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Grätz L, Müller C, Pegoli A, Schindler L, Bernhardt G, Littmann T. Insertion of Nanoluc into the Extracellular Loops as a Complementary Method To Establish BRET-Based Binding Assays for GPCRs. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:1142-1155. [PMID: 36407949 PMCID: PMC9667534 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Luminescence-based techniques play an increasingly important role in all areas of biochemical research, including investigations on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). One quite recent and popular addition has been made by introducing bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based binding assays for GPCRs, which are based on the fusion of nanoluciferase (Nluc) to the N-terminus of the receptor and the occurring energy transfer via BRET to a bound fluorescent ligand. However, being based on BRET, the technique is strongly dependent on the distance/orientation between the luciferase and the fluorescent ligand. Here we describe an alternative strategy to establish BRET-based binding assays for GPCRs, where the N-terminal fusion of Nluc did not result in functioning test systems with our fluorescent ligands (e.g., for the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor (Y1R) and the neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTS1R)). Instead, we introduced Nluc into their second extracellular loop and we obtained binding data for the fluorescent ligands and reported standard ligands (in saturation and competition binding experiments, respectively) comparable to data from the literature. The strategy was transferred to the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) and the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M1R), which led to affinity estimates comparable to data from radioligand binding experiments. Additionally, an analysis of the binding kinetics of all fluorescent ligands at their respective target was performed using the newly described receptor/Nluc-constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christoph Müller
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Lisa Schindler
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Günther Bernhardt
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
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2
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Müller C, Gleixner J, Tahk MJ, Kopanchuk S, Laasfeld T, Weinhart M, Schollmeyer D, Betschart MU, Lüdeke S, Koch P, Rinken A, Keller M. Structure-Based Design of High-Affinity Fluorescent Probes for the Neuropeptide Y Y 1 Receptor. J Med Chem 2022; 65:4832-4853. [PMID: 35263541 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The recent crystallization of the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor (Y1R) in complex with the argininamide-type Y1R selective antagonist UR-MK299 (2) opened up a new approach toward structure-based design of nonpeptidic Y1R ligands. We designed novel fluorescent probes showing excellent Y1R selectivity and, in contrast to previously described fluorescent Y1R ligands, considerably higher (∼100-fold) binding affinity. This was achieved through the attachment of different fluorescent dyes to the diphenylacetyl moiety in 2 via an amine-functionalized linker. The fluorescent ligands exhibited picomolar Y1R binding affinities (pKi values of 9.36-9.95) and proved to be Y1R antagonists, as validated in a Fura-2 calcium assay. The versatile applicability of the probes as tool compounds was demonstrated by flow cytometry- and fluorescence anisotropy-based Y1R binding studies (saturation and competition binding and association and dissociation kinetics) as well as by widefield and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy of live tumor cells, revealing that fluorescence was mainly localized at the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Müller
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Gleixner
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maris-Johanna Tahk
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sergei Kopanchuk
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tõnis Laasfeld
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Michael Weinhart
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Dieter Schollmeyer
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Düsbergweg 10-14, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Martin U Betschart
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Lüdeke
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pierre Koch
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ago Rinken
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Max Keller
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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3
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Liu M, Whitfield EA, Fothergill LJ, Furness JB, Wade JD, Furness SGB, Hossain MA. Design, synthesis and characterization of a fluorescently labeled functional analog of full-length human ghrelin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 533:559-564. [PMID: 32980116 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human ghrelin receptor (GHSR) is a recognized prospective target in the diagnosis and therapy of multiple cancer types. To gain a better understanding of this receptor signaling system, we have synthesized a novel full-length ghrelin analog that is fluorescently labeled at the side-chain of a C-terminal cysteine extension. This analog exhibited nanomolar affinity and potency for the ghrelin receptor. It shows comparable efficacy with that of endogenous ghrelin. The fluorescently-labeled ghrelin analog is a valuable tool for in vitro imaging of cell lines that express ghrelin receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Liu
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Emily A Whitfield
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Linda J Fothergill
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - John B Furness
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - John D Wade
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Sebastian G B Furness
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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4
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Gruber CG, Pegoli A, Müller C, Grätz L, She X, Keller M. Differently fluorescence-labelled dibenzodiazepinone-type muscarinic acetylcholine receptor ligands with high M 2R affinity. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:823-832. [PMID: 33479678 PMCID: PMC7650007 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00137f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of fluorescent dibenzodiazepinone-type muscarinic acetylcholine M2 receptor (M2R) ligands was synthesized using various fluorescent dyes (5-TAMRA, λ ex/λ em ≈ 547/576 nm; BODIPY 630/650, λ ex/λ em ≈ 625/640 nm; pyridinium dye Py-1, λ ex/λ em ≈ 611/665 nm and pyridinium dye Py-5, λ ex/λ em ≈ 465/732 nm). All fluorescent probes exhibited high M2R affinity (pK i (radioligand competition binding): 8.75-9.62, pK d (flow cytometry): 8.36-9.19), a very low preference for the M2R over the M1 and M4 receptors and moderate to pronounced M2R selectivity compared to the M3 and M5 receptors. The presented fluorescent ligands are considered useful molecular tools for future studies using methods such as fluorescence anisotropy and BRET based MR binding assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna G Gruber
- Institute of Pharmacy , Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31 , D-93053 Regensburg , Germany .
| | - Andrea Pegoli
- Institute of Pharmacy , Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31 , D-93053 Regensburg , Germany .
| | - Christoph Müller
- Institute of Pharmacy , Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31 , D-93053 Regensburg , Germany .
| | - Lukas Grätz
- Institute of Pharmacy , Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31 , D-93053 Regensburg , Germany .
| | - Xueke She
- Institute of Pharmacy , Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31 , D-93053 Regensburg , Germany .
| | - Max Keller
- Institute of Pharmacy , Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31 , D-93053 Regensburg , Germany .
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Richardson RR, Groenen M, Liu M, Mountford SJ, Briddon SJ, Holliday ND, Thompson PE. Heterodimeric Analogues of the Potent Y1R Antagonist 1229U91, Lacking One of the Pharmacophoric C-Terminal Structures, Retain Potent Y1R Affinity and Show Improved Selectivity over Y4R. J Med Chem 2020; 63:5274-5286. [PMID: 32364733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cyclic dimeric peptide 1229U91 (GR231118) has an unusual structure and displays potent, insurmountable antagonism of the Y1 receptor. To probe the structural basis for this activity, we have prepared ring size variants and heterodimeric compounds, identifying the specific residues underpinning the mechanism of 1229U91 binding. The homodimeric structure was shown to be dispensible, with analogues lacking key pharmacophoric residues in one dimer arm retaining high antagonist affinity. Compounds 11d-h also showed enhanced Y1R selectivity over Y4R compared to 1229U91.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R Richardson
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Institute of Cell Signalling, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K
| | - Marleen Groenen
- Institute of Cell Signalling, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K
| | - Mengjie Liu
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Simon J Mountford
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen J Briddon
- Institute of Cell Signalling, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K
| | - Nicholas D Holliday
- Institute of Cell Signalling, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K
| | - Philip E Thompson
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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6
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She X, Pegoli A, Gruber CG, Wifling D, Carpenter J, Hübner H, Chen M, Wan J, Bernhardt G, Gmeiner P, Holliday ND, Keller M. Red-Emitting Dibenzodiazepinone Derivatives as Fluorescent Dualsteric Probes for the Muscarinic Acetylcholine M2 Receptor. J Med Chem 2020; 63:4133-4154. [PMID: 32233403 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xueke She
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Pegoli
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Corinna G. Gruber
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - David Wifling
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Carpenter
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich Alexander University, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mengya Chen
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jianfei Wan
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Günther Bernhardt
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich Alexander University, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nicholas D. Holliday
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, U.K
| | - Max Keller
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
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7
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The Peptide PnPP-19, a Spider Toxin Derivative, Activates μ-Opioid Receptors and Modulates Calcium Channels. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10010043. [PMID: 29342943 PMCID: PMC5793130 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthetic peptide PnPP-19 comprehends 19 amino acid residues and it represents part of the primary structure of the toxin δ-CNTX-Pn1c (PnTx2-6), isolated from the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer. Behavioural tests suggest that PnPP-19 induces antinociception by activation of CB1, μ and δ opioid receptors. Since the peripheral and central antinociception induced by PnPP-19 involves opioid activation, the aim of this work was to identify whether this synthetic peptide could directly activate opioid receptors and investigate the subtype selectivity for μ-, δ- and/or κ-opioid receptors. Furthermore, we also studied the modulation of calcium influx driven by PnPP-19 in dorsal root ganglion neurons, and analyzed whether this modulation was opioid-mediated. PnPP-19 selectively activates μ-opioid receptors inducing indirectly inhibition of calcium channels and hereby impairing calcium influx in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Interestingly, notwithstanding the activation of opioid receptors, PnPP-19 does not induce β-arrestin2 recruitment. PnPP-19 is the first spider toxin derivative that, among opioid receptors, selectively activates μ-opioid receptors. The lack of β-arrestin2 recruitment highlights its potential for the design of new improved opioid agonists.
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Dukorn S, Littmann T, Keller M, Kuhn K, Cabrele C, Baumeister P, Bernhardt G, Buschauer A. Fluorescence- and Radiolabeling of [Lys4,Nle17,30]hPP Yields Molecular Tools for the NPY Y4 Receptor. Bioconjug Chem 2017; 28:1291-1304. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Dukorn
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Timo Littmann
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Max Keller
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kilian Kuhn
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Chiara Cabrele
- Division
of Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstraße 11, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Paul Baumeister
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Günther Bernhardt
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Armin Buschauer
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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