1
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Gimenez LE, Noblin TA, Williams SY, Mullick Bagchi S, Ji RL, Tao YX, Jeppesen CB, Conde-Frieboes KW, Sawyer TK, Grieco P, Cone RD. Demonstration of a Common DPhe 7 to DNal(2') 7 Peptide Ligand Antagonist Switch for Melanocortin-3 and Melanocortin-4 Receptors Identifies the Systematic Mischaracterization of the Pharmacological Properties of Melanocortin Peptides. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5990-6000. [PMID: 35404053 PMCID: PMC9059122 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin peptides containing a 3-(2-naphthyl)-d-alanine residue in position 7 (DNal(2')7), reported as melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) subtype-specific agonists in two separate publications, were found to lack significant MC3R agonist activity. The cell lines used at the University of Arizona for pharmacological characterization of these peptides, consisting of HEK293 cells stably transfected with human melanocortin receptor subtypes MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, or MC5R, were then obtained and characterized by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). While the MC1R cell line correctly expressed only hMCR1, the three other cell lines were mischaracterized with regard to receptor subtype expression. The demonstration that a 3-(2-naphthyl)-d-alanine residue in position 7, irrespective of the melanocortin peptide template, results primarily in the antagonism of MC3R and MC4R then allowed us to search the published literature for additional errors. The erroneously characterized DNal(2')7-containing peptides date back to 2003; thus, our analysis suggests that systematic mischaracterization of the pharmacological properties of melanocortin peptides occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E. Gimenez
- Life
Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States,
| | - Terry A. Noblin
- Life
Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Savannah Y. Williams
- Life
Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | | | - Ren-Lei Ji
- Department
of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department
of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | | | | | - Tomi K. Sawyer
- Courage
Therapeutics, 64 Homer
Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02459, United States
| | - Paolo Grieco
- #Department of Pharmacy and ∇CIRPEB, Centro Interuniversitario
di Ricerca sui
Peptidi Bioattivi, University of Naples,
Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Roger D. Cone
- Life
Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States,Department
of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States,
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2
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Ericson MD, Doering SR, Larson CM, Freeman KT, LaVoi TM, Donow HM, Santos RG, Cho RH, Koerperich ZM, Giulianotti MA, Pinilla C, Houghten RA, Haskell-Luevano C. Functional Mixture-Based Positional Scan Identifies a Library of Antagonist Tetrapeptide Sequences (LAtTeS) with Nanomolar Potency for the Melanocortin-4 Receptor and Equipotent with the Endogenous AGRP(86-132) Antagonist. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14860-14875. [PMID: 34592820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays an important role in appetite. Agonist ligands that stimulate the MC4R decrease appetite, while antagonist compounds increase food consumption. Herein, a functional mixture-based positional scan identified novel MC4R antagonist sequences. Mixtures comprising a library of 12,960,000 tetrapeptides were screened in the presence and absence of the NDP-MSH agonist. These results led to the synthesis of 48 individual tetrapeptides, of which 40 were screened for functional activity at the melanocortin receptors. Thirteen compounds were found to possess nanomolar antagonist potency at the MC4R, with the general tetrapeptide sequence Ac-Aromatic-Basic-Aromatic-Basic-NH2. The most notable results include the identification of tetrapeptide 48 [COR1-25, Ac-DPhe(pI)-Arg-Nal(2')-Arg-NH2], an equipotent MC4R antagonist to agouti-related protein [AGRP(86-132)], more potent than miniAGRP(87-120), and possessing 15-fold selectivity for the MC4R versus the MC3R. These tetrapeptides may serve as leads for novel appetite-inducing therapies to treat states of negative energy balance, such as cachexia and anorexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Ericson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translation Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Skye R Doering
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translation Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Courtney M Larson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translation Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katie T Freeman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translation Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Travis M LaVoi
- Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Haley M Donow
- Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Radleigh G Santos
- Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314, United States
| | - Rachel H Cho
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translation Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Zoe M Koerperich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translation Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Marc A Giulianotti
- Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Clemencia Pinilla
- Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Richard A Houghten
- Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translation Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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3
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Martin C, Gimenez LE, Williams SY, Jing Y, Wu Y, Hollanders C, Van der Poorten O, Gonzalez S, Van Holsbeeck K, Previti S, Lamouroux A, Zhao S, Tourwé D, Stevens RC, Cone RD, Ballet S. Structure-Based Design of Melanocortin 4 Receptor Ligands Based on the SHU-9119-hMC4R Cocrystal Structure†. J Med Chem 2020; 64:357-369. [PMID: 33190475 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin receptors (MC1R-MC5R) belong to class A G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are known to have receptor-specific roles in normal and diseased states. Selectivity for MC4R is of particular interest due to its involvement in various metabolic disorders, including obesity, feeding regulation, and sexual dysfunctions. To further improve the potency and selectivity of MC4R (ant)agonist peptide ligands, we designed and synthesized a series of cyclic peptides based on the recent crystal structure of MC4R in complex with the well-characterized antagonist SHU-9119 (Ac-Nle4-c[Asp5-His6-DNal(2')7-Arg8-Trp9-Lys10]-NH2). These analogues were pharmacologically characterized in vitro, giving key insights into exploiting binding site subpockets to deliver more selective ligands. More specifically, the side chains of the Nle4, DNal(2')7, and Trp9 residues in SHU-9119, as well as the amide linkage between the Asp5 and Lys10 side chains, were found to represent structural features engaging a hMC4R/hMC3R selectivity switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Martin
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luis E Gimenez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Savannah Y Williams
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yu Jing
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiran Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Charlie Hollanders
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olivier Van der Poorten
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simon Gonzalez
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin Van Holsbeeck
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Santo Previti
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arthur Lamouroux
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Raymond C Stevens
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Roger D Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
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4
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Todorovic A, Lensing CJ, Holder JR, Scott JW, Sorensen NB, Haskell-Luevano C. Discovery of Melanocortin Ligands via a Double Simultaneous Substitution Strategy Based on the Ac-His-dPhe-Arg-Trp-NH 2 Template. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:2753-2766. [PMID: 29783840 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin system regulates an array of diverse physiological functions including pigmentation, feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, cardiovascular regulation, sexual function, and steroidogenesis. Endogenous melanocortin agonist ligands all possess the minimal messaging tetrapeptide sequence His-Phe-Arg-Trp. Based on this endogenous sequence, the Ac-His1-dPhe2-Arg3-Trp4-NH2 tetrapeptide has previously been shown to be a useful scaffold when utilizing traditional positional scanning approaches to modify activity at the various melanocortin receptors (MC1-5R). The study reported herein was undertaken to evaluate a double simultaneous substitution strategy as an approach to further diversify the Ac-His1-dPhe2-Arg3-Trp4-NH2 tetrapeptide with concurrent introduction of natural and unnatural amino acids at positions 1, 2, or 4, as well as an octanoyl residue at the N-terminus. The designed library includes the following combinations: (A) double simultaneous substitution at capping group position (Ac) together with position 1, 2, or 4, (B) double simultaneous substitution at positions 1 and 2, (C) double simultaneous substitution at positions 1 and 4, and (D) double simultaneous substitution at positions 2 and 4. Several lead ligands with unique pharmacologies were discovered in the current study including antagonists targeting the neuronal mMC3R with minimal agonist activity and ligands with selective profiles for the various melanocortin subtypes. The results suggest that the double simultaneous substitution strategy is a suitable approach in altering melanocortin receptor potency or selectivity or converting agonists into antagonists and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Todorovic
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Cody J. Lensing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jerry Ryan Holder
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Joseph W. Scott
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Nicholas B. Sorensen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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5
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Understanding melanocortin-4 receptor control of neuronal circuits: Toward novel therapeutics for obesity syndrome. Pharmacol Res 2018; 129:10-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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6
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Palmer D, Gonçalves JPL, V Hansen L, Wu B, Hald H, Schoffelen S, Diness F, Le Quement ST, Nielsen TE, Meldal M. Click-Chemistry-Mediated Synthesis of Selective Melanocortin Receptor 4 Agonists. J Med Chem 2017; 60:8716-8730. [PMID: 28972753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) subtype of the melanocortin receptor family is a target for therapeutics to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction. Endogenous MC4R agonists possess a critical pharmacophore (HFRW), and cyclization of peptide agonists often enhances potency. Thus, 17 cyclized peptides were synthesized by solid phase click chemistry to develop novel, potent, selective MC4R agonists. Using cAMP measurements and a transcriptional reporter assay, we observed that several constrained agonists generated by a cycloaddition reaction displayed high selectivity (223- to 467-fold) toward MC4R over MC3R and MC5R receptor subtypes without compromising agonist potency. Significant variation was also observed between the EC50 values for the two assays, with robust levels of reporter expression measured at lower concentrations than those effecting appreciable increases in cAMP levels for the majority of the compounds tested. Collectively, we characterized significant elements that modulate the activity of the core pharmacophore for MC4R and provide a rationale for careful assay selection for agonist screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Palmer
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Juliana P L Gonçalves
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise V Hansen
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Boqian Wu
- Aquaporin A/S , Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helle Hald
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sanne Schoffelen
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frederik Diness
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas E Nielsen
- Protein & Peptide Chemistry, Novo Nordisk A/S , Novo Nordisk Park, 2760 Måløv, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen , Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , 60 Nanyang Drive, SG 637551, Singapore
| | - Morten Meldal
- CECB, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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7
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Doering SR, Freeman KT, Schnell SM, Haslach EM, Dirain M, Debevec G, Geer P, Santos RG, Giulianotti MA, Pinilla C, Appel JR, Speth RC, Houghten RA, Haskell-Luevano C. Discovery of Mixed Pharmacology Melanocortin-3 Agonists and Melanocortin-4 Receptor Tetrapeptide Antagonist Compounds (TACOs) Based on the Sequence Ac-Xaa 1-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Xaa 4-NH 2. J Med Chem 2017; 60:4342-4357. [PMID: 28453292 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The centrally expressed melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R/MC4R) have been studied as possible targets for weight management therapies, with a preponderance of studies focusing on the MC4R. Herein, a novel tetrapeptide scaffold [Ac-Xaa1-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Xaa4-NH2] is reported. The scaffold was derived from results obtained from a MC3R mixture-based positional scanning campaign. From these results, a set of 48 tetrapeptides were designed and pharmacologically characterized at the mouse melanocortin-1, -3, -4, and -5 receptors. This resulted in the serendipitous discovery of nine compounds that were MC3R agonists (EC50 < 1000 nM) and MC4R antagonists (5.7 < pA2 < 7.8). The three most potent MC3R agonists, 18 [Ac-Arg-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Tic-NH2], 1 [Ac-His-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Tic-NH2], and 41 [Ac-Arg-Arg-(pI)DPhe-DNal(2')-NH2] were more potent (EC50 < 73 nM) than the melanocortin tetrapeptide Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2. This template contains a sequentially reversed "Arg-(pI)DPhe" motif with respect to the classical "Phe-Arg" melanocortin signaling motif, which results in pharmacology that is first-in-class for the central melanocortin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skye R Doering
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katie T Freeman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Sathya M Schnell
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Erica M Haslach
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Marvin Dirain
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Ginamarie Debevec
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Phaedra Geer
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Radleigh G Santos
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Marc A Giulianotti
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Clemencia Pinilla
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jon R Appel
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Robert C Speth
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University , Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - Richard A Houghten
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States.,Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.,Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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8
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Cai M, Hruby VJ. Design of cyclized selective melanotropins. Biopolymers 2017; 106:876-883. [PMID: 27561155 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
This article describes the development of cyclic peptides for G-protein coupled receptors to enable structure-function knowledge and the design of novel therapeutics. One important property of cyclic peptides is that they tend to be resistant to the digestion, enabling them to survive in the human digestive tract. This trait makes them very important as drug leads or as scaffolds which, in theory, can be engineered to incorporate a peptide domain of medicinal value. This is especially important for delivery of peptides that would be destroyed without such implementation. The melanocortin system is the focus of this article, and includes melanotropin ligands and melanocortin receptors. We examine two strategies to constrain the melanotropin peptide backbone. The first is based on global constraint of peptides by cyclization using various kinds of linkers. In the second approach we describe the use of a natural cyclized template, the cyclotide, to graft the melanotropin phamacophore, -His-Phe-Arg-Trp-, to obtain selective drug leads. In these examples the conserved melanocyte stimulating hormone pharmacophore is examined and the modified peptides were synthesized by solid phase methodology. Biological studies confirmed the production of selective, potent and in some cases orally available ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85721
| | - Victor J Hruby
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85721
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9
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Van der Poorten O, Knuhtsen A, Sejer Pedersen D, Ballet S, Tourwé D. Side Chain Cyclized Aromatic Amino Acids: Great Tools as Local Constraints in Peptide and Peptidomimetic Design. J Med Chem 2016; 59:10865-10890. [PMID: 27690430 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Constraining the conformation of flexible peptides is a proven strategy to increase potency, selectivity, and metabolic stability. The focus has mostly been on constraining the backbone dihedral angles; however, the correct orientation of the amino acid side chains (χ-space) that constitute the peptide pharmacophore is equally important. Control of χ-space utilizes conformationally constrained amino acids that favor, disfavor, or exclude the gauche (-), the gauche (+), or the trans conformation. In this review we focus on cyclic aromatic amino acids in which the side chain is connected to the peptide backbone to provide control of χ1- and χ2-space. The manifold applications for cyclized analogues of the aromatic amino acids Phe, Tyr, Trp, and His within peptide medicinal chemistry are showcased herein with examples of enzyme inhibitors and ligands for G protein-coupled receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Van der Poorten
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bio-Engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Astrid Knuhtsen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen , Jagtvej 162, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Sejer Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen , Jagtvej 162, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bio-Engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bio-Engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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10
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Enriori PJ, Chen W, Garcia-Rudaz MC, Grayson BE, Evans AE, Comstock SM, Gebhardt U, Müller HL, Reinehr T, Henry BA, Brown RD, Bruce CR, Simonds SE, Litwak SA, McGee SL, Luquet S, Martinez S, Jastroch M, Tschöp MH, Watt MJ, Clarke IJ, Roth CL, Grove KL, Cowley MA. α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone promotes muscle glucose uptake via melanocortin 5 receptors. Mol Metab 2016; 5:807-822. [PMID: 27688995 PMCID: PMC5034615 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Central melanocortin pathways are well-established regulators of energy balance. However, scant data exist about the role of systemic melanocortin peptides. We set out to determine if peripheral α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) plays a role in glucose homeostasis and tested the hypothesis that the pituitary is able to sense a physiological increase in circulating glucose and responds by secreting α-MSH. Methods We established glucose-stimulated α-MSH secretion using humans, non-human primates, and mouse models. Continuous α-MSH infusions were performed during glucose tolerance tests and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps to evaluate the systemic effect of α-MSH in glucose regulation. Complementary ex vivo and in vitro techniques were employed to delineate the direct action of α-MSH via the melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R)–PKA axis in skeletal muscles. Combined treatment of non-selective/selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor and α-MSH was adopted to restore glucose tolerance in obese mice. Results Here we demonstrate that pituitary secretion of α-MSH is increased by glucose. Peripheral α-MSH increases temperature in skeletal muscles, acts directly on soleus and gastrocnemius muscles to significantly increase glucose uptake, and enhances whole-body glucose clearance via the activation of muscle MC5R and protein kinase A. These actions are absent in obese mice, accompanied by a blunting of α-MSH-induced cAMP levels in skeletal muscles of obese mice. Both selective and non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibition restores α-MSH induced skeletal muscle glucose uptake and improves glucose disposal in obese mice. Conclusion These data describe a novel endocrine circuit that modulates glucose homeostasis by pituitary α-MSH, which increases muscle glucose uptake and thermogenesis through the activation of a MC5R-PKA-pathway, which is disrupted in obesity. Glucose stimulates α-MSH release from the pituitary. Systemic α-MSH drives glucose disposal and thermogenesis in skeletal muscles. α-MSH acts on MC5R expressed on skeletal muscles and activate cAMP-PKA pathway. The combined treatment of nonselective or selective PDE 4 inhibitor and α-MSH ameliorates glucose intolerance in obese mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo J Enriori
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Weiyi Chen
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Maria C Garcia-Rudaz
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | | | - Anne E Evans
- Division Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Sarah M Comstock
- Division Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Ursel Gebhardt
- Department of Pediatrics, Vestische Children Hospital Datteln, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
| | - Hermann L Müller
- Department of Pediatrics, Vestische Children Hospital Datteln, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinehr
- Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Oldenburg GmbH, Germany
| | - Belinda A Henry
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Russell D Brown
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Clinton R Bruce
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Stephanie E Simonds
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Sara A Litwak
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Sean L McGee
- Metabolic Research Unit, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Vic, Australia
| | - Serge Luquet
- Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, CNRS UMR 8251, F-75205 Paris, France
| | - Sarah Martinez
- Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, CNRS UMR 8251, F-75205 Paris, France
| | - Martin Jastroch
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg & Division of Metabolic Diseases, Technische Universität, München, Germany
| | - Matthias H Tschöp
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg & Division of Metabolic Diseases, Technische Universität, München, Germany
| | - Matthew J Watt
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Iain J Clarke
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Christian L Roth
- Division of Endocrinology, Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute, WA, USA
| | - Kevin L Grove
- Division Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Michael A Cowley
- Biomedical Discovery Institute/Department of Physiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia.
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11
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Cai M, Hruby VJ. The Melanocortin Receptor System: A Target for Multiple Degenerative Diseases. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2016; 17:488-96. [PMID: 26916163 DOI: 10.2174/1389203717666160226145330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin receptor system consists of five closely related G-protein coupled receptors (MC1R, MC2R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R). These receptors are involved in many of the key biological functions for multicellular animals, including human beings. The natural agonist ligands for these receptors are derived by processing of a primordial animal gene product, proopiomelanocortin (POMC). The ligand for the MC2R is ACTH (Adrenal Corticotropic Hormone), a larger processed peptide from POMC. The natural ligands for the other 4 melanocortin receptors are smaller peptides including α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and related peptides from POMC (β-MSH and γ-MSH). They all contain the sequence His-Phe-Arg-Trp that is conserved throughout evolution. Thus, there has been considerable difficulty in developing highly selective ligands for the MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R. In this brief review, we discuss the various approaches that have been taken to design agonist and antagonist analogues and derivatives of the POMC peptides that are selective for the MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R receptors, via peptide, nonpeptide and peptidomimetic derivatives and analogues and their differential interactions with receptors that may help account for these selectivities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor J Hruby
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 E. University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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12
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Keller M, Kuhn KK, Einsiedel J, Hübner H, Biselli S, Mollereau C, Wifling D, Svobodová J, Bernhardt G, Cabrele C, Vanderheyden PML, Gmeiner P, Buschauer A. Mimicking of Arginine by Functionalized N(ω)-Carbamoylated Arginine As a New Broadly Applicable Approach to Labeled Bioactive Peptides: High Affinity Angiotensin, Neuropeptide Y, Neuropeptide FF, and Neurotensin Receptor Ligands As Examples. J Med Chem 2016; 59:1925-45. [PMID: 26824643 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Derivatization of biologically active peptides by conjugation with fluorophores or radionuclide-bearing moieties is an effective and commonly used approach to prepare molecular tools and diagnostic agents. Whereas lysine, cysteine, and N-terminal amino acids have been mostly used for peptide conjugation, we describe a new, widely applicable approach to peptide conjugation based on the nonclassical bioisosteric replacement of the guanidine group in arginine by a functionalized carbamoylguanidine moiety. Four arginine-containing peptide receptor ligands (angiotensin II, neurotensin(8-13), an analogue of the C-terminal pentapeptide of neuropeptide Y, and a neuropeptide FF analogue) were subject of this proof-of-concept study. The N(ω)-carbamoylated arginines, bearing spacers with a terminal amino group, were incorporated into the peptides by standard Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis. The synthesized chemically stable peptide derivatives showed high receptor affinities with Ki values in the low nanomolar range, even when bulky fluorophores had been attached. Two new tritiated tracers for angiotensin and neurotensin receptors are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Keller
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kilian K Kuhn
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Einsiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich Alexander University , Schuhstrasse 19, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich Alexander University , Schuhstrasse 19, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Biselli
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Mollereau
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, CNRS/IPBS , 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse cedex 5, France
| | - David Wifling
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jaroslava Svobodová
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Günther Bernhardt
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Chiara Cabrele
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg , Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Patrick M L Vanderheyden
- Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich Alexander University , Schuhstrasse 19, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin Buschauer
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
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13
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Van der Poorten O, Fehér K, Buysse K, Feytens D, Zoi I, Schwartz SD, Martins JC, Tourwé D, Cai M, Hruby VJ, Ballet S. Azepinone-Containing Tetrapeptide Analogues of Melanotropin Lead to Selective hMC4R Agonists and hMC5R Antagonist. ACS Med Chem Lett 2015; 6:192-7. [PMID: 25699148 DOI: 10.1021/ml500436s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To address the need for highly potent, metabolically stable, and selective agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists at the melanocortin receptor subtypes, conformationally constrained indolo- and benzazepinone residues were inserted into the α-MSH pharmacophore, His(6)-Phe(7)-Arg(8)-Trp(9)-domain. Replacement of His(6) by an aminoindoloazepinone (Aia) or aminobenzazepinone (Aba) moiety led to hMC4R and hMC5R selective agonist and antagonist ligands, respectively (tetrapeptides 1 to 3 and 4, respectively). In peptides 1 to 3 and depending on the para-substituent of the d-Phe residue in position 2, the activity goes from allosteric partial agonism (1, R = H) to allosteric full agonism (2, R = F) and finally allosteric partial agonism (3, R = Br).
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Van der Poorten
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Krisztina Fehér
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, University of Ghent, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Buysse
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Debby Feytens
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ioanna Zoi
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Steven D. Schwartz
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - José C. Martins
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, University of Ghent, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Minying Cai
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Victor J. Hruby
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
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14
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Asymmetric synthesis of all four stereoisomers of 1-amino-3-hydroxy-cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid. Tetrahedron 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2014.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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15
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Ermert P, Moehle K, Obrecht D. Macrocyclic Inhibitors of GPCR's, Integrins and Protein–Protein Interactions. MACROCYCLES IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/9781782623113-00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
This chapter summarizes some highlights of macrocyclic drug discovery in the area of GPCRs, integrins, and protein–protein interactions spanning roughly the last 30 years. Several examples demonstrate that incorporation of pharmacophores derived from natural peptide ligands into the context of a constrained macrocycle (“lock of the bioactive conformation”) has proven a powerful approach for the discovery of potent and selective macrocyclic drugs. In addition, it will be shown that macrocycles, due to their semi-rigid nature, can exhibit unique properties that can be beneficially exploited by medicinal chemists. Macrocycles can adapt their conformation during binding to a flexible protein target surface (“induced fit”), and due to their size, can interact with larger protein interfaces (“hot spots”). Also, macrocycles can display favorable ADME properties well beyond the rule of 5 in particular exhibiting favorable cell penetrating properties and oral bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Ermert
- Polyphor Ltd Hegenheimermattweg 125 CH-4123 Allschwil Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Moehle
- University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH-8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Daniel Obrecht
- Polyphor Ltd Hegenheimermattweg 125 CH-4123 Allschwil Switzerland
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16
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Hill TA, Shepherd NE, Diness F, Fairlie DP. Constraining cyclic peptides to mimic protein structure motifs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014; 53:13020-41. [PMID: 25287434 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201401058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many proteins exert their biological activities through small exposed surface regions called epitopes that are folded peptides of well-defined three-dimensional structures. Short synthetic peptide sequences corresponding to these bioactive protein surfaces do not form thermodynamically stable protein-like structures in water. However, short peptides can be induced to fold into protein-like bioactive conformations (strands, helices, turns) by cyclization, in conjunction with the use of other molecular constraints, that helps to fine-tune three-dimensional structure. Such constrained cyclic peptides can have protein-like biological activities and potencies, enabling their uses as biological probes and leads to therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines. This Review highlights examples of cyclic peptides that mimic three-dimensional structures of strand, turn or helical segments of peptides and proteins, and identifies some additional restraints incorporated into natural product cyclic peptides and synthetic macrocyclic peptidomimetics that refine peptide structure and confer biological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Hill
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 (Australia)
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17
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Hill TA, Shepherd NE, Diness F, Fairlie DP. Fixierung cyclischer Peptide: Mimetika von Proteinstrukturmotiven. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201401058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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18
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Cai M, Stankova M, Muthu D, Mayorov A, Yang Z, Trivedi D, Cabello C, Hruby VJ. An unusual conformation of γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues leads to a selective human melanocortin 1 receptor antagonist for targeting melanoma cells. Biochemistry 2013; 52:752-64. [PMID: 23276279 PMCID: PMC3641192 DOI: 10.1021/bi300723f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
γ-MSH (γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, H-Tyr-Val-Met-Gly-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Asp-Arg-Phe-Gly-OH), with its exquisite specificity and potency, has recently created much excitement as a drug lead. However, this peptide is like most peptides susceptible to proteolysis in vivo, which potentially decreases its beneficial activities. In our continued effort to design a proteolytically stable ligand with specific receptor binding, we have engineered peptides by cyclizing γ-MSH using a thioether bridge. A number of novel cyclic truncated γ-MSH analogues were designed and synthesized, in which a thioether bridge was incorporated between a cysteine side chain and an N-terminal bromoacyl group. One of these peptides, cyclo-[(CH(2))(3)CO-Gly(1)-His(2)-D-Phe(3)-Arg(4)-D-Trp(5)-Cys(S-)(6)]-Asp(7)-Arg(8)-Phe(9)-Gly(10)-NH(2), demonstrated potent antagonist activity and receptor selectivity for the human melanocortin 1 receptor (hMC1R) (IC(50) = 17 nM). This novel peptide is the most selective antagonist for the hMC1R to date. Further pharmacological studies have shown that this peptide can specifically target melanoma cells. The nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of this peptide in a membrane-like environment revealed a new turn structure, specific to the hMC1R antagonist, at the C-terminus, where the side chain and backbone conformation of D-Trp(5) and Phe(9) of the peptide contribute to hMC1R selectivity. Cyclization strategies represent an approach for stabilizing bioactive peptides while keeping their full potencies and should boost applications of peptide-based drugs in human medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1306 E. University Blvd., University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | | | - Dhanasekaran Muthu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1306 E. University Blvd., University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Alexander Mayorov
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1306 E. University Blvd., University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Zhehui Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1306 E. University Blvd., University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Devendra Trivedi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1306 E. University Blvd., University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Christopher Cabello
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1306 E. University Blvd., University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Victor J. Hruby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1306 E. University Blvd., University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
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19
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Spaccapelo L, Bitto A, Galantucci M, Ottani A, Irrera N, Minutoli L, Altavilla D, Novellino E, Grieco P, Zaffe D, Squadrito F, Giuliani D, Guarini S. Melanocortin MC₄ receptor agonists counteract late inflammatory and apoptotic responses and improve neuronal functionality after cerebral ischemia. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 670:479-86. [PMID: 21946115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Revised: 08/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Indirect evidence indicates that, in cerebral ischemia, melanocortins have neuroprotective effects likely mediated by MC₄ receptors. To gain direct insight into the role of melanocortin MC₄ receptors in ischemic stroke, we investigated the effects of a highly selective MC₄ receptor agonist. Gerbils were subjected to transient global cerebral ischemia by occluding both common carotid arteries for 10 min. In saline-treated stroke animals, an impairment in learning and memory occurred that, at day 11 after stroke, was associated with hippocampus up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), BAX, activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNK1/2) and caspase-3, down-regulation of Bcl-2, and neuronal loss. Treatment for 11days with the selective melanocortin MC₄ receptor agonist RO27-3225, as well as with the well known non-selective [Nle⁴,D-Phe⁷]α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NDP-α-MSH) as a reference non-selective melanocortin, counteracted the inflammatory and apoptotic responses, as indicated by the changes in TNF-α, BAX, ERK1/2, JNK1/2, caspase-3 and Bcl-2 protein expression. Furthermore, melanocortin treatment reduced neuronal loss and dose-dependently improved learning and memory. These positive effects were associated with overexpression of Zif268, an immediate early gene involved in injury repair, synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Pharmacological blockade of MC₄ receptors with the selective MC₄ receptor antagonist HS024 prevented all effects of RO27-3225 and NDP-α-MSH. These data give direct evidence that stimulation of MC₄ receptors affords neuroprotection and promotes functional recovery from stroke, by counteracting prolonged and/or recurrent inflammatory and apoptotic responses, and likely by triggering brain repair pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Spaccapelo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy
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20
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Hruby VJ, Cai M, Nyberg J, Muthu D. Approaches to the rational design of selective melanocortin receptor antagonists. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2011; 6:543-57. [PMID: 22646078 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2011.565743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION When establishing the physiological roles of specific receptors in normal and disease states, it is critical to have selective antagonist ligands for each receptor in a receptor system with several subtypes. The melanocortin receptors have five subtypes referred to as the melanocortin 1 receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor, melanocortin 3 receptor, melanocortin 4 receptor and melanocortin 5 receptor, and they are of critical importance for many aspects of human health and disease. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the current efforts to design selective antagonistic ligands for the five human melanocortin receptors summarizing the currently published orthosteric and allosteric antagonists for each of these receptors. EXPERT OPINION Though there has been progress, there are still few drugs available that address the many significant biological activities and diseases that are associated with these receptors, which is possibly due to the lack of receptor selectivity that these designed ligands are currently showing. The authors believe that further studies into the antagonists' 3D conformational and topographical properties in addition to future mutagenesis studies will provide greater insight into these ligands which could play a role in the treatment of various diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor J Hruby
- University of Arizona, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , 1306 E. University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721 , USA
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21
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Josan JS, De Silva CR, Yoo B, Lynch RM, Pagel MD, Vagner J, Hruby VJ. Fluorescent and lanthanide labeling for ligand screens, assays, and imaging. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 716:89-126. [PMID: 21318902 PMCID: PMC3365840 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-012-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The use of fluorescent (or luminescent) and metal contrast agents in high-throughput screens, in vitro assays, and molecular imaging procedures has rapidly expanded in recent years. Here we describe the development and utility of high-affinity ligands for cancer theranostics and other in vitro screening -studies. In this context, we also illustrate the syntheses and use of heteromultivalent ligands as targeted imaging agents.
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22
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Holloway PM, Smith HK, Renshaw D, Flower RJ, Getting SJ, Gavins FNE. Targeting the melanocortin receptor system for anti-stroke therapy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2010; 32:90-8. [PMID: 21185610 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2010.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Revised: 11/23/2010] [Accepted: 11/24/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin receptors are a subfamily of G-protein-coupled, rhodopsin-like receptors that are rapidly being acknowledged as an extremely promising target for pharmacological intervention in a variety of different inflammatory pathologies, including stroke. Stroke continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, with risk factors including smoking, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. The pathophysiology of stroke is highly complex: reintroduction of blood flow to the infarcted brain region is paramount in limiting ischaemic damage caused by stroke, yet a concomitant inflammatory response can compound tissue damage. The possibilities of pro-resolving treatments that target this inflammatory response have only recently begun to be explored. This review discusses the endogenous roles of the melanocortin system in reducing characterized aspects of inflammation, and how these, together with potent neuroprotective actions, suggest its potential as a therapeutic target in stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Holloway
- Wolfson Neuroscience Laboratories, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
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23
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Mayorov AV, Cai M, Palmer ES, Liu Z, Cain JP, Vagner J, Trivedi D, Hruby VJ. Solid-phase peptide head-to-side chain cyclodimerization: discovery of C(2)-symmetric cyclic lactam hybrid α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)/agouti-signaling protein (ASIP) analogues with potent activities at the human melanocortin receptors. Peptides 2010; 31:1894-905. [PMID: 20688117 PMCID: PMC3041174 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2010] [Revised: 06/23/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A novel hybrid melanocortin pharmacophore was designed based on the pharmacophores of the agouti-signaling protein (ASIP), an endogenous melanocortin antagonist, and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an endogenous melanocortin agonist. The designed hybrid ASIP/MSH pharmacophore was explored in monomeric cyclic, and cyclodimeric templates. The monomeric cyclic disulfide series yielded peptides with hMC3R-selective non-competitive binding affinities. The direct on-resin peptide lactam cyclodimerization yielded nanomolar range (25-120 nM) hMC1R-selective full and partial agonists in the cyclodimeric lactam series which demonstrates an improvement over the previous attempts at hybridization of MSH and agouti protein sequences. The secondary structure-oriented pharmacophore hybridization strategy will prove useful in development of unique allosteric and orthosteric melanocortin receptor modulators. This report also illustrates the utility of peptide cyclodimerization for the development of novel GPCR peptide ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Erin S. Palmer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Zhihua Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - James P. Cain
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Josef Vagner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Dev Trivedi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Victor J. Hruby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
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24
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Yang Y, Hruby VJ, Chen M, Crasto C, Cai M, Harmon CM. Novel binding motif of ACTH analogues at the melanocortin receptors. Biochemistry 2009; 48:9775-84. [PMID: 19743876 DOI: 10.1021/bi900634e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin receptor (MCR) subtype family is a member of the GPCR superfamily, and each of them has a different pharmacological profile with regard to the relative potency of the endogenous and synthetic melanocortin peptides. Alpha-MSH and ACTH are endogenous nonselective agonists for MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. In this study, we examined the role of Phe(7) in ACTH on human (h) MC1R, MC3R, and MC4R binding and signaling. Our results indicate that substitution of Phe(7) with d-Nal(2')(7) in ACTH1-24 yields a pharmacological profile different from that for substitution of Phe(7) with d-Nal(2')(7) in MSH in hMC1R, hMC3R, and hMC4R. N-d-Nal(2')(7)-ACTH1-24 is an agonist at hMC3R and hMC4R which did not change the peptide from an agonist to an antagonist at hMC3R and hMC4R. Further experiments indicate that N-d-Nal(2')(7)-ACTH1-17 is the minimal peptide required for hMC3R and hMC4R activation. Single-amino acid substitution studies of d-Nal(2')(7)-ACTH1-17 indicate that amino acid residues 15-17 in N-d-Nal(2')(7)-ACTH1-17 are crucial for hMC3R and hMC4R activation. Substitutions of these amino acid residues reduced or abolished agonist activity at hMC3R and hMC4R. Conformational studies revealed a new beta-turn (Arg(8)-Trp(9)-Gly(10)-Lys(11)) in N-d-Nal(2')(7)-ACTH1-17, compared to the beta-turn-like structure at NDP-alpha-MSH (His(6)-d-Phe(7)-Arg(8)-Trp(9)). Our results suggest that NDP-alpha-MSH and N-d-Nal(2')(7)-ACTH1-17 do not share the same binding site; the highly basic C-terminal fragment (Lys(15)-Lys(16)-Arg(17)) of N-d-Nal(2')(7)-ACTH1-17 induced a new beta-turn, and this shift contributed the selective agonist activity at hMC3R and hMC4R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingkui Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA.
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25
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Optimization of time-resolved fluorescence assay for detection of europium-tetraazacyclododecyltetraacetic acid-labeled ligand-receptor interactions. Anal Biochem 2009; 398:15-23. [PMID: 19852924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2009.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2009] [Revised: 10/12/2009] [Accepted: 10/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Lanthanide-based luminescent ligand binding assays are superior to traditional radiolabel assays due to improving sensitivity and affordability in high-throughput screening while eliminating the use of radioactivity. Despite significant progress using lanthanide(III)-coordinated chelators such as diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) derivatives, dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassays (DELFIAs) have not yet been successfully used with more stable chelators (e.g., tetraazacyclododecyltetraacetic acid [DOTA] derivatives) due to the incomplete release of lanthanide(III) ions from the complex. Here a modified and optimized DELFIA procedure incorporating an acid treatment protocol is introduced for use with Eu(III)-DOTA-labeled peptides. Complete release of Eu(III) ions from DOTA-labeled ligands was observed using hydrochloric acid (2.0M) prior to the luminescent enhancement step. [Nle(4),d-Phe(7)]-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NDP-alpha-MSH) labeled with Eu(III)-DOTA was synthesized, and the binding affinity to cells overexpressing the human melanocortin-4 (hMC4) receptor was evaluated using the modified protocol. Binding data indicate that the Eu(III)-DOTA-linked peptide bound to these cells with an affinity similar to its DTPA analogue. The modified DELFIA procedure was further used to monitor the binding of an Eu(III)-DOTA-labeled heterobivalent peptide to the cells expressing both hMC4 and cholecystokinin-2 (CCK-2) receptors. The modified assay provides superior results and is appropriate for high-throughput screening of ligand libraries.
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26
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Chandramohan G, Durham N, Sinha S, Norris K, Vaziri ND. Role of gamma melanocyte-stimulating hormone-renal melanocortin 3 receptor system in blood pressure regulation in salt-resistant and salt-sensitive rats. Metabolism 2009; 58:1424-9. [PMID: 19570553 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2009.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2008] [Accepted: 04/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3-R) has high affinity and specificity to gamma melanocyte-stimulating hormone (gammaMSH), a natriuretic peptide involved in regulation of blood pressure (BP) and sodium excretion. Recent studies showing increased MC3-R expression and elevated plasma gammaMSH in normal rats fed a high-salt diet support the role of this system in sodium homeostasis. We hypothesized that dysregulation of MC3-R response to dietary salt may contribute to salt retention and BP elevation in salt-sensitive hypertension. We examined renal MC3-R expression, plasma gammaMSH concentration, and response to MC3-R agonist and antagonist in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DSR) rats fed high-salt (8%) or low-salt (0.07%) diets for 3 weeks. Consumption of high-salt diet significantly increased BP in the DSS but not the DSR group. High-salt diet led to a 5-fold increase in plasma gammaMSH and a 2-fold increase in renal MC3-R in DSR rats. Plasma gammaMSH and renal MC3-R abundance in DSS rats were maximally elevated on low-salt diet and remained unchanged on high-salt diet. Administration of MC3-R agonist melanotan II significantly lowered BP and raised fractional Na excretion in the DSR but not the DSS rats consuming high-salt diet. In contrast, MC3-R antagonist SHU9119 significantly raised BP and lowered fractional Na excretion in both groups. Thus, the data suggest that gammaMSH-renal MC3-R pathway is activated and appears to be biologically functional in the DSS rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gangadarshni Chandramohan
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Insititute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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27
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Qu H, Cai M, Mayorov AV, Grieco P, Zingsheim M, Trivedi D, Hruby VJ. Substitution of arginine with proline and proline derivatives in melanocyte-stimulating hormones leads to selectivity for human melanocortin 4 receptor. J Med Chem 2009; 52:3627-35. [PMID: 19473029 DOI: 10.1021/jm801300c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A new series of melanotropin analogues with His or Arg residues in the core pharmacophores of MTII, SHU9119, and Ac-NDP-gamma-MSH-NH(2) replaced by Pro or trans-/cis-4-guanidinyl-Pro derivatives were designed and synthesized to introduce selectivity toward the human melanocortin 4 receptor (hMC4R). Analogues 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 were found to be hMC4R selective. Second messenger studies have demonstrated that analogues 1 and 2 are insurmountable inhibitors of MTII agonist activity at the hMC4R. Molecular modeling studies suggest that the hMC4R selectivity is due to a beta-turn shift induced by the Pro ring that makes the global minimum structures of these analogues resemble the NMR solution structure of the hASIP melanocortin receptor binding motif. Substitution of His in MTII also provided functional selectivity for the hMC3R or the hMC4R. These findings are important for a better understanding of the selectivity mechanism at the hMC3R/hMC4R and the development of therapeutic ligands selectively targeting the hMC4R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchang Qu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
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28
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Cativiela C, Ordóñez M. Recent Progress on the Stereoselective Synthesis of Cyclic Quaternary alpha-Amino Acids. TETRAHEDRON, ASYMMETRY 2009; 20:1-63. [PMID: 20300486 PMCID: PMC2839256 DOI: 10.1016/j.tetasy.2009.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The most recent papers describing the stereoselective synthesis of cyclic quaternary alpha-amino acids are collected in this review. The diverse synthetic approaches are classified according to the size of the ring and taking into account the bond that is formed to complete the quaternary skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cativiela
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, ICMA, Universidad de Zaragoza-CSIC, 50009 Zaragoza (Spain)
| | - Mario Ordóñez
- Centro de Investigaciones Químicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos (México)
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29
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Grieco P, Cai M, Liu L, Mayorov A, Chandler K, Trivedi D, Lin G, Campiglia P, Novellino E, Hruby VJ. Design and microwave-assisted synthesis of novel macrocyclic peptides active at melanocortin receptors: discovery of potent and selective hMC5R receptor antagonists. J Med Chem 2008; 51:2701-7. [PMID: 18412316 DOI: 10.1021/jm701181n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation of the physiological role of the melanocortin receptor 5 MC5R from that of other melanocortin receptors will require development of high affinity and selective antagonists. To date, a few synthetic antagonist ligands active at hMC5 receptor are available, but most do not have appreciable selectivity. With the aim to gain more potent and selective antagonists for the MC5R ligands, we have designed, synthesized, and pharmacologically characterized a series of alkylthioaryl-bridged macrocyclic peptide analogues derived from MT-II and SHU9119. These 20-membered macrocycles were synthesized by a tandem combination using solid phase peptide synthesis and microwave-assisted reactions. Biological assays for binding affinities and adenylate cyclase activities for the hMC1R, hMC3R, hMC4R, and hMC5R showed that three analogues, compounds, 9, 4, and 7, are selective antagonists at the hMC5 receptor. In particular, compound 9(PG-20N) is a selective and competitive hMC5R antagonist, with IC 50 of 130 +/- 11 nM, and a pA 2 value of 8.3, and represents an important tool for further biological investigations of the hMC5R. Compounds 4 and 7 (PG14N, PG17N) show potent and selective allosteric inhibition at hMC5R with IC 50 values of 38 +/- 3 nM and 58 +/- 6 nM, respectively. Compound 9 will be used to further investigate and more clearly understand the physiological roles played by the MC5 receptor in humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Grieco
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
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30
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Mayorov AV, Cai M, Palmer ES, Dedek MM, Cain JP, Van Scoy AR, Tan B, Vagner J, Trivedi D, Hruby VJ. Structure-activity relationships of cyclic lactam analogues of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) targeting the human melanocortin-3 receptor. J Med Chem 2008; 51:187-95. [PMID: 18088090 PMCID: PMC2587288 DOI: 10.1021/jm070461w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A variety of dicarboxylic acid linkers introduced between the alpha-amino group of Pro(6) and the -amino group of Lys(10) of the cyclic lactam alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)-derived Pro(6)-D-Phe(7)/D-Nal(2')(7)-Arg(8)-Trp(9)-Lys(10)-NH2 pentapeptide template lead to nanomolar range and selective hMC3R agonists and antagonists. Replacement of the Pro(6) residue and the dicarboxylic acid linker with 2,3-pyrazine-dicarboxylic acid furnished a highly selective nanomolar range hMC3R partial agonist (analogue 12, c[CO-2,3-pyrazine-CO-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, EC50 = 27 nM, 70% max cAMP) and an hMC3R antagonist (analogue 13, c[CO-2,3-pyrazine-CO-D-Nal(2')-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, IC50 = 23 nM). Modeling experiments suggest that 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid stabilizes a beta-turn-like structure with the D-Phe/D-Nal(2') residues, which explains the high potency of the corresponding peptides. Placement of a Nle residue in position 6 produced a hMC3R/hMC5R antagonist (analogue 15, c[CO-(CH 2)2-CO-Nle-D-Nal(2')-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, IC50 = 12 and 17 nM, respectively), similarly to the previously described cyclic gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (gamma-MSH)-derived hMC3R/hMC5R antagonists. These newly developed melanotropins will serve as critical biochemical tools for elucidating the full spectrum of functions performed by the physiologically important melanocortin-3 receptor.
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MESH Headings
- Binding, Competitive
- Cell Line
- Cyclic AMP/biosynthesis
- Humans
- Lactams/chemical synthesis
- Lactams/pharmacology
- Models, Molecular
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemical synthesis
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry
- Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology
- Radioligand Assay
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/agonists
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/chemistry
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- alpha-MSH/analogs & derivatives
- alpha-MSH/chemical synthesis
- alpha-MSH/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Erin S. Palmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Matthew M. Dedek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - James P. Cain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - April R. Van Scoy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Bahar Tan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Josef Vagner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Dev Trivedi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Victor J. Hruby
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
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31
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Nozawa D, Okubo T, Chaki S, Okuyama S, Nakazato A. Identification of arginine analogues as antagonists and agonists for the melanocortin-4 receptor. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2007; 55:1232-9. [PMID: 17666851 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.55.1232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, conducted to explore potent and small molecular melanocortin-4 (MC4) receptor ligands, we found that tripeptide 3a, containing a D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal (Nal; naphthylalanine) sequence, exhibited a moderate affinity for the MC4 receptor. Structural optimization led to the identification of a compound with a high affinity for the MC4 receptor, namely, tripeptide 3e, which showed a 70-fold higher affinity for the MC4 receptor than the lead compound 3a. Moreover, in an effort to further reduce the peptidic characters of tripeptide 3e, we found that dipeptide 3g exhibited a relatively high affinity for the MC4 receptor. Furthermore, in these analogues, the substituted position (1' vs. 2') of the naphthyl ring of Nal residue at position 7 was found to be important for the differentiation of agonist and antagonist activity. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of the arginine analogues as MC4 receptor ligands were described in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Nozawa
- Medicinal Research Laboratories, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Saitama, Japan.
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32
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Grieco P, Cai M, Han G, Trivedi D, Campiglia P, Novellino E, Hruby VJ. Further structure-activity studies of lactam derivatives of MT-II and SHU-9119: their activity and selectivity at human melanocortin receptors 3, 4, and 5. Peptides 2007; 28:1191-6. [PMID: 17482720 PMCID: PMC1955225 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2007] [Accepted: 02/23/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Recently we have demonstrated that replacing His(6) by constrained amino acids(2) in the well-known antagonist SHU-9119 resulted in potent and selective antagonist ligands especially at the hMC3R and hMC5 receptors. With the aim to further explore position 6 in the sequence of SHU-9119 and MT-II, we have designed, synthesized, and pharmacologically characterized a series of peptide analogues of MT-II and SHU-9119 at the human melanocortin receptors subtypes MC3R, MC4R and MC5R. All these peptides were modified at position 6 with constrained amino acids which are commercially available. In this study, we have identified new selective ligands for the hMC4R, and an antagonist for the hMC3/hMC4 receptors. Additionally, we have discovered an interesting new selective antagonist at the hMC3R, Ac-Nle-c[Asp-betaAla-DNal(2')-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH(2) (2, PG-106) which represents an important tool in further biological investigations of the hMC3R. PG-106 will be useful in further efforts to differentiate the substructural features responsible for selectivity at the hMC3R, hMC4R, and hMC5R.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Lactams/chemistry
- Lactams/pharmacology
- Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones/chemical synthesis
- Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones/chemistry
- Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones/pharmacology
- Molecular Structure
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemical synthesis
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry
- Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/drug effects
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/drug effects
- Receptors, Corticotropin/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Corticotropin/drug effects
- Receptors, Melanocortin/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Melanocortin/drug effects
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- alpha-MSH/analogs & derivatives
- alpha-MSH/chemical synthesis
- alpha-MSH/chemistry
- alpha-MSH/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Grieco
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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33
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Nozawa D, Okubo T, Ishii T, Kakinuma H, Chaki S, Okuyama S, Nakazato A. Structure–activity relationships of novel piperazines as antagonists for the melanocortin-4 receptor. Bioorg Med Chem 2007; 15:1989-2005. [PMID: 17234422 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2006.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2006] [Revised: 12/22/2006] [Accepted: 12/23/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
During the investigation of antagonists for the MC4 receptor, we found that 10ab having a naphthyl group showed almost the same binding affinity for the MC4 receptor as that of the lead compound 1 with a benzoyl group. We also developed a new type of compounds, namely, bis-piperazines, and found that the bis-piperazines 10 exhibited a high affinity for the MC4 receptor. In particular, (-)-10bg exhibited the highest affinity for the MC4 receptor with an IC50 value of 8.13nM. In this paper, we present the design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of the novel bis-piperazines as MC4 receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Nozawa
- Medicinal Research Laboratories, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 1-403 Yoshino-cho, Kita-ku, Saitama, Saitama 331-9530, Japan.
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34
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Ballet S, Mayorov AV, Cai M, Tymecka D, Chandler KB, Palmer ES, Rompaey KV, Misicka A, Tourwé D, Hruby VJ. Novel selective human melanocortin-3 receptor ligands: use of the 4-amino-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2-benzazepin-3-one (Aba) scaffold. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2007; 17:2492-8. [PMID: 17314042 PMCID: PMC2442462 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2007.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2007] [Revised: 02/06/2007] [Accepted: 02/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In search of new selective antagonists and/or agonists for the human melanocortin receptor subtypes hMC1R to hMC5R to elucidate the specific biological roles of each GPCR, we modified the structures of the superagonist MT-II (Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH(2)) and the hMC3R/hMC4R antagonist SHU9119 (Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Nal(2')-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH(2)) by replacing the His-d-Phe and His-d-Nal(2') fragments in MT-II and SHU9119, respectively, with Aba-Xxx (4-amino-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2-benzazepin-3-one-Xxx) dipeptidomimetics (Xxx=D-Phe/pCl-D-Phe/D-Nal(2')). Employment of the Aba mimetic yielded novel selective high affinity hMC3R and hMC3R/hMC5R antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Ballet
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
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35
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Giuliani D, Mioni C, Bazzani C, Zaffe D, Botticelli AR, Capolongo S, Sabba A, Galantucci M, Iannone A, Grieco P, Novellino E, Colombo G, Tomasi A, Catania A, Guarini S. Selective melanocortin MC4 receptor agonists reverse haemorrhagic shock and prevent multiple organ damage. Br J Pharmacol 2007; 150:595-603. [PMID: 17245369 PMCID: PMC2189765 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0707115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In circulatory shock, melanocortins have life-saving effects likely to be mediated by MC4 receptors. To gain direct insight into the role of melanocortin MC4 receptors in haemorrhagic shock, we investigated the effects of two novel selective MC4 receptor agonists. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Severe haemorrhagic shock was produced in rats under general anaesthesia. Rats were then treated with either the non-selective agonist [Nle4, D-Phe7]-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NDP--MSH) or with the selective MC4 agonists RO27-3225 and PG-931. Cardiovascular and respiratory functions were continuously monitored for 2 h; survival rate was recorded up to 24 h. Free radicals in blood were measured using electron spin resonance spectrometry; tissue damage was evaluated histologically 25 min or 24 h after treatment. KEY RESULTS All shocked rats treated with saline died within 30-35 min. Treatment with NDP--MSH, RO27-3225 and PG-931 produced a dose-dependent (13-108 nmol kg-1 i.v.) restoration of cardiovascular and respiratory functions, and improved survival. The three melanocortin agonists also markedly reduced circulating free radicals relative to saline-treated shocked rats. All these effects were prevented by i.p. pretreatment with the selective MC4 receptor antagonist HS024. Moreover, treatment with RO27-3225 prevented morphological and immunocytochemical changes in heart, lung, liver, and kidney, at both early (25 min) and late (24 h) intervals. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Stimulation of MC4 receptors reversed haemorrhagic shock, reduced multiple organ damage and improved survival. Our findings suggest that selective MC4 receptor agonists could have a protective role against multiple organ failure following circulatory shock.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blood Pressure/drug effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Free Radicals/blood
- Heart Rate/drug effects
- Kidney/drug effects
- Kidney/pathology
- Liver/drug effects
- Liver/pathology
- Lung/drug effects
- Lung/pathology
- Multiple Organ Failure/metabolism
- Multiple Organ Failure/pathology
- Multiple Organ Failure/physiopathology
- Multiple Organ Failure/prevention & control
- Myocardium/pathology
- Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology
- Peptides, Cyclic/therapeutic use
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/agonists
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/metabolism
- Respiratory Mechanics
- Severity of Illness Index
- Shock, Hemorrhagic/drug therapy
- Shock, Hemorrhagic/metabolism
- Shock, Hemorrhagic/pathology
- Shock, Hemorrhagic/physiopathology
- Time Factors
- alpha-MSH/analogs & derivatives
- alpha-MSH/pharmacology
- alpha-MSH/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- D Giuliani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - C Mioni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - C Bazzani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - D Zaffe
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - A R Botticelli
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - S Capolongo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - A Sabba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - M Galantucci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - A Iannone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of General Pathology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - P Grieco
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Napoli ‘Federico II' Napoli, Italy
| | - E Novellino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Napoli ‘Federico II' Napoli, Italy
| | - G Colombo
- Center for Preclinical Investigation, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena Milano, Italy
| | - A Tomasi
- Department of Diagnostic Services, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
| | - A Catania
- Center for Preclinical Investigation, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena Milano, Italy
| | - S Guarini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
- Author for correspondence:
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36
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Ying J, Gu X, Cai M, Dedek M, Vagner J, Trivedi DB, Hruby VJ. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new cyclic melanotropin peptide analogues selective for the human melanocortin-4 receptor. J Med Chem 2007; 49:6888-96. [PMID: 17154518 PMCID: PMC1764620 DOI: 10.1021/jm060768f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intensive efforts have been made to develop potent and selective ligands for certain human melanocortin receptors as possible treatments for obesity and sexual dysfunction due to the role of these receptors in feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, sexual function, etc. A number of novel alpha-MSH analogues were designed and synthesized primarily on the basis of our previous MTII NMR structure. In these peptide analogues, a disulfide or lactam bridge between residues at positions 5 and 8 was used as a conformational constraint to enhance the beta-turn spanning His6 and D-Phe7, while the pharmacophore group in Arg8 was mimicked via Nalpha-alkylation of residues 8 or 9 with the guanidinylbutyl group. Biological assays for binding affinities and adenylate cyclase activities for the hMC1R, hMC3R, hMC4R, and hMC5R showed that three analogues have good binding affinity for the hMC4R (0.7-4.1 nM), but have no binding affinity up to 10 microM at the other three melanocortin receptors. Interestingly, the three hMC4R selective analogues display only 50% binding efficiency, suggesting there is allosteric modulation of the melanocortin-4 receptor. These analogues were found to act as antagonists of the hMC4R. This result represents a discovery of very selective peptide-based antagonists for the hMC4R. The high selectivity may be due to the strong conformational constraint via ring contraction as compared to MTII, and the rigid conformation preferred by these new ligands allows them to recognize only the hMC4R, but not to activate the second messenger. The MTII NMR structure-based design thus not only examined the structural model of melanocortin ligands, but also yielded new biologically unique alpha-MSH analogues.
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MESH Headings
- Adenylyl Cyclases/metabolism
- Allosteric Regulation
- Binding, Competitive
- Cell Line
- Drug Design
- Humans
- Ligands
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
- Molecular Conformation
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemical synthesis
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry
- Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Radioligand Assay
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/agonists
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- alpha-MSH/analogs & derivatives
- alpha-MSH/chemical synthesis
- alpha-MSH/chemistry
- alpha-MSH/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfa Ying
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
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Hruby VJ, Cai M, Cain JP, Mayorov AV, Dedek MM, Trivedi D. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of ligands selective for the melanocortin-3 receptor. Curr Top Med Chem 2007; 7:1107-19. [PMID: 17584128 PMCID: PMC2274922 DOI: 10.2174/156802607780906645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The processed products of the proopiomelanocortin gene (ACTH, alpha-MSH, beta-MSH, gamma-MSH, etc.) interact with five melanocortin receptors, the MC1R, MC2R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R to modulate and control many important biological functions crucial for good health both peripherally (as hormones) and centrally (as neurotransmitters). Pivotal biological functions include pigmentation, adrenal function, response to stress, fear/flight, energy homeostasis, feeding behavior, sexual function and motivation, pain, immune response, and many others, and are believed to be involved in many disease states including pigmentary disorders, adrenal disorders, obesity, anorexia, prolonged and neuropathic pain, inflammatory response, etc. The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is found primarily in the brain and spinal cord and also in the periphery, and its biological functions are still not well understood. Here we review some of the biological functions attributed to the MC3R, and then examine in more detail efforts to design and synthesize ligands that are potent and selective for the MC3R, which might help resolve the many questions still remaining about its function. Though some progress has been made, there is still much to be done in this critical area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor J Hruby
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
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38
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Spengler J, Böttcher C, Albericio F, Burger K. Hexafluoroacetone as Protecting and Activating Reagent: New Routes to Amino, Hydroxy, and Mercapto Acids and Their Application for Peptide and Glyco- and Depsipeptide Modification. Chem Rev 2006; 106:4728-46. [PMID: 17091933 DOI: 10.1021/cr0509962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Spengler
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona Science Park, Josep Samitier 1-5, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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39
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Mayorov AV, Han SY, Cai M, Hammer MR, Trivedi D, Hruby VJ. Effects of macrocycle size and rigidity on melanocortin receptor-1 and -5 selectivity in cyclic lactam alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogs. Chem Biol Drug Des 2006; 67:329-35. [PMID: 16784457 PMCID: PMC1851940 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2006.00383.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The effects of the linker arm rigidity and size on melanocortin receptor selectivity were explored in a series of compounds using cyclic lactam alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone template. A variety of dicarboxylic acid linkers introduced between the alpha-amino group of His(6) and the epsilon-amino group of Lys(10) lead to high-affinity, selective human melanocortin receptor-1 and -5 (hMC1R and hMC5R) antagonists. The incorporation of hydrophilic functions into the linker arm was found to be unfavorable for both binding potency and receptor selectivity. Analogs 8 and 9 containing highly conformationally constrained hydrophobic linkers (m- and p-phthalic acids) were found to be selective nanomolar range hMC1R antagonists (IC(50) = 7 and 4 nm, respectively), whereas the employment of a small conformationally constrained linker (maleic acid) resulted in a high-affinity (IC(50) = 19 nm) and selective hMC5R antagonist (analog 12). These newly developed melanotropins will serve as critical biochemical tools for elucidating the full spectrum of functions performed by the physiologically important melanocortin-1 and -5 receptors.
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Key Words
- α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone
- antagonist
- human melanocortin-1 receptor
- human melanocortin-5 receptor
- macrocyclic
- melanocortin
- peptide
- all, allyl
- alloc, allyloxycarbonyl
- boc, tert-butyloxycarbonyl
- fmoc, fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl
- ch3cn, acetonitrile
- dcm, dichloromethane
- dipea, diisopropylethylamine
- dmf, n,n-dimethylformamide
- dic, diisopropyl carbodiimide
- hbtu, 2-(1h-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate
- hobt, n-hydroxybenzotriazole
- hmcr, human melanocortin receptor
- msh, melanocyte-stimulating hormone
- nal(2′), 2′-naphthylalanine
- pbf, 2, 2, 4, 6, 7-pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5-sulfonyl
- pybop, benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris-pyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate
- tfa, trifluoroacetic acid
- trt, trityl
- spps, solid-phase peptide synthesis
- rp-hplc, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography
- hmc1r, human melanocortin-1 receptor
- α-msh, ac-ser-tyr-ser-met-glu-his-phe-arg-trp-gly-lys-pro-val-nh2
- ndp-α-msh, ac-ser-tyr-ser-nle-glu-his-d-phe-arg-trp-gly-lys-pro-val-nh2
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MESH Headings
- Adenylyl Cyclases/metabolism
- Binding, Competitive
- Cell Line
- Drug Design
- Humans
- Kidney/cytology
- Kidney/metabolism
- Lactams, Macrocyclic/chemistry
- Molecular Structure
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/agonists
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/metabolism
- Receptors, Corticotropin/agonists
- Receptors, Corticotropin/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Corticotropin/metabolism
- Receptors, Melanocortin
- Transfection
- alpha-MSH/analogs & derivatives
- alpha-MSH/chemistry
- alpha-MSH/metabolism
- alpha-MSH/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - So-Yeop Han
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Molecular Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, South Korea
| | - Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Matthew R. Hammer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Dev Trivedi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Victor J. Hruby
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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40
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Boeglin D, Xiang Z, Sorenson NB, Wood MS, Haskell-Luevano C, Lubell WD. Aza-scanning of the Potent Melanocortin Receptor Agonist Ac-His-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2. Chem Biol Drug Des 2006; 67:275-83. [PMID: 16629825 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2006.00378.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin pathway is an important participant in the regulation of skin pigmentation, steroidogenesis, obesity, energy homeostasis, and exocrine gland function. Melanocortin agonists contain the putative sequence 'His-Phe-Arg-Trp', which has been designated as the 'message' sequence for melanocortin peptides, and this sequence has been hypothesized to adopt a bioactive reverse turn conformation. Exploring the relationship between its structure and biological activity, we report the synthesis and evaluation of seven aza-analogs of the potent melanocortin receptor agonist Ac-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2. Aza-amino acids, in which the alpha-carbon was replaced by nitrogen, were inserted along the peptide sequence to probe the importance of local configuration and turn conformation on the biology of this tetrapeptide. Although systematic substitution of aza-amino acids for the D-Phe and Arg residues led to a significant loss of activity relative to the parent peptide for all melanocortin receptor subtypes examined, substitution of aza-amino acids at the C-terminal Trp residue gave analogs equipotent to the parent peptide. In summary, the aza-scan has demonstrated that recognition of this tetrapeptide by the melanocortin receptors is particularly sensitive to modifications of configuration and conformation at the D-Phe and Arg residues versus the Trp amino acid. In light of aza-residues imparting resistance from enzymatic degradation, C-terminal aza-amino acid analogs may be used to design new peptide mimics with enhanced metabolic stability.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aza Compounds/chemistry
- Aza Compounds/metabolism
- Aza Compounds/pharmacology
- Cells, Cultured
- Mice
- Oligopeptides/chemistry
- Oligopeptides/metabolism
- Oligopeptides/pharmacology
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemical synthesis
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry
- Peptides, Cyclic/metabolism
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/metabolism
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/metabolism
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/metabolism
- Receptors, Corticotropin/genetics
- Receptors, Corticotropin/metabolism
- Receptors, Melanocortin/agonists
- Receptors, Melanocortin/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- D Boeglin
- Département de Chimie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada
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41
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Mayorov AV, Cai M, Chandler KB, Petrov RR, Van Scoy AR, Yu Z, Tanaka DK, Trivedi D, Hruby VJ. Development of cyclic gamma-MSH analogues with selective hMC3R agonist and hMC3R/hMC5R antagonist activities. J Med Chem 2006; 49:1946-52. [PMID: 16539382 PMCID: PMC1484467 DOI: 10.1021/jm0510326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A series of cyclic lactam analogues of gamma-MSH (H-Tyr1-Val2-Met3-Gly4-His5-Phe6-Arg7-Trp8-Asp9-Arg10-Phe11-Gly12-OH) with a bulky hydrophobic residue in the direct proximity to the pharmacophore (Xaa-D-Phe/D-Nal(2')-Arg-Trp) were designed and synthesized by solid-phase methods. A variety of amino acids with a broad range of hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties was introduced in position 5 to further explore their complementary role in receptor selectivity. Biological evaluation of these peptides revealed several analogues with potent hMC3R agonist and hMC3R/hMC5R antagonist activities, and good receptor selectivity. Analogue 4, c[Nle-Arg-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Glu]-NH2, was found to be a very potent and selective hMC3R agonist (EC50=1.2 nM, 112% act). In addition, analogue 13, c[Nle-Val-D-Nal(2')-Arg-Trp-Glu]-NH2, was identified as an hMC3R/hMC5R antagonist with the best selectivity against the hMC4R in this series (pA2(hMC3R)=8.4; pA2(hMC5R)=8.7). These results indicate the significance of steric factors in melanocortin receptor selectivity and suggest that introduction of bulky residues in the direct proximity to the melanocortin pharmacophore is an effective approach to design of novel hMC3R and hMC5R selective ligands.
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MESH Headings
- Adenylyl Cyclases/biosynthesis
- Binding, Competitive
- Cell Line
- Drug Design
- Humans
- Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
- Lactams/chemical synthesis
- Lactams/chemistry
- Lactams/pharmacology
- Models, Molecular
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemical synthesis
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry
- Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology
- Radioligand Assay
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/agonists
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/chemistry
- Receptors, Corticotropin/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Corticotropin/chemistry
- Receptors, Melanocortin
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- gamma-MSH/chemistry
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Kevin B. Chandler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Ravil R. Petrov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - April R. Van Scoy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Zerui Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Dustin K. Tanaka
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Dev Trivedi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
| | - Victor J. Hruby
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
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42
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Abstract
Melanocortin receptors in the forebrain and spinal cord can be activated by endogenous or synthetic ligands to induce penile erection in rats and human subjects. To better understand how melanocortin circuits play a role in sex behavior, we review the contribution of melanocortin receptors and/or neurons in the hypothalamus, hindbrain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves to erectile function. New information regarding neuropeptides that mediate penile erection has extended our understanding of the central control of sex behavior, and melanocortin agonists may provide alternatives to existing treatment for highly prevalent problems including erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Wessells
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
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43
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Cai M, Mayorov AV, Ying J, Stankova M, Trivedi D, Cabello C, Hruby VJ. Design of novel melanotropin agonists and antagonists with high potency and selectivity for human melanocortin receptors. Peptides 2005; 26:1481-5. [PMID: 15876475 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2005.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
alpha-MSH and gamma-MSH are the natural endogenous hormones for the human melanocortin-1, 3, 4 and 5 receptors (hMC1R, hMC3R, hMC4R and hMC5R). These and more potent, stable and prolonged acting analogues such as NDP-alpha-MSH, MT-II and SHU-9119 are not very receptor selective. To develop potent and selective agonist and antagonist ligands for the melanocortin receptors we have used state-of-the-art biophysical studies, computational chemistry, and design of conformational and topographical constraints with novel templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minying Cai
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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44
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Handl HL, Vagner J, Yamamura HI, Hruby VJ, Gillies RJ. Lanthanide-based time-resolved fluorescence of in cyto ligand-receptor interactions. Anal Biochem 2005; 330:242-50. [PMID: 15203329 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2004.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2003] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A lanthanide-based assay for ligand-receptor interactions provides an attractive alternative to the traditional radiolabeled determinations in terms of sensitivity, throughput, and biohazards. We designed and tested peptide ligands modified with an Eu-DTPA chelate. These labeled ligands were used in competitive binding assays with results comparable to those obtained using the traditional radiolabeled binding assays. The sensitivity of time-resolved fluorescence is sufficient to detect attomoles of europium, allowing assays in 96-well plates, compared with 30-mm dishes for (125)I binding assays to whole cells. We verified binding of Eu-DTPA-NDP-alpha-MSH to cells overexpressing the human melanocortin-4 receptor. The Eu-labeled ligand bound to these cells with an affinity similar to that of unlabeled NDP-alpha-MSH and was used to optimize a competitive binding assay. The lanthanide-based assays provided superior results with higher throughput and eliminated the need for radioactive waste disposal. This assay is appropriate for high-throughput screening of ligand libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Handl
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Arizona, and Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
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45
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Tyndall JDA, Pfeiffer B, Abbenante G, Fairlie DP. Over One Hundred Peptide-Activated G Protein-Coupled Receptors Recognize Ligands with Turn Structure. Chem Rev 2005; 105:793-826. [PMID: 15755077 DOI: 10.1021/cr040689g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joel D A Tyndall
- Center for Drug Design and Development, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
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46
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Sun H, Greeley DN, Chu XJ, Cheung A, Danho W, Swistok J, Wang Y, Zhao C, Chen L, Fry DC. A predictive pharmacophore model of human melanocortin-4 receptor as derived from the solution structures of cyclic peptides. Bioorg Med Chem 2004; 12:2671-7. [PMID: 15110848 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2004.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2004] [Revised: 02/17/2004] [Accepted: 03/08/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we have determined the solution structures for a series of potent agonists for the human melanocortin-4 receptor (hMC4R), based on the cyclic peptide MT-II [Ac-Nle-cyclo-(Asp-Lys) (Asp-His-(D)Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2]. Members of this series were designed to improve selectivity for MC4R versus the other melanocortin receptors, and to reduce the flexibility of the side chains. The most selective and rigid analog [penta-cyclo(D-K)-Asp-Apc-(D)Phe-Arg-(2S,3S)-beta-methylTrp-Lys-NH2] was found to be a full agonist of hMC4R with an EC50 of 11nM against hMC4R, and to exhibit 65-fold selectivity against hMC1R. This compound represents the most constrained hMC4R peptide agonist described to date. A beta-turn structure was conserved among all of the cyclic peptides studied. The rigidity of the analogs allowed an exceptionally well-defined pharmacophore model to be derived. This model was used to perform a virtual screen using a library of 1000 drug-like compounds, to which a small set of known potent ligands had been intentionally added. The utility of the model was validated by its ability to identify the known ligands from among this large library.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmao Sun
- Discovery Chemistry, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., 340 Kingsland Street, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.
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47
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Cai M, Cai C, Mayorov AV, Xiong C, Cabello CM, Soloshonok VA, Swift JR, Trivedi D, Hruby VJ. Biological and conformational study of beta-substituted prolines in MT-II template: steric effects leading to human MC5 receptor selectivity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 63:116-31. [PMID: 15009533 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3011.2003.00105.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the molecular basis for the interaction of the chi-constrained conformation of melanotropin peptide with the human melanocortin receptors, a series of beta-substituted proline analogs were synthesized and incorporated into the Ac-Nle-C[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 (MT-II) template at the His6 and D-Phe7 positions. It was found that the binding affinities generally diminished as the steric bulk of the p-substituents of the 3-phenylproline residues increased. From (2S, 3R)-3-phenyl-Pro6 to (2S, 3R)-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)-Pro6 analogs the binding affinity decreased 23-fold at the human melanocortin-3 receptor (hMC3R), 17-fold at the hMC4R, and eight-fold at the hMC5R, but selectivity for the hMC5R increased. In addition, the substitution of the D-Phe7 residue with a (2R, 3S)-3-phenyl-Pro resulted in greatly reduced binding affinity (10(3)-10(5)) at these melanocortin receptors. Macromodel's Large Scale Low Mode (LLMOD) with OPLS-AA force field simulations revealed that both MT-II and SHU-9119 share a similar backbone conformation and topography with the exception of the orientation of the side chains of D-Phe7/D-Nal (2')7 in chi space. Introduction of the dihedrally constrained phenylproline analogs into the His6 position (analogs 2-6) caused topographical changes that might be responsible for the lower binding affinities. Our findings indicate that hMC3 and hMC4 receptors are more sensitive to steric effects and conformational constraints than the hMC5 receptor. This is the first example for melanocortin receptor selectivity where the propensity of steric interactions in chi space of beta-modified Pro6 analogs of MT-II has been shown to play a critical role for binding as well as bioefficacy of melanotropins at hMC3 and hMC4 receptors, but not at the hMC5 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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48
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Holder JR, Haskell-Luevano C. Melanocortin ligands: 30 years of structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. Med Res Rev 2004; 24:325-56. [PMID: 14994367 DOI: 10.1002/med.10064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The challenge of peptide and peptidomimetic research is the development of methods and techniques to improve the biological properties of native peptides and to convert peptide ligands into non-peptide compounds. Improved biological properties of peptides includes enhancement of stability, potency, and receptor selectivity, for both in vivo and in vitro applications. The design of a ligand with specific activity and desired biological properties is a complex task, and, to accomplish this objective, knowledge about putative interactions between a ligand and the corresponding receptor will be valuable. This includes interactions for both the binding and signal transduction processes. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies involve systematic modification of a lead peptide and are designed to provide insight into potential interactions involved in the formation of the ligand-receptor complex. It is desirable to have knowledge about both favorable and unfavorable processes that may occur in putative ligand-receptor interactions that result in either receptor stimulation or inhibition. Herein, we discuss various SAR studies that have involved melanocortin peptides over three decades and the information these studies have provided to the melanocortin field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Ryan Holder
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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49
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Ying J, Kövér KE, Gu X, Han G, Trivedi DB, Kavarana MJ, Hruby VJ. Solution structures of cyclic melanocortin agonists and antagonists by NMR. Biopolymers 2004; 71:696-716. [PMID: 14991679 DOI: 10.1002/bip.10596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin receptors are involved in many physiological functions, including pigmentation, sexual function, feeding behavior, and energy homeostasis, making them potential targets for drugs to treat obesity, sexual dysfunction, etc. Understanding the conformational basis of the receptor-ligand interactions is crucial to the design of potent and selective ligands for these receptors. The solution structures of the cyclic melanocortin agonists, partial agonist, and antagonists MTII, VJH085, SHU9119, MK5, and MK9 were determined by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) spectroscopy at pH 4.5 and 25 degrees C in water (90% H(2)O/10% D(2)O). The overall backbone structures of these cyclic alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) analogues around the message sequence (His(6)-D-Phe(7)/D-Nal(2')(7)-Arg(8)-Trp(9)) were similar and reasonably well defined. beta-Turns spanning His(6) and D-Phe(7)/D-Nal(2')(7) were identified in all analogues, and an amphiphilic molecular surface was obtained for the message sequence residues in most structures within the NMR ensembles. The beta-turn, which most closely resembles a type II beta-turn, leads to stacking between the aromatic rings of His(6) and D-Phe(7) in MTII and VJH085. However, no aromatic stacking between His(6) and D-Nal(2')(7) was found in structures of the D-Nal(2')(7)-containing analogues. The difference in the side-chain dispositions of His(6) and D-Nal(2')(7) may be responsible for the reduced potency or antagonist activity of the D-Nal(2')(7)-containing analogues. In addition, our results suggest that the side-chain orientations may also modulate the receptor selectivity. The information found in this study will be useful for the further design of ligands for melanocortin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfa Ying
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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50
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