1
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Duan J, He XH, Li SJ, Xu HE. Cryo-electron microscopy for GPCR research and drug discovery in endocrinology and metabolism. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:349-365. [PMID: 38424377 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-024-00957-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface receptors, with many GPCRs having crucial roles in endocrinology and metabolism. Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has revolutionized the field of structural biology, particularly regarding GPCRs, over the past decade. Since the first pair of GPCR structures resolved by cryo-EM were published in 2017, the number of GPCR structures resolved by cryo-EM has surpassed the number resolved by X-ray crystallography by 30%, reaching >650, and the number has doubled every ~0.63 years for the past 6 years. At this pace, it is predicted that the structure of 90% of all human GPCRs will be completed within the next 5-7 years. This Review highlights the general structural features and principles that guide GPCR ligand recognition, receptor activation, G protein coupling, arrestin recruitment and regulation by GPCR kinases. The Review also highlights the diversity of GPCR allosteric binding sites and how allosteric ligands could dictate biased signalling that is selective for a G protein pathway or an arrestin pathway. Finally, the authors use the examples of glycoprotein hormone receptors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor to illustrate the effect of cryo-EM on understanding GPCR biology in endocrinology and metabolism, as well as on GPCR-related endocrine diseases and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Duan
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xin-Heng He
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - H Eric Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Dumitraş D, Dalmau D, García-Orduña P, Pop A, Silvestru A, Urriolabeitia EP. Orthopalladated imidazolones and thiazolones: synthesis, photophysical properties and photochemical reactivity. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:8948-8957. [PMID: 38727513 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00730a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The reaction of Pd(OAc)2 with (Z)-5-arylidene-4-(4H)-imidazolones (2a-e) and (Z)-4-arylidene-5(4H)-thiazolones (3a-e) in trifluoroacetic acid results in the corresponding orthopalladated dinuclear complexes (4a-e, imidazolones; 11a-d, thiazolones) with trifluoroacetate bridges through regioselective C-H activation at the ortho position of the 4-arylidene group. Compound 4e, which contains an imidazolone substituted at 2- and 4-positions of the arylidene ring with methoxide groups and exhibits strong push-pull charge transfer, is an excellent precursor for the synthesis of fluorescent complexes with green yellowish emission and remarkable quantum yields. Breaking the bridging system with pyridine yields the mononuclear complex 5e (ΦF = 5%), while metathesis of trifluoroacetate ligands with chloride leads to the dinuclear complex 6e, also a precursor of fluorescent complexes by breaking the chloride bridging system with pyridine (7e, ΦF = 7%), or by substitution of chloride ligands with pyridine (8e, ΦF = 15%) or acetylacetonate (9e, ΦF = 2%). In addition to notable photophysical properties, dinuclear complexes 4 and 11 also exhibit significant photochemical reactivity. Thus, irradiation of orthopalladates 4a-c and 11a-c in CH2Cl2 with blue light (465 nm) proceeds via [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of the CC double bonds of imidazolone and thiazolone ligands, yielding the corresponding cyclobutane-bridging diaminotruxillic derivatives 10a-c and 12a-c, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darius Dumitraş
- Supramolecular Organic and Organometallic Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, Arany Janos 11, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - David Dalmau
- Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea, ISQCH, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Pilar García-Orduña
- Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea, ISQCH, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Alexandra Pop
- Supramolecular Organic and Organometallic Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, Arany Janos 11, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca Silvestru
- Supramolecular Organic and Organometallic Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, Arany Janos 11, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Esteban P Urriolabeitia
- Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea, ISQCH, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
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3
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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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4
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Lei S, Meng Q, Liu Y, Liu Q, Dai A, Cai X, Wang MW, Zhou Q, Zhou H, Yang D. Distinct roles of the extracellular surface residues of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor in β-arrestin 1/2 signaling. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 968:176419. [PMID: 38360293 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a prime drug target for type 2 diabetes and obesity. The ligand initiated GLP-1R interaction with G protein has been well studied, but not with β-arrestin 1/2. Therefore, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), mutagenesis and an operational model were used to evaluate the roles of 85 extracellular surface residues on GLP-1R in β-arrestin 1/2 recruitment triggered by three representative GLP-1R agonists (GLP-1, exendin-4 and oxyntomodulin). Residues selectively regulated β-arrestin 1/2 recruitment for diverse ligands, and β-arrestin isoforms were identified. Mutation of residues K130-S136, L142 and Y145 on the transmembrane helix 1 (TM1)-extracellular domain (ECD) linker decreased β-arrestin 1 recruitment but increased β-arrestin 2 recruitment. Other extracellular loop (ECL) mutations, including P137A, Q211A, D222A and M303A selectively affected β-arrestin 1 recruitment while D215A, L217A, Q221A, S223A, Y289A, S301A, F381A and I382A involved more in β-arrestin 2 recruitment for the ligands. Oxyntomodulin engaged more broadly with GLP-1R extracellular surface to drive β-arrestin 1/2 recruitment than GLP-1 and exendin-4; I147, W214 and L218 involved in β-arrestin 1 recruitment, while L141, D215, L218, D293 and F381 in β-arrestin 2 recruitment for oxyntomodulin particularly. Additionally, the non-conserved residues on β-arrestin 1/2 C-domains contributed to interaction with GLP-1R. Further proteomic profiling of GLP-1R stably expressed cell line upon ligand stimulation with or without β-arrestin 1/2 overexpression demonstrated both commonly and biasedly regulated proteins and pathways associated with cognate ligands and β-arrestins. Our study offers valuable information about ligand induced β-arrestin recruitment mediated by GLP-1R and consequent intracellular signaling events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saifei Lei
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Qian Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yanyun Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qiaofeng Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Antao Dai
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiaoqing Cai
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China; Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan; School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Qingtong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China.
| | - Hu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Dehua Yang
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China.
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5
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Cong Z, Zhao F, Li Y, Luo G, Mai Y, Chen X, Chen Y, Lin S, Cai X, Zhou Q, Yang D, Wang MW. Molecular features of the ligand-free GLP-1R, GCGR and GIPR in complex with G s proteins. Cell Discov 2024; 10:18. [PMID: 38346960 PMCID: PMC10861504 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00649-0] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important regulators of many physiological functions such as glucose homeostasis, which is mainly mediated by three peptide hormones, i.e., glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucagon (GCG), and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). They trigger a cascade of signaling events leading to the formation of an active agonist-receptor-G protein complex. However, intracellular signal transducers can also activate the receptor independent of extracellular stimuli, suggesting an intrinsic role of G proteins in this process. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of the human GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), GCG receptor (GCGR), and GIP receptor (GIPR) in complex with Gs proteins without the presence of cognate ligands. These ligand-free complexes share a similar intracellular architecture to those bound by endogenous peptides, in which, the Gs protein alone directly opens the intracellular binding cavity and rewires the extracellular orthosteric pocket to stabilize the receptor in a state unseen before. While the peptide-binding site is partially occupied by the inward folded transmembrane helix 6 (TM6)-extracellular loop 3 (ECL3) juncture of GIPR or a segment of GCGR ECL2, the extracellular portion of GLP-1R adopts a conformation close to the active state. Our findings offer valuable insights into the distinct activation mechanisms of these three important receptors. It is possible that in the absence of a ligand, the intracellular half of transmembrane domain is mobilized with the help of Gs protein, which in turn rearranges the extracellular half to form a transitional conformation, facilitating the entry of the peptide N-terminus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaotong Cong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fenghui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Li
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiting Mai
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Xianyue Chen
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Yanyan Chen
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Shi Lin
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingtong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China.
| | - Dehua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China.
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China.
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
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6
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Zhao LH, He Q, Yuan Q, Gu Y, He X, Shan H, Li J, Wang K, Li Y, Hu W, Wu K, Shen J, Xu HE. Conserved class B GPCR activation by a biased intracellular agonist. Nature 2023; 621:635-641. [PMID: 37524305 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06467-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Class B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) and parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R), are important drug targets1-5. Injectable peptide drugs targeting these receptors have been developed, but orally available small-molecule drugs remain under development6,7. Here we report the high-resolution structure of human PTH1R in complex with the stimulatory G protein (Gs) and a small-molecule agonist, PCO371, which reveals an unexpected binding mode of PCO371 at the cytoplasmic interface of PTH1R with Gs. The PCO371-binding site is totally different from all binding sites previously reported for small molecules or peptide ligands in GPCRs. The residues that make up the PCO371-binding pocket are conserved in class B GPCRs, and a single alteration in PTH2R and two residue alterations in GLP1R convert these receptors to respond to PCO371. Functional assays reveal that PCO371 is a G-protein-biased agonist that is defective in promoting PTH1R-mediated arrestin signalling. Together, these results uncover a distinct binding site for designing small-molecule agonists for PTH1R and possibly other members of the class B GPCRs and define a receptor conformation that is specific only for G-protein activation but not arrestin signalling. These insights should facilitate the design of distinct types of class B GPCR small-molecule agonist for various therapeutic indications.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Arrestin/metabolism
- Binding Sites
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/metabolism
- Imidazolidines/pharmacology
- Ligands
- Peptides/pharmacology
- Protein Conformation
- Receptor, Parathyroid Hormone, Type 1/agonists
- Receptor, Parathyroid Hormone, Type 1/classification
- Receptor, Parathyroid Hormone, Type 1/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/agonists
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/classification
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Spiro Compounds/pharmacology
- Drug Design
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Qian He
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingning Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Junrui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - H Eric Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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7
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Li Y, Zhou Q, Dai A, Zhao F, Chang R, Ying T, Wu B, Yang D, Wang MW, Cong Z. Structural analysis of the dual agonism at GLP-1R and GCGR. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303696120. [PMID: 37549266 PMCID: PMC10438375 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303696120] [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: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR), two members of class B1 G protein-coupled receptors, play important roles in glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. They share a high degree of sequence homology but have different functionalities. Unimolecular dual agonists of both receptors developed recently displayed better clinical efficacies than that of monotherapy. To study the underlying molecular mechanisms, we determined high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of GLP-1R or GCGR in complex with heterotrimeric Gs protein and three GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonists including peptide 15, MEDI0382 (cotadutide) and SAR425899 with variable activating profiles at GLP-1R versus GCGR. Compared with related structures reported previously and supported by our published pharmacological data, key residues responsible for ligand recognition and dual agonism were identified. Analyses of peptide conformational features revealed a difference in side chain orientations within the first three residues, indicating that distinct engagements in the deep binding pocket are required to achieve receptor selectivity. The middle region recognizes extracellular loop 1 (ECL1), ECL2, and the top of transmembrane helix 1 (TM1) resulting in specific conformational changes of both ligand and receptor, especially the dual agonists reshaped ECL1 conformation of GLP-1R relative to that of GCGR, suggesting an important role of ECL1 interaction in executing dual agonism. Structural investigation of lipid modification showed a better interaction between lipid moiety of MEDI0382 and TM1-TM2 cleft, in line with its increased potency at GCGR than SAR425899. Together, the results provide insightful information for the design and development of improved therapeutics targeting these two receptors simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Qingtong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Antao Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Fenghui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Rulue Chang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Tianlei Ying
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Beili Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Dehua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan572025, China
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan572025, China
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo113-0033, Japan
- School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical College, Haikou570228, China
| | - Zhaotong Cong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
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8
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Wan W, Qin Q, Xie L, Zhang H, Wu F, Stevens RC, Liu Y. GLP-1R Signaling and Functional Molecules in Incretin Therapy. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28020751. [PMID: 36677809 PMCID: PMC9866634 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a critical therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The GLP-1R cellular signaling mechanism relevant to insulin secretion and blood glucose regulation has been extensively studied. Numerous drugs targeting GLP-1R have entered clinical treatment. However, novel functional molecules with reduced side effects and enhanced therapeutic efficacy are still in high demand. In this review, we summarize the basis of GLP-1R cellular signaling, and how it is involved in the treatment of T2DM. We review the functional molecules of incretin therapy in various stages of clinical trials. We also outline the current strategies and emerging techniques that are furthering the development of novel therapeutic drugs for T2DM and other metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwei Wan
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qikai Qin
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Linshan Xie
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hanqing Zhang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Structure Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Raymond C. Stevens
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Structure Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Correspondence: (R.C.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yan Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Correspondence: (R.C.S.); (Y.L.)
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Cary BP, Zhang X, Cao J, Johnson RM, Piper SJ, Gerrard EJ, Wootten D, Sexton PM. New insights into the structure and function of class B1 GPCRs. Endocr Rev 2022; 44:492-517. [PMID: 36546772 PMCID: PMC10166269 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface receptors. Class B1 GPCRs constitute a subfamily of 15 receptors that characteristically contain large extracellular domains (ECDs) and respond to long polypeptide hormones. Class B1 GPCRs are critical regulators of homeostasis, and as such, many are important drug targets. While most transmembrane proteins, including GPCRs, are recalcitrant to crystallization, recent advances in electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) have facilitated a rapid expansion of the structural understanding of membrane proteins. As a testament to this success, structures for all the class B1 receptors bound to G proteins have been determined by cryo-EM in the past five years. Further advances in cryo-EM have uncovered dynamics of these receptors, ligands, and signalling partners. Here, we examine the recent structural underpinnings of the class B1 GPCRs with an emphasis on structure-function relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Cary
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Xin Zhang
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Jianjun Cao
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Rachel M Johnson
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah J Piper
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Elliot J Gerrard
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Denise Wootten
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Patrick M Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
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Deciphering the conformational landscape of few selected aromatic noncoded amino acids (NCAAs) for applications in rational design of peptide therapeutics. Amino Acids 2022; 54:1183-1202. [PMID: 35723743 PMCID: PMC9207436 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-022-03175-z] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Amino acids are the essential building blocks of both synthetic and natural peptides, which are crucial for biological functions and also important as biological probes for mapping the complex protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Mapping the PPIs through the chemical biology approach provides pharmacologically relevant peptides, which can have agonistic or antagonistic effects on the targeted biological systems. It is evidenced that ≥ 60 peptide-based drugs have been approved by the US-FDA so far, and the number will improve further in the foreseeable future, as ≥ 140 peptides are currently in clinical trials. However, natural peptides often require fine-tuning of their pharmacological properties by strategically replacing the αL-amino acids of the peptides with non-coded amino acids (NCAA), for which codons are absent in the genetic code for biosynthesis of proteins, prior to their applications as therapeutics. Considering the diverse repertoire of the NCAAs, the conformational space of many NCAAs is yet to be explored systematically in the context of the rational design of therapeutic peptides. The current study deciphers the conformational landscape of a few such Cα-substituted aromatic NCAAs (Ing: 2-indanyl-L-Glycine; Bpa: 4-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine; Aic: 2-aminoindane-2-carboxylic acid) both in the context of tripeptides and model synthetic peptide sequences, using alanine (Ala) and proline (Pro) as the reference. The combined data obtained from the computational and biophysical studies indicate the general success of this approach, which can be exploited further to rationally design optimized peptide sequences of unusual architecture with potent antimicrobial, antiviral, gluco-regulatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities.
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