1
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Vogt H, Shinkwin P, Huber ME, Staffen N, Hübner H, Gmeiner P, Schiedel M, Weikert D. Development of a Fluorescent Ligand for the Intracellular Allosteric Binding Site of the Neurotensin Receptor 1. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1533-1545. [PMID: 38751637 PMCID: PMC11092115 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The membrane protein family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represents a major class of drug targets. Over the last years, the presence of additional intracellular binding sites besides the canonical orthosteric binding pocket has been demonstrated for an increasing number of GPCRs. Allosteric modulators harnessing these pockets may represent valuable alternatives when targeting the orthosteric pocket is not successful for drug development. Starting from SBI-553, a recently discovered intracellular allosteric modulator for neurotensin receptor subtype 1 (NTSR1), we developed the fluorescent molecular probe 14. Compound 14 binds to NTSR1 with an affinity of 0.68 μM in the presence of the agonist NT(8-13). NanoBRET-based ligand binding assays with 14 were established to derive the affinity and structure-activity relationships for allosteric NTSR1 modulators in a direct and nonisotopic manner, thereby facilitating the search for and optimization of novel allosteric NTSR1 ligands. As a consequence of cooperativity between the ligands binding to the allosteric and orthosteric pocket, compound 14 can also be used to investigate orthosteric NTSR1 agonists and antagonists. Moreover, employing 14 as a probe in a drug library screening, we identified novel chemotypes as binders for the intracellular allosteric SBI-553 binding pocket of NTSR1 with single-digit micromolar affinity. These hits may serve as interesting starting points for the development of novel intracellular allosteric ligands for NTSR1 as a highly interesting yet unexploited drug target in the fields of pain and addiction disorder therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Vogt
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Shinkwin
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max E. Huber
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nico Staffen
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- FAU
NeW − Research Center New Bioactive Compounds, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiedel
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Institute
of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethovenstraße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dorothee Weikert
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- FAU
NeW − Research Center New Bioactive Compounds, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
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2
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Nagl M, Mönnich D, Rosier N, Schihada H, Sirbu A, Konar N, Reyes-Resina I, Navarro G, Franco R, Kolb P, Annibale P, Pockes S. Fluorescent Tools for the Imaging of Dopamine D 2 -Like Receptors. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300659. [PMID: 37942961 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300659] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The family of dopamine D2 -like receptors represents an interesting target for a variety of neurological diseases, e. g. Parkinson's disease (PD), addiction, or schizophrenia. In this study we describe the synthesis of a new set of fluorescent ligands as tools for visualization of dopamine D2 -like receptors. Pharmacological characterization in radioligand binding studies identified UR-MN212 (20) as a high-affinity ligand for D2 -like receptors (pKi (D2long R)=8.24, pKi (D3 R)=8.58, pKi (D4 R)=7.78) with decent selectivity towards D1 -like receptors. Compound 20 is a neutral antagonist in a Go1 activation assay at the D2long R, D3 R, and D4 R, which is an important feature for studies using whole cells. The neutral antagonist 20, equipped with a 5-TAMRA dye, displayed rapid association to the D2long R in binding studies using confocal microscopy demonstrating its suitability for fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, in molecular brightness studies, the ligand's binding affinity could be determined in a single-digit nanomolar range that was in good agreement with radioligand binding data. Therefore, the fluorescent compound can be used for quantitative characterization of native D2 -like receptors in a broad variety of experimental setups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Nagl
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Denise Mönnich
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Rosier
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexei Sirbu
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany
| | - Nergis Konar
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany
| | - Irene Reyes-Resina
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Franco
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter Kolb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paolo Annibale
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
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3
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Winer L, Motiei L, Margulies D. Fluorescent Investigation of Proteins Using DNA-Synthetic Ligand Conjugates. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1509-1522. [PMID: 37556353 PMCID: PMC10515487 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The unfathomable role that fluorescence detection plays in the life sciences has prompted the development of countless fluorescent labels, sensors, and analytical techniques that can be used to detect and image proteins or investigate their properties. Motivated by the demand for simple-to-produce, modular, and versatile fluorescent tools to study proteins, many research groups have harnessed the advantages of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) for scaffolding such probes. Tight control over the valency and position of protein binders and fluorescent dyes decorating the polynucleotide chain and the ability to predict molecular architectures through self-assembly, inherent solubility, and stability are, in a nutshell, the important properties of DNA probes. This paper reviews the progress in developing DNA-based, fluorescent sensors or labels that navigate toward their protein targets through small-molecule (SM) or peptide ligands. By describing the design, operating principles, and applications of such systems, we aim to highlight the versatility and modularity of this approach and the ability to use ODN-SM or ODN-peptide conjugates for various applications such as protein modification, labeling, and imaging, as well as for biomarker detection, protein surface characterization, and the investigation of multivalency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Winer
- Department of Chemical and
Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Leila Motiei
- Department of Chemical and
Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - David Margulies
- Department of Chemical and
Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
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4
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Hetzler B, Donthamsetti P, Peitsinis Z, Stanley C, Trauner D, Isacoff EY. Optical Control of Dopamine D2-like Receptors with Cell-Specific Fast-Relaxing Photoswitches. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:18778-18788. [PMID: 37586061 PMCID: PMC10472511 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine D2-like receptors (D2R, D3R, and D4R) control diverse physiological and behavioral functions and are important targets for the treatment of a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Their complex distribution and activation kinetics in the brain make it difficult to target specific receptor populations with sufficient precision. We describe a new toolkit of light-activatable, fast-relaxing, covalently taggable chemical photoswitches that fully activate, partially activate, or block D2-like receptors. This technology combines the spatiotemporal precision of a photoswitchable ligand (P) with cell type and spatial specificity of a genetically encoded membrane anchoring protein (M) to which the P tethers. These tools set the stage for targeting endogenous D2-like receptor signaling with molecular, cellular, and spatiotemporal precision using only one wavelength of light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda
E. Hetzler
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Prashant Donthamsetti
- Molecular
and Cell Biology, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Zisis Peitsinis
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Cherise Stanley
- Molecular
and Cell Biology, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Dirk Trauner
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational
Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ehud Y. Isacoff
- Molecular
and Cell Biology, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Helen
Wills Neuroscience Institute, University
of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Weill Neurohub, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Molecular
Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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5
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Huber ME, Wurnig S, Toy L, Weiler C, Merten N, Kostenis E, Hansen FK, Schiedel M. Fluorescent Ligands Enable Target Engagement Studies for the Intracellular Allosteric Binding Site of the Chemokine Receptor CXCR2. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37463496 PMCID: PMC10388362 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report the structure-based development of fluorescent ligands targeting the intracellular allosteric binding site (IABS) of CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that has been pursued as a drug target in oncology and inflammation. Starting from the cocrystallized intracellular CXCR2 antagonist 00767013 (1), tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)-labeled CXCR2 ligands were designed, synthesized, and tested for their suitability as fluorescent reporters to probe binding to the IABS of CXCR2. By means of these studies, we developed Mz438 (9a) as a high-affinity and selective fluorescent CXCR2 ligand, enabling cell-free as well as cellular NanoBRET-based binding studies in a nonisotopic and high-throughput manner. Further, we show that 9a can be used as a tool to visualize intracellular target engagement for CXCR2 via fluorescence microscopy. Thus, our small-molecule-based fluorescent CXCR2 ligand 9a represents a promising tool for future studies of CXCR2 pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max E Huber
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Silas Wurnig
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Lara Toy
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Corinna Weiler
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicole Merten
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Finn K Hansen
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethovenstraße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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6
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Hegron A, Peach CJ, Tonello R, Seemann P, Teng S, Latorre R, Huebner H, Weikert D, Rientjes J, Veldhuis NA, Poole DP, Jensen DD, Thomsen ARB, Schmidt BL, Imlach WL, Gmeiner P, Bunnett NW. Therapeutic antagonism of the neurokinin 1 receptor in endosomes provides sustained pain relief. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220979120. [PMID: 37216510 PMCID: PMC10235985 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220979120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis that sustained G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling from endosomes mediates pain is based on studies with endocytosis inhibitors and lipid-conjugated or nanoparticle-encapsulated antagonists targeted to endosomes. GPCR antagonists that reverse sustained endosomal signaling and nociception are needed. However, the criteria for rational design of such compounds are ill-defined. Moreover, the role of natural GPCR variants, which exhibit aberrant signaling and endosomal trafficking, in maintaining pain is unknown. Herein, substance P (SP) was found to evoke clathrin-mediated assembly of endosomal signaling complexes comprising neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), Gαq/i, and βarrestin-2. Whereas the FDA-approved NK1R antagonist aprepitant induced a transient disruption of endosomal signals, analogs of netupitant designed to penetrate membranes and persist in acidic endosomes through altered lipophilicity and pKa caused sustained inhibition of endosomal signals. When injected intrathecally to target spinal NK1R+ve neurons in knockin mice expressing human NK1R, aprepitant transiently inhibited nociceptive responses to intraplantar injection of capsaicin. Conversely, netupitant analogs had more potent, efficacious, and sustained antinociceptive effects. Mice expressing C-terminally truncated human NK1R, corresponding to a natural variant with aberrant signaling and trafficking, displayed attenuated SP-evoked excitation of spinal neurons and blunted nociceptive responses to SP. Thus, sustained antagonism of the NK1R in endosomes correlates with long-lasting antinociception, and domains within the C-terminus of the NK1R are necessary for the full pronociceptive actions of SP. The results support the hypothesis that endosomal signaling of GPCRs mediates nociception and provides insight into strategies for antagonizing GPCRs in intracellular locations for the treatment of diverse diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Hegron
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
| | - Chloe J. Peach
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
| | - Raquel Tonello
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
| | - Philipp Seemann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Shavonne Teng
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
| | - Rocco Latorre
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
| | - Harald Huebner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Weikert
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jeanette Rientjes
- Gene Modification Platform, Monash University, Clayton, VIC3168, Australia
| | - Nicholas A. Veldhuis
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
| | - Daniel P. Poole
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
| | - Dane D. Jensen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- NYU Dentistry Translational Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
| | - Alex R. B. Thomsen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
| | - Brian L. Schmidt
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- NYU Dentistry Translational Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
| | - Wendy L. Imlach
- Department of Physiology and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, VIC3800, Australia
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nigel W. Bunnett
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY10010
- Pain Research Center, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY10010
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7
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The chronological evolution of fluorescent GPCR probes for bioimaging. Coord Chem Rev 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2023.215040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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8
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de Bartolomeis A, Ciccarelli M, De Simone G, Mazza B, Barone A, Vellucci L. Canonical and Non-Canonical Antipsychotics' Dopamine-Related Mechanisms of Present and Next Generation Molecules: A Systematic Review on Translational Highlights for Treatment Response and Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065945. [PMID: 36983018 PMCID: PMC10051989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric illness affecting almost 25 million people worldwide and is conceptualized as a disorder of synaptic plasticity and brain connectivity. Antipsychotics are the primary pharmacological treatment after more than sixty years after their introduction in therapy. Two findings hold true for all presently available antipsychotics. First, all antipsychotics occupy the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) as an antagonist or partial agonist, even if with different affinity; second, D2R occupancy is the necessary and probably the sufficient mechanism for antipsychotic effect despite the complexity of antipsychotics' receptor profile. D2R occupancy is followed by coincident or divergent intracellular mechanisms, implying the contribution of cAMP regulation, β-arrestin recruitment, and phospholipase A activation, to quote some of the mechanisms considered canonical. However, in recent years, novel mechanisms related to dopamine function beyond or together with D2R occupancy have emerged. Among these potentially non-canonical mechanisms, the role of Na2+ channels at the dopamine at the presynaptic site, dopamine transporter (DAT) involvement as the main regulator of dopamine concentration at synaptic clefts, and the putative role of antipsychotics as chaperones for intracellular D2R sequestration, should be included. These mechanisms expand the fundamental role of dopamine in schizophrenia therapy and may have relevance to considering putatively new strategies for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), an extremely severe condition epidemiologically relevant and affecting almost 30% of schizophrenia patients. Here, we performed a critical evaluation of the role of antipsychotics in synaptic plasticity, focusing on their canonical and non-canonical mechanisms of action relevant to the treatment of schizophrenia and their subsequent implication for the pathophysiology and potential therapy of TRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Ciccarelli
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Simone
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Benedetta Mazza
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annarita Barone
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Licia Vellucci
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
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9
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Tahk MJ, Laasfeld T, Meriste E, Brea J, Loza MI, Majellaro M, Contino M, Sotelo E, Rinken A. Fluorescence based HTS-compatible ligand binding assays for dopamine D3 receptors in baculovirus preparations and live cells. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1119157. [PMID: 37006609 PMCID: PMC10062709 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1119157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors that are connected to severe neurological disorders. The development of new ligands targeting these receptors enables gaining a deeper insight into the receptor functioning, including binding mechanisms, kinetics and oligomerization. Novel fluorescent probes allow the development of more efficient, cheaper, reliable and scalable high-throughput screening systems, which speeds up the drug development process. In this study, we used a novel Cy3B labelled commercially available fluorescent ligand CELT-419 for developing dopamine D3 receptor-ligand binding assays with fluorescence polarization and quantitative live cell epifluorescence microscopy. The fluorescence anisotropy assay using 384-well plates achieved Z’ value of 0.71, which is suitable for high-throughput screening of ligand binding. The assay can also be used to determine the kinetics of both the fluorescent ligand as well as some reference unlabeled ligands. Furthermore, CELT-419 was also used with live HEK293-D3R cells in epifluorescence microscopy imaging for deep-learning-based ligand binding quantification. This makes CELT-419 quite a universal fluorescence probe which has the potential to be also used in more advanced microscopy techniques resulting in more comparable studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tõnis Laasfeld
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Elo Meriste
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jose Brea
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Loza
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | - Maria Majellaro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
- Celtarys Research S.L., Santiago, Spain
| | - Marialessandra Contino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Eddy Sotelo
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | - Ago Rinken
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- *Correspondence: Ago Rinken,
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10
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Juza R, Musilek K, Mezeiova E, Soukup O, Korabecny J. Recent advances in dopamine D 2 receptor ligands in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:55-211. [PMID: 36111795 DOI: 10.1002/med.21923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine is a biologically active amine synthesized in the central and peripheral nervous system. This biogenic monoamine acts by activating five types of dopamine receptors (D1-5 Rs), which belong to the G protein-coupled receptor family. Antagonists and partial agonists of D2 Rs are used to treat schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, depression, and anxiety. The typical pharmacophore with high D2 R affinity comprises four main areas, namely aromatic moiety, cyclic amine, central linker and aromatic/heteroaromatic lipophilic fragment. From the literature reviewed herein, we can conclude that 4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl), 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-, 4-(benzo[b]thiophen-4-yl)-1-substituted piperazine, and 4-(6-fluorobenzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl)piperidine moieties are critical for high D2 R affinity. Four to six atoms chains are optimal for D2 R affinity with 4-butoxyl as the most pronounced one. The bicyclic aromatic/heteroaromatic systems are most frequently occurring as lipophilic appendages to retain high D2 R affinity. In this review, we provide a thorough overview of the therapeutic potential of D2 R modulators in the treatment of the aforementioned disorders. In addition, this review summarizes current knowledge about these diseases, with a focus on the dopaminergic pathway underlying these pathologies. Major attention is paid to the structure, function, and pharmacology of novel D2 R ligands, which have been developed in the last decade (2010-2021), and belong to the 1,4-disubstituted aromatic cyclic amine group. Due to the abundance of data, allosteric D2 R ligands and D2 R modulators from patents are not discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radomir Juza
- Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Musilek
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Mezeiova
- Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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11
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Alexander TI, Tasma Z, Siow A, Rees TA, Brimble MA, Harris PWR, Hay DL, Walker CS. Novel Fluorescently Labeled PACAP and VIP Highlight Differences between Peptide Internalization and Receptor Pharmacology. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 6:52-64. [PMID: 36654758 PMCID: PMC9841777 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The related peptides pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) have diverse biological functions in peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. Therefore, these peptides and their three receptors represent potential drug targets for several conditions, including neurological and pain-related disorders. However, very little is known about how these peptides regulate their receptors through processes such as internalization. Therefore, we developed tools to study receptor regulation through the synthesis of fluorescently labeled analogues of PACAP-38, PACAP-27, and VIP using copper-mediated 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the Cy5 fluorophore. The functionality of Cy5-labeled peptides at their receptors was confirmed in cAMP accumulation assays. Internalization of the Cy5-labeled peptides was then examined and quantified at two distinct PAC1 receptor splice variants, VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors in transfected cells. All labeled peptides were functional, exhibiting comparable cAMP pharmacology to their unlabeled counterparts and underwent internalization in a time-dependent manner. Temporal differences in the internalization profiles were observed between Cy5-labeled peptides at the PAC1n, PAC1s, VPAC1, and VPAC2 receptors. Interestingly, the pattern of Cy5-labeled peptide activity differed for cAMP accumulation and internalization, indicating that these peptides differentially stimulate cAMP accumulation and internalization and therefore display biased agonism. This novel insight into PACAP-responsive receptor signaling and internalization may provide a unique avenue for future therapeutic development. The fluorescently labeled PACAP and VIP peptides described herein, which we validated as tools to study receptor internalization, will have utility across a broad range of applications and provide greater insight into this receptor family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyla I. Alexander
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University
of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand,Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Zoe Tasma
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand,School
of Biological Sciences, The University of
Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Siow
- School
of Chemical Sciences, The University of
Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Tayla A. Rees
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand,School
of Biological Sciences, The University of
Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Margaret A. Brimble
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand,School
of Chemical Sciences, The University of
Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Paul W. R. Harris
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand,School
of Chemical Sciences, The University of
Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Debbie L. Hay
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University
of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand,Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Christopher S. Walker
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand,School
of Biological Sciences, The University of
Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand,
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12
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Toy L, Huber ME, Schmidt MF, Weikert D, Schiedel M. Fluorescent Ligands Targeting the Intracellular Allosteric Binding Site of the Chemokine Receptor CCR2. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2142-2152. [PMID: 35838163 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescently labeled ligands are versatile molecular tools to study G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and can be used for a range of different applications, including bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays. Here, we report the structure-based development of fluorescent ligands targeting the intracellular allosteric binding site (IABS) of the CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), a class A GPCR that has been pursued as a drug target in oncology and inflammation. Starting from previously reported intracellular CCR2 antagonists, several tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)-labeled CCR2 ligands were designed, synthesized, and tested for their suitability as fluorescent reporters to probe binding to the IABS of CCR2. By means of these studies, we developed 14 as a fluorescent CCR2 ligand, enabling cell-free as well as cellular NanoBRET-based binding studies in a non-isotopic and high-throughput manner. Further, we show that 14 can be used as a tool for fragment-based screening approaches. Thus, our small-molecule-based fluorescent CCR2 ligand 14 represents a promising tool for future studies of CCR2 pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Toy
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max E Huber
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian F Schmidt
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Weikert
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
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13
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BOPPY-based novel fluorescent dopamine D2 and D3 receptor ligands. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 59:128573. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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14
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Optimizing the Expression of Human Dopamine Receptors in Escherichia coli. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168647. [PMID: 34445358 PMCID: PMC8395450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human dopamine receptors D2S and D3 belong to the group of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are important drug targets. Structural analyses and development of new receptor subtype specific drugs have been impeded by low expression yields or receptor instability. Fusing the T4 lysozyme into the intracellular loop 3 improves crystallization but complicates conformational studies. To circumvent these problems, we expressed the human D2S and D3 receptors in Escherichia coli using different N- and C-terminal fusion proteins and thermostabilizing mutations. We optimized expression times and used radioligand binding assays with whole cells and membrane homogenates to evaluate KD-values and the number of receptors in the cell membrane. We show that the presence but not the type of a C-terminal fusion protein is important. Bacteria expressing receptors capable of ligand binding can be selected using FACS analysis and a fluorescently labeled ligand. Improved receptor variants can thus be generated using error-prone PCR. Subsequent analysis of clones showed the distribution of mutations over the whole gene. Repeated cycles of PCR and FACS can be applied for selecting highly expressing receptor variants with high affinity ligand binding, which in the future can be used for analytical studies.
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15
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Rosier N, Grätz L, Schihada H, Möller J, Işbilir A, Humphrys LJ, Nagl M, Seibel U, Lohse MJ, Pockes S. A Versatile Sub-Nanomolar Fluorescent Ligand Enables NanoBRET Binding Studies and Single-Molecule Microscopy at the Histamine H 3 Receptor. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11695-11708. [PMID: 34309390 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The histamine H3 receptor (H3R) is considered an attractive drug target for various neurological diseases. We here report the synthesis of UR-NR266, a novel fluorescent H3R ligand. Broad pharmacological characterization revealed UR-NR266 as a sub-nanomolar compound at the H3R with an exceptional selectivity profile within the histamine receptor family. The presented neutral antagonist showed fast association to its target and complete dissociation in kinetic binding studies. Detailed characterization of standard H3R ligands in NanoBRET competition binding using UR-NR266 highlights its value as a versatile pharmacological tool to analyze future H3R ligands. The low nonspecific binding observed in all experiments could also be verified in TIRF and confocal microscopy. This fluorescent probe allows the highly specific analysis of native H3R in various assays ranging from optical high throughput technologies to biophysical analyses and single-molecule studies in its natural environment. An off-target screening at 14 receptors revealed UR-NR266 as a selective compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Rosier
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Lukas Grätz
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Dept. of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 1, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | - Jan Möller
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, Würzburg 97070, Germany
| | - Ali Işbilir
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, Würzburg 97070, Germany
| | - Laura J Humphrys
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Martin Nagl
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Ulla Seibel
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Martin J Lohse
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, Würzburg 97070, Germany.,ISAR Bioscience Institute, Semmelweisstraße 5, Planegg 82152, Germany
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
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