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Maruyama Y, Ohsawa Y, Suzuki T, Yamauchi Y, Ohno K, Inoue H, Yamamoto A, Hayashi M, Okuhara Y, Muramatsu W, Namiki K, Hagiwara N, Miyauchi M, Miyao T, Ishikawa T, Horie K, Hayama M, Akiyama N, Hirokawa T, Akiyama T. Pseudoirreversible inhibition elicits persistent efficacy of a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 antagonist. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5743. [PMID: 39030171 PMCID: PMC11271513 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49893-8] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), a G protein-coupled receptor, is required for lymphocyte trafficking, and is a promising therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases. Here, we synthesize a competitive S1PR1 antagonist, KSI-6666, that effectively suppresses pathogenic inflammation. Metadynamics simulations suggest that the interaction of KSI-6666 with a methionine residue Met124 in the ligand-binding pocket of S1PR1 may inhibit the dissociation of KSI-6666 from S1PR1. Consistently, in vitro functional and mutational analyses reveal that KSI-6666 causes pseudoirreversible inhibition of S1PR1, dependent on the Met124 of the protein and substituents on the distal benzene ring of KSI-6666. Moreover, in vivo study suggests that this pseudoirreversible inhibition is responsible for the persistent activity of KSI-6666.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Maruyama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ohsawa
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Takayuki Suzuki
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Yuko Yamauchi
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Ohno
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Inoue
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Akitoshi Yamamoto
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Morimichi Hayashi
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Yuji Okuhara
- Central Research Laboratory, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 4365-1 Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, Nagano, 399-8304, Japan
| | - Wataru Muramatsu
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kano Namiki
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Naho Hagiwara
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Maki Miyauchi
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takahisa Miyao
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ishikawa
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kenta Horie
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mio Hayama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Nobuko Akiyama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Hirokawa
- Division of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
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2
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Asadollahi K, Rajput S, de Zhang LA, Ang CS, Nie S, Williamson NA, Griffin MDW, Bathgate RAD, Scott DJ, Weikl TR, Jameson GNL, Gooley PR. Unravelling the mechanism of neurotensin recognition by neurotensin receptor 1. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8155. [PMID: 38071229 PMCID: PMC10710507 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The conformational ensembles of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) include inactive and active states. Spectroscopy techniques, including NMR, show that agonists, antagonists and other ligands shift the ensemble toward specific states depending on the pharmacological efficacy of the ligand. How receptors recognize ligands and the kinetic mechanism underlying this population shift is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the kinetic mechanism of neurotensin recognition by neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) using 19F-NMR, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results indicate slow-exchanging conformational heterogeneity on the extracellular surface of ligand-bound NTS1. Numerical analysis of the kinetic data of neurotensin binding to NTS1 shows that ligand recognition follows an induced-fit mechanism, in which conformational changes occur after neurotensin binding. This approach is applicable to other GPCRs to provide insight into the kinetic regulation of ligand recognition by GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Asadollahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Sunnia Rajput
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Lazarus Andrew de Zhang
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Williamson
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Thomas R Weikl
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Guy N L Jameson
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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3
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Hsieh CJ, Giannakoulias S, Petersson EJ, Mach RH. Computational Chemistry for the Identification of Lead Compounds for Radiotracer Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:317. [PMID: 37259459 PMCID: PMC9964981 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of computer-aided drug design (CADD) for the identification of lead compounds in radiotracer development is steadily increasing. Traditional CADD methods, such as structure-based and ligand-based virtual screening and optimization, have been successfully utilized in many drug discovery programs and are highlighted throughout this review. First, we discuss the use of virtual screening for hit identification at the beginning of drug discovery programs. This is followed by an analysis of how the hits derived from virtual screening can be filtered and culled to highly probable candidates to test in in vitro assays. We then illustrate how CADD can be used to optimize the potency of experimentally validated hit compounds from virtual screening for use in positron emission tomography (PET). Finally, we conclude with a survey of the newest techniques in CADD employing machine learning (ML).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ju Hsieh
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sam Giannakoulias
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - E. James Petersson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert H. Mach
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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4
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Penna E, Niso M, Podlewska S, Volpicelli F, Crispino M, Perrone-Capano C, Bojarski AJ, Lacivita E, Leopoldo M. In Vitro and In Silico Analysis of the Residence Time of Serotonin 5-HT 7 Receptor Ligands with Arylpiperazine Structure: A Structure-Kinetics Relationship Study. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:497-509. [PMID: 35099177 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decade, the kinetics of drug-target interaction has received increasing attention as an important pharmacological parameter in the drug development process. Several studies have suggested that the lipophilicity of a molecule can play an important role. To date, this aspect has been studied for several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) ligands but not for the 5-HT7 receptor (5-HT7R), a GPCR proposed as a valid therapeutic target in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders associated with abnormal neuronal connectivity. In this study, we report on structure-kinetics relationships of a set of arylpiperazine-based 5-HT7R ligands. We found that it is not the overall lipophilicity of the molecule that influences drug-target interaction kinetics but rather the position of polar groups within the molecule. Next, we performed a combination of molecular docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations to gain insights into structure-kinetics relationships. These studies did not suggest specific contact patterns between the ligands and the receptor-binding site as determinants for compounds kinetics. Finally, we compared the abilities of two 5-HT7R agonists with similar receptor-binding affinities and different residence times to stimulate the 5-HT7R-mediated neurite outgrowth in mouse neuronal primary cultures and found that the compounds induced the effect with different timing. This study provides the first insights into the binding kinetics of arylpiperazine-based 5-HT7R ligands that can be helpful to design new 5-HT7R ligands with fine-tuning of the kinetic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Penna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Biofordrug srl, via Dante 99, 70019 Triggiano (Bari), Italy
| | - Mauro Niso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Sabina Podlewska
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Floriana Volpicelli
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Crispino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Perrone-Capano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati Traverso”, National Research Council (CNR), via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrzej J. Bojarski
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marcello Leopoldo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
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Ågren R, Sahlholm K. Evidence for Two Modes of Binding of the Negative Allosteric Modulator SB269,652 to the Dopamine D2 Receptor. Biomedicines 2021; 10:biomedicines10010022. [PMID: 35052702 PMCID: PMC8772941 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SB269,652 has been described as the first negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R), however, the binding mode and allosteric mechanism of action of this ligand remain incompletely understood. SB269,652 comprises an orthosteric, primary pharmacophore and a secondary (or allosteric) pharmacophore joined by a hydrophilic cyclohexyl linker and is known to form corresponding interactions with the orthosteric binding site (OBS) and the secondary binding pocket (SBP) in the D2R. Here, we observed a surprisingly low potency of SB269,652 to negatively modulate the D2R-mediated activation of G protein-coupled inward-rectifier potassium channels (GIRK) and decided to perform a more detailed investigation of the interaction between dopamine and SB269,652. The results indicated that the SB269,652 inhibitory potency is increased 6.6-fold upon ligand pre-incubation, compared to the simultaneous co-application with dopamine. Mutagenesis experiments implicated both S193 in the OBS and E95 in the SBP in the effect of pre-application. The present findings extend previous knowledge about how SB269,652 competes with dopamine at the D2R and may be useful for the development of novel D2R ligands, such as antipsychotic drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ågren
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: (R.Å.); (K.S.)
| | - Kristoffer Sahlholm
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, 90187 Umea, Sweden
- Correspondence: (R.Å.); (K.S.)
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Abstract
Proper function of receptors on the cell surface is essential for homeostasis. Compounds that target cell surface receptors to address dysregulation have proven exceptionally successful as therapeutic agents; however, the development of compounds with the desired specificity for receptors, cells, and tissues of choice has proven difficult in some cases. The use of compounds that can engage more than one binding site at the cell surface offers a path toward improving biological specificity or pharmacological properties. In this chapter we summarize historical context for the development of such bivalent compounds. We focus on developments in chemical methods and biological engineering to provide bivalent compounds in which the high affinity and specificity of antibodies are leveraged to create multifunctional conjugates with new and useful properties. The development of methods to meld biological macromolecules with synthetic compounds will facilitate modulation of receptor biology in ways not previously possible.
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Shaik AB, Boateng CA, Battiti FO, Bonifazi A, Cao J, Chen L, Chitsazi R, Ravi S, Lee KH, Shi L, Newman AH. Structure Activity Relationships for a Series of Eticlopride-Based Dopamine D 2/D 3 Receptor Bitopic Ligands. J Med Chem 2021; 64:15313-15333. [PMID: 34636551 PMCID: PMC9617622 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The crystal structure of the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) in complex with eticlopride inspired the design of bitopic ligands that explored (1) N-alkylation of the eticlopride's pyrrolidine ring, (2) shifting of the position of the pyrrolidine nitrogen, (3) expansion of the pyrrolidine ring system, and (4) incorporation of O-alkylations at the 4-position. Structure activity relationships (SAR) revealed that moving the N- or expanding the pyrrolidine ring was detrimental to D2R/D3R binding affinities. Small pyrrolidine N-alkyl groups were poorly tolerated, but the addition of a linker and secondary pharmacophore (SP) improved affinities. Moreover, O-alkylated analogues showed higher binding affinities compared to analogously N-alkylated compounds, e.g., O-alkylated 33 (D3R, 0.436 nM and D2R, 1.77 nM) vs the N-alkylated 11 (D3R, 6.97 nM and D2R, 25.3 nM). All lead molecules were functional D2R/D3R antagonists. Molecular models confirmed that 4-position modifications would be well-tolerated for future D2R/D3R bioconjugate tools that require long linkers and or sterically bulky groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anver Basha Shaik
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Comfort A. Boateng
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Francisco O. Battiti
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Alessandro Bonifazi
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Jianjing Cao
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Li Chen
- Computational Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse − Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Rezvan Chitsazi
- Computational Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse − Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Saiprasad Ravi
- Computational Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse − Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Kuo Hao Lee
- Computational Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse − Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Lei Shi
- Computational Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse − Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
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Uba AI, Scorese N, Dean E, Liu H, Wu C. Activation Mechanism of Corticotrophin Releasing Factor Receptor Type 1 Elucidated Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1674-1687. [PMID: 33860667 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRF1R), a member of class B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), is a good drug target for treating depression, anxiety, and other stress-related neurodisorders. However, there is no approved drug targeting the CRF1R to date, partly due to inadequate structural information and its elusive activation mechanism. Here, by use of the crystal structures of its transmembrane domain (TMD) and the N-terminal extracellular domain (ECD) as a template, a full-length homology model of CRF1R was built and its complexes with peptide agonist urocortin 1 or small molecule antagonist CP-376395 were subjected to all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We observed well preserved helical contents in the TMD through simulations, while the transmembrane (TM) helices showed clear rearrangements. The TM rearrangement is especially pronounced for the TM6 in the agonist-bound CRF1R system. The observed conformational changes are likely due to breakage of interhelical/inter-regional hydrogen bonds in the TMD. Dynamical network analysis identifies communities with high connections to TM6. Simulations reveal three key residues, Y3566.53, Q3847.49, and L3957.60, which corroborate experimental mutagenesis data, implying the important roles in the receptor activation. The observed large-scale conformational changes are related to CRF1R activation by agonist binding, providing guidance for ligand design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba
- Complex Systems Division, Beijing Computational Science Research Center, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Nicolas Scorese
- College of Science and Mathematics, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| | - Emily Dean
- College of Science and Mathematics, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| | - Haiguang Liu
- Complex Systems Division, Beijing Computational Science Research Center, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chun Wu
- College of Science and Mathematics, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
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