1
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Schüß C, Behr V, Beck-Sickinger AG. Illuminating the neuropeptide Y 4 receptor and its ligand pancreatic polypeptide from a structural, functional, and therapeutic perspective. Neuropeptides 2024; 105:102416. [PMID: 38430725 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The neuropeptide Y4 receptor (Y4R), a rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and the hormone pancreatic polypeptide (PP) are members of the neuropeptide Y family consisting of four receptors (Y1R, Y2R, Y4R, Y5R) and three highly homologous peptide ligands (neuropeptide Y, peptide YY, PP). In this family, the Y4R is of particular interest as it is the only subtype with high affinity to PP over NPY. The Y4R, as a mediator of PP signaling, has a pivotal role in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis, offering potential avenues for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity. PP as anorexigenic peptide is released postprandial from the pancreas in response to food intake, induces satiety signals and contributes to hamper excessive food intake. Moreover, this system was also described to be associated with different types of cancer: overexpression of Y4R have been found in human adenocarcinoma cells, while elevated levels of PP are related to the development of pancreatic endocrine tumors. The pharmacological relevance of the Y4R advanced the search for potent and selective ligands for this receptor subtype, which will be significantly progressed through the elucidation of the active state PP-Y4R cryo-EM structure. This review summarizes the development of novel PP-derived ligands, like Obinepitide as dual Y2R/Y4R agonist in clinical trials or UR-AK86c as small hexapeptide agonist with picomolar affinity, as well as the first allosteric modulators that selectively target the Y4R, e.g. VU0506013 as potent Y4R positive allosteric modulator or (S)-VU0637120 as allosteric antagonist. Here, we provide valuable insights into the complex physiological functions of the Y4R and PP and the pharmacological relevance of the system in appetite regulation to open up new avenues for the development of tool compounds for targeted therapies with potential applications in metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Schüß
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Germany.
| | - Victoria Behr
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Germany
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2
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Zhu W, Tanday N, Lafferty RA, Flatt PR, Irwin N. Novel enzyme-resistant pancreatic polypeptide analogs evoke pancreatic beta-cell rest, enhance islet cell turnover, and inhibit food intake in mice. Biofactors 2024. [PMID: 38635341 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is a postprandial hormone secreted from pancreatic islets that activates neuropeptide Y4 receptors (NPY4Rs). PP is known to induce satiety but effects at the level of the endocrine pancreas are less well characterized. In addition, rapid metabolism of PP by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) limits the investigation of the effects of the native peptide. Therefore, in the present study, five novel amino acid substituted and/or fatty acid derivatized PP analogs were synthesized, namely [P3]PP, [K13Pal]PP, [P3,K13Pal]PP, [N-Pal]PP, and [N-Pal,P3]PP, and their impact on pancreatic beta-cell function, as well as appetite regulation and glucose homeostasis investigated. All PP analogs displayed increased resistance to DPP-4 degradation. In addition, all peptides inhibited alanine-induced insulin secretion from BRIN-BD11 beta cells. Native PP and related analogs (10-8 and 10-6 M), and especially [P3]PP and [K13Pal]PP, significantly protected against cytokine-induced beta-cell apoptosis and promoted cellular proliferation, with effects dependent on the NPY4R for all peptides barring [N-Pal,P3]PP. In mice, all peptides, except [N-Pal]PP and [N-Pal,P3]PP, evoked a dose-dependent (25, 75, and 200 nmol/kg) suppression of appetite, with native PP and [P3]PP further augmenting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin (CCK) induced reductions of food intake. The PP peptides had no obvious detrimental effect on glucose tolerance and they did not noticeably impair the glucose-regulatory actions of GLP-1 or CCK. In conclusion, Pro3 amino acid substitution of PP, either alone or together with mid-chain acylation, creates PP analogs with benefits on beta-cell rest, islet cell turnover, and energy regulation that may be applicable to the treatment of diabetes and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuyun Zhu
- Diabetes Research Centre, Schools of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Neil Tanday
- Diabetes Research Centre, Schools of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Ryan A Lafferty
- Diabetes Research Centre, Schools of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Peter R Flatt
- Diabetes Research Centre, Schools of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Nigel Irwin
- Diabetes Research Centre, Schools of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
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3
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Roy DS, Gozzi M, Engberg O, Adler J, Huster D, Maiti S. Membrane-Mediated Allosteric Action of Serotonin on a Noncognate G-Protein-Coupled Receptor. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:1711-1718. [PMID: 38319949 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The structure and dynamics of the lipid membrane can affect the activity of membrane proteins. Therefore, small lipophilic molecules that alter membrane properties (such as the neurotransmitter serotonin) can potentially modulate receptor activity without binding to the receptor. Here, we investigated how the activity of neuropeptide Y type 4 receptor (Y4R, reconstituted in lipid bicelles) is modulated by serotonin, which has no known interaction with Y4R. We found a serotonin-concentration-dependent decrease (down to 0.1 mM of serotonin) in the ligand affinity of Y4R. This effect correlates with a serotonin-induced reduction of the resistance of the bilayer to indentation (measured by atomic force microscopy) and bilayer thickness (measured by solid state NMR) in two different types of zwitterionic lipid bicelles. Our findings indicate a "membrane-mediated allosteric effect" of serotonin on the activation of Y4R and suggest the potential for developing pharmacophores, which can modulate cellular signaling without directly interacting with any receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debsankar Saha Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Marta Gozzi
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Department, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Oskar Engberg
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Department, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juliane Adler
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Department, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Huster
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400005, India
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Department, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sudipta Maiti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400005, India
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4
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Calderón JC, Plut E, Keller M, Cabrele C, Reiser O, Gervasio FL, Clark T. Extended Metadynamics Protocol for Binding/Unbinding Free Energies of Peptide Ligands to Class A G-Protein-Coupled Receptors. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:205-218. [PMID: 38150388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
A metadynamics protocol is presented to characterize the binding and unbinding of peptide ligands to class A G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The protocol expands on the one previously presented for binding and unbinding small-molecule ligands to class A GPCRs and accounts for the more demanding nature of the peptide binding-unbinding process. It applies to almost all class A GPCRs. Exemplary simulations are described for subtypes Y1R, Y2R, and Y4R of the neuropeptide Y receptor family, vasopressin binding to the vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R), and oxytocin binding to the oxytocin receptor (OTR). Binding free energies and the positions of alternative binding sites are presented and, where possible, compared with the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline C Calderón
- Computer-Chemistry-Center, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Naegelsbachstr. 25, Erlangen 91052, Germany
| | - Eva Plut
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93040, Germany
| | - Max Keller
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg D-93040, Germany
| | - Chiara Cabrele
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93040, Germany
| | - Oliver Reiser
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93040, Germany
| | | | - Timothy Clark
- Computer-Chemistry-Center, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Naegelsbachstr. 25, Erlangen 91052, Germany
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5
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Lees JA, Dias JM, Rajamohan F, Fortin JP, O'Connor R, Kong JX, Hughes EAG, Fisher EL, Tuttle JB, Lovett G, Kormos BL, Unwalla RJ, Zhang L, Dechert Schmitt AM, Zhou D, Moran M, Stevens KA, Fennell KF, Varghese AE, Maxwell A, Cote EE, Zhang Y, Han S. An inverse agonist of orphan receptor GPR61 acts by a G protein-competitive allosteric mechanism. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5938. [PMID: 37741852 PMCID: PMC10517971 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41646-3] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
GPR61 is an orphan GPCR related to biogenic amine receptors. Its association with phenotypes relating to appetite makes it of interest as a druggable target to treat disorders of metabolism and body weight, such as obesity and cachexia. To date, the lack of structural information or a known biological ligand or tool compound has hindered comprehensive efforts to study GPR61 structure and function. Here, we report a structural characterization of GPR61, in both its active-like complex with heterotrimeric G protein and in its inactive state. Moreover, we report the discovery of a potent and selective small-molecule inverse agonist against GPR61 and structural elucidation of its allosteric binding site and mode of action. These findings offer mechanistic insights into an orphan GPCR while providing both a structural framework and tool compound to support further studies of GPR61 function and modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Lees
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | - João M Dias
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Rebecca O'Connor
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Jimmy X Kong
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emily A G Hughes
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ethan L Fisher
- Internal Medicine, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Jamison B Tuttle
- Internal Medicine, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gabrielle Lovett
- Internal Medicine, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bethany L Kormos
- Internal Medicine, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Lei Zhang
- Internal Medicine, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Dahui Zhou
- Internal Medicine, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Michael Moran
- Internal Medicine, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | | | | | | | - Andrew Maxwell
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Emmaline E Cote
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Internal Medicine, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Seungil Han
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA.
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6
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Plut E, Calderón JC, Stanojlović V, Gattor AO, Höring C, Humphrys LJ, Konieczny A, Kerres S, Schubert M, Keller M, Cabrele C, Clark T, Reiser O. Stereochemistry-Driven Interactions of α,γ-Peptide Ligands with the Neuropeptide Y Y 4-Receptor. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37440703 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The G-protein-coupled Y4-receptor (Y4R) and its endogenous ligand, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), suppress appetite in response to food intake and, thus, are attractive drug targets for body-weight control. The C-terminus of human PP (hPP), T32-R33-P34-R35-Y36-NH2, penetrates deep into the binding pocket with its tyrosine-amide and di-arginine motif. Here, we present two C-terminally amidated α,γ-hexapeptides (1a/b) with sequence Ac-R31-γ-CBAA32-R33-L34-R35-Y36-NH2, where γ-CBAA is the (1R,2S,3R)-configured 2-(aminomethyl)-3-phenylcyclobutanecarboxyl moiety (1a) or its mirror image (1b). Both peptides bind the Y4R (Ki of 1a/b: 0.66/12 nM) and act as partial agonists (intrinsic activity of 1a/b: 50/39%). Their induced-fit binding poses in the Y4R pocket are unique and build ligand-receptor contacts distinct from those of the C-terminus of the endogenous ligand hPP. We conclude that energetically favorable interactions, although they do not match those of the native ligand hPP, still guarantee high binding affinity (with 1a rivaling hPP) but not the maximum receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Plut
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jacqueline C Calderón
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Computer-Chemistry-Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vesna Stanojlović
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Albert O Gattor
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Carina Höring
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Laura J Humphrys
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Adam Konieczny
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Kerres
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mario Schubert
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Max Keller
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Chiara Cabrele
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Timothy Clark
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Computer-Chemistry-Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Reiser
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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7
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Schüß C, Vu O, Mishra NM, Tough IR, Du Y, Stichel J, Cox HM, Weaver CD, Meiler J, Emmitte KA, Beck-Sickinger AG. Structure-Activity Relationship Study of the High-Affinity Neuropeptide Y 4 Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator VU0506013. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37339079 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Positive allosteric modulators targeting the Y4 receptor (Y4R), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in the regulation of satiety, offer great potential in anti-obesity research. In this study, we selected 603 compounds by using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models and tested them in high-throughput screening (HTS). Here, the novel positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0506013 was identified, which exhibits nanomolar affinity and pronounced selectivity toward the Y4R in engineered cell lines and mouse descending colon mucosa natively expressing the Y4R. Based on this lead structure, we conducted a systematic SAR study in two regions of the scaffold and presented a series of 27 analogues with modifications in the N- and C-terminal heterocycles of the molecule to obtain insight into functionally relevant positions. By mutagenesis and computational docking, we present a potential binding mode of VU0506013 in the transmembrane core of the Y4R. VU0506013 presents a promising scaffold for developing in vivo tools to move toward anti-obesity drug research focused on the Y4R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Schüß
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Oanh Vu
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Nigam M Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, United States
| | - Iain R Tough
- King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE1 1UL, U.K
| | - Yu Du
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Jan Stichel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Helen M Cox
- King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London SE1 1UL, U.K
| | - C David Weaver
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Jens Meiler
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Kyle A Emmitte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, United States
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8
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Sánchez ML, Rodríguez FD, Coveñas R. Neuropeptide Y Peptide Family and Cancer: Antitumor Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9962. [PMID: 37373115 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently available data on the involvement of neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and their receptors (YRs) in cancer are updated. The structure and dynamics of YRs and their intracellular signaling pathways are also studied. The roles played by these peptides in 22 different cancer types are reviewed (e.g., breast cancer, colorectal cancer, Ewing sarcoma, liver cancer, melanoma, neuroblastoma, pancreatic cancer, pheochromocytoma, and prostate cancer). YRs could be used as cancer diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. A high Y1R expression has been correlated with lymph node metastasis, advanced stages, and perineural invasion; an increased Y5R expression with survival and tumor growth; and a high serum NPY level with relapse, metastasis, and poor survival. YRs mediate tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis; YR antagonists block the previous actions and promote the death of cancer cells. NPY favors tumor cell growth, migration, and metastasis and promotes angiogenesis in some tumors (e.g., breast cancer, colorectal cancer, neuroblastoma, pancreatic cancer), whereas in others it exerts an antitumor effect (e.g., cholangiocarcinoma, Ewing sarcoma, liver cancer). PYY or its fragments block tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion in breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. Current data show the peptidergic system's high potential for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and support using Y2R/Y5R antagonists and NPY or PYY agonists as promising antitumor therapeutic strategies. Some important research lines to be developed in the future will also be suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Lisardo Sánchez
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Francisco D Rodríguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Group GIR-USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Group GIR-USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
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9
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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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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. [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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11
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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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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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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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