1
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Ieremias L, Kaspersen MH, Manandhar A, Schultz-Knudsen K, Vrettou CI, Pokhrel R, Heidtmann CV, Jenkins L, Kanellou C, Marsango S, Li Y, Bräuner-Osborne H, Rexen Ulven E, Milligan G, Ulven T. Structure-Activity Relationship Studies and Optimization of 4-Hydroxypyridones as GPR84 Agonists. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3542-3570. [PMID: 38381650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01923] [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: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
GPR84 is a putative medium-chain fatty acid receptor that is implicated in regulation of inflammation and fibrogenesis. Studies have indicated that GPR84 agonists may have therapeutic potential in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer, but there is a lack of quality tool compounds to explore this potential. The fatty acid analogue LY237 (4a) is the most potent GPR84 agonist disclosed to date but has unfavorable physicochemical properties. We here present a SAR study of 4a. Several highly potent agonists were identified with EC50 down to 28 pM, and with SAR generally in excellent agreement with structure-based modeling. Proper incorporation of rings and polar groups resulted in the identification of TUG-2099 (4s) and TUG-2208 (42a), both highly potent GPR84 agonists with lowered lipophilicity and good to excellent solubility, in vitro permeability, and microsomal stability, which will be valuable tools for exploring the pharmacology and therapeutic prospects of GPR84.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loukas Ieremias
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads H Kaspersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Odense, Denmark
| | - Asmita Manandhar
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katrine Schultz-Knudsen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Ioanna Vrettou
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rina Pokhrel
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christoffer V Heidtmann
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Odense, Denmark
| | - Laura Jenkins
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
| | - Christina Kanellou
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara Marsango
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yueming Li
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
| | - Hans Bräuner-Osborne
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elisabeth Rexen Ulven
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Graeme Milligan
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
| | - Trond Ulven
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Odense, Denmark
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2
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Vanalken N, Boon K, Szpakowska M, Chevigné A, Schols D, Van Loy T. Systematic Assessment of Human CCR7 Signalling Using NanoBRET Biosensors Points towards the Importance of the Cellular Context. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:142. [PMID: 38534251 DOI: 10.3390/bios14030142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The human CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is activated by two natural ligands, CC chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) and 21 (CCL21). The CCL19-CCL21-CCR7 axis has been extensively studied in vitro, but there is still debate over whether CCL21 is an overall weaker agonist or if the axis displays biased signalling. In this study, we performed a systematic analysis at the transducer level using NanoBRET-based methodologies in three commonly used cellular backgrounds to evaluate pathway and ligand preferences, as well as ligand bias and the influence of the cellular system thereon. We found that both CCL19 and CCL21 activated all cognate G proteins and some non-cognate couplings in a cell-type-dependent manner. Both ligands recruited β-arrestin1 and 2, but the potency was strongly dependent on the cellular system. Overall, CCL19 and CCL21 showed largely conserved pathway preferences, but small differences were detected. However, these differences only consolidated in a weak ligand bias. Together, these data suggest that CCL19 and CCL21 share mostly overlapping, weakly biased, transducer profiles, which can be influenced by the cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Vanalken
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrijn Boon
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martyna Szpakowska
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Andy Chevigné
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Dominique Schols
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Van Loy
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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3
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Zamora PO, Altay G, Santamaria U, Dwarshuis N, Donthi H, Moon CI, Bakalar D, Zamora M. Drug Responses in Plexiform Neurofibroma Type I (PNF1) Cell Lines Using High-Throughput Data and Combined Effectiveness and Potency. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5811. [PMID: 38136356 PMCID: PMC10742026 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245811] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder characterized by heterozygous germline NF1 gene mutations that predispose patients to developing plexiform neurofibromas, which are benign but often disfiguring tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath induced by loss of heterozygosity at the NF1 locus. These can progress to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). There are no approved drug treatments for adults with NF1-related inoperable plexiform neurofibromas, and only one drug (selumetinib), which is an FDA-approved targeted therapy for the treatment of symptomatic pediatric plexiform neurofibromas, highlighting the need for additional drug screening and development. In high-throughput screening, the effectiveness of drugs against cell lines is often assessed by measuring in vitro potency (AC50) or the area under the curve (AUC). However, the variability of dose-response curves across drugs and cell lines and the frequency of partial effectiveness suggest that these measures alone fail to provide a full picture of overall efficacy. Methods: Using concentration-response data, we combined response effectiveness (EFF) and potency (AC50) into (a) a score characterizing the effect of a compound on a single cell line, S = log[EFF/AC50], and (b) a relative score, ΔS, characterizing the relative difference between a reference (e.g., non-tumor) and test (tumor) cell line. ΔS was applied to data from high-throughput screening (HTS) of a drug panel tested on NF1-/- tumor cells, using immortalized non-tumor NF1+/- cells as a reference. Results: We identified drugs with sensitivity, targeting expected pathways, such as MAPK-ERK and PI3K-AKT, as well as serotonin-related targets, among others. The ΔS technique used here, in tandem with a supplemental ΔS web tool, simplifies HTS analysis and may provide a springboard for further investigations into drug response in NF1-related cancers. The tool may also prove useful for drug development in a variety of other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chang In Moon
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dana Bakalar
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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4
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Alabdali R, Franchini L, Orlandi C. G α Protein Signaling Bias at Serotonin 1A Receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 104:230-238. [PMID: 37567783 PMCID: PMC10586511 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000722] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) is a clinically relevant target because of its involvement in several central and peripheral functions, including sleep, temperature homeostasis, processing of emotions, and response to stress. As a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activating numerous Gα i/o/z family members, 5-HT1AR can potentially modulate multiple intracellular signaling pathways in response to different therapeutics. Here, we applied a cell-based bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assay to quantify how ten structurally diverse 5-HT1AR agonists exert biased signaling by differentially stimulating Gα i/o/z family members. Our concentration-response analysis of the activation of each Gα i/o/z protein revealed unique potency and efficacy profiles of selected agonists when compared with the reference 5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin. Overall, our analysis of signaling bias identified groups of ligands sharing comparable G protein activation selectivity and also drugs with unique selectivity profiles. We observed, for example, a strong bias of F-15599 toward the activation of Gα i3 that was unique among the agonists tested: we found a biased factor of +2.19 when comparing the activation of Gα i3 versus Gα i2 by F-15599, while it was -0.29 for 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin. Similarly, vortioxetine showed a biased factor of +1.06 for Gα z versus Gα oA, while it was -1.38 for vilazodone. Considering that alternative signaling pathways are regulated downstream of each Gα protein, our data suggest that the unique pharmacological properties of the tested agonists could result in multiple unrelated cellular outcomes. Further investigation is needed to reveal how this type of ligand bias could affect cellular responses and to illuminate the molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic profile and side effects of each drug. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Serotonin 1a receptor (5-HT1AR) activates several members of the Gi/o/z protein family. Here, we examined ten structurally diverse and clinically relevant agonists acting on 5-HT1AR and identified distinctive bias patterns among G proteins. Considering the diversity of their intracellular effectors and signaling properties, this data reveal novel mechanisms underlying both therapeutic and undesirable effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Alabdali
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Luca Franchini
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Cesare Orlandi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
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5
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Matt RA, Westhorpe FG, Romuar RF, Rana P, Gever JR, Ford AP. Fingerprinting heterocellular β-adrenoceptor functional expression in the brain using agonist activity profiles. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1214102. [PMID: 37664183 PMCID: PMC10471193 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1214102] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Noradrenergic projections from the brainstem locus coeruleus drive arousal, attentiveness, mood, and memory, but specific adrenoceptor (AR) function across the varied brain cell types has not been extensively characterized, especially with agonists. This study reports a pharmacological analysis of brain AR function, offering insights for innovative therapeutic interventions that might serve to compensate for locus coeruleus decline, known to develop in the earliest phases of neurodegenerative diseases. First, β-AR agonist activities were measured in recombinant cell systems and compared with those of isoprenaline to generate Δlog(Emax/EC50) values, system-independent metrics of agonist activity, that, in turn, provide receptor subtype fingerprints. These fingerprints were then used to assess receptor subtype expression across human brain cell systems and compared with Δlog(Emax/EC50) values arising from β-arrestin activation or measurements of cAMP response desensitization to assess the possibility of ligand bias among β-AR agonists. Agonist activity profiles were confirmed to be system-independent and, in particular, revealed β2-AR functional expression across several human brain cell types. Broad β2-AR function observed is consistent with noradrenergic tone arising from the locus coeruleus exerting heterocellular neuroexcitatory and homeostatic influence. Notably, Δlog(Emax/EC50) measurements suggest that tested β-AR agonists do not show ligand bias as it pertains to homologous receptor desensitization in the system examined. Δlog(Emax/EC50) agonist fingerprinting is a powerful means of assessing receptor subtype expression regardless of receptor expression levels or assay readout, and the method may be applicable to future use for novel ligands and tissues expressing any receptor with available reference agonists.
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6
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Lutz JA, Sulima A, Gutman ES, Bow EW, Luo D, Kaska S, Prisinzano TE, Paronis CA, Bergman J, Imler GH, Kerr AT, Jacobson AE, Rice KC. Discovery of a Potent Highly Biased MOR Partial Agonist among Diastereomeric C9-Hydroxyalkyl-5-phenylmorphans. Molecules 2023; 28:4795. [PMID: 37375350 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
All possible diastereomeric C9-hydroxymethyl-, hydroxyethyl-, and hydroxypropyl-substituted 5-phenylmorphans were synthesized to explore the three-dimensional space around the C9 substituent in our search for potent MOR partial agonists. These compounds were designed to lessen the lipophilicity observed with their C9-alkenyl substituted relatives. Many of the 12 diastereomers that were obtained were found to have nanomolar or subnanomolar potency in the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation assay. Almost all these potent compounds were fully efficacious, and three of those chosen for in vivo evaluation, 15, 21, and 36, were all extremely G-protein biased; none of the three compounds recruited beta-arrestin2. Only one of the 12 diastereomers, 21 (3-((1S,5R,9R)-9-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-phenethyl-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-5-yl)phenol), was a MOR partial agonist with good, but not full, efficacy (Emax = 85%) and subnanomolar potency (EC50 = 0.91 nM) in the cAMP assay. It did not have any KOR agonist activity. This compound was unlike morphine in that it had a limited ventilatory effect in vivo. The activity of 21 could be related to one or more of three well-known theories that attempt to predict a dissociation of the desired analgesia from the undesirable opioid-like side-effects associated with clinically used opioids. In accordance with the theories, 21 was a potent MOR partial agonist, it was highly G-protein biased and did not attract beta-arrestin2, and it was found to have both MOR and DOR agonist activity. All the other diastereomers that were synthesized were either much less potent than 21 or had either too little or too much efficacy for our purposes. It was also noted that a C9-methoxymethyl compound with 1R,5S,9R stereochemistry (41) was more potent than the comparable C9-hydroxymethyl compound 11 (EC50 = 0.65 nM for 41 vs. 2.05 nM for 11). Both 41 and 11 were fully efficacious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Lutz
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Eugene S Gutman
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Eric W Bow
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Sophia Kaska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Thomas E Prisinzano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Carol A Paronis
- McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Jack Bergman
- McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Gregory H Imler
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-0001, USA
| | - Andrew T Kerr
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-0001, USA
| | - Arthur E Jacobson
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
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7
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Mahardhika AB, Ressemann A, Kremers SE, Gregório Castanheira MS, Schoeder CT, Müller CE, Pillaiyar T. Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of diindolylmethane derivatives as cannabinoid CB 2 receptor agonists. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2023; 356:e2200493. [PMID: 36437108 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200493] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a natural product-derived compound formed upon ingestion of cruciferous vegetables, was recently described to act as a partial agonist of the anti-inflammatory cannabinoid (CB) receptor subtype CB2 . In the present study, we synthesized and evaluated a series of DIM derivatives and determined their affinities for human CB receptor subtypes in radioligand binding studies. Potent compounds were additionally evaluated in functional cAMP accumulation and β-arrestin recruitment assays. Small substituents in the 4-position of both indole rings of DIM were beneficial for high CB2 receptor affinity and efficacy. Di-(4-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)methane (46, PSB-19837, EC50 : cAMP, 0.0144 µM, 95% efficacy compared to the full standard agonist CP55,940; β-arrestin, 0.0149 µM, 67% efficacy) was the most potent CB2 receptor agonist of the present series. Di-(4-bromo-1H-indol-3-yl)methane (44, PSB-19571) showed higher potency in β-arrestin (EC50 0.0450 µM, 61% efficacy) than in cAMP accumulation assays (EC50 0.509 µM, 85% efficacy) while 3-((1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)-4-methyl-1H-indole (149, PSB-18691) displayed a 19-fold bias for the G protein pathway (EC50 : cAMP, 0.0652 µM; β-arrestin, 1.08 µM). DIM and its analogs act as allosteric CB2 receptor agonists. These potent CB2 receptor agonists have potential as novel drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andhika B Mahardhika
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Research Training Group 1873, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anastasiia Ressemann
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sarah E Kremers
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mariana S Gregório Castanheira
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Clara T Schoeder
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Research Training Group 1873, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Research Training Group 1873, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry and Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Institute of Pharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
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8
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Kelly E, Conibear A, Henderson G. Biased Agonism: Lessons from Studies of Opioid Receptor Agonists. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:491-515. [PMID: 36170657 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052120-091058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In ligand bias different agonist drugs are thought to produce distinct signaling outputs when activating the same receptor. If these signaling outputs mediate therapeutic versus adverse drug effects, then agonists that selectively activate the therapeutic signaling pathway would be extremely beneficial. It has long been thought that μ-opioid receptor agonists that selectively activate G protein- over β-arrestin-dependent signaling pathways would produce effective analgesia without the adverse effects such as respiratory depression. However, more recent data indicate that most of the therapeutic and adverse effects of agonist-induced activation of the μ-opioid receptor are actually mediated by the G protein-dependent signaling pathway, and that a number of drugs described as G protein biased in fact may not be biased, but instead may be low-intrinsic-efficacy agonists. In this review we discuss the current state of the field of bias at the μ-opioid receptor and other opioid receptor subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Alexandra Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Graeme Henderson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
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9
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Voss JH, Mahardhika AB, Inoue A, Müller CE. Agonist-Dependent Coupling of the Promiscuous Adenosine A 2B Receptor to Gα Protein Subunits. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:373-386. [PMID: 35592437 PMCID: PMC9112290 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The adenosine A2B receptor (A2BAR) belongs to the rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. It is upregulated under hypoxic conditions, in inflammation and cancer. Previous studies indicated the coupling of the A2BAR to different G proteins, mainly Gs, but in some cases Gq/11 or Gi, depending on the cell type. We have now utilized novel technologies, (i) heterologous expression of individual members of the Gαq/11 protein family (Gαq, Gα11, Gα14, and Gα15) in Gαq/11 knockout cells, and (ii) the TRUPATH platform, allowing the direct observation of Gα protein activation for each of the Gα subunits by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) measurements. Three structurally diverse A2BAR agonists were studied: the cognate agonist adenosine, its metabolically stable analog NECA, and the non-nucleosidic partial agonist BAY 60-6583. Adenosine and NECA activated most members of all four Gα protein families (Gαs, Gαq/11, Gαi, and Gα12/13). Significant differences in potencies and efficacies were observed; the highest efficacies were determined at the Gα15, Gαs, and Gα12 proteins, and for NECA additionally at the Gαi2 protein. In contrast, the partial agonist BAY 60-6583 only activated Gα15, Gαs, and Gα12 proteins. Adenosine deaminase, an allosteric modulator of ARs, selectively increased the potency and efficacy of NECA and BAY 60-6583 at the Gα15 protein, while it had no effect or decreased efficacy at the other Gα proteins. We conclude that the A2BAR is preferably coupled to the Gα15, Gαs, and Gα12 proteins. Upon upregulation of receptor or Gα protein expression, coupling to further Gα proteins likely occurs. Importantly, different agonists can display different activation profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hendrik Voss
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andhika B Mahardhika
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany.,Research Training Group GRK1873, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany.,Research Training Group GRK1873, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
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10
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Kelly B, Hollingsworth SA, Blakemore DC, Owen RM, Storer RI, Swain NA, Aydin D, Torella R, Warmus JS, Dror RO. Delineating the Ligand-Receptor Interactions That Lead to Biased Signaling at the μ-Opioid Receptor. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3696-3707. [PMID: 34251810 PMCID: PMC8317888 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Biased agonists, which selectively stimulate certain signaling pathways controlled by a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), hold great promise as drugs that maximize efficacy while minimizing dangerous side effects. Biased agonists of the μ-opioid receptor (μOR) are of particular interest as a means to achieve analgesia through G protein signaling without dose-limiting side effects such as respiratory depression and constipation. Rational structure-based design of biased agonists remains highly challenging, however, because the ligand-mediated interactions that are key to activation of each signaling pathway remain unclear. We identify several compounds for which the R- and S-enantiomers have distinct bias profiles at the μOR. These compounds serve as excellent comparative tools to study bias because the identical physicochemical properties of enantiomer pairs ensure that differences in bias profiles are due to differences in interactions with the μOR binding pocket. Atomic-level simulations of compounds at μOR indicate that R- and S-enantiomers adopt different poses that form distinct interactions with the binding pocket. A handful of specific interactions with highly conserved binding pocket residues appear to be responsible for substantial differences in arrestin recruitment between enantiomers. Our results offer guidance for rational design of biased agonists at μOR and possibly at related GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Kelly
- Departments of Computer Science, Molecular and
Cellular Physiology, and Structural Biology & Institute for Computational and
Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford,
California 94305, United States
| | - Scott A. Hollingsworth
- Departments of Computer Science, Molecular and
Cellular Physiology, and Structural Biology & Institute for Computational and
Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford,
California 94305, United States
| | - David C. Blakemore
- Pfizer Medicine Design,
Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Robert M. Owen
- Pfizer Medicine Design, The
Portway, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - R. Ian Storer
- Pfizer Medicine Design, The
Portway, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Nigel A. Swain
- Pfizer Medicine Design, The
Portway, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Deniz Aydin
- Departments of Computer Science, Molecular and
Cellular Physiology, and Structural Biology & Institute for Computational and
Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford,
California 94305, United States
| | - Rubben Torella
- Pfizer Medicine Design, 610
Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Joseph S. Warmus
- Pfizer Medicine Design,
Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Ron O. Dror
- Departments of Computer Science, Molecular and
Cellular Physiology, and Structural Biology & Institute for Computational and
Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford,
California 94305, United States
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11
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De Neve J, Barlow TMA, Tourwé D, Bihel F, Simonin F, Ballet S. Comprehensive overview of biased pharmacology at the opioid receptors: biased ligands and bias factors. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:828-870. [PMID: 34223156 PMCID: PMC8221262 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00041a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main challenges in contemporary medicinal chemistry is the development of safer analgesics, used in the treatment of pain. Currently, moderate to severe pain is still treated with the "gold standard" opioids whose long-term often leads to severe side effects. With the discovery of biased agonism, the importance of this area of pharmacology has grown exponentially over the past decade. Of these side effects, tolerance, opioid misuse, physical dependence and substance use disorder (SUD) stand out, since these have led to many deaths over the past decades in both USA and Europe. New therapeutic molecules that induce a biased response at the opioid receptors (MOR, DOR, KOR and NOP receptor) are able to circumvent these side effects and, consequently, serve as more advantageous therapies with great promise. The concept of biased signaling extends far beyond the already sizeable field of GPCR pharmacology and covering everything would be vastly outside the scope of this review which consequently covers the biased ligands acting at the opioid family of receptors. The limitation of quantifying bias, however, makes this a controversial subject, where it is dependent on the reference ligand, the equation or the assay used for the quantification. Hence, the major issue in the field of biased ligands remains the translation of the in vitro profiles of biased signaling, with corresponding bias factors to in vivo profiles showing the presence or the lack of specific side effects. This review comprises a comprehensive overview of biased ligands in addition to their bias factors at individual members of the opioid family of receptors, as well as bifunctional ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Thomas M A Barlow
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Frédéric Bihel
- Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7200, CNRS Université de Strasbourg Illkirch France
| | - Frédéric Simonin
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg Illkirch France
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
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12
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Vandeputte MM, Van Uytfanghe K, Layle NK, St. Germaine DM, Iula DM, Stove CP. Synthesis, Chemical Characterization, and μ-Opioid Receptor Activity Assessment of the Emerging Group of "Nitazene" 2-Benzylbenzimidazole Synthetic Opioids. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1241-1251. [PMID: 33759494 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Several 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids (also referred to as "nitazenes") recently emerged on the illicit market. The most frequently encountered member, isotonitazene, has been identified in multiple fatalities since its appearance in 2019. Although recent scheduling efforts targeted isotonitazene, many other analogues remain unregulated. Being structurally unrelated to fentanyl, little is known about the harm potential of these compounds. In this study, ten nitazenes and four metabolites were synthesized, analytically characterized via four different techniques, and pharmacologically evaluated using two cell-based β-arrestin2/mini-Gi recruitment assays monitoring μ-opioid receptor (MOR) activation. On the basis of absorption spectra and retention times, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) allowed differentiation between most analogues. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) identified a fragment with m/z 100.11 for 12/14 compounds, which could serve as a basis for MS-based nitazene screening. MOR activity determination confirmed that nitazenes are generally highly active, with potencies and efficacies of several analogues exceeding that of fentanyl. Particularly relevant is the unexpected very high potency of the N-desethylisotonitazene metabolite, rivaling the potency of etonitazene and exceeding that of isotonitazene itself. Supported by its identification in fatalities, this likely has in vivo consequences. These results improve our understanding of this emerging group of opioids by laying out an analytical framework for their detection, as well as providing important new insights into their MOR activation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe M. Vandeputte
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Katleen Van Uytfanghe
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Nathan K. Layle
- Forensic Chemistry Division, Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | | | - Donna M. Iula
- Forensic Chemistry Division, Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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13
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Lee JH, Shon SY, Jeon W, Hong SJ, Ban J, Lee DS. Discovery of μ,δ-Opioid Receptor Dual-Biased Agonists That Overcome the Limitation of Prior Biased Agonists. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:1149-1160. [PMID: 34151205 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Morphine is widely used in pain management although the risk of side effects is significant. The use of biased agonists to the G protein of μ-opioid receptors has been suggested as a potential solution, although oliceridine and PZM21 have previously failed to demonstrate benefits in clinical studies. An amplification-induced confusion in the process of comparing G protein and beta-arrestin pathways may account for previously biased agonist misidentification. Here, we have devised a strategy to discover biased agonists with intrinsic efficacy. We computationally simulated 430 000 molecular dockings to the μ-opioid receptor to construct a compound library. Hits were then verified experimentally. Using the verified compounds, we performed simulations to build a second library with a common scaffold and selected compounds that showed a bias to μ- and δ-opioid receptors in a cell-based assay. Three compounds (ID110460001, ID110460002, and ID110460003) with a dual-biased agonistic effect for μ- and δ-opioid receptors were identified. These candidates are full agonists for the μ-opioid receptor and show specific binding modes. On the basis of our findings, we expect our novel compounds to act as more biased agonists compared to existing drugs, including oliceridine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hee Lee
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Suh-Youn Shon
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Woojin Jeon
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Sung-Jun Hong
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Junsu Ban
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
| | - Do Sup Lee
- Research Laboratory, Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 20, Samsung 1-ro 1-gil, Hwaseong 18449, Korea
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14
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Jia X, Ciallella HL, Russo DP, Zhao L, James MH, Zhu H. Construction of a Virtual Opioid Bioprofile: A Data-Driven QSAR Modeling Study to Identify New Analgesic Opioids. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2021; 9:3909-3919. [PMID: 34239782 PMCID: PMC8259887 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c09139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Compared to traditional experimental approaches, computational modeling is a promising strategy to efficiently prioritize new candidates with low cost. In this study, we developed a novel data mining and computational modeling workflow proven to be applicable by screening new analgesic opioids. To this end, a large opioid data set was used as the probe to automatically obtain bioassay data from the PubChem portal. There were 114 PubChem bioassays selected to build quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models based on the testing results across the probe compounds. The compounds tested in each bioassay were used to develop 12 models using the combination of three machine learning approaches and four types of chemical descriptors. The model performance was evaluated by the coefficient of determination (R 2) obtained from 5-fold cross-validation. In total, 49 models developed for 14 bioassays were selected based on the criteria and were identified to be mainly associated with binding affinities to different opioid receptors. The models for these 14 bioassays were further used to fill data gaps in the probe opioids data set and to predict general drug compounds in the DrugBank data set. This study provides a universal modeling strategy that can take advantage of large public data sets for computer-aided drug design (CADD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Jia
- The Rutgers Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Joint Health Sciences Center, Camden, New Jersey 08103, United States
| | - Heather L Ciallella
- The Rutgers Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Joint Health Sciences Center, Camden, New Jersey 08103, United States
| | - Daniel P Russo
- The Rutgers Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Joint Health Sciences Center, Camden, New Jersey 08103, United States
| | - Linlin Zhao
- The Rutgers Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Joint Health Sciences Center, Camden, New Jersey 08103, United States
| | - Morgan H James
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University and Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States; Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Hao Zhu
- The Rutgers Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Joint Health Sciences Center, Camden, New Jersey 08103, United States; Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey 08102, United States
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15
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Zaig S, da Silveira Scarpellini C, Montandon G. Respiratory depression and analgesia by opioid drugs in freely behaving larval zebrafish. eLife 2021; 10:63407. [PMID: 33720013 PMCID: PMC8060028 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An opioid epidemic is spreading in North America with millions of opioid overdoses annually. Opioid drugs, like fentanyl, target the mu opioid receptor system and induce potentially lethal respiratory depression. The challenge in opioid research is to find a safe pain therapy with analgesic properties but no respiratory depression. Current discoveries are limited by lack of amenable animal models to screen candidate drugs. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an emerging animal model with high reproduction and fast development, which shares remarkable similarity in their physiology and genome to mammals. However, it is unknown whether zebrafish possesses similar opioid system, respiratory and analgesic responses to opioids than mammals. In freely-behaving larval zebrafish, fentanyl depresses the rate of respiratory mandible movements and induces analgesia, effects reversed by μ-opioid receptor antagonists. Zebrafish presents evolutionary conserved mechanisms of action of opioid drugs, also found in mammals, and constitute amenable models for phenotype-based drug discovery. When it comes to treating severe pain, a doctor’s arsenal is somewhat limited: synthetic or natural opioids such as morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone are often one of the only options available to relieve patients. Yet these compounds can make breathing slower and shallower, quickly depriving the body of oxygen and causing death. This lethal side-effect is particularly devastating as opioids misuse has reached dangerously high levels in the United States, creating an ‘opioid epidemic’ which has claimed the lives of over 80,000 Americans in 2020. It is therefore crucial to find safer drugs that do not have this effect on breathing, but this research has been slowed down by the lack of animal models in which to study the effect of new compounds. Zebrafish are small freshwater fish that reproduce and develop fast, yet they are also remarkably genetically similar to mammals and feature a complex nervous system. However, it is not known whether the effect of opioids on zebrafish is comparable to mammals, and therefore whether these animals can be used to test new drugs for pain relief. To investigate this question, Zaig et al. exposed zebrafish larvae to fentanyl, showing that the fish then exhibited slower lower jaw movements – a sign of decreased breathing. The fish also could also tolerate a painful stimulus for longer, suggesting that this opioid does reduce pain in the animals. Together, these results point towards zebrafish and mammals sharing similar opioid responses, demonstrating that the fish could be used to test potential pain medications. The methods Zaig et al. have developed to establish these results could be harnessed to quickly assess large numbers of drug compounds, as well as decipher how pain emerges and can be stopped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenhab Zaig
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences. St. Michael's Hospital Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Gaspard Montandon
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences. St. Michael's Hospital Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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16
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Onaran HO, Costa T. Conceptual and experimental issues in biased agonism. Cell Signal 2021; 82:109955. [PMID: 33607257 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.109955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the theoretical and experimental foundations for assessing agonism in the context of signalling bias in GPCRs. We show that the formulation of efficacy in classical receptor theory and the definition of ligand-induced allosteric effect in chemical thermodynamics are coincident measures of agonism, only if we recognize that the classical model cannot be considered as a mechanistic description of the physicochemical events underlying ligand-receptor signalling. It represents instead a mathematical tool, fortuitously capable of extracting efficacy information from concentration-dependent functional data, where both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent information are present. We also assert that dissecting efficacy from affinity, as originally advocated in classical theory, is imperative for understanding the molecular property underlying agonism, and the biased agonism that leads to preferential formation of diverse GPCR-transducer complexes. Finally, we argue that beyond the assumed translational value of functional selectivity (i.e. signalling bias), the identification of ligands with true bias of efficacy is of fundamental importance for unravelling the conformational space that determines the complex functional chemistry of GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ongun Onaran
- Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Biology and Technology Development Unit, Ankara, Turkey.
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17
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Yang Y, Lee SM, Imamura F, Gowda K, Amin S, Mailman RB. D1 dopamine receptors intrinsic activity and functional selectivity affect working memory in prefrontal cortex. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:645-655. [PMID: 30532019 PMCID: PMC9710464 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0312-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine D1 agonists enhance cognition, but the role of different signaling pathways (e.g., cAMP or β-arrestin) is unclear. The current study compared 2-methyldihydrexidine and CY208,243, drugs with different degrees of both D1 intrinsic activity and functional selectivity. 2-Methyldihydrexidine is a full agonist at adenylate cyclase and a super-agonist at β-arrestin recruitment, whereas CY208,243 has relatively high intrinsic activity at adenylate cyclase, but much lower at β-arrestin recruitment. Both drugs decreased, albeit in dissimilar ways, the firing rate of neurons in prefrontal cortex sensitive to outcome-related aspects of a working memory task. 2-Methyldihydrexidine was superior to CY208,243 in prospectively enhancing similarity and retrospectively distinguishing differences between correct and error outcomes based on firing rates, enhancing the micro-network measured by oscillations of spikes and local field potentials, and improving behavioral performance. This study is the first to examine how ligand signaling bias affects both behavioral and neurophysiological endpoints in the intact animal. The data show that maximal enhancement of cognition via D1 activation occurred with a pattern of signaling that involved full unbiased intrinsic activity, or agonists with high β-arrestin activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Sang-Min Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey PA 17033
| | - Fumiaki Imamura
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey PA 17033
| | - Krishne Gowda
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey PA 17033
| | - Shantu Amin
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey PA 17033
| | - Richard B. Mailman
- Department of Neurology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey PA 17033.,Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey PA 17033.,Correspondence to: ,
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18
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Ringuette AE, Spock M, Lindsley CW, Bender AM. DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Carfentanil. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3955-3967. [PMID: 32786301 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of its remarkable potency and relative ease of synthesis, carfentanil (1) has recently emerged as a problematic contaminant in other drugs of abuse. Carfentanil and its close analogs, currently approved only for large animal veterinary medicine, have found use both as illicit additives to the clandestine manufacture of scheduled drugs and as chemical weapons. In this Review, the background, synthesis, manufacture, metabolism, pharmacology, approved indications, dosage, and adverse effects of carfentanil will be discussed along with its emergence as a key player in the ongoing opioid crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E. Ringuette
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Matthew Spock
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Craig W. Lindsley
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Aaron M. Bender
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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19
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In vitro functional characterization of a panel of non-fentanyl opioid new psychoactive substances. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3819-3830. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02855-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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20
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Gillis A, Sreenivasan V, Christie MJ. Intrinsic Efficacy of Opioid Ligands and Its Importance for Apparent Bias, Operational Analysis, and Therapeutic Window. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:410-424. [PMID: 32665252 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.119214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence from several novel opioid agonists and knockout animals suggests that improved opioid therapeutic window, notably for analgesia versus respiratory depression, is a result of ligand bias downstream of activation of the µ-opioid receptor (MOR) toward G protein signaling and away from other pathways, such as arrestin recruitment. Here, we argue that published claims of opioid bias based on application of the operational model of agonism are frequently confounded by failure to consider the assumptions of the model. These include failure to account for intrinsic efficacy and ceiling effects in different pathways, distortions introduced by analysis of amplified (G protein) versus linear (arrestin) signaling mechanisms, and nonequilibrium effects in a dynamic signaling cascade. We show on both theoretical and experimental grounds that reduced intrinsic efficacy that is unbiased across different downstream pathways, when analyzed without due considerations, does produce apparent but erroneous MOR ligand bias toward G protein signaling, and the weaker the G protein partial agonism is the greater the apparent bias. Experimentally, such apparently G protein-biased opioids have been shown to exhibit low intrinsic efficacy for G protein signaling when ceiling effects are properly accounted for. Nevertheless, such agonists do display an improved therapeutic window for analgesia versus respiratory depression. Reduced intrinsic efficacy for G proteins rather than any supposed G protein bias provides a more plausible, sufficient explanation for the improved safety. Moreover, genetic models of G protein-biased opioid receptors and replication of previous knockout experiments suggest that reduced or abolished arrestin recruitment does not improve therapeutic window for MOR-induced analgesia versus respiratory depression. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Efforts to improve safety of µ-opioid analgesics have focused on agonists that show signaling bias for the G protein pathway versus other signaling pathways. This review provides theoretical and experimental evidence showing that failure to consider the assumptions of the operational model can lead to large distortions and overestimation of actual bias. We show that low intrinsic efficacy is a major determinant of these distortions, and pursuit of appropriately reduced intrinsic efficacy should guide development of safer opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gillis
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (A.G., M.J.C.) and EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia (V.S.)
| | - Varun Sreenivasan
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (A.G., M.J.C.) and EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia (V.S.)
| | - Macdonald J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (A.G., M.J.C.) and EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia (V.S.)
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21
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Krüll J, Fehler SK, Hofmann L, Nebel N, Maschauer S, Prante O, Gmeiner P, Lanig H, Hübner H, Heinrich MR. Synthesis, Radiosynthesis and Biological Evaluation of Buprenorphine-Derived Phenylazocarboxamides as Novel μ-Opioid Receptor Ligands. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1175-1186. [PMID: 32378310 PMCID: PMC7383964 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Targeted structural modifications have led to a novel type of buprenorphine-derived opioid receptor ligand displaying an improved selectivity profile for the μ-OR subtype. On this basis, it is shown that phenylazocarboxamides may serve as useful bioisosteric replacements for the widely occurring cinnamide units, without loss of OR binding affinity or subtype selectivity. This study further includes functional experiments pointing to weak partial agonist properties of the novel μ-OR ligands, as well as docking and metabolism experiments. Finally, the unique bifunctional character of phenylazocarboxylates, herein serving as precursors for the azocarboxamide subunit, was exploited to demonstrate the accessibility of an 18 F-fluorinated analogue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Krüll
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyPharmaceutical ChemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergNikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 1091058ErlangenGermany
| | - Stefanie K. Fehler
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyPharmaceutical ChemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergNikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 1091058ErlangenGermany
| | - Laura Hofmann
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyPharmaceutical ChemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergNikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 1091058ErlangenGermany
| | - Natascha Nebel
- Department of Nuclear MedicineMolecular Imaging and RadiochemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergSchwabachanlage 1291054ErlangenGermany
| | - Simone Maschauer
- Department of Nuclear MedicineMolecular Imaging and RadiochemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergSchwabachanlage 1291054ErlangenGermany
| | - Olaf Prante
- Department of Nuclear MedicineMolecular Imaging and RadiochemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergSchwabachanlage 1291054ErlangenGermany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyPharmaceutical ChemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergNikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 1091058ErlangenGermany
| | - Harald Lanig
- Central Institute for Scientific Computing (ZISC)Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergMartensstr. 5a91058ErlangenGermany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyPharmaceutical ChemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergNikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 1091058ErlangenGermany
| | - Markus R. Heinrich
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyPharmaceutical ChemistryFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergNikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 1091058ErlangenGermany
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22
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Gutman ES, Bow E, Li F, Sulima A, Kaska S, Crowley R, Prisinzano TE, Lee YS, Hassan SA, Imler GH, Deschamps JR, Jacobson AE, Rice KC. G-Protein biased opioid agonists: 3-hydroxy- N-phenethyl-5-phenylmorphans with three-carbon chain substituents at C9. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:896-904. [PMID: 33479684 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00104j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of compounds have been synthesized with a variety of substituents based on a three-carbon chain at the C9-position of 3-hydroxy-N-phenethyl-5-phenylmorphan (3-(2-phenethyl-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-5-yl)phenol). Three of these were found to be μ-opioid receptor agonists in the inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation assay and they did not recruit β-arrestin at all in the PathHunter assay and in the Tango assay. Compound 12 (3-((1S,5R,9R)-2-phenethyl-9-propyl-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-5-yl)phenol), 13 (3-((1S,5R,9R)-9-((E)-3-hydroxyprop-1-en-1-yl)-2-phenethyl-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-5-yl)phenol), and 15a (3-((1S,5R,9R)-9-(2-hydroxypropyl)-2-phenethyl-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-5-yl)phenol) were partial μ-agonists. Two of them had moderate efficacies (E MAX ca. 65%) and one had lower efficacy, and they were ca. 5, 3, and 4 times more potent, respectively, than morphine in vitro. Computer simulations were carried out to provide a molecular basis for the high bias ratios of the C9-substituted 5-phenylmorphans toward G-protein activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene S Gutman
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section , Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch , Intramural Research Program , National Institute on Drug Abuse , National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Bethesda , MD 20892-3373 , USA . ; ; ; Tel: +1 301 240 5216 ; Tel: +1 301 217 5200
| | - Eric Bow
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section , Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch , Intramural Research Program , National Institute on Drug Abuse , National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Bethesda , MD 20892-3373 , USA . ; ; ; Tel: +1 301 240 5216 ; Tel: +1 301 217 5200
| | - Fuying Li
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section , Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch , Intramural Research Program , National Institute on Drug Abuse , National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Bethesda , MD 20892-3373 , USA . ; ; ; Tel: +1 301 240 5216 ; Tel: +1 301 217 5200
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section , Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch , Intramural Research Program , National Institute on Drug Abuse , National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Bethesda , MD 20892-3373 , USA . ; ; ; Tel: +1 301 240 5216 ; Tel: +1 301 217 5200
| | - Sophia Kaska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , College of Pharmacy , University of Kentucky , 789 S. Limestone Street , Lexington , Kentucky 40536 , USA
| | - Rachel Crowley
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry , School of Pharmacy , University of Kansas , 1251 Wescoe Hall Drive, 4070 Malott , Lawrence , Kansas 66045 , USA
| | - Thomas E Prisinzano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , College of Pharmacy , University of Kentucky , 789 S. Limestone Street , Lexington , Kentucky 40536 , USA.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry , School of Pharmacy , University of Kansas , 1251 Wescoe Hall Drive, 4070 Malott , Lawrence , Kansas 66045 , USA
| | - Yong-Sok Lee
- Center for Molecular Modeling, Center for Information Technology , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Bethesda , MD 20892-5624 , USA
| | - Sergio A Hassan
- Center for Molecular Modeling, Center for Information Technology , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Bethesda , MD 20892-5624 , USA
| | - Gregory H Imler
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering , Naval Research Laboratory , Washington DC , 20375-0001 , USA
| | - Jeffrey R Deschamps
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering , Naval Research Laboratory , Washington DC , 20375-0001 , USA
| | - Arthur E Jacobson
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section , Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch , Intramural Research Program , National Institute on Drug Abuse , National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Bethesda , MD 20892-3373 , USA . ; ; ; Tel: +1 301 240 5216 ; Tel: +1 301 217 5200
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section , Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch , Intramural Research Program , National Institute on Drug Abuse , National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Bethesda , MD 20892-3373 , USA . ; ; ; Tel: +1 301 240 5216 ; Tel: +1 301 217 5200
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23
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Assessment of structure-activity relationships and biased agonism at the Mu opioid receptor of novel synthetic opioids using a novel, stable bio-assay platform. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113910. [PMID: 32179045 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fentanyl and morphine are agonists of the Mu opioid receptor (MOR), which is a member of the GPCR family. Their analgesic effects are associated with unwanted side effects. On a signaling level downstream from MOR, it has been hypothesized that analgesia may be mediated through the G protein pathway, whereas the undesirable effects of opioids have been linked to the β-arrestin (βarr) pathway. Despite being an increasingly debated subject, little is known about a potential 'bias' (i.e. the preferential activation of one pathway over the other) of the novel synthetic opioids (NSO) - including fentanyl analogs - that have emerged on the illegal drug market. We have therefore developed and applied a novel, robust bio-assay platform to study the activity of 21 NSO, to evaluate to what extent these MOR agonists show biased agonism and to investigate the potential correlation with their structure. In addition, we evaluated the functional selectivity of TRV130, a purported G protein-biased agonist. We applied newly established stable bio-assays in HEK293T cells, based on the principle of functional complementation of a split nanoluciferase, to assess MOR activation via recruitment of a mini-Gi protein (GTPase domain of Gαi subunit) or βarr2. All but two of the tested NSO demonstrated a concentration-dependent response at MOR in both bio-assays. The developed bio-assays allow to gain insight into the βarr2 or G protein recruitment potential of NSO, which may eventually help to better understand why certain opioids are associated with higher toxicity. Adding to the recent discussion about the relevance of the biased agonism concept for opioids, we did not observe a significant bias for any of the evaluated compounds, including TRV130.
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24
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Differential Signaling Profiles of MC4R Mutations with Three Different Ligands. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041224. [PMID: 32059383 PMCID: PMC7072973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is a key player in hypothalamic weight regulation and energy expenditure as part of the leptin–melanocortin pathway. Mutations in this G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) are the most common cause for monogenetic obesity, which appears to be mediated by changes in the anorectic action of MC4R via GS-dependent cyclic adenosine-monophosphate (cAMP) signaling as well as other signaling pathways. To study potential bias in the effects of MC4R mutations between the different signaling pathways, we investigated three major MC4R mutations: a GS loss-of-function (S127L) and a GS gain-of-function mutant (H158R), as well as the most common European single nucleotide polymorphism (V103I). We tested signaling of all four major G protein families plus extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and β-arrestin2 recruitment, using the two endogenous agonists, α- and β-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), along with a synthetic peptide agonist (NDP-α-MSH). The S127L mutation led to a full loss-of-function in all investigated pathways, whereas V103I and H158R were clearly biased towards the Gq/11 pathway when challenged with the endogenous ligands. These results show that MC4R mutations can cause vastly different changes in the various MC4R signaling pathways and highlight the importance of a comprehensive characterization of receptor mutations.
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25
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Zebala JA, Schuler AD, Kahn SJ, Maeda DY. Desmetramadol Is Identified as a G-Protein Biased µ Opioid Receptor Agonist. Front Pharmacol 2020; 10:1680. [PMID: 32116679 PMCID: PMC7025522 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tramadol is widely used globally and is the second most prescribed opioid in the United States. It treats moderate to severe pain but lethal opioid-induced respiratory depression is uncommon even in large overdose. It is unknown why tramadol spares respiration. Here we show its active metabolite, desmetramadol, is as effective as morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl in eliciting G protein coupling at the human µ opioid receptor (MOR), but surprisingly, supratherapeutic concentrations spare human MOR-mediated βarrestin2 recruitment thought to mediate lethal opioid-induced respiratory depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A. Zebala
- Department of Chemistry and Preclinical Development, Syntrix Pharmaceuticals, Auburn, WA, United States
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26
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Kuo A, Magiera J, Rethwan N, Andersson Å, Leen Lam A, Wyse B, Meutermans W, Lewis R, Smith M. In vitro profiling of opioid ligands using the cAMP formation inhibition assay and the β-arrestin2 recruitment assay: No two ligands have the same profile. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 872:172947. [PMID: 31991138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.172947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we showed that no two of seven opioids administered by the intracerebroventricular route had the same potency rank order for evoking antinociception, constipation and respiratory depression in rats. To gain insight at the cellular level, this study was designed to systematically investigate the activity profiles of six commonly used opioid ligands using the forskolin-stimulated cAMP assay and a β-arrestin2 recruitment assay in cultured HEK-293 cells transfected with MOP(μ), DOP(δ) or KOP(κ) receptors(-r). Morphine was a potent agonist at the MOP-r in the cAMP assay whereas it was a weak agonist at the KOP-r and DOP-r. Oxycodone had moderate efficacy and low potency at the MOP-r. Buprenorphine was a potent MOP-r and DOP-r agonist; its efficacy rank order was DOP > MOP > KOP. Fentanyl was a potent agonist at the MOP-r; its efficacy rank order was MOP > DOP > KOP. For DPDPE, its agonist efficacy was confined to the DOP-r, whereas for U69593, its efficacy rank order was KOP>> MOP. For the β-arrestin2 assay, fentanyl had full efficacy at the MOP-r whereas morphine and oxycodone were weak with insignificant efficacy at DOP and KOP receptors. Buprenorphine did not recruit β-arrestin2 at all three opioid-receptors. DPDPE and U69593 had full efficacy for β-arrestin2 recruitment to the DOP-r and KOP-r respectively. Despite the low efficacy and potency of morphine, oxycodone and buprenorphine in recruiting β-arrestin2 to the MOP-r herein, these opioids all evoked respiratory depression and constipation in rats. Together, our findings discount a key role for β-arrestin2 recruitment at the MOP-r in evoking opioid-related side-effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Kuo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Julia Magiera
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nursyazwani Rethwan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Åsa Andersson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ai Leen Lam
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bruce Wyse
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Wim Meutermans
- VAST Bioscience Pty Ltd, Toowong, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Maree Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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27
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Molecular Basis of Opioid Action: From Structures to New Leads. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:6-14. [PMID: 31653480 PMCID: PMC6898784 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Since the isolation of morphine from the opium poppy over 200 years ago, the molecular basis of opioid action has remained the subject of intense inquiry. The identification of specific receptors responsible for opioid function and the discovery of many chemically diverse molecules with unique opioid-like efficacies have provided glimpses into the molecular logic of opioid action. Recent revolutions in the structural biology of transmembrane proteins have, for the first time, yielded high-resolution views into the 3-dimensional shapes of all 4 opioid receptors. These studies have begun to decode the chemical logic that enables opioids to specifically bind and activate their receptor targets. A combination of spectroscopic experiments and computational simulations has provided a view into the molecular movements of the opioid receptors, which itself gives rise to the complex opioid pharmacology observed at the cellular and behavioral levels. Further diversity in opioid receptor structure is driven by both genetic variation and receptor oligomerization. These insights have enabled computational drug discovery efforts, with some evidence of success in the design of completely novel opioids with unique efficacies. The combined progress over the past few years provides hope for new, efficacious opioids devoid of the side effects that have made them the scourge of humanity for millennia.
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28
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Wouters E, Walraed J, Banister SD, Stove CP. Insights into biased signaling at cannabinoid receptors: synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 169:113623. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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29
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Benredjem B, Gallion J, Pelletier D, Dallaire P, Charbonneau J, Cawkill D, Nagi K, Gosink M, Lukasheva V, Jenkinson S, Ren Y, Somps C, Murat B, Van Der Westhuizen E, Le Gouill C, Lichtarge O, Schmidt A, Bouvier M, Pineyro G. Exploring use of unsupervised clustering to associate signaling profiles of GPCR ligands to clinical response. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4075. [PMID: 31501422 PMCID: PMC6733853 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11875-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling diversity of G protein-coupled (GPCR) ligands provides novel opportunities to develop more effective, better-tolerated therapeutics. Taking advantage of these opportunities requires identifying which effectors should be specifically activated or avoided so as to promote desired clinical responses and avoid side effects. However, identifying signaling profiles that support desired clinical outcomes remains challenging. This study describes signaling diversity of mu opioid receptor (MOR) ligands in terms of logistic and operational parameters for ten different in vitro readouts. It then uses unsupervised clustering of curve parameters to: classify MOR ligands according to similarities in type and magnitude of response, associate resulting ligand categories with frequency of undesired events reported to the pharmacovigilance program of the Food and Drug Administration and associate signals to side effects. The ability of the classification method to associate specific in vitro signaling profiles to clinically relevant responses was corroborated using β2-adrenergic receptor ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Besma Benredjem
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- CHU Sainte-Justine research center, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | | | | | - Paul Dallaire
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- CHU Sainte-Justine research center, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | | | - Darren Cawkill
- Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, 06340, USA
- Apollo Therapeutics LLP, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1, 2FX, UK
| | - Karim Nagi
- College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Viktoryia Lukasheva
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Stephen Jenkinson
- Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, 06340, USA
- Pfizer Inc, La Jolla, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Yong Ren
- Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, 06340, USA
- Decibel Therapeutics, 1325 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | - Brigitte Murat
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Emma Van Der Westhuizen
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Christian Le Gouill
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | | | | | - Michel Bouvier
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Graciela Pineyro
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
- CHU Sainte-Justine research center, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
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30
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Pedersen MF, Wróbel TM, Märcher-Rørsted E, Pedersen DS, Møller TC, Gabriele F, Pedersen H, Matosiuk D, Foster SR, Bouvier M, Bräuner-Osborne H. Biased agonism of clinically approved μ-opioid receptor agonists and TRV130 is not controlled by binding and signaling kinetics. Neuropharmacology 2019; 166:107718. [PMID: 31351108 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Binding and signaling kinetics have previously proven important in validation of biased agonism at GPCRs. Here we provide a comprehensive kinetic pharmacological comparison of clinically relevant μ-opioid receptor agonists, including the novel biased agonist oliceridine (TRV130) which is in clinical trial for pain management. We demonstrate that the bias profile observed for the selected agonists is not time-dependent and that agonists with dramatic differences in their binding kinetic properties can display the same degree of bias. Binding kinetics analyses demonstrate that buprenorphine has 18-fold higher receptor residence time than oliceridine. This is thus the largest pharmacodynamic difference between the clinically approved drug buprenorphine and the clinical candidate oliceridine, since their bias profiles are similar. Further, we provide the first pharmacological characterization of (S)-TRV130 demonstrating that it has a similar pharmacological profile as the (R)-form, oliceridine, but displays 90-fold lower potency than the (R)-form. This difference is driven by a significantly slower association rate. Finally, we show that the selected agonists are differentially affected by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 and 5 (GRK2 and GRK5) expression. GRK2 and GRK5 overexpression greatly increased μ-opioid receptor internalization induced by morphine, but only had modest effects on buprenorphine and oliceridine-induced internalization. Overall, our data reveal that the clinically available drug buprenorphine displays a similar pharmacological bias profile in vitro compared to the clinical candidate drug oliceridine and that this bias is independent of binding kinetics suggesting a mechanism driven by receptor-conformations. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'New Vistas in Opioid Pharmacology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mie Fabricius Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tomasz Marcin Wróbel
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Emil Märcher-Rørsted
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Sejer Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thor Christian Møller
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Federica Gabriele
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Dariusz Matosiuk
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Simon Richard Foster
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Hans Bräuner-Osborne
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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31
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Conibear AE, Kelly E. A Biased View of μ-Opioid Receptors? Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:542-549. [PMID: 31175184 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.115956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of biased agonism has grown substantially in recent years and the μ-opioid receptor has been one of the most intensively studied receptor targets for developing biased agonists. Yet, despite extensive research efforts, the development of analgesics with reduced adverse effects remains a significant challenge. In this review we discuss the evidence to support the prevailing hypothesis that a G protein-biased agonist at the μ-opioid receptor would be an effective analgesic without the accompanying adverse effects associated with conventional μ-opioid agonists. We also assess the current status of established and novel μ-opioid-receptor ligands that are proposed to be biased ligands. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The idea that biased agonists at the μ-opioid receptor might provide a therapeutic advantage in terms of producing effective analgesia with fewer adverse effects has driven the design of novel G protein-biased agonists. However, is the desirability of G protein-biased agonists at μ-opioid receptor substantiated by what we know of the physiology and pharmacology of the receptor? Also, do any of the novel biased agonists live up to their initial promise? Here we address these issues by critically examining the evidence that G protein bias really is desirable and also by discussing whether the ligands so far developed are clearly biased in vitro and whether this produces responses in vivo that might be commensurate with such bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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32
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Mohan K, Ueda G, Kim AR, Jude KM, Fallas JA, Guo Y, Hafer M, Miao Y, Saxton RA, Piehler J, Sankaran VG, Baker D, Garcia KC. Topological control of cytokine receptor signaling induces differential effects in hematopoiesis. Science 2019; 364:eaav7532. [PMID: 31123111 PMCID: PMC7274355 DOI: 10.1126/science.aav7532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although tunable signaling by G protein-coupled receptors can be exploited through medicinal chemistry, a comparable pharmacological approach has been lacking for the modulation of signaling through dimeric receptors, such as those for cytokines. We present a strategy to modulate cytokine receptor signaling output by use of a series of designed C2-symmetric cytokine mimetics, based on the designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) scaffold, that can systematically control erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) dimerization orientation and distance between monomers. We sampled a range of EpoR geometries by varying intermonomer angle and distance, corroborated by several ligand-EpoR complex crystal structures. Across the range, we observed full, partial, and biased agonism as well as stage-selective effects on hematopoiesis. This surrogate ligand strategy opens access to pharmacological modulation of therapeutically important cytokine and growth factor receptor systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Mohan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - George Ueda
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ah Ram Kim
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kevin M Jude
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jorge A Fallas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Maximillian Hafer
- Division of Biophysics, Department of Biology, University of Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Yi Miao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Robert A Saxton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jacob Piehler
- Division of Biophysics, Department of Biology, University of Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
- Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics, University of Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Vijay G Sankaran
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - K Christopher Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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33
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Zhu X, Finlay DB, Glass M, Duffull SB. An intact model for quantifying functional selectivity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2557. [PMID: 30796256 PMCID: PMC6384912 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39000-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A ligand that acts on a target receptor to activate particular multiple signalling pathways with activity that is distinct from other ligands is termed ligand bias. Quantification of ligand bias is based on applying the operational model to each pathway separately and subsequent calculation of the ligand bias metric (ΔΔlogR). This approach implies independence among different pathways and causes propagation of error in the calculation. Here, we propose a semi-mechanism-based model which allows for receptor selectivity across all the pathways simultaneously (termed the ‘intact operational model’). The power of the intact model for detecting ligand bias was evaluated via stochastic simulation estimation studies. It was also applied to two examples: (1) opposing effects of Gi/Gs signalling of α2-adrenergic receptors and (2) simultaneous measurement of arachidonic acid release and inositol phosphate accumulation following 5-HT2C receptor activation. The intact operational model demonstrated greater power to detect ligand bias in the simulation. In the applications, it provided better precision of estimation and identified biased ligands that were missed by analysis of traditional methods. Issues identified in both examples might lead to different interpretations of the data. The intact operational model may elucidate greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms of functional selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhu
- Otago Pharmacometrics Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - David B Finlay
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michelle Glass
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stephen B Duffull
- Otago Pharmacometrics Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Laschet C, Dupuis N, Hanson J. A dynamic and screening-compatible nanoluciferase-based complementation assay enables profiling of individual GPCR-G protein interactions. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:4079-4090. [PMID: 30593506 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are currently the target of more than 30% of the marketed medicines. However, there is an important medical need for ligands with improved pharmacological activities on validated drug targets. Moreover, most of these ligands remain poorly characterized, notably because of a lack of pharmacological tools. Thus, there is an important demand for innovative assays that can detect and drive the design of compounds with novel or improved pharmacological properties. In particular, a functional and screening-compatible GPCR-G protein interaction assay is still unavailable. Here, we report on a nanoluciferase-based complementation technique to detect ligands that promote a GPCR-G protein interaction. We demonstrate that our system can be used to profile compounds with regard to the G proteins they activate through a given GPCR. Furthermore, we established a proof of applicability of screening for distinct G proteins on dopamine receptor D2 whose differential coupling to Gαi/o family members has been extensively studied. In a D2-Gαi1 versus D2-Gαo screening, we retrieved five agonists that are currently being used in antiparkinsonian medications. We determined that in this assay, piribedil and pergolide are full agonists for the recruitment of Gαi1 but are partial agonists for Gαo, that the agonist activity of ropinirole is biased in favor of Gαi1 recruitment, and that the agonist activity of apomorphine is biased for Gαo We propose that this newly developed assay could be used to develop molecules that selectively modulate a particular G protein pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Laschet
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, University of Liège, 4000 Liège and
| | - Nadine Dupuis
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, University of Liège, 4000 Liège and
| | - Julien Hanson
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, University of Liège, 4000 Liège and .,the Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, CIRM-Drug Target and Lead Discovery, University of Liège, Liège CHU, B34 (+4), B-4000 Liège, Belgium
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35
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Abstract
The opioid epidemic is at the epicenter of the drug crisis, resulting in an inconceivable number of overdose deaths and exorbitant associated medical costs that have crippled many communities across the socioeconomic spectrum in the United States. Classic medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder predominantly target the opioid system and thus have been underutilized, in part due to their own potential for abuse and heavy regulatory burden for patients and clinicians. Opioid antagonists are now evolving in their use, not only to prevent acute overdoses but as extended-use treatment options. Strategies that target specific genetic and epigenetic factors, along with novel nonopioid medications, hold promise as future therapeutic interventions for opioid abuse. Success in increasing the treatment options in the clinical toolbox will, hopefully, help to end the historical pattern of recurring opioid epidemics. [AJP at 175: Remembering Our Past As We Envision Our Future Drug Addiction in Relation to Problems of Adolescence Zimmering and colleagues wrote in the midst of an opiate epidemic among young people that "only the human being, or rather certain types of human beings, will return to the enslaving, self-destructive habit." (Am J Psychiatry 1952; 109:272-278 )].
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin L. Hurd
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine, Addiction Institute, Mount Sinai Behavioral Health System, New York
| | - Charles P. O’Brien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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36
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Hill R, Disney A, Conibear A, Sutcliffe K, Dewey W, Husbands S, Bailey C, Kelly E, Henderson G. The novel μ-opioid receptor agonist PZM21 depresses respiration and induces tolerance to antinociception. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:2653-2661. [PMID: 29582414 PMCID: PMC6003631 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE PZM21 is a novel μ-opioid receptor ligand that has been reported to induce minimal arrestin recruitment and be devoid of the respiratory depressant effects characteristic of classical μ receptor ligands such as morphine. We have re-examined the signalling profile of PZM21 and its ability to depress respiration. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH G protein (Gi ) activation and arrestin-3 translocation were measured in vitro, using BRET assays, in HEK 293 cells expressing μ receptors. Respiration (rate and tidal volume) was measured in awake, freely moving mice by whole-body plethysmography, and antinociception was measured by the hot plate test. KEY RESULTS PZM21 (10-9 - 3 × 10-5 M) produced concentration-dependent Gi activation and arrestin-3 translocation. Comparison with responses evoked by morphine and DAMGO revealed that PZM21 was a low efficacy agonist in both signalling assays. PZM21 (10-80 mg·kg-1 ) depressed respiration in a dose-dependent manner. The respiratory depression was due to a decrease in the rate of breathing not a decrease in tidal volume. On repeated daily administration of PZM21 (twice daily doses of 40 mg·kg-1 ), complete tolerance developed to the antinociceptive effect of PZM21 over 3 days but no tolerance developed to its respiratory depressant effect. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These data demonstrate that PZM21 is a low efficacy μ receptor agonist for both G protein and arrestin signalling. Contrary to a previous report, PZM21 depresses respiration in a manner similar to morphine, the classical opioid receptor agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Hill
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and NeuroscienceUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Alex Disney
- Department of Pharmacy and PharmacologyUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Alex Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and NeuroscienceUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Katy Sutcliffe
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and NeuroscienceUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - William Dewey
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | | | - Chris Bailey
- Department of Pharmacy and PharmacologyUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and NeuroscienceUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Graeme Henderson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and NeuroscienceUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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Pillaiyar T, Köse M, Namasivayam V, Sylvester K, Borges G, Thimm D, von Kügelgen I, Müller CE. 6-(Ar)Alkylamino-Substituted Uracil Derivatives: Lipid Mimetics with Potent Activity at the Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptor 84 (GPR84). ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:3365-3383. [PMID: 30023867 PMCID: PMC6044507 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b02092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
GPR84, a Gi protein-coupled receptor that is activated by medium-chain (hydroxy)fatty acids, appears to play an important role in inflammation, immunity, and cancer. Recently, 6-octylaminouracil (4) has been reported to act as an agonist at GPR84. Here, we describe the synthesis of 69 derivatives and analogs of 4, 66 of which represent new compounds. They were evaluated in (a) cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation and (b) β-arrestin assays in human GPR84-expressing cells. Potent nonbiased as well as G protein-biased agonists were developed, e.g., 6-hexylamino-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione (20, PSB-1584, EC50 5.0 nM (a), 3.2 nM (b), bias factor: 0) and 6-((p-chloro- and p-bromo-phenylethyl)amino)-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione (47, PSB-16434, EC50 7.1 nM (a), 520 nM (b), bias factor: 1.9 = 79-fold Gi pathway-selective; 48, PSB-17365, EC50 2.5 nM (a), 100 nM (b), bias factor 1.3 = 20-fold selective), which were selective versus other free fatty acid-activated receptors. Compounds 20 and 48 were found to be metabolically stable upon incubation with human liver microsomes. A pharmacophore model was created on the basis of structurally diverse lipidlike GPR84 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar
- PharmaCenter
Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Meryem Köse
- PharmaCenter
Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Vigneshwaran Namasivayam
- PharmaCenter
Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Sylvester
- PharmaCenter
Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Gleice Borges
- PharmaCenter
Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Dominik Thimm
- PharmaCenter
Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ivar von Kügelgen
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christa E. Müller
- PharmaCenter
Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
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38
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-ninth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2016 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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39
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Mella RM, Kortazar D, Roura-Ferrer M, Salado C, Valcárcel M, Castilla A, Villacé P. Nomad Biosensors: A New Multiplexed Technology for the Screening of GPCR Ligands. SLAS Technol 2018; 23:207-216. [PMID: 29412765 DOI: 10.1177/2472630318754828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Nomad Technology (Innoprot [Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems], Derio, Spain), a novel tool for multiplexing high-throughput cell-based G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) assays, is described in this work. This new technology comprises a family of fluorescent biosensors called Nomad Biosensors that allow for the measurement of responses mediated by G proteins through their interactions with second-messenger transduction proteins. GPCRs are one of the largest protein families of receptors in eukaryotes, and their signaling mediates important physiological processes within cells. Thus, GPCRs are associated with a wide variety of diseases, and considered major targets in therapeutic research. Nomad constitutes a novel tool for unraveling the mechanism of GPCR signal transduction by simultaneously tracing different pathways. GPCR activation changes the structural folding of the biosensor and promotes its vesicularization, as well as an increase in the fluorescence intensity. Based on this technology, the MPXNomad cellular model was developed to discriminate between the Ca2+-mediated pathway and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated pathway. To validate this model, endothelin receptor B (ETBR) was coexpressed into the MPXNomad cell line and assessed with a specific agonist, an antagonist, and a chemical library of compounds. Nomad Technology optimizes the identification of novel GPCR ligands and enables the testing of large numbers of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa M Mella
- 1 Innoprot (Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems), Derio, Spain
| | - Danel Kortazar
- 1 Innoprot (Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems), Derio, Spain
| | | | - Clarisa Salado
- 1 Innoprot (Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems), Derio, Spain
| | - María Valcárcel
- 1 Innoprot (Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems), Derio, Spain
| | - Amaia Castilla
- 1 Innoprot (Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems), Derio, Spain
| | - Patricia Villacé
- 1 Innoprot (Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems), Derio, Spain
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40
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Michel MC, Charlton SJ. Biased Agonism in Drug Discovery-Is It Too Soon to Choose a Path? Mol Pharmacol 2018; 93:259-265. [PMID: 29326242 DOI: 10.1124/mol.117.110890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A single receptor can activate multiple signaling pathways that have distinct or even opposite effects on cell function. Biased agonists stabilize receptor conformations preferentially stimulating one of these pathways, and therefore allow a more targeted modulation of cell function and treatment of disease. Dedicated development of biased agonists has led to promising drug candidates in clinical development, such as the G protein-biased µ opioid receptor agonist oliceridine. However, leveraging the theoretical potential of biased agonism for drug discovery faces several challenges. Some of these challenges are technical, such as techniques for quantitative analysis of bias and development of suitable screening assays; others are more fundamental, such as the need to robustly identify in a very early phase which cell type harbors the cellular target of the drug candidate, which signaling pathway leads to the desired therapeutic effect, and how these pathways may be modulated in the disease to be treated. We conclude that biased agonism has potential mainly in the treatment of conditions with a well-understood pathophysiology; in contrast, it may increase effort and commercial risk under circumstances where the pathophysiology has been less well defined, as is the case with many highly innovative treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C Michel
- Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany (M.C.M.); Department of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (S.J.C.); and Excellerate Biosciences Ltd., MediCity, Nottingham, United Kingdom (S.J.C.)
| | - Steven J Charlton
- Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany (M.C.M.); Department of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (S.J.C.); and Excellerate Biosciences Ltd., MediCity, Nottingham, United Kingdom (S.J.C.)
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41
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Männel B, Jaiteh M, Zeifman A, Randakova A, Möller D, Hübner H, Gmeiner P, Carlsson J. Structure-Guided Screening for Functionally Selective D 2 Dopamine Receptor Ligands from a Virtual Chemical Library. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:2652-2661. [PMID: 28846380 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Functionally selective ligands stabilize conformations of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that induce a preference for signaling via a subset of the intracellular pathways activated by the endogenous agonists. The possibility to fine-tune the functional activity of a receptor provides opportunities to develop drugs that selectively signal via pathways associated with a therapeutic effect and avoid those causing side effects. Animal studies have indicated that ligands displaying functional selectivity at the D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) could be safer and more efficacious drugs against neuropsychiatric diseases. In this work, computational design of functionally selective D2R ligands was explored using structure-based virtual screening. Molecular docking of known functionally selective ligands to a D2R homology model indicated that such compounds were anchored by interactions with the orthosteric site and extended into a common secondary pocket. A tailored virtual library with close to 13 000 compounds bearing 2,3-dichlorophenylpiperazine, a privileged orthosteric scaffold, connected to diverse chemical moieties via a linker was docked to the D2R model. Eighteen top-ranked compounds that occupied both the orthosteric and allosteric site were synthesized, leading to the discovery of 16 partial agonists. A majority of the ligands had comparable maximum effects in the G protein and β-arrestin recruitment assays, but a subset displayed preference for a single pathway. In particular, compound 4 stimulated β-arrestin recruitment (EC50 = 320 nM, Emax = 16%) but had no detectable G protein signaling. The use of structure-based screening and virtual libraries to discover GPCR ligands with tailored functional properties will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Männel
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander University, Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mariama Jaiteh
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alexey Zeifman
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alena Randakova
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander University, Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Möller
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander University, Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander University, Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander University, Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jens Carlsson
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
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42
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Liu X, Zhao L, Wang Y, Zhou J, Wang D, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Wang Z, Yang D, Mou L, Wang R. MEL-N16: A Series of Novel Endomorphin Analogs with Good Analgesic Activity and a Favorable Side Effect Profile. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2180-2193. [PMID: 28732166 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid peptides are neuromodulators that bind to opioid receptors and reduce pain sensitivity. Endomorphins are among the most active endogenous opioid peptides, and they have good affinity and selectivity toward the μ opioid receptor. However, their clinical usage is hindered by their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier and their poor in vivo activity after peripheral injection. In order to overcome these defects, we have designed and synthesized a series of novel endomorphin analogs with multiple site modifications. Radioligand binding, cAMP accumulation, and β-arrestin-2 recruitment assays were employed to determine the activity of synthesized endomorphin analogs toward opioid receptors. The blood-brain barrier permeability and antinociceptive effect of these analogs were determined in several rodent models of acute and persistent pain. In addition, the side effects of the analogs were examined. The radioligand binding assay and functional activity examination indicated that the MEL-N16 series of compounds were more active agonists against μ opioid receptor than were the parent peptides. Notably, the analogs displayed biased downstream signaling toward G-protein pathways over β-arrestin-2 recruitment. The analogs showed highly potent antinociceptive effects in the tested nociceptive models. In comparison with endomorphins, the synthesized analogs were better able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and exerted their pain regulatory activity in the central nervous system after peripheral injection. These analogs also have lower tendency to cause side effects than morphine does at similar or equal antinociceptive doses. The MEL-N16 compounds have highly potent and efficacious analgesic effects in various pain models with a favorable side effect profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Long Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Dan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xianghui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Zhaojuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Dongxu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Lingyun Mou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
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43
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Madariaga-Mazón A, Marmolejo-Valencia AF, Li Y, Toll L, Houghten RA, Martinez-Mayorga K. Mu-Opioid receptor biased ligands: A safer and painless discovery of analgesics? Drug Discov Today 2017; 22:1719-1729. [PMID: 28743488 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Biased activation of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is shifting drug discovery efforts and appears promising for the development of safer drugs. The most effective analgesics to treat acute pain are agonists of the μ opioid receptor (μ-OR), a member of the GPCR superfamily. However, the analgesic use of opioid drugs, such as morphine, is hindered by adverse effects. Only a few μ-OR agonists have been reported to selectively activate the Gi over β-arrestin signaling pathway, resulting in lower gastrointestinal dysfunction and respiratory suppression. Here, we discuss the strategies that led to the development of biased μ-OR agonists, and potential areas for improvement, with an emphasis on structural aspects of the ligand-receptor recognition process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Madariaga-Mazón
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Andrés F Marmolejo-Valencia
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Yangmei Li
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Richard A Houghten
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Karina Martinez-Mayorga
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
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44
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Johnstone S, Albert JS. Pharmacological property optimization for allosteric ligands: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:2239-2258. [PMID: 28408223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.03.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
New strategies to potentially improve drug safety and efficacy emerge with allosteric programs. Biased allosteric modulators can be designed with high subtype selectivity and defined receptor signaling endpoints, however, selecting the most meaningful parameters for optimization can be perplexing. Historically, "potency hunting" at the expense of physicochemical and pharmacokinetic optimization has led to numerous tool compounds with excellent pharmacological properties but no path to drug development. Conversely, extensive physicochemical and pharmacokinetic screening with only post hoc bias and allosteric characterization has led to inefficacious compounds or compounds with on-target toxicities. This field is rapidly evolving with new mechanistic understanding, changes in terminology, and novel opportunities. The intent of this digest is to summarize current understanding and debates within the field. We aim to discuss, from a medicinal chemistry perspective, the parameter choices available to drive SAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Johnstone
- Department of Chemistry, IntelliSyn Pharma, 7171 Frederick-Banting, Montreal, Quebec H4S 1Z9, Canada.
| | - Jeffrey S Albert
- Department of Chemistry, IntelliSyn Pharma, 7171 Frederick-Banting, Montreal, Quebec H4S 1Z9, Canada; Department of Chemistry, AviSyn Pharma, 4275 Executive Square, Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States.
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Johnson TA, Milan-Lobo L, Che T, Ferwerda M, Lambu E, McIntosh NL, Li F, He L, Lorig-Roach N, Crews P, Whistler JL. Identification of the First Marine-Derived Opioid Receptor "Balanced" Agonist with a Signaling Profile That Resembles the Endorphins. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:473-485. [PMID: 27744679 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid therapeutics are excellent analgesics, whose utility is compromised by dependence. Morphine (1) and its clinically relevant derivatives such as OxyContin (2), Vicodin (3), and Dilaudid (4) are "biased" agonists at the μ opioid receptor (OR), wherein they engage G protein signaling but poorly engage β-arrestin and the endocytic machinery. In contrast, endorphins, the endogenous peptide agonists for ORs, are potent analgesics, show reduced liability for tolerance and dependence, and engage both G protein and β-arrestin pathways as "balanced" agonists. We set out to determine if marine-derived alkaloids could serve as novel OR agonist chemotypes with a signaling profile distinct from morphine and more similar to the endorphins. Screening of 96 sponge-derived extracts followed by LC-MS-based purification to pinpoint the active compounds and subsequent evaluation of a mini library of related alkaloids identified two structural classes that modulate the ORs. These included the following: aaptamine (10), 9-demethyl aaptamine (11), demethyl (oxy)-aaptamine (12) with activity at the δ-OR (EC50: 5.1, 4.1, 2.3 μM, respectively) and fascaplysin (17), and 10-bromo fascaplysin (18) with activity at the μ-OR (EC50: 6.3, 4.2 μM respectively). An in vivo evaluation of 10 using δ-KO mice indicated its previously reported antidepressant-like effects are dependent on the δ-OR. Importantly, 17 functioned as a balanced agonist promoting both G protein signaling and β-arrestin recruitment along with receptor endocytosis similar to the endorphins. Collectively these results demonstrate the burgeoning potential for marine natural products to serve as novel lead compounds for therapeutic targets in neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler A. Johnson
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
- Department
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, California 94901, United States
| | - Laura Milan-Lobo
- Department
of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Tao Che
- National
Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Madeline Ferwerda
- Department
of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Eptisam Lambu
- Department
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, California 94901, United States
| | - Nicole L. McIntosh
- Department
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, California 94901, United States
| | - Fei Li
- Department
of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Li He
- Department
of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Nicholas Lorig-Roach
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Phillip Crews
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Whistler
- Department
of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
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Reed B, Butelman ER, Kreek MJ. Endogenous opioid system in addiction and addiction-related behaviors. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Bologna Z, Teoh JP, Bayoumi AS, Tang Y, Kim IM. Biased G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling: New Player in Modulating Physiology and Pathology. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2017; 25:12-25. [PMID: 28035079 PMCID: PMC5207460 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2016.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a family of cell-surface proteins that play critical roles in regulating a variety of pathophysiological processes and thus are targeted by almost a third of currently available therapeutics. It was originally thought that GPCRs convert extracellular stimuli into intracellular signals through activating G proteins, whereas β-arrestins have important roles in internalization and desensitization of the receptor. Over the past decade, several novel functional aspects of β-arrestins in regulating GPCR signaling have been discovered. These previously unanticipated roles of β-arrestins to act as signal transducers and mediators of G protein-independent signaling have led to the concept of biased agonism. Biased GPCR ligands are able to engage with their target receptors in a manner that preferentially activates only G protein- or β-arrestin-mediated downstream signaling. This offers the potential for next generation drugs with high selectivity to therapeutically relevant GPCR signaling pathways. In this review, we provide a summary of the recent studies highlighting G protein- or β-arrestin-biased GPCR signaling and the effects of biased ligands on disease pathogenesis and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Bologna
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jian-Peng Teoh
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, GA 30912, USA
| | - Ahmed S Bayoumi
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, GA 30912, USA
| | - Yaoliang Tang
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, GA 30912, USA
| | - Il-Man Kim
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, GA 30912, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, GA 30912, USA
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Chen X, McCorvy JD, Fischer MG, Butler KV, Shen Y, Roth BL, Jin J. Discovery of G Protein-Biased D2 Dopamine Receptor Partial Agonists. J Med Chem 2016; 59:10601-10618. [PMID: 27805392 PMCID: PMC5148701 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Biased ligands (also known as functionally selective ligands) of G protein-coupled receptors are valuable tools for dissecting the roles of G protein-dependent and independent signaling pathways in health and disease. Biased ligands have also been increasingly pursued by the biomedical community as promising therapeutics with improved efficacy and reduced side effects compared with unbiased ligands. We previously discovered first-in-class β-arrestin-biased agonists of dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) by extensively exploring multiple regions of aripiprazole, a balanced D2R agonist. In our continuing efforts to identify biased agonists of D2R, we unexpectedly discovered a G protein-biased agonist of D2R, compound 1, which is the first G protein-biased D2R agonist from the aripiprazole scaffold. We designed and synthesized novel analogues to explore two regions of 1 and conducted structure-functional selectivity relationship (SFSR) studies. Here we report the discovery of 1, findings from our SFSR studies, and characterization of novel G protein-biased D2R agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - John D. McCorvy
- Department of Pharmacology and National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Matthew G. Fischer
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Kyle V. Butler
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Yudao Shen
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- Department of Pharmacology and National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
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Muhammad S, Han S, Xie X, Wang S, Aziz MM. Overview of online two-dimensional liquid chromatography based on cell membrane chromatography for screening target components from traditional Chinese medicines. J Sep Sci 2016; 40:299-313. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201600773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saqib Muhammad
- School of Pharmacy; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Shaanxi China
| | - Shengli Han
- School of Pharmacy; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Shaanxi China
| | - Xiaoyu Xie
- School of Pharmacy; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Shaanxi China
| | - Sicen Wang
- School of Pharmacy; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Shaanxi China
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Winpenny D, Clark M, Cawkill D. Biased ligand quantification in drug discovery: from theory to high throughput screening to identify new biased μ opioid receptor agonists. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:1393-403. [PMID: 26791140 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Biased GPCR ligands are able to engage with their target receptor in a manner that preferentially activates distinct downstream signalling and offers potential for next generation therapeutics. However, accurate quantification of ligand bias in vitro is complex, and current best practice is not amenable for testing large numbers of compound. We have therefore sought to apply ligand bias theory to an industrial scale screening campaign for the identification of new biased μ receptor agonists. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH μ receptor assays with appropriate dynamic range were developed for both Gαi -dependent signalling and β-arrestin2 recruitment. Δlog(Emax /EC50 ) analysis was validated as an alternative for the operational model of agonism in calculating pathway bias towards Gαi -dependent signalling. The analysis was applied to a high throughput screen to characterize the prevalence and nature of pathway bias among a diverse set of compounds with μ receptor agonist activity. KEY RESULTS A high throughput screening campaign yielded 440 hits with greater than 10-fold bias relative to DAMGO. To validate these results, we quantified pathway bias of a subset of hits using the operational model of agonism. The high degree of correlation across these biased hits confirmed that Δlog(Emax /EC50 ) was a suitable method for identifying genuine biased ligands within a large collection of diverse compounds. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This work demonstrates that using Δlog(Emax /EC50 ), drug discovery can apply the concept of biased ligand quantification on a large scale and accelerate the deliberate discovery of novel therapeutics acting via this complex pharmacology.
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