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Morales P, Scharf MM, Bermudez M, Egyed A, Franco R, Hansen OK, Jagerovic N, Jakubík J, Keserű GM, Kiss DJ, Kozielewicz P, Larsen O, Majellaro M, Mallo-Abreu A, Navarro G, Prieto-Díaz R, Rosenkilde MM, Sotelo E, Stark H, Werner T, Wingler LM. Progress on the development of Class A GPCR-biased ligands. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 39261899 DOI: 10.1111/bph.17301] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) continue to garner interest for their essential roles in cell signalling and their importance as drug targets. Although numerous drugs in the clinic target these receptors, over 60% GPCRs remain unexploited. Moreover, the adverse effects triggered by the available unbiased GPCR modulators, limit their use and therapeutic value. In this context, the elucidation of biased signalling has opened up new pharmacological avenues holding promise for safer therapeutics. Functionally selective ligands favour receptor conformations facilitating the recruitment of specific effectors and the modulation of the associated pathways. This review surveys the current drug discovery landscape of GPCR-biased modulators with a focus on recent advances. Understanding the biological effects of this preferential coupling is at different stages depending on the Class A GPCR family. Therefore, with a focus on individual GPCR families, we present a compilation of the functionally selective modulators reported over the past few years. In doing so, we dissect their therapeutic relevance, molecular determinants and potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Magdalena M Scharf
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcel Bermudez
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Attila Egyed
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group and National Drug Discovery and Development Laboratory, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rafael Franco
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CiberNed. Network Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- School of Chemistry, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olivia K Hansen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nadine Jagerovic
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jan Jakubík
- Institute of Physiology Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group and National Drug Discovery and Development Laboratory, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Judit Kiss
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group and National Drug Discovery and Development Laboratory, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pawel Kozielewicz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olav Larsen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ana Mallo-Abreu
- Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CIQUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- CiberNed. Network Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rubén Prieto-Díaz
- Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CIQUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mette M Rosenkilde
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eddy Sotelo
- Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CIQUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Holger Stark
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Institut fuer Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Tobias Werner
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Institut fuer Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Laura M Wingler
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Maaliki D, Jaffa AA, Nasser S, Sahebkar A, Eid AH. Adrenoceptor Desensitization: Current Understanding of Mechanisms. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:358-387. [PMID: 38697858 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce a wide range of extracellular signals. They are key players in the majority of biologic functions including vision, olfaction, chemotaxis, and immunity. However, as essential as most of them are to body function and homeostasis, overactivation of GPCRs has been implicated in many pathologic diseases such as cancer, asthma, and heart failure (HF). Therefore, an important feature of G protein signaling systems is the ability to control GPCR responsiveness, and one key process to control overstimulation involves initiating receptor desensitization. A number of steps are appreciated in the desensitization process, including cell surface receptor phosphorylation, internalization, and downregulation. Rapid or short-term desensitization occurs within minutes and involves receptor phosphorylation via the action of intracellular protein kinases, the binding of β-arrestins, and the consequent uncoupling of GPCRs from their cognate heterotrimeric G proteins. On the other hand, long-term desensitization occurs over hours to days and involves receptor downregulation or a decrease in cell surface receptor protein level. Of the proteins involved in this biologic phenomenon, β-arrestins play a particularly significant role in both short- and long-term desensitization mechanisms. In addition, β-arrestins are involved in the phenomenon of biased agonism, where the biased ligand preferentially activates one of several downstream signaling pathways, leading to altered cellular responses. In this context, this review discusses the different patterns of desensitization of the α 1-, α 2- and the β adrenoceptors and highlights the role of β-arrestins in regulating physiologic responsiveness through desensitization and biased agonism. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A sophisticated network of proteins orchestrates the molecular regulation of GPCR activity. Adrenoceptors are GPCRs that play vast roles in many physiological processes. Without tightly controlled desensitization of these receptors, homeostatic imbalance may ensue, thus precipitating various diseases. Here, we critically appraise the mechanisms implicated in adrenoceptor desensitization. A better understanding of these mechanisms helps identify new druggable targets within the GPCR desensitization machinery and opens exciting therapeutic fronts in the treatment of several pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Maaliki
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Aneese A Jaffa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Suzanne Nasser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
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Baker JG, Summers RJ. Adrenoceptors: Receptors, Ligands and Their Clinical Uses, Molecular Pharmacology and Assays. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2024; 285:55-145. [PMID: 38926158 DOI: 10.1007/164_2024_713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The nine G protein-coupled adrenoceptor subtypes are where the endogenous catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline interact with cells. Since they are important therapeutic targets, over a century of effort has been put into developing drugs that modify their activity. This chapter provides an outline of how we have arrived at current knowledge of the receptors, their physiological roles and the methods used to develop ligands. Initial studies in vivo and in vitro with isolated organs and tissues progressed to cell-based techniques and the use of cloned adrenoceptor subtypes together with high-throughput assays that allow close examination of receptors and their signalling pathways. The crystal structures of many of the adrenoceptor subtypes have now been determined opening up new possibilities for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian G Baker
- Cell Signalling, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Tompkins E, Mimic B, Penn RB, Pera T. The biased M3 mAChR ligand PD 102807 mediates qualitatively distinct signaling to regulate airway smooth muscle phenotype. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105209. [PMID: 37660916 PMCID: PMC10520882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105209] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells attain a hypercontractile phenotype during obstructive airway diseases. We recently identified a biased M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) ligand, PD 102807, that induces GRK-/arrestin-dependent AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation to inhibit transforming growth factor-β-induced hypercontractile ASM phenotype. Conversely, the balanced mAChR agonist, methacholine (MCh), activates AMPK yet does not regulate ASM phenotype. In the current study, we demonstrate that PD 102807- and MCh-induced AMPK activation both depend on Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase kinases (CaMKKs). However, MCh-induced AMPK activation is calcium-dependent and mediated by CaMKK1 and CaMKK2 isoforms. In contrast, PD 102807-induced signaling is calcium-independent and mediated by the atypical subtype protein kinase C-iota and the CaMKK1 (but not CaMKK2) isoform. Both MCh- and PD 102807-induced AMPK activation involve the AMPK α1 isoform. PD 102807-induced AMPK α1 (but not AMPK α2) isoform activation mediates inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in ASM cells, as demonstrated by increased Raptor (regulatory-associated protein of mTOR) phosphorylation as well as inhibition of phospho-S6 protein and serum response element-luciferase activity. The mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin and the AMPK activator metformin both mimic the ability of PD 102807 to attenuate transforming growth factor-β-induced α-smooth muscle actin expression (a marker of hypercontractile ASM). These data indicate that PD 102807 transduces a signaling pathway (AMPK-mediated mTORC1 inhibition) qualitatively distinct from canonical M3 mAChR signaling to prevent pathogenic remodeling of ASM, thus demonstrating PD 102807 is a biased M3 mAChR ligand with therapeutic potential for the management of obstructive airway disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Tompkins
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bogdana Mimic
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Raymond B Penn
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tonio Pera
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Matera MG, Rinaldi B, Calzetta L, Rogliani P, Cazzola M. Advances in adrenergic receptors for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 2023 update. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:2133-2142. [PMID: 37955136 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2282673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Strong scientific evidence and large experience support the use of β2-agonists for the symptomatic alleviation of COPD. Therefore, there is considerable effort in discovering highly potent and selective β2-agonists. AREAS COVERED Recent research on novel β2-agonists for the treatment of COPD. A detailed literature search was performed in two major databases (PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus) up to September 2023." EXPERT OPINION Compounds that preferentially activate a Gs- or β-arrestin-mediated signaling pathway via β- adrenoceptors (ARs) are more innovative. Pepducins, which target the intracellular region of β2-AR to modulate receptor signaling output, have the most interesting profile from a pharmacological point of view. They stabilize the conformation of the β2-AR and influence its signaling by interacting with the intracellular receptor-G protein interface. New bifunctional drugs called muscarinic antagonist-β2 agonist (MABA), which have both muscarinic receptor (mAChR) antagonism and β2-agonist activity in the same molecule, are a new opportunity. However, all tested compounds have been shown to act predominantly as mAChR antagonists or β2-agonists. An intriguing idea is to utilize allosteric modulators that bind to β2-ARs at sites different than those bound by orthosteric ligands to augment or reduce the signaling transduced by the orthosteric ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gabriella Matera
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Rinaldi
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Luigino Calzetta
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases and Lung Function, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Paola Rogliani
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
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Ippolito M, De Pascali F, Hopfinger N, Komolov KE, Laurinavichyute D, Reddy PAN, Sakkal LA, Rajkowski KZ, Nayak AP, Lee J, Lee J, Cao G, Donover PS, Reichman M, An SS, Salvino JM, Penn RB, Armen RS, Scott CP, Benovic JL. Identification of a β-arrestin-biased negative allosteric modulator for the β 2-adrenergic receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302668120. [PMID: 37490535 PMCID: PMC10401000 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302668120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Catecholamine-stimulated β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) signaling via the canonical Gs-adenylyl cyclase-cAMP-PKA pathway regulates numerous physiological functions, including the therapeutic effects of exogenous β-agonists in the treatment of airway disease. β2AR signaling is tightly regulated by GRKs and β-arrestins, which together promote β2AR desensitization and internalization as well as downstream signaling, often antithetical to the canonical pathway. Thus, the ability to bias β2AR signaling toward the Gs pathway while avoiding β-arrestin-mediated effects may provide a strategy to improve the functional consequences of β2AR activation. Since attempts to develop Gs-biased agonists and allosteric modulators for the β2AR have been largely unsuccessful, here we screened small molecule libraries for allosteric modulators that selectively inhibit β-arrestin recruitment to the receptor. This screen identified several compounds that met this profile, and, of these, a difluorophenyl quinazoline (DFPQ) derivative was found to be a selective negative allosteric modulator of β-arrestin recruitment to the β2AR while having no effect on β2AR coupling to Gs. DFPQ effectively inhibits agonist-promoted phosphorylation and internalization of the β2AR and protects against the functional desensitization of β-agonist mediated regulation in cell and tissue models. The effects of DFPQ were also specific to the β2AR with minimal effects on the β1AR. Modeling, mutagenesis, and medicinal chemistry studies support DFPQ derivatives binding to an intracellular membrane-facing region of the β2AR, including residues within transmembrane domains 3 and 4 and intracellular loop 2. DFPQ thus represents a class of biased allosteric modulators that targets an allosteric site of the β2AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ippolito
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Francesco De Pascali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Nathan Hopfinger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Konstantin E. Komolov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Daniela Laurinavichyute
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | | | - Leon A. Sakkal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Kyle Z. Rajkowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Ajay P. Nayak
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Justin Lee
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ08901
| | - Jordan Lee
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ08901
| | - Gaoyuan Cao
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ08901
| | | | | | - Steven S. An
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ08901
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ08854
| | | | - Raymond B. Penn
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Roger S. Armen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Charles P. Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Jeffrey L. Benovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
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Shah SD, Lind C, De Pascali F, Penn RB, MacKerell AD, Deshpande DA. In silico identification of a β 2-adrenoceptor allosteric site that selectively augments canonical β 2AR-Gs signaling and function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2214024119. [PMID: 36449547 PMCID: PMC9894167 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214024119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of β2-adrenoceptors (β2ARs) causes airway smooth muscle (ASM) relaxation and bronchodilation, and β2AR agonists (β-agonists) are front-line treatments for asthma and other obstructive lung diseases. However, the therapeutic efficacy of β-agonists is limited by agonist-induced β2AR desensitization and noncanonical β2AR signaling involving β-arrestin that is shown to promote asthma pathophysiology. Accordingly, we undertook the identification of an allosteric site on β2AR that could modulate the activity of β-agonists to overcome these limitations. We employed the site identification by ligand competitive saturation (SILCS) computational method to comprehensively map the entire 3D structure of in silico-generated β2AR intermediate conformations and identified a putative allosteric binding site. Subsequent database screening using SILCS identified drug-like molecules with the potential to bind to the site. Experimental assays in HEK293 cells (expressing recombinant wild-type human β2AR) and human ASM cells (expressing endogenous β2AR) identified positive and negative allosteric modulators (PAMs and NAMs) of β2AR as assessed by regulation of β-agonist-stimulation of cyclic AMP generation. PAMs/NAMs had no effect on β-agonist-induced recruitment of β-arrestin to β2AR- or β-agonist-induced loss of cell surface expression in HEK293 cells expressing β2AR. Mutagenesis analysis of β2AR confirmed the SILCS identified site based on mutants of amino acids R131, Y219, and F282. Finally, functional studies revealed augmentation of β-agonist-induced relaxation of contracted human ASM cells and bronchodilation of contracted airways. These findings identify a allosteric binding site on the β2AR, whose activation selectively augments β-agonist-induced Gs signaling, and increases relaxation of ASM cells, the principal therapeutic effect of β-agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushrut D. Shah
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Christoffer Lind
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Computer-Aided Drug Design Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore,MD21201
| | - Francesco De Pascali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Raymond B. Penn
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Alexander D. MacKerell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Computer-Aided Drug Design Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore,MD21201
| | - Deepak A. Deshpande
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Philadelphia, PA19107
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Deshpande DA, Penn RB. A cryptic mode of GPCR regulation revealed. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:900-901. [PMID: 36109317 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Over three decades of research have provided thorough insights into G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) regulation. In a recent issue of Molecular Cell, Fonseca et al. identified a previously overlooked desensitization mechanism. Agonist activation of the β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) causes its S-nitrosylation that is required for the receptor to internalize and desensitize. Eliminating β2AR S-nitrosylation by mutation of C265 augments β2AR protein kinase A signaling, enables β2AR nitric oxide (NO) signaling, renders mice resistant to bronchoconstriction, and protects mice from allergen-induced asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak A Deshpande
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Raymond B Penn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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