1
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Zha J, He J, Wu C, Zhang M, Liu X, Zhang J. Designing drugs and chemical probes with the dualsteric approach. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:8651-8677. [PMID: 37990599 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00650f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, drugs are monovalent, targeting only one site on the protein surface. This includes orthosteric and allosteric drugs, which bind the protein at orthosteric and allosteric sites, respectively. Orthosteric drugs are good in potency, whereas allosteric drugs have better selectivity and are solutions to classically undruggable targets. However, it would be difficult to simultaneously reach high potency and selectivity when targeting only one site. Also, both kinds of monovalent drugs suffer from mutation-caused drug resistance. To overcome these obstacles, dualsteric modulators have been proposed in the past twenty years. Compared to orthosteric or allosteric drugs, dualsteric modulators are bivalent (or bitopic) with two pharmacophores. Each of the two pharmacophores bind the protein at the orthosteric and an allosteric site, which could bring the modulator with special properties beyond monovalent drugs. In this study, we comprehensively review the current development of dualsteric modulators. Our main effort reason and illustrate the aims to apply the dualsteric approach, including a "double win" of potency and selectivity, overcoming mutation-caused drug resistance, developments of function-biased modulators, and design of partial agonists. Moreover, the strengths of the dualsteric technique also led to its application outside pharmacy, including the design of highly sensitive fluorescent tracers and usage as molecular rulers. Besides, we also introduced drug targets, designing strategies, and validation methods of dualsteric modulators. Finally, we detail the conclusions and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyin Zha
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jixiao He
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengwei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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2
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Asadollahi K, Rajput S, de Zhang LA, Ang CS, Nie S, Williamson NA, Griffin MDW, Bathgate RAD, Scott DJ, Weikl TR, Jameson GNL, Gooley PR. Unravelling the mechanism of neurotensin recognition by neurotensin receptor 1. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8155. [PMID: 38071229 PMCID: PMC10710507 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The conformational ensembles of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) include inactive and active states. Spectroscopy techniques, including NMR, show that agonists, antagonists and other ligands shift the ensemble toward specific states depending on the pharmacological efficacy of the ligand. How receptors recognize ligands and the kinetic mechanism underlying this population shift is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the kinetic mechanism of neurotensin recognition by neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) using 19F-NMR, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results indicate slow-exchanging conformational heterogeneity on the extracellular surface of ligand-bound NTS1. Numerical analysis of the kinetic data of neurotensin binding to NTS1 shows that ligand recognition follows an induced-fit mechanism, in which conformational changes occur after neurotensin binding. This approach is applicable to other GPCRs to provide insight into the kinetic regulation of ligand recognition by GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Asadollahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Sunnia Rajput
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Lazarus Andrew de Zhang
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Williamson
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Thomas R Weikl
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Guy N L Jameson
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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3
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Asadollahi K, Rajput S, Jameson GNL, Scott DJ, Gooley PR. Encounter Complexes Between the N-terminal of Neurotensin with the Extracellular Loop 2 of the Neurotensin Receptor 1 Steer Neurotensin to the Orthosteric Binding Pocket. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168244. [PMID: 37625583 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168244] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a linear disordered peptide that activates two different class A GPCRs, neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) and NTS2. Resolved structures of the complex of the C-terminal fragment of NT, NT8-13, with NTS1 shows the peptide takes a well-defined structure in the bound state. However, the mechanisms underlying NT recognition of NTS1, and the conformational transition of NT upon binding NTS1 is an open question that if answered may aid discovery of highly selective drugs and reveal potential secondary binding sites on the surface of the receptor. Herein we investigated the interactions guiding NT to the orthosteric binding pocket of NTS1 by combining NMR experiments with kinetic analysis of the binding pathway using stopped-flow fluorescence and mutagenesis on both NT and NTS1. We show the presence of transient structures in the middle part of NT that kinetically regulate the binding of NT to NTS1. Moreover, our results indicate that the binding pathway of NT onto NTS1 is mediated via electrostatic interactions between the N-terminal region of NT with the extracellular loop 2 of NTS1. These interactions induce backbone conformational changes in neurotensin similar to the bound-state neurotensin, suggesting that the N-terminal region of NT and these interactions should be considered for development of selective drugs against NTS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Asadollahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. https://twitter.com/@KazemAsadollahi
| | - Sunnia Rajput
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Guy N L Jameson
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
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4
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Tosh D, Fisher CL, Salmaso V, Wan TC, Campbell RG, Chen E, Gao ZG, Auchampach JA, Jacobson KA. First Potent Macrocyclic A 3 Adenosine Receptor Agonists Reveal G-Protein and β-Arrestin2 Signaling Preferences. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1288-1305. [PMID: 37705595 PMCID: PMC10496144 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00126] [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: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
(N)-Methanocarba adenosine derivatives (A3 adenosine receptor (AR) agonists containing bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane replacing furanose) were chain-extended at N6 and C2 positions with terminal alkenes for ring closure. The resulting macrocycles of 17-20 atoms retained affinity, indicating a spatially proximal orientation of these receptor-bound chains, consistent with molecular modeling of 12. C2-Arylethynyl-linked macrocycle 19 was more A3AR-selective than 2-ether-linked macrocycle 12 (both 5'-methylamides, human (h) A3AR affinities (Ki): 22.1 and 25.8 nM, respectively), with lower mouse A3AR affinities. Functional hA3AR comparison of two sets of open/closed analogues in β-arrestin2 and Gi/o protein assays showed certain signaling preferences divergent from reference agonist Cl-IB-MECA 1. The potencies of 1 at all three Gαi isoforms were slightly less than its hA3AR binding affinity (Ki: 1.4 nM), while the Gαi1 and Gαi2 potencies of macrocycle 12 were roughly an order of magnitude higher than its radioligand binding affinity. Gαi2-coupling was enhanced in macrocycle 12 (EC50 2.56 nM, ∼40% greater maximal efficacy than 1). Di-O-allyl precursor 18 cyclized to form 19, increasing the Gαi1 potency by 7.5-fold. The macrocycles 12 and 19 and their open precursors 11 and 18 potently stimulated β-arrestin2 recruitment, with EC50 values (nM) of 5.17, 4.36, 1.30, and 4.35, respectively, and with nearly 50% greater efficacy compared to 1. This example of macrocyclization altering the coupling pathways of small-molecule (nonpeptide) GPCR agonists is the first for potent and selective macrocyclic AR agonists. These initial macrocyclic derivatives can serve as a guide for the future design of macrocyclic AR agonists displaying unanticipated pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip
K. Tosh
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Disease, National Institutes
of Health, 9000 Rockville
Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Courtney L. Fisher
- Department
of Pharmacology & Toxicology and the Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
| | - Veronica Salmaso
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Disease, National Institutes
of Health, 9000 Rockville
Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
- Molecular
Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological
Sciences, University of Padua, Padua 35131, Italy
| | - Tina C. Wan
- Department
of Pharmacology & Toxicology and the Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
| | - Ryan G. Campbell
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Disease, National Institutes
of Health, 9000 Rockville
Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Eric Chen
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Disease, National Institutes
of Health, 9000 Rockville
Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Zhan-Guo Gao
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Disease, National Institutes
of Health, 9000 Rockville
Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - John A. Auchampach
- Department
of Pharmacology & Toxicology and the Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
| | - Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Disease, National Institutes
of Health, 9000 Rockville
Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
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5
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Gogarnoiu ES, Vogt CD, Sanchez J, Bonifazi A, Saab E, Shaik AB, Soler-Cedeño O, Bi GH, Klein B, Xi ZX, Lane JR, Newman AH. Dopamine D 3/D 2 Receptor Ligands Based on Cariprazine for the Treatment of Psychostimulant Use Disorders That May Be Dual Diagnosed with Affective Disorders. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1809-1834. [PMID: 36661568 PMCID: PMC11100975 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01624] [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] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Highly selective dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) partial agonists/antagonists have been developed for the treatment of psychostimulant use disorders (PSUD). However, none have reached the clinic due to insufficient potency/efficacy or potential cardiotoxicity. Cariprazine, an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is a high-affinity D3R partial agonist (Ki = 0.22 nM) with 3.6-fold selectivity over the homologous dopamine D2 receptor (D2R). We hypothesized that compounds that are moderately D3R/D2R-selective partial agonists/antagonists may be effective for the treatment of PSUD. By systematically modifying the parent molecule, we discovered partial agonists/antagonists, as measured in bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based assays, with high D3R affinities (Ki = 0.14-50 nM) and moderate selectivity (<100-fold) over D2R. Cariprazine and two lead analogues, 13a and 13e, decreased cocaine self-administration (FR2; 1-10 mg/kg, i.p.) in rats, suggesting that partial agonists/antagonists with modest D3R/D2R selectivity may be effective in treating PSUD and potentially comorbidities with other affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma S. Gogarnoiu
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Caleb D. Vogt
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Julie Sanchez
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
- Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands NG2 7AG, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Bonifazi
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Elizabeth Saab
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Anver Basha Shaik
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Omar Soler-Cedeño
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Guo-Hua Bi
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Benjamin Klein
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - J. Robert Lane
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
- Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands NG2 7AG, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
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6
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Egyed A, Kiss DJ, Keserű GM. The Impact of the Secondary Binding Pocket on the Pharmacology of Class A GPCRs. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:847788. [PMID: 35355719 PMCID: PMC8959758 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.847788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are considered important therapeutic targets due to their pathophysiological significance and pharmacological relevance. Class A receptors represent the largest group of GPCRs that gives the highest number of validated drug targets. Endogenous ligands bind to the orthosteric binding pocket (OBP) embedded in the intrahelical space of the receptor. During the last 10 years, however, it has been turned out that in many receptors there is secondary binding pocket (SBP) located in the extracellular vestibule that is much less conserved. In some cases, it serves as a stable allosteric site harbouring allosteric ligands that modulate the pharmacology of orthosteric binders. In other cases it is used by bitopic compounds occupying both the OBP and SBP. In these terms, SBP binding moieties might influence the pharmacology of the bitopic ligands. Together with others, our research group showed that SBP binders contribute significantly to the affinity, selectivity, functional activity, functional selectivity and binding kinetics of bitopic ligands. Based on these observations we developed a structure-based protocol for designing bitopic compounds with desired pharmacological profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Egyed
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Judit Kiss
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
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7
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Di Martino RMC, Cavalli A, Bottegoni G. Dopamine D3 receptor ligands: a patent review (2014-2020). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:605-627. [PMID: 35235753 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2049240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Compelling evidence identified D3 dopamine receptor (D3R) as a suitable target for therapeutic intervention on CNS-associated disorders, cancer and other conditions. Several efforts have been made toward developing potent and selective ligands for modulating signalling pathways operated by these GPCRs. The rational design of D3R ligands endowed with a pharmacologically relevant profile has traditionally not encountered much support from computational methods due to a very limited knowledge of the receptor structure and of its conformational dynamics. We believe that recent progress in structural biology will change this state of affairs in the next decade. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of the recent (2014-2020) patent literature on novel classes of D3R ligands developed within the framework of CNS-related diseases, cancer and additional conditions. When possible, an in-depth description of both in vitro and in vivo generated data is presented. New therapeutic applications of known molecules with activity at D3R are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Building on current knowledge, future D3R-focused drug discovery campaigns will be propelled by a combination of unprecedented availability of structural information with advanced computational and analytical methods. The design of D3R ligands with the sought activity, efficacy and selectivity profile will become increasingly more streamlined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-Bologna University, via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bottegoni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Urbino University "Carlo Bo", Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029, Urbino, Italy.,Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK
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8
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Nicoli A, Dunkel A, Giorgino T, de Graaf C, Di Pizio A. Classification Model for the Second Extracellular Loop of Class A GPCRs. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:511-522. [PMID: 35113559 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) is the longest and the most diverse loop among class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). It connects the transmembrane (TM) helices 4 and 5 and contains a highly conserved cysteine through which it is bridged with TM3. In this paper, experimental ECL2 structures were analyzed based on their sequences, shapes, and intramolecular contacts. To take into account the flexibility, we incorporated into our analyses information from the molecular dynamics trajectories available on the GPCRmd website. Despite the high sequence variability, shapes of the analyzed structures, defined by the backbone volume overlaps, can be clustered into seven main groups. Conformational differences within the clusters can be then identified by intramolecular interactions with other GPCR structural domains. Overall, our work provides a reorganization of the structural information of the ECL2 of class A GPCR subfamilies, highlighting differences and similarities on sequence and conformation levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Nicoli
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Andreas Dunkel
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Toni Giorgino
- Biophysics Institute, National Research Council (CNR-IBF), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chris de Graaf
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, U.K
| | - Antonella Di Pizio
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
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9
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Kiss B, Krámos B, Laszlovszky I. Potential Mechanisms for Why Not All Antipsychotics Are Able to Occupy Dopamine D 3 Receptors in the Brain in vivo. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:785592. [PMID: 35401257 PMCID: PMC8987915 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.785592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunctions of the dopaminergic system are believed to play a major role in the core symptoms of schizophrenia such as positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. The first line of treatment of schizophrenia are antipsychotics, a class of medications that targets several neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, including dopaminergic, serotonergic, adrenergic and/or muscarinic receptors, depending on the given agent. Although the currently used antipsychotics display in vitro activity at several receptors, majority of them share the common property of having high/moderate in vitro affinity for dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) and D3 receptors (D3Rs). In terms of mode of action, these antipsychotics are either antagonist or partial agonist at the above-mentioned receptors. Although D2Rs and D3Rs possess high degree of homology in their molecular structure, have common signaling pathways and similar in vitro pharmacology, they have different in vivo pharmacology and therefore behavioral roles. The aim of this review, with summarizing preclinical and clinical evidence is to demonstrate that while currently used antipsychotics display substantial in vitro affinity for both D3Rs and D2Rs, only very few can significantly occupy D3Rs in vivo. The relative importance of the level of endogenous extracellular dopamine in the brain and the degree of in vitro D3Rs receptor affinity and selectivity as determinant factors for in vivo D3Rs occupancy by antipsychotics, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béla Kiss
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Krámos
- Spectroscopic Research Department, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
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10
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Meijer FA, Oerlemans GJ, Brunsveld L. Orthosteric and Allosteric Dual Targeting of the Nuclear Receptor RORγt with a Bitopic Ligand. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:510-519. [PMID: 33596047 PMCID: PMC8023582 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The RORγt nuclear
receptor (NR) is of critical importance
for the differentiation and proliferation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells
and their production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17a. Dysregulation
of RORγt has been linked to various autoimmune diseases, and
small molecule inhibition of RORγt is therefore an attractive
strategy to treat these diseases. RORγt is a unique NR in that
it contains both a canonical, orthosteric and a second, allosteric
ligand binding site in its ligand binding domain (LBD). Hence, dual
targeting of both binding pockets constitutes an attractive alternative
molecular entry for pharmacological modulation. Here, we report a
chemical biology approach to develop a bitopic ligand for the RORγt
NR, enabling concomitant engagement of both binding pockets. Three
candidate bitopic ligands, Bit-L15, Bit-L9, and Bit-L4, comprising an orthosteric and allosteric
RORγt pharmacophore linked via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker,
were designed, synthesized, and evaluated to examine the influence
of linker length on the RORγt binding mode. Bit-L15 and Bit-L9 show convincing evidence of concomitant
engagement of both RORγt binding pockets, while the shorter Bit-L4 does not show this evidence, as was anticipated during
the ligand design. As the most potent bitopic RORγt ligand, Bit-L15, antagonizes RORγt function in a potent manner
in both a biochemical and cellular context. Furthermore, Bit-L15 displays an increased selectivity for RORγt over RORα
and PPARγ compared to the purely orthosteric and allosteric
parent compounds. Combined, these results highlight potential advantages
of bitopic NR modulation over monovalent targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke A. Meijer
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, Eindhoven, 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Guido J.M. Oerlemans
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, Eindhoven, 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, Eindhoven, 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
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