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Preti B, Suchankova A, Deganutti G, Leuenberger M, Barkan K, Manulak I, Huang X, Carvalho S, Ladds G, Lochner M. Discovery and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Novel Adenosine A 1 Receptor-Selective Agonists. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14864-14890. [PMID: 36270633 PMCID: PMC9661479 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A series of benzyloxy and phenoxy derivatives of the adenosine receptor agonists N6-cyclopentyl adenosine (CPA) and N6-cyclopentyl 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CP-NECA) were synthesized, and their potency and selectivity were assessed. We observed that the most potent were the compounds with a halogen in the meta position on the aromatic ring of the benzyloxy- or phenoxycyclopentyl substituent. In general, the NECA-based compounds displayed greater A1R selectivity than the adenosine-based compounds, with N6-2-(3-bromobenzyloxy)cyclopentyl-NECA and N6-2-(3-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopentyl-NECA showing ∼1500-fold improved A1R selectivity compared to NECA. In addition, we quantified the compounds' affinity and kinetics of binding at both human and rat A1R using a NanoBRET binding assay and found that the halogen substituent in the benzyloxy- or phenoxycyclopentyl moiety seems to confer high affinity for the A1R. Molecular modeling studies suggested a hydrophobic subpocket as contributing to the A1R selectivity displayed. We believe that the identified selective potent A1R agonists are valuable tool compounds for adenosine receptor research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Preti
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Suchankova
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CambridgeCB2 1PD, U.K.
| | - Giuseppe Deganutti
- Centre
for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life
Sciences, Coventry University, CoventryCV1 5FB, U.K.
| | - Michele Leuenberger
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kerry Barkan
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CambridgeCB2 1PD, U.K.
| | - Iga Manulak
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CambridgeCB2 1PD, U.K.
| | - Xianglin Huang
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CambridgeCB2 1PD, U.K.
| | - Sabrina Carvalho
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CambridgeCB2 1PD, U.K.
| | - Graham Ladds
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CambridgeCB2 1PD, U.K.
| | - Martin Lochner
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012Bern, Switzerland
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Wall MJ, Hill E, Huckstepp R, Barkan K, Deganutti G, Leuenberger M, Preti B, Winfield I, Carvalho S, Suchankova A, Wei H, Safitri D, Huang X, Imlach W, La Mache C, Dean E, Hume C, Hayward S, Oliver J, Zhao FY, Spanswick D, Reynolds CA, Lochner M, Ladds G, Frenguelli BG. Selective activation of Gαob by an adenosine A 1 receptor agonist elicits analgesia without cardiorespiratory depression. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4150. [PMID: 35851064 PMCID: PMC9293909 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of therapeutic agonists for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is hampered by the propensity of GPCRs to couple to multiple intracellular signalling pathways. This promiscuous coupling leads to numerous downstream cellular effects, some of which are therapeutically undesirable. This is especially the case for adenosine A1 receptors (A1Rs) whose clinical potential is undermined by the sedation and cardiorespiratory depression caused by conventional agonists. We have discovered that the A1R-selective agonist, benzyloxy-cyclopentyladenosine (BnOCPA), is a potent and powerful analgesic but does not cause sedation, bradycardia, hypotension or respiratory depression. This unprecedented discrimination between native A1Rs arises from BnOCPA's unique and exquisitely selective activation of Gob among the six Gαi/o subtypes, and in the absence of β-arrestin recruitment. BnOCPA thus demonstrates a highly-specific Gα-selective activation of the native A1R, sheds new light on GPCR signalling, and reveals new possibilities for the development of novel therapeutics based on the far-reaching concept of selective Gα agonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Wall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Emily Hill
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Robert Huckstepp
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Kerry Barkan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Giuseppe Deganutti
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences (CSELS), Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Michele Leuenberger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Preti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ian Winfield
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Sabrina Carvalho
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Anna Suchankova
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | | | - Dewi Safitri
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
- Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia
| | - Xianglin Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Wendy Imlach
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Circe La Mache
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Eve Dean
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Cherise Hume
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Stephanie Hayward
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jess Oliver
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | - David Spanswick
- NeuroSolutions Ltd, Coventry, UK
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Christopher A Reynolds
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences (CSELS), Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Martin Lochner
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Graham Ladds
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK.
| | - Bruno G Frenguelli
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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Wang J, Bhattarai A, Do HN, Akhter S, Miao Y. Molecular Simulations and Drug Discovery of Adenosine Receptors. Molecules 2022; 27:2054. [PMID: 35408454 PMCID: PMC9000248 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of human membrane proteins. Four subtypes of adenosine receptors (ARs), the A1AR, A2AAR, A2BAR and A3AR, each with a unique pharmacological profile and distribution within the tissues in the human body, mediate many physiological functions and serve as critical drug targets for treating numerous human diseases including cancer, neuropathic pain, cardiac ischemia, stroke and diabetes. The A1AR and A3AR preferentially couple to the Gi/o proteins, while the A2AAR and A2BAR prefer coupling to the Gs proteins. Adenosine receptors were the first subclass of GPCRs that had experimental structures determined in complex with distinct G proteins. Here, we will review recent studies in molecular simulations and computer-aided drug discovery of the adenosine receptors and also highlight their future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yinglong Miao
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA; (J.W.); (A.B.); (H.N.D.); (S.A.)
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Deganutti G, Atanasio S, Rujan RM, Sexton PM, Wootten D, Reynolds CA. Exploring Ligand Binding to Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptors. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:720561. [PMID: 34513925 PMCID: PMC8427520 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.720561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important targets for many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. All the approved drugs for this receptor family are peptides that mimic the endogenous activating hormones. An understanding of how agonists bind and activate class B1 GPCRs is fundamental for the development of therapeutic small molecules. We combined supervised molecular dynamics (SuMD) and classic molecular dynamics (cMD) simulations to study the binding of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) to the CGRP receptor (CGRPR). We also evaluated the association and dissociation of the antagonist telcagepant from the extracellular domain (ECD) of CGRPR and the water network perturbation upon binding. This study, which represents the first example of dynamic docking of a class B1 GPCR peptide, delivers insights on several aspects of ligand binding to CGRPR, expanding understanding of the role of the ECD and the receptor-activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) on agonist selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Deganutti
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Atanasio
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Roxana-Maria Rujan
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick M. Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Denise Wootten
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Deganutti G, Barkan K, Ladds G, Reynolds CA. Multisite Model of Allosterism for the Adenosine A1 Receptor. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:2001-2015. [PMID: 33779168 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c01331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite being a target for about one-third of approved drugs, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) still represent a tremendous reservoir for therapeutic strategies against diseases. For example, several cardiovascular and central nervous system conditions could benefit from clinical agents that activate the adenosine 1 receptor (A1R); however, the pursuit of A1R agonists for clinical use is usually impeded by both on- and off-target side effects. One of the possible strategies to overcome this issue is the development of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) capable of selectively enhancing the effect of a specific receptor subtype and triggering functional selectivity (a phenomenon also referred to as bias). Intriguingly, besides enforcing the effect of agonists upon binding to an allosteric site, most of the A1R PAMs display intrinsic partial agonism and orthosteric competition with antagonists. To rationalize this behavior, we simulated the binding of the prototypical PAMs PD81723 and VCP171, the full-agonist NECA, the antagonist 13B, and the bitopic agonist VCP746. We propose that a single PAM can bind several A1R sites rather than a unique allosteric pocket, reconciling the structure-activity relationship and the mutagenesis results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Deganutti
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Alison Gingell Building, Coventry CV1 5FB, U.K
| | - Kerry Barkan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, U.K
| | - Graham Ladds
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, U.K
| | - Christopher A Reynolds
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Alison Gingell Building, Coventry CV1 5FB, U.K
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