1
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Kajino K, Tokuda A, Saitoh T. Morphinan Evolution: The Impact of Advances in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. J Biochem 2024; 175:337-355. [PMID: 38382631 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvae021] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Morphinan-based opioids, derived from natural alkaloids like morphine, codeine and thebaine, have long been pivotal in managing severe pain. However, their clinical utility is marred by significant side effects and high addiction potential. This review traces the evolution of the morphinan scaffold in light of advancements in biochemistry and molecular biology, which have expanded our understanding of opioid receptor pharmacology. We explore the development of semi-synthetic and synthetic morphinans, their receptor selectivity and the emergence of biased agonism as a strategy to dissociate analgesic properties from undesirable effects. By examining the molecular intricacies of opioid receptors and their signaling pathways, we highlight how receptor-type selectivity and signaling bias have informed the design of novel analgesics. This synthesis of historical and contemporary perspectives provides an overview of the morphinan landscape, underscoring the ongoing efforts to mitigate the problems facing opioids through smarter drug design. We also highlight that most morphinan derivatives show a preference for the G protein pathway, although detailed experimental comparisons are still necessary. This fact underscores the utility of the morphinan skeleton in future opioid drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Kajino
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Degree Programs in Pure and Applied Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8571, Japan
| | - Akihisa Tokuda
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saitoh
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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2
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Kong L, Ning K, Liu X, Lu J, Chen B, Ye R, Li Z, Jiang S, Tang S, Chai JR, Fang Y, Lan Y, Mai X, Xie Q, Liu J, Shao L, Fu W, Wang Y, Li W. Reversal of subtype-selectivity and function by the introduction of a para-benzamidyl substituent to N-cyclopropylmethyl nornepenthone. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115589. [PMID: 37413884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115589] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The discovery and development of novel μ-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonists is a significant area to combat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). In this work, a series of para-substituted N-cyclopropylmethyl-nornepenthone derivatives were designed and synthesized and pharmacologically assayed. Compound 6a was identified as a selective MOR antagonist both in vitro and in vivo. Its molecular basis was elucidated using molecular docking and MD simulations. A subpocket on the extracellular side of the TM2 domain of MOR, in particular the residue Y2.64, was proposed to be responsible for the reversal of subtype selectivity and functional reversal of this compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghui Kong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Kuan Ning
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jiashuo Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Baiyu Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Rongrong Ye
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, 201418, China
| | - Zixiang Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shuang Jiang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Siyuan Tang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing-Rui Chai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yun Fang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yingjie Lan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiaobo Mai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qiong Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jinggen Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Liming Shao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, No. 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Wei Fu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yujun Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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3
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Khan MIH, Sawyer BJ, Akins NS, Le HV. A systematic review on the kappa opioid receptor and its ligands: New directions for the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression, and drug abuse. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114785. [PMID: 36179400 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114785] [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: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is a member of the opioid receptor system, the G protein-coupled receptors that are expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems and play crucial roles in the modulation of antinociception and a variety of behavioral states like anxiety, depression, and drug abuse. KOR agonists are known to produce potent analgesic effects and have been used clinically for the treatment of pain, while KOR antagonists have shown efficacy in the treatment of anxiety and depression. This review summarizes the history, design strategy, discovery, and development of KOR ligands. KOR agonists are classified as non-biased, G protein-biased, and β-arrestin recruitment-biased, according to their degrees of bias. The mechanisms and associated effects of the G protein signaling pathway and β-arrestin recruitment signaling pathway are also discussed. Meanwhile, KOR antagonists are classified as long-acting and short-acting, based on their half-lives. In addition, we have special sections for mixed KOR agonists and selective peripheral KOR agonists. The mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and behavioral studies for each of these categories are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Imdadul H Khan
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Benjamin J Sawyer
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Nicholas S Akins
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Hoang V Le
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA.
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4
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Drakopoulos A, Moianos D, Prifti GM, Zoidis G, Decker M. Opioid ligands addressing unconventional binding sites and more than one opioid receptor subtype. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200169. [PMID: 35560796 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptors (ORs) represent one of the most significant groups of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) drug targets and also act as prototypical models for GPCR function. In a constant effort to develop drugs with less side effects, and tools to explore the ORs nature and function, various (poly)pharmacological ligand design approaches have been performed. That is, besides classical ligands, a great number of bivalent ligands (i.e. aiming on two distinct OR subtypes), univalent heteromer-selective ligands and bitopic and allosteric ligands have been synthesized for the ORs. The scope of our review is to present the most important of the aforementioned ligands, highlight their properties and exhibit the current state-of-the-art pallet of promising drug candidates or useful molecular tools for the ORs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Drakopoulos
- University of Gothenburg: Goteborgs Universitet, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Kemigåden 4, 431 45, Göteborg, SWEDEN
| | - Dimitrios Moianos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens: Ethniko kai Kapodistriako Panepistemio Athenon, Department of Pharmacy, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771, Athens, GREECE
| | - Georgia-Myrto Prifti
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens: Ethniko kai Kapodistriako Panepistemio Athenon, Department of Pharmacy, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771, Athens, GREECE
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Panepistimioupolis-Zografou, 15771, Athens, GREECE
| | - Michael Decker
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg: Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, GERMANY
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5
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Cowan A, Liu-Chen LY, Inan S. Itching-like behavior: A common effect of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist 5′-guanidinonaltrindole and the biased kappa opioid receptor agonist 6′-guanidinonaltrindole in mice. MEDICINE IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medidd.2021.100097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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6
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De Neve J, Barlow TMA, Tourwé D, Bihel F, Simonin F, Ballet S. Comprehensive overview of biased pharmacology at the opioid receptors: biased ligands and bias factors. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:828-870. [PMID: 34223156 PMCID: PMC8221262 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00041a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main challenges in contemporary medicinal chemistry is the development of safer analgesics, used in the treatment of pain. Currently, moderate to severe pain is still treated with the "gold standard" opioids whose long-term often leads to severe side effects. With the discovery of biased agonism, the importance of this area of pharmacology has grown exponentially over the past decade. Of these side effects, tolerance, opioid misuse, physical dependence and substance use disorder (SUD) stand out, since these have led to many deaths over the past decades in both USA and Europe. New therapeutic molecules that induce a biased response at the opioid receptors (MOR, DOR, KOR and NOP receptor) are able to circumvent these side effects and, consequently, serve as more advantageous therapies with great promise. The concept of biased signaling extends far beyond the already sizeable field of GPCR pharmacology and covering everything would be vastly outside the scope of this review which consequently covers the biased ligands acting at the opioid family of receptors. The limitation of quantifying bias, however, makes this a controversial subject, where it is dependent on the reference ligand, the equation or the assay used for the quantification. Hence, the major issue in the field of biased ligands remains the translation of the in vitro profiles of biased signaling, with corresponding bias factors to in vivo profiles showing the presence or the lack of specific side effects. This review comprises a comprehensive overview of biased ligands in addition to their bias factors at individual members of the opioid family of receptors, as well as bifunctional ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Thomas M A Barlow
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Frédéric Bihel
- Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7200, CNRS Université de Strasbourg Illkirch France
| | - Frédéric Simonin
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg Illkirch France
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
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7
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Borgarelli C, Klingl YE, Escamilla-Ayala A, Munck S, Van Den Bosch L, De Borggraeve WM, Ismalaj E. Lighting Up the Plasma Membrane: Development and Applications of Fluorescent Ligands for Transmembrane Proteins. Chemistry 2021; 27:8605-8641. [PMID: 33733502 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the fact that transmembrane proteins represent the main therapeutic targets for decades, complete and in-depth knowledge about their biochemical and pharmacological profiling is not fully available. In this regard, target-tailored small-molecule fluorescent ligands are a viable approach to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle. Such tools, coupled with the ability of high-precision optical techniques to image with an unprecedented resolution at a single-molecule level, helped unraveling many of the conundrums related to plasma proteins' life-cycle and druggability. Herein, we review the recent progress made during the last two decades in fluorescent ligand design and potential applications in fluorescence microscopy of voltage-gated ion channels, ligand-gated ion channels and G-coupled protein receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Borgarelli
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Design and Synthesis, KU Leuven Campus Arenberg Celestijnenlaan 200F -, box 2404, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yvonne E Klingl
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg O&N5 -, box 602 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Center for Brain &, Disease Research, VIB-KU Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg O&N5 -, box 602 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abril Escamilla-Ayala
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, & VIB BioImaging Core, VIB-KU Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg O&N5 -, box 602 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N5 - box 602 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sebastian Munck
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, & VIB BioImaging Core, VIB-KU Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg O&N5 -, box 602 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N5 - box 602 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg O&N5 -, box 602 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Center for Brain &, Disease Research, VIB-KU Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg O&N5 -, box 602 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim M De Borggraeve
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Design and Synthesis, KU Leuven Campus Arenberg Celestijnenlaan 200F -, box 2404, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ermal Ismalaj
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Design and Synthesis, KU Leuven Campus Arenberg Celestijnenlaan 200F -, box 2404, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
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8
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Structure–activity relationship investigation of triazole-based kappa opioid receptor agonists. Med Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02746-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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9
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Marchette RCN, Gregory-Flores A, Tunstall BJ, Carlson ER, Jackson SN, Sulima A, Rice KC, Koob GF, Vendruscolo LF. κ-Opioid receptor antagonism reverses heroin withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia in male and female rats. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100325. [PMID: 33997152 PMCID: PMC8095052 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although opioids are potent analgesics, a consequence of chronic opioid use is hyperalgesia during withdrawal, which may contribute to opioid misuse. Dynorphin, the endogenous ligand of κ-opioid receptors (KORs), is upregulated in opioid-dependent rats and in animal models of chronic pain. However, the role of KORs in opioid withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia remains to be determined. We hypothesized that KOR antagonism would reverse opioid withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia in opioid-dependent rats. Male and female Wistar rats received daily injections of heroin (2-6 mg/kg, SC) and were tested for mechanical sensitivity in the electronic von Frey test 4-6 h into withdrawal. Female rats required significantly more heroin than male rats to reach comparable levels of both heroin-induced analgesia and hyperalgesia (6 mg/kg vs. 2 mg/kg). Once hyperalgesia was established, we tested the effects of the KOR antagonists nor-binaltorphimine (norBNI; 30 mg/kg, SC) and 5'-guanidinonaltrindole (5'GNTI; 30 mg/kg, SC). When the animals continued to receive their daily heroin treatment (or saline treatment in the repeated saline group) five times per week throughout the experiment, both KOR antagonists reversed heroin withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia. The anti-hyperalgesia effect of norBNI was more prolonged in males than in females (14 days vs. 7 days), whereas 5'GNTI had more prolonged effects in females than in males (14 days vs. 4 days). The behavioral effects of 5'GNTI coincided with higher 5'GNTI levels in the brain than in plasma when measured at 24 h, whereas 5'GNTI did not reverse hyperalgesia at 30 min posttreatment when 5'GNTI levels were higher in plasma than in the brain. Finally, we tested the effects of 5'GNTI on naloxone-induced and spontaneous signs of opioid withdrawal and found no effect in either male or female rats. These findings indicate a functional role for KORs in heroin withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia that is observed in rats of both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata C N Marchette
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adriana Gregory-Flores
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brendan J Tunstall
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Erika R Carlson
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shelley N Jackson
- Structural Biology Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - George F Koob
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Gisemba SA, Ferracane MJ, Murray TF, Aldrich JV. Conformational Constraint between Aromatic Residue Side Chains in the "Message" Sequence of the Peptide Arodyn Using Ring Closing Metathesis Results in a Potent and Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonist. J Med Chem 2021; 64:3153-3164. [PMID: 33688737 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists have recently shown potential for treating drug addiction and mood disorders. The linear acetylated dynorphin A analog arodyn (Ac[Phe1,2,3,Arg4,d-Ala8]dynorphin A-(1-11)NH2), synthesized in our laboratory, demonstrated potent and selective KOR antagonism. Cyclization of arodyn could potentially stabilize the bioactive conformation and enhance its metabolic stability. The cyclization strategy employed involved ring closing metathesis between adjacent meta- or para-substituted Tyr(allyl) residues in the "message" sequence that were predicted in a docking study to yield analogs that would bind to the KOR with binding poses similar to arodyn. Consistent with the modeling, the resulting analogs retained KOR affinity similar to arodyn; the peptides involving cyclization between para O-allyl groups also retained high KOR selectivity, with one analog exhibiting KOR antagonist potency (KB = 15 nM) similar to arodyn. These promising cyclized analogs with constrained aromatic residues represent novel leads for further exploration of KOR pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon A Gisemba
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Michael J Ferracane
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Redlands, Redlands, California 92373, United States
| | - Thomas F Murray
- Departments of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, United States
| | - Jane V Aldrich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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11
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Spetea M, Schmidhammer H. Kappa Opioid Receptor Ligands and Pharmacology: Diphenethylamines, a Class of Structurally Distinct, Selective Kappa Opioid Ligands. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 271:163-195. [PMID: 33454858 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR), a G protein-coupled receptor, and its endogenous ligands, the dynorphins, are prominent members of the opioid neuromodulatory system. The endogenous kappa opioid system is expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and has a key role in modulating pain in central and peripheral neuronal circuits and a wide array of physiological functions and neuropsychiatric behaviors (e.g., stress, reward, emotion, motivation, cognition, epileptic seizures, itch, and diuresis). We review the latest advances in pharmacology of the KOR, chemical developments on KOR ligands with advances and challenges, and therapeutic and potential applications of KOR ligands. Diverse discovery strategies of KOR ligands targeting natural, naturally derived, and synthetic compounds with different scaffolds, as small molecules or peptides, with short or long-acting pharmacokinetics, and central or peripheral site of action, are discussed. These research efforts led to ligands with distinct pharmacological properties, as agonists, partial agonists, biased agonists, and antagonists. Differential modulation of KOR signaling represents a promising strategy for developing pharmacotherapies for several human diseases, either by activating (treatment of pain, pruritus, and epilepsy) or blocking (treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction) the receptor. We focus on the recent chemical and pharmacological advances on diphenethylamines, a new class of structurally distinct, selective KOR ligands. Design strategies and investigations to define structure-activity relationships together with in vivo pharmacology of diphenethylamines as agonists, biased agonists, and antagonists and their potential use as therapeutics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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12
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Schmidhammer H, Erli F, Guerrieri E, Spetea M. Development of Diphenethylamines as Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Ligands and Their Pharmacological Activities. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215092. [PMID: 33147885 PMCID: PMC7663249 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the opioid receptors, the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) has been gaining substantial attention as a promising molecular target for the treatment of numerous human disorders, including pain, pruritus, affective disorders (i.e., depression and anxiety), drug addiction, and neurological diseases (i.e., epilepsy). Particularly, the knowledge that activation of the KOR, opposite to the mu opioid receptor (MOR), does not produce euphoria or leads to respiratory depression or overdose, has stimulated the interest in discovering ligands targeting the KOR as novel pharmacotherapeutics. However, the KOR mediates the negative side effects of dysphoria/aversion, sedation, and psychotomimesis, with the therapeutic promise of biased agonism (i.e., selective activation of beneficial over deleterious signaling pathways) for designing safer KOR therapeutics without the liabilities of conventional KOR agonists. In this review, the development of new KOR ligands from the class of diphenethylamines is presented. Specifically, we describe the design strategies, synthesis, and pharmacological activities of differently substituted diphenethylamines, where structure–activity relationships have been extensively studied. Ligands with distinct profiles as potent and selective agonists, G protein-biased agonists, and selective antagonists, and their potential use as therapeutic agents (i.e., pain treatment) and research tools are described.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry
- Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Ligands
- Pain/drug therapy
- Pain/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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13
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Drakopoulos A, Koszegi Z, Lanoiselée Y, Hübner H, Gmeiner P, Calebiro D, Decker M. Investigation of Inactive-State κ Opioid Receptor Homodimerization via Single-Molecule Microscopy Using New Antagonistic Fluorescent Probes. J Med Chem 2020; 63:3596-3609. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Drakopoulos
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Zsombor Koszegi
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT Birmingham, U.K
| | - Yann Lanoiselée
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT Birmingham, U.K
| | - Harald Hübner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Davide Calebiro
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT Birmingham, U.K
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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14
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Mores KL, Cummins BR, Cassell RJ, van Rijn RM. A Review of the Therapeutic Potential of Recently Developed G Protein-Biased Kappa Agonists. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:407. [PMID: 31057409 PMCID: PMC6478756 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Between 2000 and 2005 several studies revealed that morphine is more potent and exhibits fewer side effects in beta-arrestin 2 knockout mice. These findings spurred efforts to develop opioids that signal primarily via G protein activation and do not, or only very weakly, recruit beta-arrestin. Development of such molecules targeting the mu opioid receptor initially outpaced those targeting the kappa, delta and nociceptin opioid receptors, with the G protein-biased mu opioid agonist oliceridine/TRV130 having completed phase III clinical trials with improved therapeutic window to treat moderate-to-severe acute pain. Recently however, there has been a sharp increase in the development of novel G protein-biased kappa agonists. It is hypothesized that G protein-biased kappa agonists can reduce pain and itch, but exhibit fewer side effects, such as anhedonia and psychosis, that have thus far limited the clinical development of unbiased kappa opioid agonists. Here we summarize recently discovered G protein-biased kappa agonists, comparing structures, degree of signal bias and preclinical effects. We specifically reviewed nalfurafine, 22-thiocyanatosalvinorin A (RB-64), mesyl-salvinorin B, 2-(4-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-5-((4-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)thio)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine (triazole 1.1), 3-(2-((cyclopropylmethyl)(phenethyl)amino)ethyl)phenol (HS666), N-n-butyl-N-phenylethyl-N-3-hydroxyphenylethyl-amine (compound 5/BPHA), 6-guanidinonaltrindole (6′GNTI), and collybolide. These agonists encompass a variety of chemical scaffolds and range in both their potency and efficacy in terms of G protein signaling and beta-arrestin recruitment. Thus unsurprisingly, the behavioral responses reported for these agonists are not uniform. Yet, it is our conclusion that the kappa opioid field will benefit tremendously from future studies that compare several biased agonists and correlate the degree of signaling bias to a particular pharmacological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall L Mores
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Benjamin R Cummins
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Robert J Cassell
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Richard M van Rijn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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15
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Signaling characteristics and functional regulation of delta opioid-kappa opioid receptor (DOP-KOP) heteromers in peripheral sensory neurons. Neuropharmacology 2019; 151:208-218. [PMID: 30776373 PMCID: PMC6500751 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Receptor heteromers often display distinct pharmacological and functional properties compared to the individual receptor constituents. In this study, we compared the properties of the DOP-KOP heteromer agonist, 6'-guanidinonaltrindole (6'-GNTI), with agonists for DOP ([D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin [DPDPE]) and KOP (U50488) in peripheral sensory neurons in culture and in vivo. In primary cultures, all three agonists inhibited PGE2-stimulated cAMP accumulation as well as activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) with similar efficacy. ERK activation by U50488 was Gi-protein mediated but that by DPDPE or 6'-GNTI was Gi-protein independent (i.e., pertussis toxin insensitive). Brief pretreatment with DPDPE or U50488 resulted in loss of cAMP signaling, however, no desensitization occurred with 6'-GNTI pretreatment. In vivo, following intraplantar injection, all three agonists reduced thermal nociception. The dose-response curves for DPDPE and 6'-GNTI were monotonic whereas the curve for U50488 was an inverted U-shape. Inhibition of ERK blocked the downward phase and shifted the curve for U50488 to the right. Following intraplantar injection of carrageenan, antinociceptive responses to either DPDPE or U50488 were transient but could be prolonged with inhibitors of 12/15-lipoxgenases (LOX). By contrast, responsiveness to 6'-GNTI remained for a prolonged time in the absence of LOX inhibitors. Further, pretreatment with the 12/15-LOX metabolites, 12- and 15- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, abolished responses to U50488 and DPDPE but had no effect on 6'-GNTI-mediated responses either in cultures or in vivo. Overall, these results suggest that DOP-KOP heteromers exhibit unique signaling and functional regulation in peripheral sensory neurons and may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of pain.
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16
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Ferré G, Czaplicki G, Demange P, Milon A. Structure and dynamics of dynorphin peptide and its receptor. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2019; 111:17-47. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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17
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Liu JJ, Sharma K, Zangrandi L, Chen C, Humphrey SJ, Chiu YT, Spetea M, Liu-Chen LY, Schwarzer C, Mann M. In vivo brain GPCR signaling elucidated by phosphoproteomics. Science 2018; 360:360/6395/eaao4927. [PMID: 29930108 DOI: 10.1126/science.aao4927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A systems view of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in its native environment is central to the development of GPCR therapeutics with fewer side effects. Using the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) as a model, we employed high-throughput phosphoproteomics to investigate signaling induced by structurally diverse agonists in five mouse brain regions. Quantification of 50,000 different phosphosites provided a systems view of KOR in vivo signaling, revealing novel mechanisms of drug action. Thus, we discovered enrichment of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway by U-50,488H, an agonist causing aversion, which is a typical KOR-mediated side effect. Consequently, mTOR inhibition during KOR activation abolished aversion while preserving beneficial antinociceptive and anticonvulsant effects. Our results establish high-throughput phosphoproteomics as a general strategy to investigate GPCR in vivo signaling, enabling prediction and modulation of behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Liu
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kirti Sharma
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Luca Zangrandi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Chongguang Chen
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Pharmacology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Sean J Humphrey
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yi-Ting Chiu
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Pharmacology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lee-Yuan Liu-Chen
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Pharmacology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Christoph Schwarzer
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Matthias Mann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. .,Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Jacobs BA, Pando MM, Jennings E, Chavera TA, Clarke WP, Berg KA. Allosterism within δ Opioid- κ Opioid Receptor Heteromers in Peripheral Sensory Neurons: Regulation of κ Opioid Agonist Efficacy. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 93:376-386. [PMID: 29436492 PMCID: PMC5832326 DOI: 10.1124/mol.117.109975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is abundant evidence for formation of G protein-coupled receptor heteromers in heterologous expression systems, but little is known of the function of heteromers in native systems. Heteromers of δ and κ opioid receptors (DOR-KOR heteromers) have been identified in native systems. We previously reported that activation of DOR-KOR heteromers expressed by rat pain-sensing neurons (nociceptors) produces robust, peripherally mediated antinociception. Moreover, DOR agonist potency and efficacy is regulated by KOR antagonists via allosteric interactions within the DOR-KOR heteromer in a ligand-dependent manner. Here we assessed the reciprocal regulation of KOR agonist function by DOR antagonists in adult rat nociceptors in culture and in a behavioral assay of nociception. Naltrindole enhanced the potency of the KOR agonist 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethyl]acetamide (ICI-199441) 10- to 20-fold, but did not alter responses to 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1R,2R)-2-pyrrolidin-1-ylcyclohexyl]acetamide (U50488). By contrast, the potency of U50488 was enhanced 20-fold by 7-benzylidenenaltrexone. The efficacy of 6'-guanidinonaltrindole (6'-GNTI) to inhibit nociceptors was blocked by small interfering RNA knockdown of DOR or KOR. Replacing 6'-GNTI occupancy of DOR with either naltrindole or 7-benzylidenenaltrexone abolished 6'-GNTI efficacy. Further, peptides derived from DOR transmembrane segment 1 fused to the cell membrane-penetrating HIV transactivator of transcription peptide also blocked 6'-GNTI-mediated responses ex vivo and in vivo, suggesting that 6'-GNTI efficacy in nociceptors is due to its positive allosteric regulation of KOR via occupancy of DOR in a DOR-KOR heteromer. Together, these results provide evidence for the existence of functional DOR-KOR heteromers in rat peripheral sensory neurons and that reciprocal, ligand-dependent allosteric interactions occur between the DOR and KOR protomers.
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MESH Headings
- Allosteric Regulation/drug effects
- Allosteric Regulation/physiology
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Male
- Peptide Fragments/genetics
- Peptide Fragments/pharmacology
- Peripheral Nerves/drug effects
- Peripheral Nerves/physiology
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/physiology
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/physiology
- Sensory Receptor Cells/drug effects
- Sensory Receptor Cells/physiology
- Trigeminal Ganglion/drug effects
- Trigeminal Ganglion/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine A Jacobs
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Miryam M Pando
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Elaine Jennings
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Teresa A Chavera
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - William P Clarke
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Kelly A Berg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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19
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Cheng JX, Cheng T, Li WH, Liu GX, Zhu WL, Tang Y. Computational insights into the subtype selectivity and "message-address-efficacy" mechanisms of opioid receptors through JDTic binding and unbinding. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:482-491. [PMID: 29047460 PMCID: PMC5843831 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2017.132] [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: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In drug design and discovery, binding affinity and selectivity are two basic properties of a drug candidate. Opioid receptors (ORs) are the main targets of strong analgesics. Like some other class A members of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ORs exhibit complex selectivity on their ligands. The diversity of binding activity and selectivity among opioids has deeply attracted researchers for a long time. To investigate the subtype selectivity of μ, δ and κ ORs in detail, using the κ-selective antagonist JDTic as a probe, we performed a series of computational simulations, including molecular dynamics and metadynamics, on JDTic-μ/δ/κ-OR complexes. From the simulations, we found that the decisive factor of JDTic selectivity on the μ-subtype was the 2.63 position, which affected the efficacy of JDTic through changing the dynamics of the Q2.60 residue. In addition to the 2.63-position residue, the 7.35 position was the other crucial aspect of JDTic selectivity for the δ-subtype. Based on the results, we suggest a new concept, the "message-address-efficacy" hypothesis, to explain the relationships among the affinity, selectivity and function between ORs and opioids. Thus, all the detailed dynamics of JDTic-bound ORs might be helpful to deeply understand the subtype selectivity and binding mechanisms of other GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-xin Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wei-hua Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Gui-xia Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wei-liang Zhu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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20
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Bohn LM, Aubé J. Seeking (and Finding) Biased Ligands of the Kappa Opioid Receptor. ACS Med Chem Lett 2017; 8:694-700. [PMID: 28740600 PMCID: PMC5512133 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery and characterization of two classes of kappa opioid receptor agonists that are biased for G protein over βarrestin signaling are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Bohn
- Departments
of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Division
of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of
Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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21
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Li W, Long JD, Qian YY, Long Y, Xu XJ, Wang YJ, Shen Q, Wang ZN, Yang XC, Xiao L, Sun HP, Xu YL, Chen YY, Xie Q, Wang YH, Shao LM, Liu JG, Qiu ZB, Fu W. The Pharmacological Heterogeneity of Nepenthone Analogs in Conferring Highly Selective and Potent κ-Opioid Agonistic Activities. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:766-776. [PMID: 28033462 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
To develop novel analgesics with no side effects or less side effects than traditional opioids is highly demanded to treat opioid receptor mediated pain and addiction issues. Recently, κ-opioid receptor (KOR) has been established as an attractive target, although its selective agonists could bear heterogeneous pharmacological activities. In this study, we designed and synthesized two new series of nepenthone derivatives by inserting a spacer (carbonyl) between 6α,14α-endo-ethenylthebaine and the 7α-phenyl substitution of the skeleton and by substituting the 17-N-methyl group with a cyclopropylmethyl group. We performed in vitro tests (binding and functional assays) and molecular docking operations on our newly designed compounds. The results of wet-experimental measures and modeled binding structures demonstrate that these new compounds are selective KOR agonists with nanomolar level affinities. Compound 4 from these new derivatives showed the highest affinity (Ki = 0.4 ± 0.1 nM) and the highest selectivity (μ/κ = 339, δ/κ = 2034) toward KOR. The in vivo tests revealed that compound 4 is able to induce stronger (ED50 = 2.1 mg/kg) and much longer antinociceptive effect than that of the typical KOR agonist U50488H (ED50 = 4.4 mg/kg). Therefore, compound 4 can be used as a perfect lead compound for future design of potent analgesics acting through KOR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jian-Dong Long
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Qian
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yu Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Xue-Jun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yu-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qing Shen
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zuo-Neng Wang
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xi-Cheng Yang
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hong-Peng Sun
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yu-Long Xu
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yi-Yi Chen
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qiong Xie
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yong-Hui Wang
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li-Ming Shao
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing-Gen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhui-Bai Qiu
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
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22
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Zangrandi L, Burtscher J, MacKay JP, Colmers WF, Schwarzer C. The G-protein biased partial κ opioid receptor agonist 6'-GNTI blocks hippocampal paroxysmal discharges without inducing aversion. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:1756-67. [PMID: 26928671 PMCID: PMC4867738 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose With a prevalence of 1–2%, epilepsies belong to the most frequent neurological diseases worldwide. Although antiepileptic drugs are available since several decades, the incidence of patients that are refractory to medication is still over 30%. Antiepileptic effects of κ opioid receptor (κ receptor) agonists have been proposed since the 1980s. However, their clinical use was hampered by dysphoric side effects. Recently, G‐protein biased κ receptor agonists were developed, suggesting reduced aversive effects. Experimental Approach We investigated the effects of the κ receptor agonist U‐50488H and the G‐protein biased partial κ receptor agonist 6′‐GNTI in models of acute seizures and drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and in the conditioned place avoidance (CPA) test. Moreover, we performed slice electrophysiology to understand the functional mechanisms of 6′‐GNTI. Key Results As previously shown for U‐50488H, 6′‐GNTI markedly increased the threshold for pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizures. All treated mice displayed reduced paroxysmal activity in response to U‐50488H (20 mg·kg−1) or 6′‐GNTI (10–30 nmoles) treatment in the mouse model of intra‐hippocampal injection of kainic acid. Single cell recordings on hippocampal pyramidal cells revealed enhanced inhibitory signalling as potential mechanisms causing the reduction of paroxysmal activity. Effects of 6′‐GNTI were blocked in both seizure models by the κ receptor antagonist 5′‐GNTI. Moreover, 6′‐GNTI did not induce CPA, a measure of aversive effects, while U‐50488H did. Conclusions and Implications Our data provide the proof of principle that anticonvulsant/antiseizure and aversive effects of κ receptor activation can be pharmacologically separated in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Zangrandi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Burtscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - James P MacKay
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - William F Colmers
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Christoph Schwarzer
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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23
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Molecular switches of the κ opioid receptor triggered by 6'-GNTI and 5'-GNTI. Sci Rep 2016; 6:18913. [PMID: 26742690 PMCID: PMC4705513 DOI: 10.1038/srep18913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The κ opioid receptor (κOR) is a member of G-protein-coupled receptors, and is considered as a promising drug target for treating neurological diseases. κOR selective 6'-GNTI was proved to be a G-protein biased agonist, whereas 5'-GNTI acts as an antagonist. To investigate the molecular mechanism of how these two ligands induce different behaviors of the receptor, we built two systems containing the 5'-GNTI-κOR complex and the 6'-GNTI-κOR complex, respectively, and performed molecular dynamics simulations of the two systems. We observe that transmembrane (TM) helix 6 of the κOR rotates about 4.6(o) on average in the κOR-6'-GNTI complex. Detailed analyses of the simulation results indicate that E297(6.58) and I294(6.55) play crucial roles in the rotation of TM6. In the simulation of the κOR-5'-GNTI system, it is revealed that 5'-GNTI can stabilize TM6 in the inactive state form. In addition, the kink of TM7 is stabilized by a hydrogen bond between S324(7.47) and the residue V69(1.42) on TM1.
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Abstract
There are many reported examples of small structural modifications to GPCR-targeted ligands leading to major changes in their functional activity, converting agonists into antagonists or vice versa. These shifts in functional activity are often accompanied by negligible changes in binding affinity. The current perspective focuses on outlining and analyzing various approaches that have been used to interconvert GPCR agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists in order to achieve the intended functional activity at a GPCR of therapeutic interest. An improved understanding of specific structural modifications that are likely to alter the functional activity of a GPCR ligand may be of use to researchers designing GPCR-targeted drugs and/or probe compounds, specifically in cases where a particular ligand exhibits good potency but not the preferred functional activity at the GPCR of choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter I Dosa
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Elizabeth Ambrose Amin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Minnesota Supercomputing Institute for Advanced Computational Research, University of Minnesota , 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
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Maillet EL, Milon N, Heghinian MD, Fishback J, Schürer SC, Garamszegi N, Mash DC. Noribogaine is a G-protein biased κ-opioid receptor agonist. Neuropharmacology 2015; 99:675-88. [PMID: 26302653 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Noribogaine is the long-lived human metabolite of the anti-addictive substance ibogaine. Noribogaine efficaciously reaches the brain with concentrations up to 20 μM after acute therapeutic dose of 40 mg/kg ibogaine in animals. Noribogaine displays atypical opioid-like components in vivo, anti-addictive effects and potent modulatory properties of the tolerance to opiates for which the mode of action remained uncharacterized thus far. Our binding experiments and computational simulations indicate that noribogaine may bind to the orthosteric morphinan binding site of the opioid receptors. Functional activities of noribogaine at G-protein and non G-protein pathways of the mu and kappa opioid receptors were characterized. Noribogaine was a weak mu antagonist with a functional inhibition constants (Ke) of 20 μM at the G-protein and β-arrestin signaling pathways. Conversely, noribogaine was a G-protein biased kappa agonist 75% as efficacious as dynorphin A at stimulating GDP-GTP exchange (EC50=9 μM) but only 12% as efficacious at recruiting β-arrestin, which could contribute to the lack of dysphoric effects of noribogaine. In turn, noribogaine functionally inhibited dynorphin-induced kappa β-arrestin recruitment and was more potent than its G-protein agonistic activity with an IC50 of 1 μM. This biased agonist/antagonist pharmacology is unique to noribogaine in comparison to various other ligands including ibogaine, 18-MC, nalmefene, and 6'-GNTI. We predict noribogaine to promote certain analgesic effects as well as anti-addictive effects at effective concentrations>1 μM in the brain. Because elevated levels of dynorphins are commonly observed and correlated with anxiety, dysphoric effects, and decreased dopaminergic tone, a therapeutically relevant functional inhibition bias to endogenously released dynorphins by noribogaine might be worthy of consideration for treating anxiety and substance related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline L Maillet
- DemeRx, Inc., R&D Laboratory, Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 NW 7th Ave, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Nicolas Milon
- DemeRx, Inc., R&D Laboratory, Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 NW 7th Ave, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Mari D Heghinian
- DemeRx, Inc., R&D Laboratory, Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 NW 7th Ave, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - James Fishback
- DemeRx, Inc., R&D Laboratory, Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 NW 7th Ave, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Stephan C Schürer
- University of Miami, Center for Computational Science, 1320 S, Dixie Highway, Gables One Tower #600.H, Locator Code 2965, Coral Gables, FL 33146-2926, USA; Miller School of Medicine, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, 14th Street CRB 650 (M-857), Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Nandor Garamszegi
- DemeRx, Inc., R&D Laboratory, Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 NW 7th Ave, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Deborah C Mash
- DemeRx, Inc., R&D Laboratory, Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 NW 7th Ave, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Dogra S, Yadav PN. Biased agonism at kappa opioid receptors: Implication in pain and mood disorders. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 763:184-90. [PMID: 26164787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (k receptor) and its endogenous ligand dynorphin have received significant attention due to their involvement in pathophysiology of mood disorders, drug addiction, psychotic disorders and pain. Multiple lines of evidences suggest that the k receptor modulates overlapping neurocircuits connecting brainstem monoaminergic nuclei with forebrain limbic structures and thereby regulates neurobiological effects of stress and psychostimulants. The emerging concept of "biased agonism" (also known as functional selectivity) for G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) ligands have provided new insights into overall response generated by a ligand, which could be exploited for drug discovery. According to this concept, every ligand possesses the unique ability (coded in its structure) that dictates distinct signalling pattern, and consequently beneficial or adverse response. Although still a long way to comprehend the clinical potential of biased GPCR ligands, such ligand could be vital pharmacological probes. This article highlights various lines of evidence, which indicates different ligands of k receptor as "biased", and their potential implications in mood and pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Dogra
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, UP 226031, India
| | - Prem N Yadav
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, UP 226031, India.
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Yuan Y, Zaidi SA, Stevens DL, Scoggins KL, Mosier PD, Kellogg GE, Dewey WL, Selley DE, Zhang Y. Design, syntheses, and pharmacological characterization of 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6α-(isoquinoline-3'-carboxamido)morphinan analogues as opioid receptor ligands. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:1701-15. [PMID: 25783191 PMCID: PMC4380750 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.02.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A series of 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6α-(isoquinoline-3'-carboxamido)morphinan (NAQ) analogues were synthesized and pharmacologically characterized to study their structure-activity relationship at the mu opioid receptor (MOR). The competition binding assay showed two-atom spacer and aromatic side chain were optimal for MOR selectivity. Meanwhile, substitutions at the 1'- and/or 4'-position of the isoquinoline ring retained or improved MOR selectivity over the kappa opioid receptor while still possessing above 20-fold MOR selectivity over the delta opioid receptor. In contrast, substitutions at the 6'- and/or 7'-position of the isoquinoline ring reduced MOR selectivity as well as MOR efficacy. Among this series of ligands, compound 11 acted as an antagonist when challenged with morphine in warm-water tail immersion assay and produced less significant withdrawal symptoms compared to naltrexone in morphine-pelleted mice. Compound 11 also antagonized the intracellular Ca(2+) increase induced by DAMGO. Molecular dynamics simulation studies of 11 in three opioid receptors indicated orientation of the 6'-nitro group varied significantly in the different 'address' domains of the receptors and played a crucial role in the observed binding affinities and selectivity. Collectively, the current findings provide valuable insights for future development of NAQ-based MOR selective ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Yuan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
| | - Saheem A Zaidi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - David L Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Krista L Scoggins
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Philip D Mosier
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Glen E Kellogg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - William L Dewey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
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Stahl EL, Zhou L, Ehlert FJ, Bohn LM. A novel method for analyzing extremely biased agonism at G protein-coupled receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 87:866-77. [PMID: 25680753 DOI: 10.1124/mol.114.096503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Seven transmembrane receptors were originally named and characterized based on their ability to couple to heterotrimeric G proteins. The assortment of coupling partners for G protein-coupled receptors has subsequently expanded to include other effectors (most notably the βarrestins). This diversity of partners available to the receptor has prompted the pursuit of ligands that selectively activate only a subset of the available partners. A biased or functionally selective ligand may be able to distinguish between different active states of the receptor, and this would result in the preferential activation of one signaling cascade more than another. Although application of the "standard" operational model for analyzing ligand bias is useful and suitable in most cases, there are limitations that arise when the biased agonist fails to induce a significant response in one of the assays being compared. In this article, we describe a quantitative method for measuring ligand bias that is particularly useful for such cases of extreme bias. Using simulations and experimental evidence from several κ opioid receptor agonists, we illustrate a "competitive" model for quantitating the degree and direction of bias. By comparing the results obtained from the competitive model with the standard model, we demonstrate that the competitive model expands the potential for evaluating the bias of very partial agonists. We conclude the competitive model provides a useful mechanism for analyzing the bias of partial agonists that exhibit extreme bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward L Stahl
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida (E.L.S., L.Z., L.M.B.); and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California (F.J.E.)
| | - Lei Zhou
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida (E.L.S., L.Z., L.M.B.); and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California (F.J.E.)
| | - Frederick J Ehlert
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida (E.L.S., L.Z., L.M.B.); and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California (F.J.E.)
| | - Laura M Bohn
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida (E.L.S., L.Z., L.M.B.); and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California (F.J.E.)
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Journigan VB, Mésangeau C, Vyas N, Eans SO, Cutler SJ, McLaughlin JP, Mollereau C, McCurdy CR. Nonpeptide small molecule agonist and antagonist original leads for neuropeptide FF1 and FF2 receptors. J Med Chem 2014; 57:8903-27. [PMID: 25268943 PMCID: PMC4234442 DOI: 10.1021/jm500989n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptide FF1 and FF2 receptors (NPFF1-R and NPFF2-R), and their endogenous ligand NPFF, are one of only several systems responsible for mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia, tolerance, and dependence. Currently, no small molecules displaying good affinity or selectivity for either subtype have been reported, to decipher the role of NPFF2-R as it relates to opioid-mediated analgesia, for further exploration of NPFF1-R, or for medication development for either subtype. We report the first nonpeptide small molecule scaffold for NPFF1,2-R, the guanidino-piperidines, and SAR studies resulting in the discovery of a NPFF1 agonist (7b, K(i) = 487 ± 117 nM), a NPFF1 antagonist (46, K(i) = 81 ± 17 nM), and a NPFF2 partial antagonist (53a, K(i) = 30 ± 5 nM), which serve as leads for the development of pharmacological probes and potential therapeutic agents. Testing of 46 alone was without effect in the mouse 48 °C warm-water tail-withdrawal test, but pretreatment with 46 prevented NPFF-induced hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Blair Journigan
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi , University, Mississippi 38677, United States
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Vardy E, Mosier PD, Frankowski KJ, Wu H, Katritch V, Westkaemper RB, Aubé J, Stevens RC, Roth BL. Chemotype-selective modes of action of κ-opioid receptor agonists. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:34470-83. [PMID: 24121503 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.515668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The crystal structures of opioid receptors provide a novel platform for inquiry into opioid receptor function. The molecular determinants for activation of the κ-opioid receptor (KOR) were studied using a combination of agonist docking, functional assays, and site-directed mutagenesis. Eighteen positions in the putative agonist binding site of KOR were selected and evaluated for their effects on receptor binding and activation by ligands representing four distinct chemotypes: the peptide dynorphin A(1-17), the arylacetamide U-69593, and the non-charged ligands salvinorin A and the octahydroisoquinolinone carboxamide 1xx. Minimally biased docking of the tested ligands into the antagonist-bound KOR structure generated distinct binding modes, which were then evaluated biochemically and pharmacologically. Our analysis identified two types of mutations: those that affect receptor function primarily via ligand binding and those that primarily affect function. The shared and differential mechanisms of agonist binding and activation in KOR are further discussed. Usually, mutations affecting function more than binding were located at the periphery of the binding site and did not interact strongly with the various ligands. Analysis of the crystal structure along with the present results provide fundamental insights into the activation mechanism of the KOR and suggest that "functional" residues, along with water molecules detected in the crystal structure, may be directly involved in transduction of the agonist binding event into structural changes at the conserved rotamer switches, thus leading to receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Vardy
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
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Schmid CL, Streicher JM, Groer CE, Munro TA, Zhou L, Bohn LM. Functional selectivity of 6'-guanidinonaltrindole (6'-GNTI) at κ-opioid receptors in striatal neurons. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:22387-98. [PMID: 23775075 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.476234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable evidence to suggest that drug actions at the κ-opioid receptor (KOR) may represent a means to control pain perception and modulate reward thresholds. As a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the activation of KOR promotes Gαi/o protein coupling and the recruitment of β-arrestins. It has become increasingly evident that GPCRs can transduce signals that originate independently via G protein pathways and β-arrestin pathways; the ligand-dependent bifurcation of such signaling is referred to as "functional selectivity" or "signaling bias." Recently, a KOR agonist, 6'-guanidinonaltrindole (6'-GNTI), was shown to display bias toward the activation of G protein-mediated signaling over β-arrestin2 recruitment. Therefore, we investigated whether such ligand bias was preserved in striatal neurons. Although the reference KOR agonist U69,593 induces the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt, 6'-GNTI only activates the Akt pathway in striatal neurons. Using pharmacological tools and β-arrestin2 knock-out mice, we show that KOR-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in striatal neurons requires β-arrestin2, whereas Akt activation depends upon G protein signaling. These findings reveal a point of KOR signal bifurcation that can be observed in an endogenous neuronal setting and may prove to be an important indicator when developing biased agonists at the KOR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cullen L Schmid
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, USA
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Fujii H, Takahashi T, Nagase H. Non-peptidic δ opioid receptor agonists and antagonists (2000 – 2012). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2013; 23:1181-208. [DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2013.804066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Sipos A, Follia V, Berényi S, Antus S, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Synthesis and Characterization of Thiazolo- and Thiazinomorphinans and Their Intermediate Products as Novel Opioid-Active Derivatives. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2012; 345:852-8. [DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201200176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Rives ML, Rossillo M, Liu-Chen LY, Javitch JA. 6'-Guanidinonaltrindole (6'-GNTI) is a G protein-biased κ-opioid receptor agonist that inhibits arrestin recruitment. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:27050-4. [PMID: 22736766 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.c112.387332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
κ-Opioid receptor (KOR) agonists do not activate the reward pathway stimulated by morphine-like μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists and thus have been considered to be promising nonaddictive analgesics. However, KOR agonists produce other adverse effects, including dysphoria, diuresis, and constipation. The therapeutic promise of KOR agonists has nonetheless recently been revived by studies showing that their dysphoric effects require arrestin recruitment, whereas their analgesic effects do not. Moreover, KOR agonist-induced antinociceptive tolerance observed in vivo has also been proposed to be correlated to the ability to induce arrestin-dependent phosphorylation, desensitization, and internalization of the receptor. The discovery of functionally selective drugs that are therapeutically effective without the adverse effects triggered by the arrestin pathway is thus an important goal. We have identified such an extreme G protein-biased KOR compound, 6'-guanidinonaltrindole (6'-GNTI), a potent partial agonist at the KOR receptor for the G protein activation pathway that does not recruit arrestin. Indeed, 6'-GNTI functions as an antagonist to block the arrestin recruitment and KOR internalization induced by other nonbiased agonists. As an extremely G protein-biased KOR agonist, 6'-GNTI represents a promising lead compound in the search for nonaddictive opioid analgesic as its signaling profile suggests that it will be without the dysphoria and other adverse effects promoted by arrestin recruitment and its downstream signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Laure Rives
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032,USA
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Berg KA, Patwardhan AM, Akopian AN. Receptor and channel heteromers as pain targets. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2012; 5:249-78. [PMID: 24281378 PMCID: PMC3763638 DOI: 10.3390/ph5030249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2012] [Revised: 02/04/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent discoveries indicate that many G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and channels involved in pain modulation are able to form receptor heteromers. Receptor and channel heteromers often display distinct signaling characteristics, pharmacological properties and physiological function in comparison to monomer/homomer receptor or ion channel counterparts. It may be possible to capitalize on such unique properties to augment therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. For example, drugs specifically targeting heteromers may have greater tissue specificity and analgesic efficacy. This review will focus on current progress in our understanding of roles of heteromeric GPCRs and channels in pain pathways as well as strategies for controlling pain pathways via targeting heteromeric receptors and channels. This approach may be instrumental in the discovery of novel classes of drugs and expand our repertoire of targets for pain pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A. Berg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (K.A.B.)
| | - Amol M. Patwardhan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (A.M.P.)
| | - Armen N. Akopian
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (K.A.B.)
- Department of Endodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Berg KA, Rowan MP, Gupta A, Sanchez TA, Silva M, Gomes I, McGuire BA, Portoghese PS, Hargreaves KM, Devi LA, Clarke WP. Allosteric interactions between δ and κ opioid receptors in peripheral sensory neurons. Mol Pharmacol 2011; 81:264-72. [PMID: 22072818 DOI: 10.1124/mol.111.072702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The peripheral δ opioid receptor (DOR) is an attractive target for analgesic drug development. There is evidence that DOR can form heteromers with the κ-opioid receptor (KOR). As drug targets, heteromeric receptors offer an additional level of selectivity and, because of allosteric interactions between protomers, functionality. Here we report that selective KOR antagonists differentially altered the potency and/or efficacy of DOR agonists in primary cultures of adult rat peripheral sensory neurons and in a rat behavioral model of thermal allodynia. In vitro, the KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) enhanced the potency of [D-Pen(2,5)]-enkephalin (DPDPE), decreased the potency of [D-Ala(2),D-Leu(5)]-enkephalin (DADLE), and decreased the potency and efficacy of 4-[(R)-[(2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl](3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC80) to inhibit prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2))-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. In vivo, nor-BNI enhanced the effect of DPDPE and decreased the effect of SNC80 to inhibit PGE(2)-stimulated thermal allodynia. In contrast to nor-BNI, the KOR antagonist 5'-guanidinonaltrindole (5'-GNTI) reduced the response of DPDPE both in cultured neurons and in vivo. Evidence for DOR-KOR heteromers in peripheral sensory neurons included coimmunoprecipitation of DOR with KOR, a DOR-KOR heteromer selective antibody augmented the antinociceptive effect of DPDPE in vivo, and the DOR-KOR heteromer agonist 6'-GNTI inhibited adenylyl cyclase activity in vitro as well as PGE(2)-stimulated thermal allodynia in vivo. Taken together, these data suggest that DOR-KOR heteromers exist in rat primary sensory neurons and that KOR antagonists can act as modulators of DOR agonist responses most likely through allosteric interactions between the protomers of the DOR-KOR heteromer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Berg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Smith NJ, Milligan G. Allostery at G protein-coupled receptor homo- and heteromers: uncharted pharmacological landscapes. Pharmacol Rev 2011; 62:701-25. [PMID: 21079041 DOI: 10.1124/pr.110.002667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
For many years seven transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) were thought to exist and function exclusively as monomeric units. However, evidence both from native cells and heterologous expression systems has demonstrated that GPCRs can both traffic and signal within higher-order complexes. As for other protein-protein interactions, conformational changes in one polypeptide, including those resulting from binding of pharmacological ligands, have the capacity to alter the conformation and therefore the response of the interacting protein(s), a process known as allosterism. For GPCRs, allosterism across homo- or heteromers, whether dimers or higher-order oligomers, represents an additional topographical landscape that must now be considered pharmacologically. Such effects may offer the opportunity for novel therapeutic approaches. Allosterism at GPCR heteromers is particularly exciting in that it offers additional scope to provide receptor subtype selectivity and tissue specificity as well as fine-tuning of receptor signal strength. Herein, we introduce the concept of allosterism at both GPCR homomers and heteromers and discuss the various questions that must be addressed before significant advances can be made in drug discovery at these GPCR complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J Smith
- Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory,University Avenue, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
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Kolinski M, Filipek S. Study of a structurally similar kappa opioid receptor agonist and antagonist pair by molecular dynamics simulations. J Mol Model 2010; 16:1567-76. [PMID: 20195661 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-010-0678-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Among the structurally similar guanidinonaltrindole (GNTI) compounds, 5'-GNTI is an antagonist while 6'-GNTI is an agonist of the kappaOR opioid receptor. To explore how a subtle alteration of the ligand structure influences the receptor activity, we investigated two concurrent processes: the final steps of ligand binding at the receptor binding site and the initial steps of receptor activation. To trace these early activation steps, the membranous part of the receptor was built on an inactive receptor template while the extracellular loops were built using the ab initio CABS method. We used the simulated annealing procedure for ligand docking and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to determine the immediate changes in the structure of the ligand-receptor complex. The binding of an agonist, in contrast to an antagonist, induced the breakage of the "3-7 lock" between helices TM3 and TM7. We also observed an action of the extended rotamer toggle switch which suggests that those two switches are interdependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kolinski
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 4 Trojdena St, 02-109, Warsaw, Poland
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Li F, Yin C, Chen J, Liu J, Xie X, Zhang A. [6,7]-heterocycle-fused 14-hydroxymorphinan derivatives: design, synthesis, and opioid receptor activity. ChemMedChem 2009; 4:2103-10. [PMID: 19847845 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.200900308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A series of new 14-hydroxymorphinan analogues with a thiazole or imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole fragment as the heterocyclic function fused to ring C were designed and synthesized. These compounds can be viewed as the result of a direct modification at ring C of the 14-hydroxymorphinan scaffold. Among these compounds, three were identified as having potent binding affinity (approximately 1 nM) at both kappa and mu receptors, and acting as agonists at kappa and partial agonists or antagonists at mu receptors. In view of the promising results from studies on compounds with mixed kappa and mu receptor activities, these new compounds warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuying Li
- Synthetic Organic & Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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41
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Goonan Á, Kahvedžić A, Rodriguez F, Nagle PS, McCabe T, Rozas I, Erdozain AM, Javier Meana J, Callado LF. Novel synthesis and pharmacological evaluation as α2-adrenoceptor ligands of O-phenylisouronium salts. Bioorg Med Chem 2008; 16:8210-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2008] [Revised: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 07/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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42
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Drumm JE, Deininger DD, LeTiran A, Wang T, Grillot AL, Liao Y, Ronkin SM, Stamos DP, Tang Q, Tian SK, Oliver-Shaffer P. Facile preparation of fused ring azolylureas. Tetrahedron Lett 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2007.05.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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43
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Vortherms TA, Mosier PD, Westkaemper RB, Roth BL. Differential helical orientations among related G protein-coupled receptors provide a novel mechanism for selectivity. Studies with salvinorin A and the kappa-opioid receptor. J Biol Chem 2006; 282:3146-56. [PMID: 17121830 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m609264200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Salvinorin A, the active component of the hallucinogenic sage Salvia divinorum, is an apparently selective and highly potent kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist. Salvinorin A is unique among ligands for peptidergic G protein-coupled receptors in being nonnitrogenous and lipid-like in character. To examine the molecular basis for the subtype-selective binding of salvinorin A, we utilized an integrated approach using chimeric opioid receptors, site-directed mutagenesis, the substituted cysteine accessibility method, and molecular modeling and dynamics studies. We discovered that helix 2 is required for salvinorin A binding to KOR and that two residues (Val-108(2.53) and Val-118(2.63)) confer subtype selectivity. Intriguingly, molecular modeling studies predicted that these loci exhibit an indirect effect on salvinorin A binding, presumably through rotation of helix 2. Significantly, and in agreement with our in silico predictions, substituted cysteine accessibility method analysis of helix 2 comparing KOR and the delta-opioid receptor, which has negligible affinity for salvinorin A, revealed that residues known to be important for salvinorin A binding exhibit a differential pattern of water accessibility. These findings imply that differences in the helical orientation of helix 2 are critical for the selectivity of salvinorin A binding to KOR and provide a structurally novel basis for ligand selectivity.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Binding Sites
- Cell Line
- Diterpenes/metabolism
- Diterpenes, Clerodane
- Genetic Vectors
- Hallucinogens/metabolism
- Humans
- Kidney
- Kinetics
- Mice
- Models, Molecular
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
- Protein Conformation
- Radioligand Assay
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Vortherms
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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Metcalf MD, Coop A. Kappa opioid antagonists: past successes and future prospects. AAPS JOURNAL 2005. [PMID: 16353947 DOI: 10.1208/aapsj070371].] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Antagonists of the kappa opioid receptor were initially investigated as pharmacological tools that would reverse the effects of kappa opioid receptor agonists. In the years following the discovery of the first selective kappa opioid antagonists, much information about their chemistry and pharmacology has been elicited and their potential therapeutic uses have been investigated. The review presents the current chemistry, ligand-based structure activity relationships, and pharmacology of the known nonpeptidic selective kappa opioid receptor antagonists. This manuscript endeavors to provide the reader with a useful reference of the investigations made to define the structure-activity relationships and pharmacology of selective kappa opioid receptor antagonists and their potential uses as pharmacological tools and as therapeutic agents in the treatment of disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Metcalf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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45
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Metcalf MD, Coop A. Kappa opioid antagonists: past successes and future prospects. AAPS J 2005. [PMID: 16353947 DOI: 10.1208/aapsj070371]] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antagonists of the kappa opioid receptor were initially investigated as pharmacological tools that would reverse the effects of kappa opioid receptor agonists. In the years following the discovery of the first selective kappa opioid antagonists, much information about their chemistry and pharmacology has been elicited and their potential therapeutic uses have been investigated. The review presents the current chemistry, ligand-based structure activity relationships, and pharmacology of the known nonpeptidic selective kappa opioid receptor antagonists. This manuscript endeavors to provide the reader with a useful reference of the investigations made to define the structure-activity relationships and pharmacology of selective kappa opioid receptor antagonists and their potential uses as pharmacological tools and as therapeutic agents in the treatment of disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Metcalf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Metcalf MD, Coop A. Kappa opioid antagonists: past successes and future prospects. AAPS JOURNAL 2005; 7:E704-22. [PMID: 16353947 PMCID: PMC2751273 DOI: 10.1208/aapsj070371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Antagonists of the kappa opioid receptor were initially investigated as pharmacological tools that would reverse the effects of kappa opioid receptor agonists. In the years following the discovery of the first selective kappa opioid antagonists, much information about their chemistry and pharmacology has been elicited and their potential therapeutic uses have been investigated. The review presents the current chemistry, ligand-based structure activity relationships, and pharmacology of the known nonpeptidic selective kappa opioid receptor antagonists. This manuscript endeavors to provide the reader with a useful reference of the investigations made to define the structure-activity relationships and pharmacology of selective kappa opioid receptor antagonists and their potential uses as pharmacological tools and as therapeutic agents in the treatment of disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Metcalf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20 Penn Street, 21201 Baltimore, MD
| | - Andrew Coop
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20 Penn Street, 21201 Baltimore, MD
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Yan F, Mosier PD, Westkaemper RB, Stewart J, Zjawiony JK, Vortherms TA, Sheffler DJ, Roth BL. Identification of the molecular mechanisms by which the diterpenoid salvinorin A binds to kappa-opioid receptors. Biochemistry 2005; 44:8643-51. [PMID: 15952771 DOI: 10.1021/bi050490d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Salvinorin A is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic diterpenoid from the plant Salvia divinorumthat selectively and potently activates kappa-opioid receptors (KORs). Salvinorin A is unique in that it is the only known lipid-like molecule that selectively and potently activates a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), which has as its endogenous agonist a peptide; salvinorin A is also the only known non-nitrogenous opioid receptor agonist. In this paper, we identify key residues in KORs responsible for the high binding affinity and agonist efficacy of salvinorin A. Surprisingly, we discovered that salvinorin A was stabilized in the binding pocket by interactions with tyrosine residues in helix 7 (Tyr313 and Tyr320) and helix 2 (Tyr119). Intriguingly, activation of KORs by salvinorin A required interactions with the helix 7 tyrosines Tyr312, Tyr313, and Tyr320 and with Tyr139 in helix 3. In contrast, the prototypical nitrogenous KOR agonist U69593 and the endogenous peptidergic agonist dynorphin A (1-13) showed differential requirements for these three residues for binding and activation. We also employed a novel approach, whereby we examined the effects of cysteine-substitution mutagenesis on the binding of salvinorin A and an analogue with a free sulfhydryl group, 2-thiosalvinorin B. We discovered that residues predicted to be in close proximity, especially Tyr313, to the free thiol of 2-thiosalvinorin B when mutated to Cys showed enhanced affinity for 2-thiosalvinorin B. When these findings are taken together, they imply that the diterpenoid salvinorin A utilizes unique residues within a commonly shared binding pocket to selectively activate KORs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Yan
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University Medical School, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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Waldhoer M, Fong J, Jones RM, Lunzer MM, Sharma SK, Kostenis E, Portoghese PS, Whistler JL. A heterodimer-selective agonist shows in vivo relevance of G protein-coupled receptor dimers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:9050-5. [PMID: 15932946 PMCID: PMC1157030 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0501112102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been much speculation regarding the functional relevance of G protein-coupled receptor heterodimers, primarily because demonstrating their existence in vivo has proven to be a considerable challenge. Here we show that the opioid agonist ligand 6'-guanidinonaltrindole (6'-GNTI) has the unique property of selectively activating only opioid receptor heterodimers but not homomers. Importantly, 6'-GNTI is an analgesic, thereby demonstrating that opioid receptor heterodimers are indeed functionally relevant in vivo. However, 6'-GNTI induces analgesia only when it is administered in the spinal cord but not in the brain, suggesting that the organization of heterodimers is tissue-specific. This study demonstrates a proof of concept for tissue-selective drug targeting based on G protein-coupled receptor heterodimerization. Importantly, targeting opioid heterodimers could provide an approach toward the design of analgesic drugs with reduced side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Waldhoer
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94608, USA
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Abstract
The binding site in G protein-coupled cationic biogenic amine receptors is formed in the cleft of the seven transmembrane segments. Upon binding the ligand, the receptors are activated or inactivated through the conformational changes of the transmembrane segments. G protein-coupled receptors bind four functionally distinct ligands; inverse agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, and full agonists. Hence, putative structural models for biogenic amine receptors corresponding to the ligand function (inverse agonist-, antagonist-, partial agonist-, and full agonist-bound receptor models) were built by using photointermediate models in the rhodopsin photocascade (M. Ishiguro et al. ChemBioChem. 2004, 5, 298-310). The ligand-receptor recognition of each was examined by modeling receptor-ligand complexes with functional ligands. The complex models suggested that each functional ligand binds the corresponding receptor structure and that ligand-specific interactions contribute to stabilization of the corresponding receptor structure.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acids/analysis
- Computational Biology
- Ligands
- Models, Molecular
- Protein Transport/physiology
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/chemistry
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/metabolism
- Receptors, Adrenergic/chemistry
- Receptors, Adrenergic/metabolism
- Receptors, Biogenic Amine/agonists
- Receptors, Biogenic Amine/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine/chemistry
- Receptors, Dopamine/metabolism
- Receptors, Histamine H2/chemistry
- Receptors, Histamine H2/metabolism
- Receptors, Muscarinic/chemistry
- Receptors, Muscarinic/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaji Ishiguro
- Suntory Institute for Bioorganic Research, 1-1 Wakayamadai, Shimamoto, Osaka 618-8503, Japan.
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