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Hovah ME, Holzgrabe U. Bivalent and bitopic ligands of the opioid receptors: The prospects of a dual approach. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:2545-2599. [PMID: 38751227 DOI: 10.1002/med.22050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Opioid receptors belonging to the class A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the targets of choice in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. However, their on-target side effects such as respiratory depression, tolerance and addiction have led to the advent of the 'opioid crisis'. In the search for safer analgesics, bivalent and more recently, bitopic ligands have emerged as valuable tool compounds to probe these receptors. The activity of bivalent and bitopic ligands rely greatly on the allosteric nature of the GPCRs. Bivalent ligands consist of two pharmacophores, each binding to the individual orthosteric binding site (OBS) of the monomers within a dimer. Bitopic or dualsteric ligands bridge the gap between the OBS and the spatially distinct, less conserved allosteric binding site (ABS) through the simultaneous occupation of these two sites. Bivalent and bitopic ligands stabilize distinct conformations of the receptors which ultimately translates into unique signalling and pharmacological profiles. Some of the interesting properties shown by these ligands include improved affinity and/or efficacy, subtype and/or functional selectivity and reduced side effects. This review aims at providing an overview of some of the bivalent and bitopic ligands of the opioid receptors and, their pharmacology in the hope of inspiring the design and discovery of the next generation of opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Emilie Hovah
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, Germany
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2
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Mei C, Zhang J, Niu Z, Simon JP, Yang T, Huang M, Zhang Z, Zhou L, Dong S. MP-13, a novel chimeric peptide of morphiceptin and pepcan-9, produces potent antinociception with limited side effects. Neuropeptides 2024; 107:102440. [PMID: 38875739 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Pharmacological investigations have substantiated the potential of bifunctional opioid/cannabinoid agonists in delivering potent analgesia while minimizing adverse reactions. Peptide modulators of cannabinoid receptors, known as pepcans, have been investigated before. In this study, we designed a series of chimeric peptides based on pepcans and morphiceptin (YPFP-NH2). Here, we combined injections of pepcans and morphiceptin to investigate the combination treatment of opioids and cannabis and compared the analgesic effect with chimeric compounds. Subsequently, we employed computational docking to screen the compounds against opioid and cannabinoid receptors, along with an acute pain model, to identify the most promising peptide. Among these peptides, MP-13, a morphiceptin and pepcan-9 (PVNFKLLSH) construct, exhibited superior supraspinal analgesic efficacy in the tail-flick test, with an ED50 value at 1.43 nmol/mouse, outperforming its parent peptides and other chimeric analogs. Additionally, MP-13 displayed potent analgesic activity mediated by mu-opioid receptor (MOR), delta-opioid receptor (DOR), and cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor pathways. Furthermore, MP-13 did not induce psychological dependence and gastrointestinal motility inhibition at the effective analgesic doses, and it maintained non-tolerance-forming antinociception throughout a 7-day treatment regimen, with an unaltered count of microglial cells in the periaqueductal gray region, supporting this observation. Moreover, intracerebroventricular administration of MP-13 demonstrated dose-dependent antinociception in murine models of neuropathic, inflammatory, and visceral pain. Our findings provide promising insights for the development of opioid/cannabinoid peptide agonists, addressing a crucial gap in the field and holding significant potential for future research and development. PERSPECTIVE: This article offers insights into the combination treatment of pepcans with morphiceptin. Among the chimeric peptides, MP-13 exhibited potent analgesic effects in a series of preclinical pain models with a favorable side-effect profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Mei
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhanyu Niu
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jerine Peter Simon
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tong Yang
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Mingmin Huang
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhonghua Zhang
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Lanxia Zhou
- Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Cytogenetics and Immunology, the First Hospital, Lanzhou University, 1 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Shouliang Dong
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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Breault É, Desgagné M, Neve JD, Côté J, Barlow TMA, Ballet S, Sarret P. Multitarget ligands that comprise opioid/nonopioid pharmacophores for pain management: Current state of the science. Pharmacol Res 2024; 209:107408. [PMID: 39307212 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain, which affects more than one-third of the world's population, represents one of the greatest medical challenges of the 21st century, yet its effective management remains sub-optimal. The 'gold standard' for the treatment of moderate to severe pain consists of opioid ligands, such as morphine and fentanyl, that target the µ-opioid receptor (MOP). Paradoxically, these opioids also cause serious side effects, including constipation, respiratory depression, tolerance, and addiction. In addition, the development of opioid-use disorders, such as opioid diversion, misuse, and abuse, has led to the current opioid crisis, with dramatic increases in addiction, overdoses, and ultimately deaths. As pain is a complex, multidimensional experience involving a variety of pathways and mediators, dual or multitarget ligands that can bind to more than one receptor and exert complementary analgesic effects, represent a promising avenue for pain relief. Indeed, unlike monomodal therapeutic approaches, the modulation of several endogenous nociceptive systems can often result in an additive or even synergistic effect, thereby improving the analgesic-to-side-effect ratio. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of research efforts towards the development of dual- or multi-targeting opioid/nonopioid hybrid ligands for effective and safer pain management. We reflect on the underpinning discovery rationale by discussing the design, medicinal chemistry, and in vivo pharmacological effects of multitarget antinociceptive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Émile Breault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Michael Desgagné
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Thomas M A Barlow
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada.
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Wang SY, Zhang YZ, Liu XH, Guo XC, Wang XF, Wang JR, Liu BJ, Han FT, Zhang Y, Wang CL. BNT12, a novel hybrid peptide of opioid and neurotensin pharmacophores, produces potent central antinociception with limited side effects. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 978:176775. [PMID: 38925288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of multitarget opioid drugs has emerged as an attractive approach for innovative pain management with reduced side effects. In the present study, a novel hybrid peptide BNT12 containing the opioid and neurotensin (NT)-like fragments was synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. In acute radiant heat paw withdrawal test, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of BNT12 produced potent antinociception in mice. The central antinociceptive activity of BNT12 was mainly mediated by μ-, δ-opioid receptor, neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTSR1) and 2 (NTSR2), supporting a multifunctional agonism of BNT12 in the functional assays. BNT12 also exhibited significant antinociceptive effects in spared nerve injury (SNI)-neuropathic pain, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain, acetic acid-induced visceral and formalin-induced pain after i.c.v. administration. Furthermore, BNT12 exhibited substantial reduction of acute antinociceptive tolerance, shifted the dose-response curve to the right by only 1.3-fold. It is noteworthy that BNT12 showed insignificant chronic antinociceptive tolerance at the supraspinal level. In addition, BNT12 exhibited reduced or no opioid-like side effects on conditioned place preference (CPP) response, naloxone-precipitated withdrawal response, acute hyperlocomotion, motor coordination, gastrointestinal transit, and cardiovascular responses. The present investigation demonstrated that the novel hybrid peptide BNT12 might serve as a promising analgesic candidate with limited opioid-like side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yu Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Yu-Zhe Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xiao-Han Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xue-Ci Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | | | - Jia-Ran Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Bing-Jie Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Feng-Tong Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Chang-Lin Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China; State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.
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5
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Ortiz AJ, Martín V, Romero D, Guillamon A, Giraldo J. Time-dependent ligand-receptor binding kinetics and functionality in a heterodimeric receptor model. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116299. [PMID: 38763260 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
GPCRs heteromerize both in CNS and non-CNS regions. The cell uses receptor heteromerization to modulate receptor functionality and to provide fine tuning of receptor signaling. In order for pharmacologists to explore these mechanisms for therapeutic purposes, quantitative receptor models are needed. We have developed a time-dependent model of the binding kinetics and functionality of a preformed heterodimeric receptor involving two drugs. Two cases were considered: both or only one of the drugs are in excess with respect to the total concentration of the receptor. The latter case can be applied to those situations in which a drug causes unwanted side effects that need to be reduced by decreasing its concentration. The required efficacy can be maintained by the allosteric effects mutually exerted by the two drugs in the two-drug combination system. We discuss this concept assuming that the drug causing unwanted side effects is an opioid and that analgesia is the therapeutic effect. As additional points, allosteric modulation by endogenous compounds and synthetic bivalent ligands was included in the study. Receptor heteromerization offers a mechanistic understanding and quantification of the pharmacological effects elicited by combinations of two drugs at different doses and with different efficacies and cooperativity effects, thus providing a conceptual framework for drug combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Ortiz
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Spain; Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Víctor Martín
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Matemàtiques, EPSEB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - David Romero
- Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Antoni Guillamon
- Departament de Matemàtiques, EPSEB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; IMTech, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Spain; Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
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6
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Rehrauer KJ, Cunningham CW. IUPHAR Review - Bivalent and bifunctional opioid receptor ligands as novel analgesics. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106966. [PMID: 37865129 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Though efficacious in managing chronic, severe pain, opioid analgesics are accompanied by significant adverse effects including constipation, tolerance, dependence, and respiratory depression. The life-threatening risks associated with µ opioid receptor agonist-based analgesics challenges their use in clinic. A rational approach to combatting these adverse effects is to develop agents that incorporate activity at a second pharmacologic target in addition to µ opioid receptor activation. The promise of such bivalent or bifunctional ligands is the development of an analgesic with an improved side effect profile. In this review, we highlight ongoing efforts in the development of bivalent and bifunctional analgesics that combine µ agonism with efficacy at κ and δ opioid receptors, the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, σ receptors, and cannabinoid receptors. Several examples of bifunctional analgesics in preclinical and clinical development are highlighted, as are strategies being employed toward the rational design of novel agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Rehrauer
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53092, USA
| | - Christopher W Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53092, USA; CUW Center for Structure-Based Drug Discovery and Development, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53092, USA.
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7
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Qian M, Sun Z, Chen X, Van Calenbergh S. Study of G protein-coupled receptors dimerization: From bivalent ligands to drug-like small molecules. Bioorg Chem 2023; 140:106809. [PMID: 37651896 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades an increasing number of studies revealed that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are capable of forming dimers or even higher-ordered oligomers, which may modulate receptor function and act as potential drug targets. In this review, we briefly summarized the design strategy of bivalent GPCR ligands and mainly focused on how to use them to study and/or detect GPCP dimerization in vitro and in vivo. Bivalent ligands show specific properties relative to their corresponding monomeric ligands because they are able to bind to GPCR homodimers or heterodimers simultaneously. For example, bivalent ligands with optimal length of spacers often exhibited higher binding affinities for dimers compared to that of monomers. Furthermore, bivalent ligands displayed specific signal transduction compared to monovalent ligands. Finally, we give our perspective on targeting GPCR dimers from traditional bivalent ligands to more drug-like small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingcheng Qian
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Zhengyang Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, China
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Saha S, González-Maeso J. The crosstalk between 5-HT 2AR and mGluR2 in schizophrenia. Neuropharmacology 2023; 230:109489. [PMID: 36889432 PMCID: PMC10103009 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder that usually produces a lifetime of disability. First generation or typical antipsychotics such as haloperidol and second generation or atypical antipsychotics such as clozapine and risperidone remain the current standard for schizophrenia treatment. In some patients with schizophrenia, antipsychotics produce complete remission of positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. However, antipsychotic drugs are ineffective against cognitive deficits and indeed treated schizophrenia patients have small improvements or even deterioration in several cognitive domains. This underlines the need for novel and more efficient therapeutic targets for schizophrenia treatment. Serotonin and glutamate have been identified as key parts of two neurotransmitter systems involved in fundamental brain processes. Serotonin (or 5-hydroxytryptamine) 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) and metabotropic glutamate 2 receptor (mGluR2) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that interact at epigenetic and functional levels. These two receptors can form GPCR heteromeric complexes through which their pharmacology, function and trafficking becomes affected. Here we review past and current research on the 5-HT2AR-mGluR2 heterocomplex and its potential implication in schizophrenia and antipsychotic drug action. This article is part of the Special Issue on "The receptor-receptor interaction as a new target for therapy".
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Affiliation(s)
- Somdatta Saha
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Javier González-Maeso
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
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Gaborit M, Massotte D. Therapeutic potential of opioid receptor heteromers in chronic pain and associated comorbidities. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:994-1013. [PMID: 34883528 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain affects 20% to 45% of the global population and is often associated with the development of anxio-depressive disorders. Treatment of this debilitating condition remains particularly challenging with opioids prescribed to alleviate moderate to severe pain. However, despite strong antinociceptive properties, numerous adverse effects limit opioid use in the clinic. Moreover, opioid misuse and abuse have become a major health concern worldwide. This prompted efforts to design original strategies that would efficiently and safely relieve pain. Targeting of opioid receptor heteromers is one of these. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the role of heteromers involving opioid receptors in the context of chronic pain and anxio-depressive comorbidities. It also examines how heteromerization in native tissue affects ligand binding, receptor signalling and trafficking properties. Finally, the therapeutic potential of ligands designed to specifically target opioid receptor heteromers is considered. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Gaborit
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Massotte
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
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Xu B, Zhang Q, Chen D, Zhang M, Zhang R, Zhao W, Qiu Y, Xu K, Xiao J, Niu J, Shi Y, Li N, Fang Q. OCP002, a Mixed Agonist of Opioid and Cannabinoid Receptors, Produces Potent Antinociception With Minimized Side Effects. Anesth Analg 2023; 136:373-386. [PMID: 36638515 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000006266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing attention has been attracted to the development of bifunctional compounds to minimize the side effects of opioid analgesics. Pharmacological studies have verified the functional interaction between opioid and cannabinoid systems in pain management, suggesting that coactivation of the opioid and cannabinoid receptors may provide synergistic analgesia with fewer adverse reactions. Herein, we developed and characterized a novel bifunctional compound containing the pharmacophores of the mu-opioid receptor agonist DALDA and the cannabinoid peptide VD-Hpα-NH2, named OCP002. METHODS The opioid and cannabinoid agonistic activities of OCP002 were investigated in calcium mobilization and western blotting assays, respectively. Moreover, the central and peripheral antinociceptive effects of OCP002 were evaluated in mouse preclinical models of tail-flick test, carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain, and acetic acid-induced visceral pain, respectively. Furthermore, the potential opioid and cannabinoid side effects of OCP002 were systematically investigated in mice after intracerebroventricular (ICV) and subcutaneous (SC) administrations. RESULTS OCP002 functioned as a mixed agonist toward mu-opioid, kappa-opioid, and cannabinoid CB1 receptors in vitro. ICV and SC injections of OCP002 produced dose-dependent antinociception in mouse models of nociceptive (the median effective dose [ED50] values with 95% confidence interval [CI] are 0.14 [0.12-0.15] nmol and 0.32 [0.29-0.35] μmol/kg for ICV and SC injections, respectively), inflammatory (mechanical stimulation: ED50 values [95% CI] are 0.76 [0.64-0.90] nmol and 1.23 [1.10-1.38] μmol/kg for ICV and SC injections, respectively; thermal stimulation: ED50 values [95% CI] are 0.13 [0.10-0.17] nmol and 0.23 [0.08-0.40] μmol/kg for ICV and SC injections, respectively), and visceral pain (ED50 values [95% CI] are 0.0069 [0.0050-0.0092] nmol and 1.47 [1.13-1.86] μmol/kg for ICV and SC injections, respectively) via opioid and cannabinoid receptors. Encouragingly, OCP002 cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and exerted nontolerance-forming analgesia over 6-day treatment at both supraspinal and peripheral levels. Consistent with these behavioral results, repeated OCP002 administration did not elicit microglial hypertrophy and proliferation, the typical features of opioid-induced tolerance, in the spinal cord. Furthermore, at the effective analgesic doses, SC OCP002 exhibited minimized opioid and cannabinoid side effects on motor performance, body temperature, gastric motility, physical and psychological dependence, as well as sedation in mice. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that OCP002 produces potent and nontolerance-forming antinociception in mice with reduced opioid- and cannabinoid-related side effects, which strengthen the candidacy of bifunctional drugs targeting opioid/cannabinoid receptors for translational-medical development to replace or assist the traditional opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Xu
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qinqin Zhang
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dan Chen
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mengna Zhang
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Run Zhang
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Weidong Zhao
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yu Qiu
- School of Medicine' Shanghai Jiao Tong University' Shanghai, China
| | - Kangtai Xu
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiandong Niu
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yonghang Shi
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ning Li
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Quan Fang
- From the Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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11
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Recent Advancement in Drug Design and Discovery of Pyrazole Biomolecules as Cancer and Inflammation Therapeutics. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248708. [PMID: 36557840 PMCID: PMC9780894 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pyrazole, an important pharmacophore and a privileged scaffold of immense significance, is a five-membered heterocyclic moiety with an extensive therapeutic profile, viz., anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-anxiety, anticancer, analgesic, antipyretic, etc. Due to the expansion of pyrazolecent red pharmacological molecules at a quicker pace, there is an urgent need to put emphasis on recent literature with hitherto available information to recognize the status of this scaffold for pharmaceutical research. The reported potential pyrazole-containing compounds are highlighted in the manuscript for the treatment of cancer and inflammation, and the results are mentioned in % inhibition of inflammation, % growth inhibition, IC50, etc. Pyrazole is an important heterocyclic moiety with a strong pharmacological profile, which may act as an important pharmacophore for the drug discovery process. In the struggle to cultivate suitable anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents, chemists have now focused on pyrazole biomolecules. This review conceals the recent expansion of pyrazole biomolecules as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents with an aim to provide better correlation among different research going around the world.
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12
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Fatima MT, Ahmed I, Fakhro KA, Akil ASA. Melanocortin-4 receptor complexity in energy homeostasis,obesity and drug development strategies. Diabetes Obes Metab 2022; 24:583-598. [PMID: 34882941 PMCID: PMC9302617 DOI: 10.1111/dom.14618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) has been critically investigated for the past two decades, and novel findings regarding MC4R signalling and its potential exploitation in weight loss therapy have lately been emphasized. An association between MC4R and obesity is well established, with disease-causing mutations affecting 1% to 6% of obese patients. More than 200 MC4R variants have been reported, although conflicting results as to their effects have been found in different cohorts. Most notably, some MC4R gain-of-function variants seem to rescue obesity and related complications via specific pathways such as beta-arrestin (ß-arrestin) recruitment. Broadly speaking, however, dysfunctional MC4R dysregulates satiety and induces hyperphagia. The picture at the mechanistic level is complicated as, in addition to the canonical G stimulatory pathway, the ß-arrestin signalling pathway and ions (particularly calcium) seem to interact with MC4R signalling to contribute to or alleviate obesity pathogenesis. Thus, the overall complexity of the MC4R signalling spectra has broadened considerably, indicating there is great potential for the development of new drugs to manage obesity and its related complications. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is the major endogenous MC4R agonist, but structure-based ligand discovery studies have identified possible superior and selective agonists that can improve MC4R function. However, some of these agonists characterized in vitro and in vivo confer adverse effects in patients, as demonstrated in clinical trials. In this review, we provide a comprehensive insight into the genetics, function and regulation of MC4R and its contribution to obesity. We also outline new approaches in drug development and emerging drug candidates to treat obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munazza Tamkeen Fatima
- Department of Human Genetics, Translational Medicine DivisionResearch Branch, Sidra MedicineDohaQatar
| | - Ikhlak Ahmed
- Department of Human Genetics, Translational Medicine DivisionResearch Branch, Sidra MedicineDohaQatar
| | - Khalid Adnan Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, Translational Medicine DivisionResearch Branch, Sidra MedicineDohaQatar
- Department of Genetic MedicineWeill Cornell MedicineDohaQatar
- College of Health and Life SciencesHamad Bin Khalifa UniversityDohaQatar
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13
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Lipiński PFJ, Matalińska J. Fentanyl Structure as a Scaffold for Opioid/Non-Opioid Multitarget Analgesics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052766. [PMID: 35269909 PMCID: PMC8910985 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the strategies in the search for safe and effective analgesic drugs is the design of multitarget analgesics. Such compounds are intended to have high affinity and activity at more than one molecular target involved in pain modulation. In the present contribution we summarize the attempts in which fentanyl or its substructures were used as a μ-opioid receptor pharmacophoric fragment and a scaffold to which fragments related to non-opioid receptors were attached. The non-opioid ‘second’ targets included proteins as diverse as imidazoline I2 binding sites, CB1 cannabinoid receptor, NK1 tachykinin receptor, D2 dopamine receptor, cyclooxygenases, fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase and σ1 receptor. Reviewing the individual attempts, we outline the chemistry, the obtained pharmacological properties and structure-activity relationships. Finally, we discuss the possible directions for future work.
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14
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Ma H, Li M, Pagare PP, Wang H, Nassehi N, Santos EJ, Negus SS, Selley DE, Zhang Y. Novel bivalent ligands carrying potential antinociceptive effects by targeting putative mu opioid receptor and chemokine receptor CXCR4 heterodimers. Bioorg Chem 2022; 120:105641. [PMID: 35093692 PMCID: PMC9187593 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The functional interactions between opioid and chemokine receptors have been implicated in the pathological process of chronic pain. Mounting studies have indicated the possibility that a MOR-CXCR4 heterodimer may be involved in nociception and related pharmacologic effects. Herein we have synthesized a series of bivalent ligands containing both MOR agonist and CXCR4 antagonist pharmacophores with an aim to investigate the functional interactions between these two receptors. In vitro studies demonstrated reasonable recognition of designed ligands at both respective receptors. Further antinociceptive testing in mice revealed compound 1a to be the most promising member of this series. Additional molecular modeling studies corroborated the findings observed. Taken together, we identified the first bivalent ligand 1a showing promising antinociceptive effect by targeting putative MOR-CXCR4 heterodimers, which may serve as a novel chemical probe to further develop more potent bivalent ligands with potential application in analgesic therapies for chronic pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongguang Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Mengchu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Piyusha P. Pagare
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Huiqun Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Nima Nassehi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Edna J. Santos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - S. Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Dana E. Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298, United States.
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15
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Cox BM, Toll L. Contributions of the International Narcotics Research Conference to Opioid Research Over the Past 50 years. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2022; 2:10115. [PMID: 38390618 PMCID: PMC10880772 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2022.10115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The International Narcotics Research Conference (INRC), founded in 1969, has been a successful forum for research into the actions of opiates, with an annual conference since 1971. Every year, scientists from around the world have congregated to present the latest data on novel opiates, opiate receptors and endogenous ligands, mechanisms of analgesic activity and unwanted side effects, etc. All the important discoveries in the opiate field were discussed, often first, at the annual INRC meeting. With an apology to important events and participants not discussed, this review presents a short history of INRC with a discussion of groundbreaking discoveries in the opiate field and the researchers who presented from the first meeting up to the present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Cox
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
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16
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Oyagawa CRM, Grimsey NL. Cannabinoid receptor CB 1 and CB 2 interacting proteins: Techniques, progress and perspectives. Methods Cell Biol 2021; 166:83-132. [PMID: 34752341 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2021.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) are implicated in a range of physiological processes and have gained attention as promising therapeutic targets for a number of diseases. Protein-protein interactions play an integral role in modulating G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expression, subcellular distribution and signaling, and the identification and characterization of these will not only improve our understanding of GPCR function and biology, but may provide a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention. A variety of techniques are currently being used to investigate GPCR protein-protein interactions, including Förster/fluorescence and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (FRET and BRET), proximity ligation assay (PLA), and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). However, the reliable application of these methodologies is dependent on the use of appropriate controls and the consideration of the physiological context. Though not as extensively characterized as some other GPCRs, the investigation of CB1 and CB2 interacting proteins is a growing area of interest, and a range of interacting partners have been identified to date. This review summarizes the current state of the literature regarding the cannabinoid receptor interactome, provides commentary on the methodologies and techniques utilized, and discusses future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R M Oyagawa
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Natasha L Grimsey
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
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17
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An Effective and Safe Enkephalin Analog for Antinociception. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13070927. [PMID: 34206631 PMCID: PMC8308721 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13070927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids account for 69,000 overdose deaths per annum worldwide and cause serious side effects. Safer analgesics are urgently needed. The endogenous opioid peptide Leu-Enkephalin (Leu-ENK) is ineffective when introduced peripherally due to poor stability and limited membrane permeability. We developed a focused library of Leu-ENK analogs containing small hydrophobic modifications. N-pivaloyl analog KK-103 showed the highest binding affinity to the delta opioid receptor (68% relative to Leu-ENK) and an extended plasma half-life of 37 h. In the murine hot-plate model, subcutaneous KK-103 showed 10-fold improved anticonception (142%MPE·h) compared to Leu-ENK (14%MPE·h). In the formalin model, KK-103 reduced the licking and biting time to ~50% relative to the vehicle group. KK-103 was shown to act through the opioid receptors in the central nervous system. In contrast to morphine, KK-103 was longer-lasting and did not induce breathing depression, physical dependence, and tolerance, showing potential as a safe and effective analgesic.
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18
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Zhang M, Xu B, Li N, Liu H, Shi X, Zhang Q, Shi Y, Xu K, Xiao J, Chen D, Zhu H, Sun Y, Zhang T, Zhang R, Fang Q. Synthesis and Biological Characterization of Cyclic Disulfide-Containing Peptide Analogs of the Multifunctional Opioid/Neuropeptide FF Receptor Agonists That Produce Long-Lasting and Nontolerant Antinociception. J Med Chem 2020; 63:15709-15725. [PMID: 33271020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In a previously described chimeric peptide, we reported that the multifunctional opioid/neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptor agonist 0 (BN-9) produced antinociception for 1.5 h after supraspinal administration. Herein, four cyclic disulfide analogs containing l- and/or d-type cysteine at positions 2 and 5 were synthesized. The cyclized analogs and their linear counterparts behaved as multifunctional agonists at both opioid and NPFF receptors in vitro and produced potent analgesia without tolerance development. In comparison to 0, cyclized peptide 6 exhibited sevenfold more potent μ-opioid receptor agonistic activity in vitro. Interestingly, the cyclized analog 6 possessed an improved stability in the brain and an increased blood-brain barrier permeability compared to the parent peptide 0 and produced more potent analgesia after supraspinal or subcutaneous administration with improved duration of action of 4 h. In addition, antinociceptive tolerance of analog 6 was greatly reduced after subcutaneous injection compared to fentanyl, as was the rewarding effect, withdrawal reaction, and gastrointestinal inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengna Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Biao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Xuerui Shi
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Qinqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Yanbin Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Kangtai Xu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Jian Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Dan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Hanwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Yulong Sun
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences & Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710000, PR China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Run Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Quan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
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Khaleghzadeh‐Ahangar H, Haghparast A. Cannabinoid receptor modulation changes the accumbal neuronal responses to morphine in the reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12817. [PMID: 31436887 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a central component of the brain reward system. It has been known that most of the drugs of abuse such as opioids and cannabinoids affect the NAc. Although cannabinoids can modulate different stages of morphine encounter such as the reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), there is no evidence for the NAc neurons' response to prove it. That is why the present study was designed. The procedure was as follows: The rats were entered to CPP by sc 5 mg/kg morphine in three consecutive days. During the extinction period or in the reinstatement phase, icv WIN 55,212-2 (10mM/5 μL dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] 10%) or AM251 (0.5mM/5-μL DMSO 10%) was infused in separate groups. Also, the NAc neurons' response to cannabinoid modulation in reinstatement to morphine was investigated by extracellular single unit recording. As a result, the cannabinoid in the reinstatement phase decreased the NAc neuronal activity. The CB1 receptor inhibition during the extinction period increased the NAc firing rate after ip 1 mg/kg morphine. Also, the inhibition of this receptor in the reinstatement phase increased the NAc neurons' firing rate. The inhibitory effect of cannabinoid on the NAc neuronal activity in the reinstatement has indicated the possible potency of cannabinoid to induce reinstatement of morphine-induced CPP alone and in the absence of a priming dose of morphine. Also, the different effects of the CB1 agonist during the extinction period in the reinstatement phase suggest different mechanisms underlying these two parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Khaleghzadeh‐Ahangar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol Iran
- Neuroscience Research Center, Health Research Institute Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol Iran
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
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20
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Zádor F, Nagy-Grócz G, Dvorácskó S, Bohár Z, Cseh EK, Zádori D, Párdutz Á, Szűcs E, Tömböly C, Borsodi A, Benyhe S, Vécsei L. Long-term systemic administration of kynurenic acid brain region specifically elevates the abundance of functional CB 1 receptors in rats. Neurochem Int 2020; 138:104752. [PMID: 32445659 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is one of the most significant metabolite of the kynurenine pathway both in terms of functional and potential therapeutic value. It is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, but it can also activate the G-protein coupled receptor 35 (GPR35), which shares several structural and functional properties with cannabinoid receptors. Previously our group demonstrated that systemic chronic KYNA treatment altered opioid receptor G-protein activity. Opioid receptors also overlap in many features with cannabinoid receptors. Thus, our aim was to examine the direct in vitro and systemic, chronic in vivo effect of KYNA on type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) binding and G-protein activity. Based on competition and [35S]GTPγS G-protein binding assays in rat brain, KYNA alone did not show significant binding towards the CB1R, nor did it alter CB1R ligand binding and agonist activity in vitro. When rats were chronically treated with KYNA (single daily, i.p., 128 mg/kg for 9 days), the KYNA plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels significantly increased compared to vehicle treated group. Furthermore, in G-protein binding assays, in the whole brain the amount of G-proteins in basal and in maximum activity coupled to the CB1R also increased due to the treatment. At the same time, the overall stimulatory properties of the receptor remained unaltered in vehicle and KYNA treated samples. Similar observations were made in rat hippocampus, but not in the cortex and brainstem. In saturation binding assays the density of CB1Rs in rat whole brain and hippocampus were also significantly enhanced after the same treatment, without significantly affecting ligand binding affinity. Thus, KYNA indirectly and brain region specifically increases the abundance of functional CB1Rs, without modifying the overall binding and activity of the receptor. Supposedly, this can be a compensatory mechanism on the part of the endocannabinoid system induced by the long-term KYNA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Zádor
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726, Hungary.
| | - Gábor Nagy-Grócz
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies, University of Szeged, Szeged, Temesvári krt. 31, H-6726, Hungary; Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Dvorácskó
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726, Hungary; Department of Medical Chemistry University of Szeged, Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Bohár
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725, Hungary; MTA-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Szeged, H-6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edina Katalin Cseh
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725, Hungary
| | - Dénes Zádori
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725, Hungary
| | - Árpád Párdutz
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725, Hungary
| | - Edina Szűcs
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726, Hungary; Doctoral School of Theoretical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 10, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Tömböly
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Anna Borsodi
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Sándor Benyhe
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726, Hungary
| | - László Vécsei
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725, Hungary; MTA-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Szeged, H-6725, Szeged, Hungary
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21
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García M, Virgili M, Alonso M, Alegret C, Fernández B, Port A, Pascual R, Monroy X, Vidal-Torres A, Serafini MT, Vela JM, Almansa C. 4-Aryl-1-oxa-4,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane Derivatives as Dual μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists and σ 1 Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Pain. J Med Chem 2020; 63:2434-2454. [PMID: 31743642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis and pharmacological activity of a new series of 1-oxa-4,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane derivatives as potent dual ligands for the sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) and the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) are reported. The different positions of the central scaffold, designed using a merging strategy of both target pharmacophores, were explored using a versatile synthetic approach. Phenethyl derivatives in position 9, substituted pyridyl moieties in position 4 and small alkyl groups in position 2 provided the best profiles. One of the best compounds, 15au, showed a balanced dual profile (i.e., MOR agonism and sigma antagonism) and a potent analgesic activity, comparable to the MOR agonist oxycodone in the paw pressure test in mice. Contrary to oxycodone, as expected from the addition of σ1R antagonism, 15au showed local, peripheral activity in this test, which was reversed by the σ1R agonist PRE-084. At equianalgesic doses, 15au showed less constipation than oxycodone, providing evidence that dual MOR agonism and σ1R antagonism may be a useful strategy for obtaining potent and safer analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica García
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Virgili
- Carrer Baldiri Reixac, Enantia, SL, 10 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica Alonso
- Carrer Baldiri Reixac, Enantia, SL, 10 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Alegret
- Carrer Baldiri Reixac, Enantia, SL, 10 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Begoña Fernández
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adriana Port
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosalía Pascual
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Monroy
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Vidal-Torres
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-Teresa Serafini
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Miguel Vela
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Almansa
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Carrer Baldiri Reixac, ESTEVE Pharmaceuticals SA, 4-8 Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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22
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Wei F, Zhao L, Jing Y. Hemoglobin-derived peptides and mood regulation. Peptides 2020; 127:170268. [PMID: 32070683 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Evidence accumulated over the past decades has revealed that red blood cells and hemoglobin (Hb) in the blood play important roles in modulating moods and emotions. The number of red blood cells affects the mood. Hb is the principal content in the red blood cells besides water. Denatured Hb is hydrolyzed to produce bioactive peptides. RVD-hemopressin α (RVD-Hpα), which is a fragment of α-chain (95-103) in Hb, functions as a negative allosteric modulator of cannabinoid receptor 1 and a positive allosteric modulator of cannabinoid receptor 2. Hemorphins, which are fragments of β-chain in Hb, exert their effects on opioid receptors. Two hemorphins, namely, LVV-hemorphin-6 and LVV-hemorphin-7, could induce anxiolytic-like effects. The use of Hb-derived bioactive peptides for the treatment of mood disorders is desirable due to cannabinoid-opioid cross modulation and the critical roles of the two systems in physiological processes, such as memory, mood and emotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengmei Wei
- Department of Physiology and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China
| | - Long Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Lanzhou University First Affiliated Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China
| | - Yuhong Jing
- Institute of Anatomy and Histology & Embryology, Neuroscience, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China.
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23
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Pérez-Benito L, Henry A, Matsoukas MT, Lopez L, Pulido D, Royo M, Cordomí A, Tresadern G, Pardo L. The size matters? A computational tool to design bivalent ligands. Bioinformatics 2019; 34:3857-3863. [PMID: 29850769 PMCID: PMC6223368 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bty422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivation Bivalent ligands are increasingly important such as for targeting G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) dimers or proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). They contain two pharmacophoric units that simultaneously bind in their corresponding binding sites, connected with a spacer chain. Here, we report a molecular modelling tool that links the pharmacophore units via the shortest pathway along the receptors van der Waals surface and then scores the solutions providing prioritization for the design of new bivalent ligands. Results Bivalent ligands of known dimers of GPCRs, PROTACs and a model bivalent antibody/antigen system were analysed. The tool could rapidly assess the preferred linker length for the different systems and recapitulated the best reported results. In the case of GPCR dimers the results suggest that in some cases these ligands might bind to a secondary binding site at the extracellular entrance (vestibule or allosteric site) instead of the orthosteric binding site. Availability and implementation Freely accessible from the Molecular Operating Environment svl exchange server (https://svl.chemcomp.com/). Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pérez-Benito
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Andrew Henry
- Chemical Computing Group, St John's Innovation Centre Cowley Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Minos-Timotheos Matsoukas
- Department of Pharmacy, University Campus, University of Patras, School of Health Sciences, Rion, Patras, Greece
| | - Laura Lopez
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Daniel Pulido
- Combinatorial Chemistry Unit, Barcelona Science Park, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Bioingeniería Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain
| | - Miriam Royo
- Combinatorial Chemistry Unit, Barcelona Science Park, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Bioingeniería Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain
| | - Arnau Cordomí
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | | | - Leonardo Pardo
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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24
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Grant PS, Kahlcke N, Govindpani K, Hunter M, MacDonald C, Brimble MA, Glass M, Furkert DP. Divalent cannabinoid-1 receptor ligands: A linker attachment point survey of SR141716A for development of high-affinity CB1R molecular probes. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126644. [PMID: 31564385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) inverse agonist SR141716A has proven useful for study of the endocannabinoid system, including development of divalent CB1R ligands possessing a second functional motif attached via a linker unit. These have predominantly employed the C3 position of the central pyrazole ring for linker attachment. Despite this precedent, a novel series of C3-linked CB1R-D2R divalent ligands exhibited extremely high affinity at the D2R, but only poor affinity for the CB1R. A systematic linker attachment point survey of the SR141716A pharmacophore was therefore undertaken, establishing the C5 position as the optimal site for linker conjugation. This linker attachment survey enabled the identification of a novel divalent ligand as a lead compound to inform ongoing development of high-affinity CB1R molecular probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip S Grant
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nils Kahlcke
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Karan Govindpani
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Morag Hunter
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Christa MacDonald
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, New Zealand
| | - Michelle Glass
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, New Zealand
| | - Daniel P Furkert
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, New Zealand.
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25
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Sierra S, Gupta A, Gomes I, Fowkes M, Ram A, Bobeck EN, Devi LA. Targeting Cannabinoid 1 and Delta Opioid Receptor Heteromers Alleviates Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2019; 2:219-229. [PMID: 31565698 PMCID: PMC6764458 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid 1 (CB1R) and delta opioid receptors (DOR) associate to form heteromers that exhibit distinct pharmacological properties. Not much is known about CB1R-DOR heteromer location or signaling along the pain circuit in either animal models or patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Here, we use paclitaxel to induce CIPN in mice and confirm the development of mechanical allodynia. Under these conditions, we find significant increases in CB1R-DOR heteromers in the dorsal spinal cord of mice with CIPN as well as in postmortem spinal cords from human subjects with CIPN compared to controls. Next, we investigated receptor signaling in spinal cords of mice with CIPN and found that treatment with a combination of low signaling doses of CB1R and DOR ligands leads to significant enhancement in G-protein activity that could be selectively blocked by the CB1R-DOR antibody. Consistent with this, administration of subthreshold doses of a combination of ligands (CB1R agonist, Hu-210, and DOR agonist, SNC80) leads to significant attenuation of allodynia in mice with CIPN that is not seen with the administration of individual ligands, and this could be blocked by the CB1R-DOR antibody. Together, these results imply that CB1R-DOR heteromers upregulated during CIPN-associated mechanical allodynia could serve as a potential target for treatment of neuropathic pain including CIPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Sierra
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Achla Gupta
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Mary Fowkes
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Akila Ram
- Department
of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Erin N. Bobeck
- Department
of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Lakshmi A. Devi
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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26
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Dvorácskó S, Keresztes A, Mollica A, Stefanucci A, Macedonio G, Pieretti S, Zádor F, Walter FR, Deli MA, Kékesi G, Bánki L, Tuboly G, Horváth G, Tömböly C. Preparation of bivalent agonists for targeting the mu opioid and cannabinoid receptors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 178:571-588. [PMID: 31220675 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In order to obtain novel pharmacological tools and to investigate a multitargeting analgesic strategy, the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist JWH-018 was conjugated with the opiate analgesic oxycodone or with an enkephalin related tetrapeptide. The opioid and cannabinoid pharmacophores were coupled via spacers of different length and chemical structure. In vitro radioligand binding experiments confirmed that the resulting bivalent compounds bound both to the opioid and to the cannabinoid receptors with moderate to high affinity. The highest affinity bivalent derivatives 11 and 19 exhibited agonist properties in [35S]GTPγS binding assays. These compounds activated MOR and CB (11 mainly CB2, whereas 19 mainly CB1) receptor-mediated signaling, as it was revealed by experiments using receptor specific antagonists. In rats both 11 and 19 exhibited antiallodynic effect similar to the parent drugs in 20 μg dose at spinal level. These results support the strategy of multitargeting G-protein coupled receptors to develop lead compounds with antinociceptive properties.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemical synthesis
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Enkephalins/chemistry
- Enkephalins/pharmacology
- Indoles/chemistry
- Indoles/pharmacology
- Mice
- Molecular Structure
- Naphthalenes/chemistry
- Naphthalenes/pharmacology
- Oxycodone/chemistry
- Oxycodone/pharmacology
- Rats
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabolcs Dvorácskó
- A Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62., 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Keresztes
- A Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62., 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Adriano Mollica
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Azzurra Stefanucci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giorgia Macedonio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Pieretti
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Centro Nazionale Ricerca e Valutazione Preclinica e Clinica dei Farmaci, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ferenc Zádor
- Laboratory of Opioid Research, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62., 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina R Walter
- Biological Barriers Research Group, Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62., 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mária A Deli
- Biological Barriers Research Group, Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62., 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Kékesi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720, Szeged, Dóm tér 10., Hungary
| | - László Bánki
- Department of Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6., Hungary
| | - Gábor Tuboly
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6., Hungary
| | - Gyöngyi Horváth
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720, Szeged, Dóm tér 10., Hungary
| | - Csaba Tömböly
- A Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62., 6726, Szeged, Hungary.
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27
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Abstract
Hybrid compounds (also known as chimeras, designed multiple ligands, bivalent compounds) are chemical units where two active components, usually possessing affinity and selectivity for distinct molecular targets, are combined as a single chemical entity. The rationale for using a chimeric approach is well documented as such novel drugs are characterized by their enhanced enzymatic stability and biological activity. This allows their use at lower concentrations, increasing their safety profile, particularly when considering undesirable side effects. In the group of synthetic bivalent compounds, drugs combining pharmacophores having affinities toward opioid and neurokinin-1 receptors have been extensively studied as potential analgesic drugs. Indeed, substance P is known as a major endogenous modulator of nociception both in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Hence, synthetic peptide fragments showing either agonism or antagonism at neurokinin 1 receptor were both assigned with analgesic properties. However, even though preclinical studies designated neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists as promising analgesics, early clinical studies revealed a lack of efficacy in human. Nevertheless, their molecular combination with enkephalin/endomorphin fragments has been considered as a valuable approach to design putatively promising ligands for the treatment of pain. This paper is aimed at summarizing a 20-year journey to the development of potent analgesic hybrid compounds involving an opioid pharmacophore and devoid of unwanted side effects. Additionally, the legitimacy of considering neurokinin-1 receptor ligands in the design of chimeric drugs is discussed.
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28
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Ugur M, Derouiche L, Massotte D. Heteromerization Modulates mu Opioid Receptor Functional Properties in vivo. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1240. [PMID: 30483121 PMCID: PMC6244869 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mu opioid receptors modulate a large number of physiological functions. They are in particular involved in the control of pain perception and reward properties. They are also the primary molecular target of opioid drugs and mediate their beneficial analgesic effects, euphoric properties as well as negative side effects such as tolerance and physical dependence. Importantly, mu opioid receptors can physically associate with another receptor to form a novel entity called heteromer that exhibits specific ligand binding, signaling, and trafficking properties. As reviewed here, in vivo physical proximity has now been evidenced for several receptor pairs, subsequent impact of heteromerization on native mu opioid receptor signaling and trafficking identified and a link to behavioral changes established. Selective targeting of heteromers as a tool to modulate mu opioid receptor activity is therefore attracting growing interest and raises hopes for innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzeyyen Ugur
- Centre de la Recherche Nationale Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lyes Derouiche
- Centre de la Recherche Nationale Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Massotte
- Centre de la Recherche Nationale Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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29
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Bivalent ligand that activates mu opioid receptor and antagonizes mGluR5 receptor reduces neuropathic pain in mice. Pain 2018; 158:2431-2441. [PMID: 28891868 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The mu opioid receptor (MOR) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) are well-established pharmacological targets in the management of chronic pain. Both receptors are expressed in the spinal cord. MMG22, a bivalent ligand containing 2 pharmacophores separated by 22 atoms, which simultaneously activates MOR and antagonizes mGluR5, has been shown to produce potent reversal of tactile hypersensitivity in rodent models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-and bone cancer-induced chronic pain. This study assessed whether intrathecal MMG22 also is effective in reducing pain of neuropathic origin. Furthermore, we theorized that MMG22 should reduce hyperalgesia in nerve-injured mice in a manner consistent with a synergistic interaction between MOR and mGluR5. Several weeks after spared nerve injury, tactile hypersensitivity was reversed in mice by the intrathecal injection of MMG22 (0.01-10 nmol) but also by its shorter spacer analog, MMG10, with similar potency. The potencies of the bivalent ligands were 10- to 14-fold higher than those of the compounds upon which the bivalent structure was based, the MOR agonist oxymorphone and the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP. Coadministration of oxymorphone and MPEP demonstrated analgesic synergism, an interaction confirmed by isobolographic analysis. This study indicates that in the spared nerve injury-induced model of neuropathic pain, the 2 pharmacophores of the bivalent ligands MMG22 and MMG10 target MOR and mGluR5 as separate receptor monomers. The observed increase in the potency of MMG22 and MMG10, compared with oxymorphone and MPEP, may reflect the synergistic interaction of the 2 pharmacophores of the bivalent ligand acting at their respective separate receptor monomers.
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30
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Dutta R, Lunzer MM, Auger JL, Akgün E, Portoghese PS, Binstadt BA. A bivalent compound targeting CCR5 and the mu opioid receptor treats inflammatory arthritis pain in mice without inducing pharmacologic tolerance. Arthritis Res Ther 2018; 20:154. [PMID: 30053832 PMCID: PMC6062996 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-018-1661-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pain accompanies rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions and is difficult to manage. Although opioids provide potent analgesia, chronic opioid use can cause tolerance and addiction. Recent studies have demonstrated functional interactions between chemokine and opioid receptor signaling pathways. Reported heterodimerization of chemokine and opioid receptors led our group to develop bivalent compounds that bind both types of receptors, with the goal of targeting opioids to sites of inflammation. MCC22 is a novel bivalent compound containing a CCR5 antagonist and mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonist pharmacophores linked through a 22-atom spacer. We evaluated the efficacy of MCC22 in the K/B.g7 T-cell receptor transgenic mouse model of spontaneous inflammatory arthritis. Methods MCC22 or morphine was administered intraperitoneally at varying doses to arthritic K/B.g7 mice or nonarthritic control mice. Mechanical pain hypersensitivity was measured each day before and after drug administration, using the electronic von Frey test. The potency of MCC22 relative to that of morphine was calculated. Functional readouts of pain included grip strength and nesting behavior. A separate dosing regimen was used to determine whether the drugs induced pharmacologic tolerance. Results MCC22 provided ~ 3000-fold more potent analgesia than morphine in this model. Daily treatment with MCC22 also led to a cumulative analgesic effect, reducing the daily baseline pain level. MCC22 produced no observable analgesic effect in nonarthritic control mice. Importantly, repeated administration of MCC22 did not induce pharmacologic tolerance, whereas a similar regimen of morphine did. Both grip strength and nesting behaviors improved among arthritic mice treated with MCC22. Ankle thickness and arthritis scores were not affected by MCC22. The analgesic effect of MCC22 was abolished in K/B.g7 mice genetically lacking CCR5, demonstrating the receptor specificity of the antagonist pharmacophore. Conclusions MCC22 is a novel bivalent ligand that targets CCR5 and MOR. Our findings demonstrate that MCC22 provides highly potent analgesia and improved functional outcomes in a model of inflammatory arthritis, without inducing typical opioid tolerance. These findings suggest that MCC22 or similar compounds could be used to treat the pain associated with inflammatory arthritis and related conditions, while minimizing the risks typically associated with chronic opioid use. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1661-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raini Dutta
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, 2-114 Wallin Medical Biosciences Building, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
| | - Mary M Lunzer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jennifer L Auger
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, 2-114 Wallin Medical Biosciences Building, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
| | - Eyup Akgün
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Philip S Portoghese
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bryce A Binstadt
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, 2-114 Wallin Medical Biosciences Building, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
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31
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32
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Cataldo G, Lunzer MM, Olson JK, Akgün E, Belcher JD, Vercellotti GM, Portoghese PS, Simone DA. Bivalent ligand MCC22 potently attenuates nociception in a murine model of sickle cell disease. Pain 2018; 159:1382-1391. [PMID: 29578946 PMCID: PMC6008209 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder accompanied by chronic pain. In addition to ongoing pain and hyperalgesia, vaso-occlusive crises-induced pain can be chronic or episodic. Because analgesics typically used to treat pain are not very effective in SCD, opioids, including morphine, are a primary treatment for managing pain in SCD but are associated with many serious side effects, including constipation, tolerance, addiction, and respiratory depression. Thus, there is a need for the development of novel treatments for pain in SCD. In this study, we used the Townes transgenic mouse model of SCD to investigate the antinociceptive efficacy of the bivalent ligand, MCC22, and compared its effectiveness with morphine. MCC22 consists of a mu-opioid receptor agonist and a chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5) antagonist that are linked through a 22-atom spacer. Our results show that intraperitoneal administration of MCC22 produced exceptionally potent dose-dependent antihyperalgesia as compared to morphine, dramatically decreased evoked responses of nociceptive dorsal horn neurons, and decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord. Moreover, tolerance did not develop to its analgesic effects after repeated administration. In view of the extraordinary potency of MCC22 without tolerance, MCC22 and similar compounds may vastly improve the management of pain associated with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cataldo
- Department of Diagnostic & Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Mary M. Lunzer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Julie K. Olson
- Department of Diagnostic & Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Eyup Akgün
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - John D. Belcher
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Gregory M. Vercellotti
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Philip S. Portoghese
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Donald A. Simone
- Department of Diagnostic & Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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33
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Lensing CJ, Freeman KT, Schnell SM, Speth RC, Zarth AT, Haskell-Luevano C. Developing a Biased Unmatched Bivalent Ligand (BUmBL) Design Strategy to Target the GPCR Homodimer Allosteric Signaling (cAMP over β-Arrestin 2 Recruitment) Within the Melanocortin Receptors. J Med Chem 2018; 62:144-158. [PMID: 29669202 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the functional relevance of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) homodimerization has been limited by the insufficient tools to assess asymmetric signaling occurring within dimers comprised of the same receptor type. We present unmatched bivalent ligands (UmBLs) to study the asymmetric function of melanocortin homodimers. UmBLs contain one agonist and one antagonist pharmacophore designed to target a melanocortin homodimer such that one receptor is occupied by an agonist and the other receptor by an antagonist pharmacophore. First-in-class biased UmBLs (BUmBLs) targeting the human melanocortin-4 receptor (hMC4R) were discovered. The BUmBLs displayed biased agonism by potently stimulating cAMP signaling (EC50 ∼ 2-6 nM) but minimally activating the β-arrestin recruitment pathway (≤55% maximum signal at 10 μM). To our knowledge, we report the first single-compound strategy to pharmacologically target melanocortin receptor allosteric signaling that occurs between homodimers that can be applied straightforwardly in vitro and in vivo to other GPCR systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J Lensing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Katie T Freeman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Sathya M Schnell
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Robert C Speth
- College of Pharmacy , Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33328-2018 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology , Georgetown University , Washington, D.C. 20057 , United States
| | - Adam T Zarth
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States.,Masonic Cancer Center , University of Minnesota , 2231 Sixth Street SE, 2-210 CCRB , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
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34
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Qian M, Vasudevan L, Huysentruyt J, Risseeuw MDP, Stove C, Vanderheyden PML, Van Craenenbroeck K, Van Calenbergh S. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Bivalent Ligands Targeting Dopamine D 2 -Like Receptors and the μ-Opioid Receptor. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:944-956. [PMID: 29451744 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Currently, there is mounting evidence that intermolecular receptor-receptor interactions may result in altered receptor recognition, pharmacology and signaling. Heterobivalent ligands have been proven useful as molecular probes for confirming and targeting heteromeric receptors. This report describes the design and synthesis of novel heterobivalent ligands for dopamine D2 -like receptors (D2 -likeR) and the μ-opioid receptor (μOR) and their evaluation using ligand binding and functional assays. Interestingly, we identified a potent bivalent ligand that contains a short 18-atom linker and combines good potency with high efficacy both in β-arrestin 2 recruitment for μOR and MAPK-P for D4 R. Furthermore, this compound was characterized by a biphasic competition binding curve for the D4 R-μOR heterodimer, indicative of a bivalent binding mode. As this compound possibly bridges the D4 R-μOR heterodimer, it could be used as a pharmacological tool to further investigate the interactions of D4 R and μOR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingcheng Qian
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.,Laboratory of Toxicology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lakshmi Vasudevan
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jelle Huysentruyt
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martijn D P Risseeuw
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patrick M L Vanderheyden
- Department Research Group of Molecular and Biochemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VUB-MBFA, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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35
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Gonçalves JPL, Palmer D, Meldal M. MC4R Agonists: Structural Overview on Antiobesity Therapeutics. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2018; 39:402-423. [PMID: 29478721 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) regulates adipose tissue formation and energy homeostasis, and is believed to be a monogenic target for novel antiobesity therapeutics. Several research efforts targeting this receptor have identified potent and selective agonists. While viable agonists have been characterized in vitro, undesirable side effects frequently appeared during clinical trials. The most promising candidates have diverse structures, including linear peptides, cyclic peptides, and small molecules. Herein, we present a compilation of potent MC4R agonists and discuss the pivotal structural differences within those molecules that resulted in good selectivity for MC4R over other melanocortins. We provide insight on recent progress in the field and reflect on directions for development of new agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Pereira Lopes Gonçalves
- Center for Evolutionary Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Daniel Palmer
- Center for Evolutionary Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Meldal
- Center for Evolutionary Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Dolles D, Hoffmann M, Gunesch S, Marinelli O, Möller J, Santoni G, Chatonnet A, Lohse MJ, Wittmann HJ, Strasser A, Nabissi M, Maurice T, Decker M. Structure-Activity Relationships and Computational Investigations into the Development of Potent and Balanced Dual-Acting Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors and Human Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Ligands with Pro-Cognitive in Vivo Profiles. J Med Chem 2018; 61:1646-1663. [PMID: 29400965 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and the human cannabinoid receptor 2 (hCB2R) represent promising targets for pharmacotherapy in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease. We merged pharmacophores for both targets into small benzimidazole-based molecules, investigated SARs, and identified several dual-acting ligands with a balanced affinity/inhibitory activity and an excellent selectivity over both hCB1R and hAChE. A homology model for the hCB2R was developed based on the hCB1R crystal structure and used for molecular dynamics studies to investigate binding modes. In vitro studies proved hCB2R agonism. Unwanted μ-opioid receptor affinity could be designed out. One well-balanced dual-acting and selective hBChE inhibitor/hCB2R agonist showed superior in vivo activity over the lead CB2 agonist with regards to cognition improvement. The data shows the possibility to combine a small molecule with selective and balanced GPCR-activity/enzyme inhibition and in vivo activity for the therapy of AD and may help to rationalize the development of other dual-acting ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Dolles
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg , Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Hoffmann
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg , Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Gunesch
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg , Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Oliviero Marinelli
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino , I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Jan Möller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg , Versbacher Strabe 9, D-97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Giorgio Santoni
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino , I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Arnaud Chatonnet
- INRA UMR866, University of Montpellier , F-34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Martin J Lohse
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg , Versbacher Strabe 9, D-97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Wittmann
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry II, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , D-95053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Strasser
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry II, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg , D-95053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Massimo Nabissi
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino , I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Tangui Maurice
- INSERM UMR-S1198, University of Montpellier, EPHE , F-34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg , Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
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Abstract
The opioid receptor system plays a major role in the regulation of mood, reward, and pain. The opioid receptors therefore make attractive targets for the treatment of many different conditions, including pain, depression, and addiction. However, stimulation or blockade of any one opioid receptor type often leads to on-target adverse effects that limit the clinical utility of a selective opioid agonist or antagonist. Literature precedent suggests that the opioid receptors do not act in isolation and that interactions among the opioid receptors and between the opioid receptors and other proteins may produce clinically useful targets. Multifunctional ligands have the potential to elicit desired outcomes with reduced adverse effects by allowing for the activation of specific receptor conformations and/or signaling pathways promoted as a result of receptor oligomerization or crosstalk. In this chapter, we describe several classes of multifunctional ligands that interact with at least one opioid receptor. These ligands have been designed for biochemical exploration and the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including multiple kinds of pain, depression, anxiety, addiction, and gastrointestinal disorders. The structures, pharmacological utility, and therapeutic drawbacks of these classes of ligands are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Anand
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School and the Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Deanna Montgomery
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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38
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Jha P, Chaturvedi S, Kaul A, Pant P, Anju A, Pal S, Jain N, Mishra AK. Design, physico-chemical and pre-clinical evaluation of a homo-bivalent 99mTc-(BTZ)2DTPA radioligand for targeting dimeric 5-HT1A/5-HT7 receptors. NEW J CHEM 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8nj00089a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A 99mTc-labelled bis-benzothiazolone-DTPA radio-complex as a SPECT neuroimaging agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Jha
- Department of Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)
- India
- Division of Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceutical Sciences
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences
| | - Shubhra Chaturvedi
- Division of Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceutical Sciences
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences
- Defence Research and Development Organization
- Delhi-110054
- India
| | - Ankur Kaul
- Division of Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceutical Sciences
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences
- Defence Research and Development Organization
- Delhi-110054
- India
| | - Pradeep Pant
- Department of Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)
- India
| | - Anju Anju
- Division of Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceutical Sciences
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences
- Defence Research and Development Organization
- Delhi-110054
- India
| | - Sunil Pal
- Division of Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceutical Sciences
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences
- Defence Research and Development Organization
- Delhi-110054
- India
| | - Nidhi Jain
- Department of Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)
- India
| | - Anil K. Mishra
- Division of Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceutical Sciences
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences
- Defence Research and Development Organization
- Delhi-110054
- India
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39
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Imam MZ, Kuo A, Ghassabian S, Smith MT. Progress in understanding mechanisms of opioid-induced gastrointestinal adverse effects and respiratory depression. Neuropharmacology 2017; 131:238-255. [PMID: 29273520 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Opioids evoke analgesia through activation of opioid receptors (predominantly the μ opioid receptor) in the central nervous system. Opioid receptors are abundant in multiple regions of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system including enteric neurons. Opioid-related adverse effects such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting pose challenges for compliance and continuation of the therapy for chronic pain management. In the post-operative setting opioid-induced depression of respiration can be fatal. These critical limitations warrant a better understanding of their underpinning cellular and molecular mechanisms to inform the design of novel opioid analgesic molecules that are devoid of these unwanted side-effects. Research efforts on opioid receptor signalling in the past decade suggest that differential signalling pathways and downstream molecules preferentially mediate distinct pharmacological effects. Additionally, interaction among opioid receptors and, between opioid receptor and non-opioid receptors to form signalling complexes shows that opioid-induced receptor signalling is potentially more complicated than previously thought. This complexity provides an opportunity to identify and probe relationships between selective signalling pathway specificity and in vivo production of opioid-related adverse effects. In this review, we focus on current knowledge of the mechanisms thought to transduce opioid-induced gastrointestinal adverse effects (constipation, nausea, vomiting) and respiratory depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zafar Imam
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andy Kuo
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sussan Ghassabian
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Maree T Smith
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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40
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Knezevic NN, Yekkirala A, Yaksh TL. Basic/Translational Development of Forthcoming Opioid- and Nonopioid-Targeted Pain Therapeutics. Anesth Analg 2017; 125:1714-1732. [PMID: 29049116 PMCID: PMC5679134 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000002442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Opioids represent an efficacious therapeutic modality for some, but not all pain states. Singular reliance on opioid therapy for pain management has limitations, and abuse potential has deleterious consequences for patient and society. Our understanding of pain biology has yielded insights and opportunities for alternatives to conventional opioid agonists. The aim is to have efficacious therapies, with acceptable side effect profiles and minimal abuse potential, which is to say an absence of reinforcing activity in the absence of a pain state. The present work provides a nonexclusive overview of current drug targets and potential future directions of research and development. We discuss channel activators and blockers, including sodium channel blockers, potassium channel activators, and calcium channel blockers; glutamate receptor-targeted agents, including N-methyl-D-aspartate, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid, and metabotropic receptors. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutics targeted at γ-aminobutyric acid, α2-adrenergic, and opioid receptors. We also considered antagonists of angiotensin 2 and Toll receptors and agonists/antagonists of adenosine, purine receptors, and cannabinoids. Novel targets considered are those focusing on lipid mediators and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Of interest is development of novel targeting strategies, which produce long-term alterations in pain signaling, including viral transfection and toxins. We consider issues in the development of druggable molecules, including preclinical screening. While there are examples of successful translation, mechanistically promising preclinical candidates may unexpectedly fail during clinical trials because the preclinical models may not recapitulate the particular human pain condition being addressed. Molecular target characterization can diminish the disconnect between preclinical and humans' targets, which should assist in developing nonaddictive analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nebojsa Nick Knezevic
- From the *Department of Anesthesiology, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, Illinois; Departments of †Anesthesiology and ‡Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois; §Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; ‖Blue Therapeutics, Harvard Innovation Launch Lab, Allston, Massachusetts; and Departments of ¶Anesthesiology and #Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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41
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Thompson MD, Sakurai T, Rainero I, Maj MC, Kukkonen JP. Orexin Receptor Multimerization versus Functional Interactions: Neuropharmacological Implications for Opioid and Cannabinoid Signalling and Pharmacogenetics. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2017; 10:ph10040079. [PMID: 28991183 PMCID: PMC5748636 DOI: 10.3390/ph10040079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Orexins/hypocretins are neuropeptides formed by proteolytic cleavage of a precursor peptide, which are produced by neurons found in the lateral hypothalamus. The G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for these ligands, the OX₁ and OX₂ orexin receptors, are more widely expressed throughout the central nervous system. The orexin/hypocretin system has been implicated in many pathways, and its dysregulation is under investigation in a number of diseases. Disorders in which orexinergic mechanisms are being investigated include narcolepsy, idiopathic sleep disorders, cluster headache and migraine. Human narcolepsy has been associated with orexin deficiency; however, it has only rarely been attributed to mutations in the gene encoding the precursor peptide. While gene variations within the canine OX₂ gene hcrtr2 have been directly linked with narcolepsy, the majority of human orexin receptor variants are weakly associated with diseases (the idiopathic sleep disorders, cluster headache and polydipsia-hyponatremia in schizophrenia) or are of potential pharmacogenetic significance. Evidence for functional interactions and/or heterodimerization between wild-type and variant orexin receptors and opioid and cannabinoid receptors is discussed in the context of its relevance to depression and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles D Thompson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego 92093, CA, USA.
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8620, Japan.
| | - Innocenzo Rainero
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino 10124, Italy.
| | - Mary C Maj
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Saint George's University, Saint George's 11739, Grenada.
| | - Jyrki P Kukkonen
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 11739, Finland.
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00100, Finland.
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42
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Morales P, Reggio PH. An Update on Non-CB 1, Non-CB 2 Cannabinoid Related G-Protein-Coupled Receptors. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2017; 2:265-273. [PMID: 29098189 PMCID: PMC5665501 DOI: 10.1089/can.2017.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been shown to be of great importance in the regulation of numerous physiological and pathological processes. To date, two Class A G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been discovered and validated as the main therapeutic targets of this system: the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), which is the most abundant neuromodulatory receptor in the brain, and the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), predominantly found in the immune system among other organs and tissues. Endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligands (endocannabinoids) and the enzymes involved in their synthesis, cell uptake, and degradation have also been identified as part of the ECS. However, its complex pharmacology suggests that other GPCRs may also play physiologically relevant roles in this therapeutically promising system. In the last years, GPCRs such as GPR18 and GPR55 have emerged as possible missing members of the cannabinoid family. This categorization still stimulates strong debate due to the lack of pharmacological tools to validate it. Because of their close phylogenetic relationship, the Class A orphan GPCRs, GPR3, GPR6, and GPR12, have also been associated with the cannabinoids. Moreover, certain endo-, phyto-, and synthetic cannabinoid ligands have displayed activity at other well-established GPCRs, including the opioid, adenosine, serotonin, and dopamine receptor families. In addition, the cannabinoid receptors have also been shown to form dimers with other GPCRs triggering cross-talk signaling under specific conditions. In this mini review, we aim to provide insight into the non-CB1, non-CB2 cannabinoid-related GPCRs that have been reported thus far. We consider the physiological relevance of these molecular targets in modulating the ECS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
| | - Patricia H. Reggio
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
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43
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Khaleghzadeh-Ahangar H, Haghparast A. Intra-accumbal Cannabinoid Agonist Attenuated Reinstatement but not Extinction Period of Morphine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference; Evidence for Different Characteristics of Extinction Period and Reinstatement. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:3321-3330. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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44
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Lensing CJ, Adank DN, Wilber SL, Freeman KT, Schnell SM, Speth RC, Zarth AT, Haskell-Luevano C. A Direct in Vivo Comparison of the Melanocortin Monovalent Agonist Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH 2 versus the Bivalent Agonist Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-PEDG20-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH 2: A Bivalent Advantage. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1262-1278. [PMID: 28128928 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bivalent ligands targeting putative melanocortin receptor dimers have been developed and characterized in vitro; however, studies of their functional in vivo effects have been limited. The current report compares the effects of homobivalent ligand CJL-1-87, Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-PEDG20-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2, to monovalent ligand CJL-1-14, Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2, on energy homeostasis in mice after central intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration into the lateral ventricle of the brain. Bivalent ligand CJL-1-87 had noteworthy advantages as an antiobesity probe over CJL-1-14 in a fasting-refeeding in vivo paradigm. Treatment with CJL-1-87 significantly decreased food intake compared to CJL-1-14 or saline (50% less intake 2-8 h after treatment). Furthermore, CJL-1-87 treatment decreased the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) without changing the energy expenditure indicating that fats were being burned as the primary fuel source. Additionally, CJL-1-87 treatment significantly lowered body fat mass percentage 6 h after administration (p < 0.05) without changing the lean mass percentage. The bivalent ligand significantly decreased insulin, C-peptide, leptin, GIP, and resistin plasma levels compared to levels after CJL-1-14 or saline treatments. Alternatively, ghrelin plasma levels were significantly increased. Serum stability of CJL-1-87 and CJL-1-14 (T1/2 = 6.0 and 16.8 h, respectively) was sufficient to permit physiological effects. The differences in binding affinity of CJL-1-14 compared to CJL-1-87 are speculated as a possible mechanism for the bivalent ligand's unique effects. We also provide in vitro evidence for the formation of a MC3R-MC4R heterodimer complex, for the first time to our knowledge, that may be an unexploited neuronal molecular target. Regardless of the exact mechanism, the advantageous ability of CJL-1-87 compared to CJL-1-14 to increase in vitro binding affinity, increase the duration of action in spite of decreased serum stability, decrease in vivo food intake, decrease mice's body fat percent, and differentially affect mouse hormone levels demonstrates the distinct characteristics achieved from the current melanocortin agonist bivalent design strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J. Lensing
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Danielle N. Adank
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Stacey L. Wilber
- 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
| | - Robert C. Speth
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328-2018, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - Adam T. Zarth
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, 2231 6th Street SE, 2-210 CCRB, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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45
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Abstract
Acute and chronic pain complaints, although common, are generally poorly served by existing therapies. This unmet clinical need reflects a failure to develop novel classes of analgesics with superior efficacy, diminished adverse effects and a lower abuse liability than those currently available. Reasons for this include the heterogeneity of clinical pain conditions, the complexity and diversity of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and the unreliability of some preclinical pain models. However, recent advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of pain are beginning to offer opportunities for developing novel therapeutic strategies and revisiting existing targets, including modulating ion channels, enzymes and G-protein-coupled receptors.
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Mollica A, Pelliccia S, Famiglini V, Stefanucci A, Macedonio G, Chiavaroli A, Orlando G, Brunetti L, Ferrante C, Pieretti S, Novellino E, Benyhe S, Zador F, Erdei A, Szucs E, Samavati R, Dvrorasko S, Tomboly C, Ragno R, Patsilinakos A, Silvestri R. Exploring the first Rimonabant analog-opioid peptide hybrid compound, as bivalent ligand for CB1 and opioid receptors. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2017; 32:444-451. [PMID: 28097916 PMCID: PMC6009935 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2016.1260565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid (CB) and opioid systems are both involved in analgesia, food intake, mood and behavior. Due to the co-localization of µ-opioid (MOR) and CB1 receptors in various regions of the central nervous system (CNS) and their ability to form heterodimers, bivalent ligands targeting to both these systems may be good candidates to investigate the existence of possible cross-talking or synergistic effects, also at sub-effective doses. In this work, we selected from a small series of new Rimonabant analogs one CB1R reverse agonist to be conjugated to the opioid fragment Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-NH2. The bivalent compound (9) has been used for in vitro binding assays, for in vivo antinociception models and in vitro hypothalamic perfusion test, to evaluate the neurotransmitters release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Mollica
- a Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio" , Chieti , Italy
| | - Sveva Pelliccia
- b Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma , Roma , Italy
| | - Valeria Famiglini
- b Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma , Roma , Italy
| | - Azzurra Stefanucci
- a Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio" , Chieti , Italy
| | - Giorgia Macedonio
- a Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio" , Chieti , Italy
| | - Annalisa Chiavaroli
- a Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio" , Chieti , Italy
| | - Giustino Orlando
- a Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio" , Chieti , Italy
| | - Luigi Brunetti
- a Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio" , Chieti , Italy
| | - Claudio Ferrante
- a Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio" , Chieti , Italy
| | - Stefano Pieretti
- c Dipartimento del Farmaco , Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- d Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università di Napoli "Federico II" , Naples , Italy
| | - Sandor Benyhe
- e Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Szeged , Hungary
| | - Ferenc Zador
- e Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Szeged , Hungary
| | - Anna Erdei
- e Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Szeged , Hungary
| | - Edina Szucs
- e Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Szeged , Hungary
| | - Reza Samavati
- e Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Szeged , Hungary
| | - Szalbolch Dvrorasko
- e Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Szeged , Hungary
| | - Csaba Tomboly
- e Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Szeged , Hungary
| | - Rino Ragno
- f Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Rome Center for Molecular Design, Sapienza Università di Roma , Roma , Italy.,g Alchemical Dynamics s.r.l , Roma , Italy
| | - Alexandros Patsilinakos
- f Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Rome Center for Molecular Design, Sapienza Università di Roma , Roma , Italy.,g Alchemical Dynamics s.r.l , Roma , Italy
| | - Romano Silvestri
- b Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma , Roma , Italy
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Borroto-Escuela DO, Carlsson J, Ambrogini P, Narváez M, Wydra K, Tarakanov AO, Li X, Millón C, Ferraro L, Cuppini R, Tanganelli S, Liu F, Filip M, Diaz-Cabiale Z, Fuxe K. Understanding the Role of GPCR Heteroreceptor Complexes in Modulating the Brain Networks in Health and Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:37. [PMID: 28270751 PMCID: PMC5318393 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of allosteric receptor-receptor interactions in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) heteroreceptor complexes of the central nervous system (CNS) gave a new dimension to brain integration and neuropsychopharmacology. The molecular basis of learning and memory was proposed to be based on the reorganization of the homo- and heteroreceptor complexes in the postjunctional membrane of synapses. Long-term memory may be created by the transformation of parts of the heteroreceptor complexes into unique transcription factors which can lead to the formation of specific adapter proteins. The observation of the GPCR heterodimer network (GPCR-HetNet) indicated that the allosteric receptor-receptor interactions dramatically increase GPCR diversity and biased recognition and signaling leading to enhanced specificity in signaling. Dysfunction of the GPCR heteroreceptor complexes can lead to brain disease. The findings of serotonin (5-HT) hetero and isoreceptor complexes in the brain over the last decade give new targets for drug development in major depression. Neuromodulation of neuronal networks in depression via 5-HT, galanin peptides and zinc involve a number of GPCR heteroreceptor complexes in the raphe-hippocampal system: GalR1-5-HT1A, GalR1-5-HT1A-GPR39, GalR1-GalR2, and putative GalR1-GalR2-5-HT1A heteroreceptor complexes. The 5-HT1A receptor protomer remains a receptor enhancing antidepressant actions through its participation in hetero- and homoreceptor complexes listed above in balance with each other. In depression, neuromodulation of neuronal networks in the raphe-hippocampal system and the cortical regions via 5-HT and fibroblast growth factor 2 involves either FGFR1-5-HT1A heteroreceptor complexes or the 5-HT isoreceptor complexes such as 5-HT1A-5-HT7 and 5-HT1A-5-HT2A. Neuromodulation of neuronal networks in cocaine use disorder via dopamine (DA) and adenosine signals involve A2AR-D2R and A2AR-D2R-Sigma1R heteroreceptor complexes in the dorsal and ventral striatum. The excitatory modulation by A2AR agonists of the ventral striato-pallidal GABA anti-reward system via targeting the A2AR-D2R and A2AR-D2R-Sigma1R heteroreceptor complex holds high promise as a new way to treat cocaine use disorders. Neuromodulation of neuronal networks in schizophrenia via DA, adenosine, glutamate, 5-HT and neurotensin peptides and oxytocin, involving A2AR-D2R, D2R-NMDAR, A2AR-D2R-mGluR5, D2R-5-HT2A and D2R-oxytocinR heteroreceptor complexes opens up a new world of D2R protomer targets in the listed heterocomplexes for treatment of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasiel O Borroto-Escuela
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska InstitutetStockholm, Sweden; Department of Biomolecular Science, Section of Physiology, University of UrbinoUrbino, Italy; Observatorio Cubano de Neurociencias, Grupo Bohío-EstudioYaguajay, Cuba
| | - Jens Carlsson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala Biomedical Centre (BMC), Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patricia Ambrogini
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Urbino, Italy
| | - Manuel Narváez
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Karolina Wydra
- Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków, Poland
| | - Alexander O Tarakanov
- St. Petersburg Institute for Informatics and Automation, Russian Academy of Sciences Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmelo Millón
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Luca Ferraro
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara Ferrara, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cuppini
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Urbino, Italy
| | - Sergio Tanganelli
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fang Liu
- Campbell Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Malgorzata Filip
- Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków, Poland
| | - Zaida Diaz-Cabiale
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
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Yaksh TL, Fisher CJ, Hockman TM, Wiese AJ. Current and Future Issues in the Development of Spinal Agents for the Management of Pain. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 15:232-259. [PMID: 26861470 PMCID: PMC5412694 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160307145542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting analgesic drugs for spinal delivery reflects the fact that while the conscious experience of pain is mediated supraspinally, input initiated by high intensity stimuli, tissue injury and/or nerve injury is encoded at the level of the spinal dorsal horn and this output informs the brain as to the peripheral environment. This encoding process is subject to strong upregulation resulting in hyperesthetic states and downregulation reducing the ongoing processing of nociceptive stimuli reversing the hyperesthesia and pain processing. The present review addresses the biology of spinal nociceptive processing as relevant to the effects of intrathecally-delivered drugs in altering pain processing following acute stimulation, tissue inflammation/injury and nerve injury. The review covers i) the major classes of spinal agents currently employed as intrathecal analgesics (opioid agonists, alpha 2 agonists; sodium channel blockers; calcium channel blockers; NMDA blockers; GABA A/B agonists; COX inhibitors; ii) ongoing developments in the pharmacology of spinal therapeutics focusing on less studied agents/targets (cholinesterase inhibition; Adenosine agonists; iii) novel intrathecal targeting methodologies including gene-based approaches (viral vectors, plasmids, interfering RNAs); antisense, and toxins (botulinum toxins; resniferatoxin, substance P Saporin); and iv) issues relevant to intrathecal drug delivery (neuraxial drug distribution), infusate delivery profile, drug dosing, formulation and principals involved in the preclinical evaluation of intrathecal drug safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony L. Yaksh
- University of California, San Diego, Anesthesia Research Lab 0818, 9500 Gilman Dr. LaJolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Casey J. Fisher
- University of California, San Diego, Anesthesia Research Lab 0818, 9500 Gilman Dr. LaJolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tyler M. Hockman
- University of California, San Diego, Anesthesia Research Lab 0818, 9500 Gilman Dr. LaJolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ashley J. Wiese
- University of California, San Diego, Anesthesia Research Lab 0818, 9500 Gilman Dr. LaJolla, CA 92093, USA
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Wang ZL, Pan JX, Song JJ, Tang HH, Yu HP, Li XH, Li N, Zhang T, Zhang R, Zhang MN, Xu B, Fang Q, Wang R. Structure-Based Optimization of Multifunctional Agonists for Opioid and Neuropeptide FF Receptors with Potent Nontolerance Forming Analgesic Activities. J Med Chem 2016; 59:10198-10208. [PMID: 27798836 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Long Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Jia-Xin Pan
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Jing-Jing Song
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Hong-Hai Tang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Hong-Ping Yu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Run Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Meng-Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Biao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Quan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology,
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang
West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
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50
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Understanding the Functional Plasticity in Neural Networks of the Basal Ganglia in Cocaine Use Disorder: A Role for Allosteric Receptor-Receptor Interactions in A2A-D2 Heteroreceptor Complexes. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:4827268. [PMID: 27872762 PMCID: PMC5107220 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4827268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Our hypothesis is that allosteric receptor-receptor interactions in homo- and heteroreceptor complexes may form the molecular basis of learning and memory. This principle is illustrated by showing how cocaine abuse can alter the adenosine A2AR-dopamine D2R heterocomplexes and their receptor-receptor interactions and hereby induce neural plasticity in the basal ganglia. Studies with A2AR ligands using cocaine self-administration procedures indicate that antagonistic allosteric A2AR-D2R heterocomplexes of the ventral striatopallidal GABA antireward pathway play a significant role in reducing cocaine induced reward, motivation, and cocaine seeking. Anticocaine actions of A2AR agonists can also be produced at A2AR homocomplexes in these antireward neurons, actions in which are independent of D2R signaling. At the A2AR-D2R heterocomplex, they are dependent on the strength of the antagonistic allosteric A2AR-D2R interaction and the number of A2AR-D2R and A2AR-D2R-sigma1R heterocomplexes present in the ventral striatopallidal GABA neurons. It involves a differential cocaine-induced increase in sigma1Rs in the ventral versus the dorsal striatum. In contrast, the allosteric brake on the D2R protomer signaling in the A2AR-D2R heterocomplex of the dorsal striatopallidal GABA neurons is lost upon cocaine self-administration. This is potentially due to differences in composition and allosteric plasticity of these complexes versus those in the ventral striatopallidal neurons.
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