhard F, Scheidt HA, Schmidt P, Huster D, Krug U. Integration of Cell-Free Expression and Solid-State NMR to Investigate the Dynamic Properties of Different Sites of the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:562113. [PMID: 33324203 PMCID: PMC7723455 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.562113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-free expression represents an attractive method to produce large quantities of selectively labeled protein for NMR applications. Here, cell-free expression was used to label specific regions of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) with NMR-active isotopes. The GHSR is a member of the class A family of G protein-coupled receptors. A cell-free expression system was established to produce the GHSR in the precipitated form. The solubilized receptor was refolded in vitro and reconstituted into DMPC lipid membranes. Methionines, arginines, and histidines were chosen for 13C-labeling as they are representative for the transmembrane domains, the loops and flanking regions of the transmembrane α-helices, and the C-terminus of the receptor, respectively. The dynamics of the isotopically labeled residues was characterized by solid-state NMR measuring motionally averaged 1H-13C dipolar couplings, which were converted into molecular order parameters. Separated local field DIPSHIFT experiments under magic-angle spinning conditions using either varying cross polarization contact times or direct excitation provided order parameters for these residues showing that the C-terminus was the segment with the highest motional amplitude. The loop regions and helix ends as well as the transmembrane regions of the GHSR represent relatively rigid segments in the overall very flexible receptor molecule. Although no site resolution could be achieved in the experiments, the previously reported highly dynamic character of the receptor concluded from uniformly 13C labeled receptor samples could be further specified by this segmental labeling approach, leading to a more diversified understanding of the receptor dynamics under equilibrium conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emelyne M Pacull
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Sendker
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frank Bernhard
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Holger A Scheidt
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Krug
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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27
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Capturing Peptide-GPCR Interactions and Their Dynamics. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25204724. [PMID: 33076289 PMCID: PMC7587574 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many biological functions of peptides are mediated through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Upon ligand binding, GPCRs undergo conformational changes that facilitate the binding and activation of multiple effectors. GPCRs regulate nearly all physiological processes and are a favorite pharmacological target. In particular, drugs are sought after that elicit the recruitment of selected effectors only (biased ligands). Understanding how ligands bind to GPCRs and which conformational changes they induce is a fundamental step toward the development of more efficient and specific drugs. Moreover, it is emerging that the dynamic of the ligand–receptor interaction contributes to the specificity of both ligand recognition and effector recruitment, an aspect that is missing in structural snapshots from crystallography. We describe here biochemical and biophysical techniques to address ligand–receptor interactions in their structural and dynamic aspects, which include mutagenesis, crosslinking, spectroscopic techniques, and mass-spectrometry profiling. With a main focus on peptide receptors, we present methods to unveil the ligand–receptor contact interface and methods that address conformational changes both in the ligand and the GPCR. The presented studies highlight a wide structural heterogeneity among peptide receptors, reveal distinct structural changes occurring during ligand binding and a surprisingly high dynamics of the ligand–GPCR complexes.
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28
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de la Nuez Veulens A, Rodríguez Fernández RE, Álvarez Ginarte YM, Montero Cabrera LA. In silico strategy for detailing the binding modes of a novel family of peptides proven as ghrelin receptor agonists. J Mol Model 2020; 26:294. [PMID: 33015729 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-020-04553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a peptide hormone involved in multiple functions, including growth hormone release stimulation, food intake regulation, and metabolic and cytoprotective effect. A novel family of peptides with internal cycles was designed as ghrelin analogs and the biological activity of two of them (A228 and A233) was experimentally studied in-depth. In this work, an in silico strategy was developed for describing and assessing the binding modes of A228 and A233 to GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor) comparing it with ghrelin and GHRP-6 peptides. Several reported structures of different G protein coupled receptors were used as templates, to obtain a good quality model of GHS-R1a. The best model was selected by preliminary molecular docking with ghrelin and GHRP-6. Docking was used to estimate peptide orientations in the binding site of the best model, observing a superposition of its N-terminal and its first aromatic residue. To test the complex stability in time, the C-terminal fragments of each peptide were added and the complexes were inserted a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) membrane, performing a molecular dynamic simulation for 100 ns using the CHARMM36 force field. Despite of the structural differences, the studied peptides share a common binding mode; the N-terminal interacts with E124 and the aromatic residue close to it, with the aromatic cluster (F279, F309, and F312). A preliminary pharmacophore model, consisting in a positive charged amine and an aromatic ring at an approximate distance of 0.79 nm, can be proposed. The results here described could represent a step forward in the efficient search of new ghrelin analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yoanna M Álvarez Ginarte
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Luis A Montero Cabrera
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba.
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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29
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Identifying key residues and key interactions for the binding of LEAP2 to receptor GHSR1a. Biochem J 2020; 477:3199-3217. [PMID: 32803260 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) was recently identified as a competitive antagonist for the G protein-coupled receptor GHSR1a, the cognate receptor for the gastric peptide ghrelin. LEAP2 plays important functions in energy metabolism by tuning the ghrelin–GHSR1a system. However, the molecular mechanism by which LEAP2 binds to GHSR1a is largely unknown. In the present study, we first conducted alanine-scanning mutagenesis on the N-terminal fragment of human LEAP2 and demonstrated that the positively charged Arg6 and the aromatic Phe4 are essential for LEAP2 binding to GHSR1a. To identify the receptor residues interacting with the essential Arg6 and Phe4 of LEAP2, we conducted extensive site-directed mutagenesis on GHSR1a. After all conserved negatively charged residues in the extracellular regions of human GHSR1a were mutated, only mutation of Asp99 caused much more detriments to GHSR1a binding to LEAP2 than binding to ghrelin, suggesting that the absolutely conserved Asp99 of GHSR1a probably interacts with the essential Arg6 of LEAP2. After five conserved Phe residues in the predicted ligand-binding pocket of human GHSR1a were mutated, three of them were identified as important for GHSR1a binding to LEAP2. According to a structural model of GHSR1a, we deduced that the adjacent Phe279 and Phe312 might interact with the essential Phe4 of LEAP2, while Phe119 might interact with the aromatic Trp5 of LEAP2. The present study provided new insights into the interaction of LEAP2 with its receptor, and would facilitate the design of novel ligands for GHSR1a in future studies.
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30
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Cooper M, Llinas A, Hansen P, Caffrey M, Ray A, Sjödin S, Shamovsky I, Wada H, Jellesmark Jensen T, Sivars U, Hultin L, Andersson U, Lundqvist S, Gedda K, Jinton L, Krutrök N, Lewis R, Jansson P, Gardelli C. Identification and Optimization of Pyrrolidine Derivatives as Highly Potent Ghrelin Receptor Full Agonists. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9705-9730. [PMID: 32787075 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Muscle atrophy and cachexia are common comorbidities among patients suffering from cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and several other chronic diseases. The peptide hormone ghrelin exerts pleiotropic effects including the stimulation of growth hormone secretion and subsequent increase of insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, an important mediator of muscle growth and repair. Ghrelin also acts on inflammation, appetite, and adipogenesis and therefore has been considered a promising therapeutic target for catabolic conditions. We previously reported on the synthesis and properties of an indane based series of ghrelin receptor full agonists which led to a sustained increase of insulin-like growth factor-1 in a dog pharmacodynamic study. Herein we report on the identification of a series of pyrrolidine or piperidine based full agonists and attempted optimization to give compounds with profiles suitable for progression as clinical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Stina Sjödin
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | | | | | - Tina Jellesmark Jensen
- Early Clinical Development, Research and Early Development, Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmune (RIA), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | | | - Leif Hultin
- In Vivo Imaging Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Ulf Andersson
- Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Sara Lundqvist
- Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Karin Gedda
- Precision Medicine, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
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31
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Shiimura Y, Horita S, Hamamoto A, Asada H, Hirata K, Tanaka M, Mori K, Uemura T, Kobayashi T, Iwata S, Kojima M. Structure of an antagonist-bound ghrelin receptor reveals possible ghrelin recognition mode. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4160. [PMID: 32814772 PMCID: PMC7438500 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17554-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin is a gastric peptide hormone with important physiological functions. The unique feature of ghrelin is its Serine 3 acyl-modification, which is essential for ghrelin’s activity. However, it remains to be elucidated why the acyl-modification of ghrelin is necessary for activity. To address these questions, we solved the crystal structure of the ghrelin receptor bound to antagonist. The ligand-binding pocket of the ghrelin receptor is bifurcated by a salt bridge between E124 and R283. A striking feature of the ligand-binding pocket of the ghrelin receptor is a wide gap (crevasse) between the TM6 and TM7 bundles that is rich in hydrophobic amino acids, including a cluster of phenylalanine residues. Mutagenesis analyses suggest that the interaction between the gap structure and the acyl acid moiety of ghrelin may participate in transforming the ghrelin receptor into an active conformation. Ghrelin is a gastric peptide hormone with important physiological functions, including growth hormone release and appetite-stimulating activity. Here, authors solved the crystal structure of the ghrelin receptor bound to antagonist and suggested a possible mechanism of activation by acyl-modified ghrelin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Shiimura
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Life Science, Kurume University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shoichiro Horita
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akie Hamamoto
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Life Science, Kurume University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hidetsugu Asada
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kunio Hirata
- RIKEN, SPring-8 Center, Hyogo, Japan.,Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Saitama, Japan
| | - Misuzu Tanaka
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Life Science, Kurume University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenji Mori
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Uemura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takuya Kobayashi
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - So Iwata
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. .,Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Saitama, Japan.
| | - Masayasu Kojima
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Life Science, Kurume University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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32
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Structural biology of human GPCR drugs and endogenous ligands - insights from NMR spectroscopy. Methods 2020; 180:79-88. [PMID: 32911074 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest class of "druggable" proteins in the human genome. For more than a decade, crystal structures and, more recently, cryoEM structures of GPCR complexes have provided unprecedented insight into GPCR drug binding and cell signaling. Nevertheless, structure determination of receptors in complexes with weakly binding molecules or complex polypeptides remains especially challenging, including for hormones, many of which have so far eluded researchers. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has emerged as a promising approach to determine structures of ligands bound to their receptors and to provide insights into the dynamics of GPCR-bound drugs. The capability to investigate compounds with weak binding affinities has also been leveraged in NMR applications to identify novel lead compounds in drug screening campaigns. We review recent structural biology studies of GPCR ligands by NMR, highlighting new methodologies enabling studies of GPCRs with native sequences and in native-like membrane environments that provide insights into important drugs and endogenous ligands.
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33
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Roel-Touris J, Bonvin AM. Coarse-grained (hybrid) integrative modeling of biomolecular interactions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1182-1190. [PMID: 32514329 PMCID: PMC7264466 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The computational modeling field has vastly evolved over the past decades. The early developments of simplified protein systems represented a stepping stone towards establishing more efficient approaches to sample intricated conformational landscapes. Downscaling the level of resolution of biomolecules to coarser representations allows for studying protein structure, dynamics and interactions that are not accessible by classical atomistic approaches. The combination of different resolutions, namely hybrid modeling, has also been proved as an alternative when mixed levels of details are required. In this review, we provide an overview of coarse-grained/hybrid models focusing on their applicability in the modeling of biomolecular interactions. We give a detailed list of ready-to-use modeling software for studying biomolecular interactions allowing various levels of coarse-graining and provide examples of complexes determined by integrative coarse-grained/hybrid approaches in combination with experimental information.
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34
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Giusti F, Casiraghi M, Point E, Damian M, Rieger J, Bon CL, Pozza A, Moncoq K, Banères JL, Catoire LJ. Structure of the agonist 12-HHT in its BLT2 receptor-bound state. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2630. [PMID: 32060341 PMCID: PMC7021728 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59571-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
G Protein-Coupled receptors represent the main communicating pathway for signals from the outside to the inside of most of eukaryotic cells. They define the largest family of integral membrane receptors at the surface of the cells and constitute the main target of the current drugs on the market. The low affinity leukotriene receptor BLT2 is a receptor involved in pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways and can be activated by various unsaturated fatty acid compounds. We present here the NMR structure of the agonist 12-HHT in its BLT2-bound state and a model of interaction of the ligand with the receptor based on a conformational homology modeling associated with docking simulations. Put into perspective with the data obtained with leukotriene B4, our results illuminate the ligand selectivity of BLT2 and may help define new molecules to modulate the activity of this receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Giusti
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, CNRS/Université de Paris, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005, Paris, France.,Institut de Chimie Séparative de Marcoule, ICSM UMR 5257, Site de Marcoule, Bâtiment 426, BP 17171, F-30207, Bagnols sur Cèze Cedex, France
| | - Marina Casiraghi
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, CNRS/Université de Paris, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005, Paris, France.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 279 Campus Drive, 94305, Stanford California, USA
| | - Elodie Point
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, CNRS/Université de Paris, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Marjorie Damian
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247 CNRS, Université Montpellier, ENSCM, , 15 av. Charles Flahault, 34093, Montpellier, France
| | - Jutta Rieger
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 8232, Equipe Chimie des Polymères, 4 place Jussieu, 75252, Paris Cedex, 05, France
| | - Christel Le Bon
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, CNRS/Université de Paris, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Pozza
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, CNRS/Université de Paris, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Karine Moncoq
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, CNRS/Université de Paris, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Louis Banères
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247 CNRS, Université Montpellier, ENSCM, , 15 av. Charles Flahault, 34093, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent J Catoire
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, CNRS/Université de Paris, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005, Paris, France.
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35
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Abizaid A, Hougland JL. Ghrelin Signaling: GOAT and GHS-R1a Take a LEAP in Complexity. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2020; 31:107-117. [PMID: 31636018 PMCID: PMC7299083 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin and the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) are important targets for disorders related to energy balance and metabolic regulation. Pharmacological control of ghrelin signaling is a promising avenue to address health issues involving appetite, weight gain, obesity, and related metabolic disorders, and may be an option for patients suffering from wasting conditions like cachexia. In this review, we summarize recent developments in the biochemistry of ghrelin and GHS-R1a signaling. These include unravelling the enzymatic transformations that generate active ghrelin and the discovery of multiple proteins that interact with ghrelin and GHS-R1a to regulate signaling. Furthermore, we propose that harnessing these processes will lead to highly selective treatments to address obesity, diabetes, and other metabolism-linked disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Abizaid
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - James L Hougland
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
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36
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Dar SA, Srivastava PP, Rather MA, Varghese T, Rasool SI, Gupta S. Molecular and computational analysis of Ghrelin, growth hormone Secretagogues receptor and mRNA expression of Growth-related genes after exogenous administered ghrelin peptide in Labeo rohita. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 142:756-768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Berman HM, Adams PD, Bonvin AA, Burley SK, Carragher B, Chiu W, DiMaio F, Ferrin TE, Gabanyi MJ, Goddard TD, Griffin PR, Haas J, Hanke CA, Hoch JC, Hummer G, Kurisu G, Lawson CL, Leitner A, Markley JL, Meiler J, Montelione GT, Phillips GN, Prisner T, Rappsilber J, Schriemer DC, Schwede T, Seidel CAM, Strutzenberg TS, Svergun DI, Tajkhorshid E, Trewhella J, Vallat B, Velankar S, Vuister GW, Webb B, Westbrook JD, White KL, Sali A. Federating Structural Models and Data: Outcomes from A Workshop on Archiving Integrative Structures. Structure 2019; 27:1745-1759. [PMID: 31780431 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Structures of biomolecular systems are increasingly computed by integrative modeling. In this approach, a structural model is constructed by combining information from multiple sources, including varied experimental methods and prior models. In 2019, a Workshop was held as a Biophysical Society Satellite Meeting to assess progress and discuss further requirements for archiving integrative structures. The primary goal of the Workshop was to build consensus for addressing the challenges involved in creating common data standards, building methods for federated data exchange, and developing mechanisms for validating integrative structures. The summary of the Workshop and the recommendations that emerged are presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Berman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Bridge Institute, Michelson Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Paul D Adams
- Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720-8235, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Alexandre A Bonvin
- Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science - Chemistry, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Stephen K Burley
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Bridget Carragher
- Simons Electron Microscopy Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Wah Chiu
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5447, USA; SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Frank DiMaio
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas E Ferrin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Margaret J Gabanyi
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Thomas D Goddard
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Juergen Haas
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian A Hanke
- Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jeffrey C Hoch
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Genji Kurisu
- Protein Data Bank Japan (PDBj), Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Catherine L Lawson
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Alexander Leitner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John L Markley
- BioMagResBank (BMRB), Biochemistry Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jens Meiler
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
| | - Gaetano T Montelione
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytech Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - George N Phillips
- BioSciences at Rice and Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251, USA
| | - Thomas Prisner
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland
| | - David C Schriemer
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Robson DNA Science Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Torsten Schwede
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claus A M Seidel
- Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Dmitri I Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Outstation, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emad Tajkhorshid
- Department of Biochemistry, NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Jill Trewhella
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Brinda Vallat
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Sameer Velankar
- Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe), European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Geerten W Vuister
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Benjamin Webb
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - John D Westbrook
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Kate L White
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Bridge Institute, Michelson Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Andrej Sali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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Soleyman-Jahi S, Sadeghi F, Pastaki Khoshbin A, Khani L, Roosta V, Zendehdel K. Attribution of Ghrelin to Cancer; Attempts to Unravel an Apparent Controversy. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1014. [PMID: 31681567 PMCID: PMC6805778 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin is an endogenous peptide hormone mainly produced in the stomach. It has been known to regulate energy homeostasis, stimulate secretion of growth hormone, and mediate many other physiologic effects. Various effects attributed to ghrelin contribute to many aspects of cancer development and progression. Accordingly, a large body of evidence has emerged about the association of ghrelin with several types of cancer in scales of cell-line, animal, and human studies. However, existing data are controversial. This controversy occurs in two main domains: one is the controversial results in local effects of ghrelin on different types of human cancer cell-lines; the second is the apparent disagreement in the results of in-vitro and clinical studies that investigated ghrelin association to one type of cancer. These inconsistencies have hampered the indications to consider ghrelin as a potential tumor biomarker or therapeutic agent in cancer patients. Previous studies have reviewed different parts of current literature about the ghrelin-cancer relationship. Although they have highlighted these controversial results in various ways, no specific recommendations have been given to address it. In this study, we comprehensively reviewed in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical studies and attempted to use the following approaches to unravel the inconsistencies detected: (a) to distinguish local and systemic effects of ghrelin in interpreting its summary clinical role in each cancer; (b) scrutinizing factors that regulate local effects of ghrelin and could justify different effects of ghrelin on different cancer cell-lines. These approaches could have notable implications for future in-vitro and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Soleyman-Jahi
- Division of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Cancer Immunology Project, Universal Scientific Education and Research Network, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghi
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project, Universal Scientific Education and Research Network, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Pastaki Khoshbin
- Cancer Immunology Project, Universal Scientific Education and Research Network, Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Khani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Venus Roosta
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Zendehdel
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Nicke L, Müller R, Geyer A, Els-Heindl S. Side Chain Orientation of Tryptophan Analogues Determines Agonism and Inverse Agonism in Short Ghrelin Peptides. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:1849-1855. [PMID: 31442005 PMCID: PMC6899459 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We describe two synthetic amino acids with inverted side chain stereochemistry, which induce opposite biological activity. Phe4 is an important part of the activation motif of ghrelin, and in short peptide inverse agonists such as KwFwLL-NH2 , the aromatic core is necessary for inactivation of the receptor. To restrict indole/phenyl mobility and simultaneously strengthen the interaction between peptide and receptor, we exchanged the natural monoaryl amino acids for diaryl amino acids derived from tryptophan. By standard solid-phase peptide synthesis, each of them was inserted into ghrelin or in the aromatic core of the inverse agonist. Both ghrelin analogues showed nanomolar activity, indicating sufficient space to accommodate the additional side chain. In contrast, diaryl amino acids in the inverse agonist had considerable influence on receptor signaling. Whereas the introduction of Wsf maintains inverse agonism of the peptide, Wrf shifts the receptor more to active states and can induce agonism depending on its introduction site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Nicke
- Faculty of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 4, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ronny Müller
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstrasse 34, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Armin Geyer
- Faculty of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 4, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sylvia Els-Heindl
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstrasse 34, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Structure and dynamics of G protein-coupled receptor-bound ghrelin reveal the critical role of the octanoyl chain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:17525-17530. [PMID: 31416915 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1905105116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin plays a central role in controlling major biological processes. As for other G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) peptide agonists, the structure and dynamics of ghrelin bound to its receptor remain obscure. Using a combination of solution-state NMR and molecular modeling, we demonstrate that binding to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor is accompanied by a conformational change in ghrelin that structures its central region, involving the formation of a well-defined hydrophobic core. By comparing its acylated and nonacylated forms, we conclude that the ghrelin octanoyl chain is essential to form the hydrophobic core and promote access of ghrelin to the receptor ligand-binding pocket. The combination of coarse-grained molecular dynamics studies and NMR should prove useful in improving our mechanistic understanding of the complex conformational space explored by a natural peptide agonist when binding to its GPCR. Such information should also facilitate the design of new ghrelin receptor-selective drugs.
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