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Yang X, Zhou P, Shen S, Hu Q, Tian C, Xia A, Wang Y, Yang Z, Nan J, Zhou Y, Chen S, Tian X, Wu C, Lin G, Zhang L, Wang K, Zheng T, Zou J, Yan W, Shao Z, Yang S. Entropy drives the ligand recognition in G-protein-coupled receptor subtypes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2401091121. [PMID: 39024109 PMCID: PMC11287286 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2401091121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Achieving ligand subtype selectivity within highly homologous subtypes of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) is critical yet challenging for GPCR drug discovery, primarily due to the unclear mechanism underlying ligand subtype selectivity, which hampers the rational design of subtype-selective ligands. Herein, we disclose an unusual molecular mechanism of entropy-driven ligand recognition in cannabinoid (CB) receptor subtypes, revealed through atomic-level molecular dynamics simulations, cryoelectron microscopy structure, and mutagenesis experiments. This mechanism is attributed to the distinct conformational dynamics of the receptor's orthosteric pocket, leading to variations in ligand binding entropy and consequently, differential binding affinities, which culminate in specific ligand recognition. We experimentally validated this mechanism and leveraged it to design ligands with enhanced or ablated subtype selectivity. One such ligand demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic properties and significant efficacy in rodent inflammatory analgesic models. More importantly, it is precisely due to the high subtype selectivity obtained based on this mechanism that this ligand does not show addictive properties in animal models. Our findings elucidate the unconventional role of entropy in CB receptor subtype selectivity and suggest a strategy for rational design of ligands to achieve entropy-driven subtype selectivity for many pharmaceutically important GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Pei Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Siyuan Shen
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Qian Hu
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Chenyu Tian
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Anjie Xia
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Research Laboratory of Macular Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Zhiqian Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Jinshan Nan
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Yangli Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Shasha Chen
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Xiaowen Tian
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Guifeng Lin
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Liting Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Kexin Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Tao Zheng
- Engineering Research Center of Medical Information Technology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Jun Zou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Zhenhua Shao
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- Division of Nephrology and Kidney Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- Frontier Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, Sichuan610212, China
| | - Shengyong Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
- Frontier Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, Sichuan610212, China
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2
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Sachdev S, Creemer BA, Gardella TJ, Cheloha RW. Highly biased agonism for GPCR ligands via nanobody tethering. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4687. [PMID: 38824166 PMCID: PMC11144202 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49068-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Ligand-induced activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can initiate signaling through multiple distinct pathways with differing biological and physiological outcomes. There is intense interest in understanding how variation in GPCR ligand structure can be used to promote pathway selective signaling ("biased agonism") with the goal of promoting desirable responses and avoiding deleterious side effects. Here we present an approach in which a conventional peptide ligand for the type 1 parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR1) is converted from an agonist which induces signaling through all relevant pathways to a compound that is highly selective for a single pathway. This is achieved not through variation in the core structure of the agonist, but rather by linking it to a nanobody tethering agent that binds with high affinity to a separate site on the receptor not involved in signal transduction. The resulting conjugate represents the most biased agonist of PTHR1 reported to date. This approach holds promise for facile generation of pathway selective ligands for other GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Sachdev
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bathesda, MD, USA
| | - Brendan A Creemer
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bathesda, MD, USA
| | - Thomas J Gardella
- Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ross W Cheloha
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bathesda, MD, USA.
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3
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Zhang Y, Wu W, Li Q, Zhou P, Wen K, Shen J, Wang Z. The hapten rigidity improves antibody performances in immunoassay for rifamycins: Immunovalidation and molecular mechanism. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133977. [PMID: 38492395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The immunogenicity of haptens determines the performance of the resultant antibody for small molecules. Rigidity is one of the basic physicochemical properties of haptens. However, few studies have investigated the effect of hapten rigidity on the strength of an immune response and overall antibody performance. Herein, we introduce three molecular descriptors that quantify hapten rigidity. By using of these descriptors, four rifamycin haptens with varied rigidity were designed. The structural and physicochemical feasibility of the designed haptens was then assessed by computational chemistry. Immunization demonstrated that the strength of induced immune responses, i.e., the titer and affinity of antiserum, was significantly increased with increased rigidity of haptens. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulations demonstrated conformation constraint of rigid haptens contributed to the initial binding and activation of naïve B cells. Finally, a highly sensitive indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for detection of rifaximin, with an IC50 of 1.1 μg/L in buffer and a limit of detection of 0.2-11.3 μg/L in raw milk, river water, and soil samples. This work provides new insights into the effect of hapten rigidity on immunogenicity and offers new hapten design strategies for antibody discovery and vaccine development of small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, Beijing Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Animal-Derived Food, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Weilin Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, Beijing Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Animal-Derived Food, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Li
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, Beijing Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Animal-Derived Food, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Penghui Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, Beijing Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Animal-Derived Food, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Wen
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, Beijing Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Animal-Derived Food, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, Beijing Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Animal-Derived Food, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhanhui Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, Beijing Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Animal-Derived Food, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Papasergi-Scott MM, Pérez-Hernández G, Batebi H, Gao Y, Eskici G, Seven AB, Panova O, Hilger D, Casiraghi M, He F, Maul L, Gmeiner P, Kobilka BK, Hildebrand PW, Skiniotis G. Time-resolved cryo-EM of G-protein activation by a GPCR. Nature 2024; 629:1182-1191. [PMID: 38480881 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07153-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activate heterotrimeric G proteins by stimulating guanine nucleotide exchange in the Gα subunit1. To visualize this mechanism, we developed a time-resolved cryo-EM approach that examines the progression of ensembles of pre-steady-state intermediates of a GPCR-G-protein complex. By monitoring the transitions of the stimulatory Gs protein in complex with the β2-adrenergic receptor at short sequential time points after GTP addition, we identified the conformational trajectory underlying G-protein activation and functional dissociation from the receptor. Twenty structures generated from sequential overlapping particle subsets along this trajectory, compared to control structures, provide a high-resolution description of the order of main events driving G-protein activation in response to GTP binding. Structural changes propagate from the nucleotide-binding pocket and extend through the GTPase domain, enacting alterations to Gα switch regions and the α5 helix that weaken the G-protein-receptor interface. Molecular dynamics simulations with late structures in the cryo-EM trajectory support that enhanced ordering of GTP on closure of the α-helical domain against the nucleotide-bound Ras-homology domain correlates with α5 helix destabilization and eventual dissociation of the G protein from the GPCR. These findings also highlight the potential of time-resolved cryo-EM as a tool for mechanistic dissection of GPCR signalling events.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Binding Sites
- Cryoelectron Microscopy
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/chemistry
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/drug effects
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/metabolism
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/ultrastructure
- Guanosine Triphosphate/metabolism
- Guanosine Triphosphate/pharmacology
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Dynamics Simulation
- Protein Binding
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/metabolism
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/chemistry
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/ultrastructure
- Time Factors
- Enzyme Activation/drug effects
- Protein Domains
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Makaía M Papasergi-Scott
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Guillermo Pérez-Hernández
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hossein Batebi
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gözde Eskici
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alpay B Seven
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ouliana Panova
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Hilger
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marina Casiraghi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Feng He
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Luis Maul
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Brian K Kobilka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Peter W Hildebrand
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georgios Skiniotis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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5
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Casiraghi M, Wang H, Brennan P, Habrian C, Hubner H, Schmidt MF, Maul L, Pani B, Bahriz SM, Xu B, White E, Sunahara RK, Xiang YK, Lefkowitz RJ, Isacoff EY, Nucci N, Gmeiner P, Lerch M, Kobilka BK. Structure and dynamics determine G protein coupling specificity at a class A GPCR. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.28.587240. [PMID: 38586060 PMCID: PMC10996611 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.28.587240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) exhibit varying degrees of selectivity for different G protein isoforms. Despite the abundant structures of GPCR-G protein complexes, little is known about the mechanism of G protein coupling specificity. The β2-adrenergic receptor is an example of GPCR with high selectivity for Gαs, the stimulatory G protein for adenylyl cyclase, and much weaker for the Gαi family of G proteins inhibiting adenylyl cyclase. By developing a new Gαi-biased agonist (LM189), we provide structural and biophysical evidence supporting that distinct conformations at ICL2 and TM6 are required for coupling of the different G protein subtypes Gαs and Gαi. These results deepen our understanding of G protein specificity and bias and can accelerate the design of ligands that select for preferred signaling pathways.
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6
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Zhang M, Chen T, Lu X, Lan X, Chen Z, Lu S. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): advances in structures, mechanisms, and drug discovery. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:88. [PMID: 38594257 PMCID: PMC11004190 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01803-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of human membrane proteins and an important class of drug targets, play a role in maintaining numerous physiological processes. Agonist or antagonist, orthosteric effects or allosteric effects, and biased signaling or balanced signaling, characterize the complexity of GPCR dynamic features. In this study, we first review the structural advancements, activation mechanisms, and functional diversity of GPCRs. We then focus on GPCR drug discovery by revealing the detailed drug-target interactions and the underlying mechanisms of orthosteric drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in the past five years. Particularly, an up-to-date analysis is performed on available GPCR structures complexed with synthetic small-molecule allosteric modulators to elucidate key receptor-ligand interactions and allosteric mechanisms. Finally, we highlight how the widespread GPCR-druggable allosteric sites can guide structure- or mechanism-based drug design and propose prospects of designing bitopic ligands for the future therapeutic potential of targeting this receptor family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, Peptide & Protein Drug Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Xun Lu
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xiaobing Lan
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, Peptide & Protein Drug Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Ziqiang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, Peptide & Protein Drug Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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7
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Sink A, Gerwe H, Hübner H, Boivin-Jahns V, Fender J, Lorenz K, Gmeiner P, Decker M. "Photo-Adrenalines": Photoswitchable β 2 -Adrenergic Receptor Agonists as Molecular Probes for the Study of Spatiotemporal Adrenergic Signaling. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303506. [PMID: 38212242 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
β2 -adrenergic receptor (β2 -AR) agonists are used for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but also play a role in other complex disorders including cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. As the cellular and molecular mechanisms in various cells and tissues of the β2 -AR remain vastly elusive, we developed tools for this investigation with high temporal and spatial resolution. Several photoswitchable β2 -AR agonists with nanomolar activity were synthesized. The most potent agonist for β2 -AR with reasonable switching is a one-digit nanomolar active, trans-on arylazopyrazole-based adrenaline derivative and comprises valuable photopharmacological properties for further biological studies with high structural accordance to the native ligand adrenaline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sink
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hubert Gerwe
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Medicinal Chemistry Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valerie Boivin-Jahns
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Versbacher Straße 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Fender
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Versbacher Straße 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kristina Lorenz
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Versbacher Straße 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Str. 11, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Medicinal Chemistry Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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8
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Simon IA, Bjørn-Yoshimoto WE, Harpsøe K, Iliadis S, Svensson B, Jensen AA, Gloriam DE. Ligand selectivity hotspots in serotonin GPCRs. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:978-990. [PMID: 37914598 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter regulating numerous physiological processes also modulated by drugs, for example, schizophrenia, depression, migraine, and obesity. However, these drugs typically have adverse effects caused by promiscuous binding across 12 serotonin and more than 20 homologous receptors. Recently, structures of the entire serotonin receptor family uncovered molecular ligand recognition. Here, we present a map of 19 'selectivity hotspots', that is, nonconserved binding site residues governing selectivity via favorable target interactions or repulsive 'off-target' contacts. Furthermore, we review functional rationale from observed ligand-binding affinities and mutagenesis effects. Unifying knowledge underlying specific probes and drugs is critical toward the functional characterization of different receptors and alleviation of adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Icaro A Simon
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Walden E Bjørn-Yoshimoto
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Harpsøe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stylianos Iliadis
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Bo Svensson
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Scheelevägen 2, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders A Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David E Gloriam
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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9
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Sachdev S, Creemer BA, Gardella TJ, Cheloha RW. Highly biased agonism for GPCR ligands via nanobody tethering. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.10.561766. [PMID: 37873435 PMCID: PMC10592785 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.10.561766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Ligand-induced activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can initiate signaling through multiple distinct pathways with differing biological and physiological outcomes. There is intense interest in understanding how variation in GPCR ligand structure can be used to promote pathway selective signaling ("biased agonism") with the goal of promoting desirable responses and avoiding deleterious side effects. Here we present a new approach in which a conventional peptide ligand for the type 1 parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR1) is converted from an agonist which induces signaling through all relevant pathways to a compound that is highly selective for a single pathway. This is achieved not through variation in the core structure of the agonist, but rather by linking it to a nanobody tethering agent that binds with high affinity to a separate site on the receptor not involved in signal transduction. The resulting conjugate represents the most biased agonist of PTHR1 reported to date. This approach holds promise for facile generation of pathway selective ligands for other GPCRs.
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