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Pola P, Frezza A, Gavioli EC, Calò G, Ruzza C. Effects of Stress Exposure to Pain Perception in Pre-Clinical Studies: Focus on the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ-NOP Receptor System. Brain Sci 2024; 14:936. [PMID: 39335430 PMCID: PMC11431041 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14090936] [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: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to physical and psychological stress modulates pain transmission in a dual manner. Stress-induced analgesia (SIA) refers to the reduction in pain sensitivity that can occur in response to acute stress. On the contrary, chronic stress exposure may lead to a phenomenon named stress-induced hyperalgesia (SIH). SIH is a clinically relevant phenomenon since it has been well documented that physical and psychological stress exacerbates pain in patients with several chronic pain syndromes, including migraine. The availability of animal models of SIA and SIH is of high importance for understanding the biological mechanisms leading to these phenomena and for the identification of pharmacological targets useful to alleviate the burden of stress-exacerbated chronic pain. Among these targets, the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ)-N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor system has been identified as a key modulator of both pain transmission and stress susceptibility. This review describes first the experimental approaches to induce SIA and SIH in rodents. The second part of the manuscript summarizes the scientific evidence that suggests the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system as a player in the stress-pain interaction and candidates NOP antagonists as useful drugs to mitigate the detrimental effects of stress exposure on pain perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Pola
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessia Frezza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Technopole of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Ciancetta A, Malfacini D, Gozzi M, Marzola E, Camilotto R, Calò G, Guerrini R. A Multi-Angle Approach to Predict Peptide-GPCR Complexes: The N/OFQ-NOP System as a Successful AlphaFold Application Case Study. J Chem Inf Model 2024. [PMID: 39137328 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
With nearly 700 structures solved and a growing number of customized structure prediction algorithms being developed at a fast pace, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an optimal test case for validating new approaches for the prediction of receptor active state and ligand bioactive conformation complexes. In this study, we leveraged the availability of hundreds of peptide GPCRs in the active state and both classical homology and artificial intelligence (AI) based protein modeling combined with docking and AI-based peptide structure prediction approaches to predict the nociceptin/orphanin FQ-NOP receptor active state complex (N/OFQ-NOPa). The In Silico generated hypotheses were validated via the design, synthesis, and pharmacological characterization of novel linear N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 analogues, leading to the discovery of a novel antagonist (3B; pKB = 6.63) bearing a single ring-constrained residue in place of the Gly2-Gly3 motif of the N/OFQ message sequence (FGGF). While the experimental validation was ongoing, the availability of the Cryo-EM structure of the predicted complex enabled us to unambiguously validate the generated hypotheses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a peptide-GPCR complex predicted with atomistic accuracy (full complex Cα RMSD < 1.0 Å) and of the N/OFQ message moiety being successfully modified with a rigid scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Ciancetta
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Matteo Gozzi
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Erika Marzola
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Riccardo Camilotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Han Y, Chen S, Yang Q, Xie M, Liang Y, Li J, Zhang LZ. Non-peptide orphanin receptor antagonist activity in rat myocardial ischemia-induced cardiac arrhythmias. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 685:149160. [PMID: 37922788 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149160] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
One of the causes of sudden cardiac death is arrhythmia after acute myocardial ischemia. After ischemia, endogenous orphanin (N/OFQ) plays a role in the development of arrhythmias. It is discussed in this paper how nonpeptide orphanin receptor (ORL1) antagonists such as J-113397, SB-612111 and compound-24 (C-24) affect arrhythmia in rats following acute myocardial ischemia and what the optimal concentrations for these antagonists are. The electrocardiogram of the rat was recorded as part of the experiment. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the myocardium were measured following euthanasia. Following the use of three antagonists, we found the lowest inflammatory factor concentrations and the smallest number of ischemic arrhythmia episodes. All of them had a small impact on cardiac function. LF/HF values were significantly reduced in all three antagonist groups, suggesting that they are involved in the regulation of sympathetic nerves. In conclusion, pretreatment with the three antagonist groups can effectively reduce the concentration of TNF-α and IL-1β, and the occurrence of arrhythmias after ischemia can also be significantly reduced. Inflammation and sympathetic activity may be related to the mechanism of action of antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, China; College of Anesthesiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, China.
| | - Sikun Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Linfen People's Hospital, Linfen, 041000, China
| | - Qixing Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Linfen People's Hospital, Linfen, 041000, China
| | - Mengli Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xi 'an Honghui Hospital, Xian, 710000, China
| | - Yuzhang Liang
- School of Physics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Endocrine, Central Hospital of China Railway 12th Bureau Group, 182 Yingze Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Lin-Zhong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, China; College of Anesthesiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, China
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Al Yacoub ON, Tarantini S, Zhang Y, Csiszar A, Standifer KM. The Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ peptide receptor antagonist, SB-612111, improves cerebral blood flow in a rat model of traumatic brain injury. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1272969. [PMID: 37920208 PMCID: PMC10618424 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1272969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. each year and is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults ages 1 to 44. Approximately 90% of TBI cases are classified as mild but may still lead to acute detrimental effects such as impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF) that result in prolonged impacts on brain function and quality of life in up to 15% of patients. We previously reported that nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor antagonism reversed mild blast TBI-induced vestibulomotor deficits and prevented hypoxia. To explore mechanisms by which the NOP receptor-N/OFQ pathway modulates hypoxia and other TBI sequelae, the ability of the NOP antagonist, SB-612111 (SB), to reverse TBI-induced CBF and associated injury marker changes were tested in this study. Male Wistar rats randomly received sham craniotomy or craniotomy + TBI via controlled cortical impact. Injury severity was assessed after 1 h (modified neurological severity score (mNSS). Changes in CBF were assessed 2 h post-injury above the exposed cortex using laser speckle contrast imaging in response to the direct application of increasing concentrations of vehicle or SB (1, 10, and 100 µM) to the brain surface. TBI increased mNSS scores compared to baseline and confirmed mild TBI (mTBI) severity. CBF was significantly impaired on the ipsilateral side of the brain following mTBI, compared to contralateral side and to sham rats. SB dose-dependently improved CBF on the ipsilateral side after mTBI compared to SB effects on the respective ipsilateral side of sham rats but had no effect on contralateral CBF or in uninjured rats. N/OFQ levels increased in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) following mTBI, which correlated with the percent decrease in ipsilateral CBF. TBI also activated ERK and cofilin within 3 h post-TBI; ERK activation correlated with increased CSF N/OFQ. In conclusion, this study reveals a significant contribution of the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system to TBI-induced dysregulation of cerebral vasculature and suggests that the NOP receptor should be considered as a potential therapeutic target for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar N. Al Yacoub
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Anna Csiszar
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Kelly M. Standifer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
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Bird MF, Hebbes CP, Tamang A, Willets JM, Thompson JP, Guerrini R, Calo G, Lambert DG. In vitro sepsis up-regulates Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ receptor expression and function on human T- but not B-cells. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2298-2314. [PMID: 37021779 PMCID: PMC10953342 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16088] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In animal models of sepsis, increased activation of the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor NOP is associated with mortality and NOP antagonists improved survival. We have explored the role of the N/OFQ-NOP system in freshly isolated volunteer human B- and T-cells incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan G (PepG) as a model of in vitro sepsis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH B- and T-cell NOP expression was measured using the NOP fluorescent probe N/OFQATTO594 , N/OFQ content was measured using immunofluorescence, N/OFQ release was tracked using a CHOhNOPGαiq5 biosensor assay and NOP function was measured using transwell migration and cytokine/chemokine release using a 25-plex assay format. Cells were challenged with LPS/PepG. KEY RESULTS CD19-positive B-cells bound N/OFQATTO594 ; they also contain N/OFQ. Stimulation with CXCL13/IL-4 increased N/OFQ release. N/OFQ trended to reduced migration to CXCL13/IL-4. Surface NOP expression was unaffected by LPS/PepG, but this treatment increased GM-CSF release in an N/OFQ sensitive manner. CD3-positive T-cells did not bind N/OFQATTO594 ; they did contain N/OFQ. Stimulation with CXCL12/IL-6 increased N/OFQ release. When incubated with LPS/PepG, NOP surface expression was induced leading to N/OFQATTO594 binding. In LPS/PepG-treated cells, N/OFQ reduced migration to CXCL12/IL-6. LPS/PepG increased GM-CSF release in an N/OFQ sensitive manner. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We suggest both a constitutive and sepsis-inducible N/OFQ-NOP receptor autocrine regulation of B- and T-cell function, respectively. These NOP receptors variably inhibit migration and reduce GM-CSF release. These data provide mechanistic insights to the detrimental role for increased N/OFQ signalling in sepsis and suggest a potential role for NOP antagonists as treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F. Bird
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain ManagementUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - Christopher P. Hebbes
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain ManagementUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | | | | | - Jonathan P. Thompson
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain ManagementUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural SciencesUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological SciencesUniversity of PadovaPaduaItaly
| | - David G. Lambert
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain ManagementUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
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Bird MF, Hebbes CP, Scott SWM, Willets J, Thompson JP, Lambert DG. A novel bioassay to detect Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ release from single human polymorphonuclear cells. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268868. [PMID: 35622823 PMCID: PMC9140256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous opioid agonist for the N/OFQ receptor or NOP. This receptor system is involved in pain processing but also has a role in immune regulation. Indeed, polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) express mRNA for N/OFQ precursor and are a potential source for circulating N/OFQ. Current measurements are based on ELISA and RIA techniques. In this study we have designed a bioassay to measure N/OFQ release from single PMNs. Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the human (h) NOP receptor and Gαiq5 chimera force receptor coupling in biosensor cells to increase intracellular Ca2+; this can be measured with FLUO-4 dye. If isolated PMNs from healthy human volunteers are layered next to CHOhNOPGαiq5 biosensor cells then stimulated with the chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) we hypothesise that released N/OFQ will activate the biosensor. PMNs also release ATP and CHO cells express purinergic receptors coupled to elevated Ca2+. In a system where these receptors (P2Y1, P2Y2 and P2X7) are blocked with high concentrations of PPADS and oATP, PMN stimulation with fMLP increases Ca2+ in PMNs then shortly afterwards the biosensor cells. Our data therfore reports detection of single cell N/OFQ release from immune cells. This was absent when cells were preincubated with the selective NOP antagonist; SB-612111. Collectively this is the first description of single cell N/OFQ release. We will deploy this assay with further purified individual cell types and use this to further study the role of the N/OFQ-NOP system in disease; in particular sepsis where there is strong evidence for increased levels of N/OFQ worsening outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. F. Bird
- Departments of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - C. P. Hebbes
- Departments of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - S. W. M. Scott
- Departments of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - J. Willets
- Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester United Kingdom
| | - J. P. Thompson
- Departments of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - D. G. Lambert
- Departments of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Santos JLS, Bezerra KS, Barbosa ED, Pereira ACL, Meurer YSR, Oliveira JIN, Gavioli EC, Fulco UL. In silico analysis of energy interactions between nociceptin/orfanin FQ receptor and two antagonists with potential antidepressive action. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj00916a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study addresses the binding energies of NOPR-ligand complexes and presents the main amino acid residues involved in the interaction between these complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. L. S. Santos
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - K. S. Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - E. D. Barbosa
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - A. C. L. Pereira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Y. S. R. Meurer
- Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa-PB, Brazil
| | - J. I. N. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - E. C. Gavioli
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - U. L. Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal-RN, Brazil
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Pacifico S, Ferrari F, Albanese V, Marzola E, Neto JA, Ruzza C, Calò G, Preti D, Guerrini R. Biased Agonism at Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptors: A Structure Activity Study on N/OFQ(1-13)-NH 2. J Med Chem 2020; 63:10782-10795. [PMID: 32901477 PMCID: PMC8011926 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) controls different biological functions via selective stimulation of the N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor. The pleiotropic actions of N/OFQ may limit the development of NOP ligands as innovative drugs in different therapeutic areas. The pharmacological concept of functional selectivity (aka biased agonism) might be useful for amplifying beneficial actions and/or counteracting side effects. Thus, molecules with large bias factors toward G protein or β arrestin are required for investigating the translational value of NOP biased modulation. Herein, the biased behavior of a heterogeneous library of NOP-targeting peptide derivatives was evaluated in vitro with the aim to provide possible insights into the structural determinants that govern the selective activation of G protein versus β-arrestin. Our results demonstrate that lipidation of N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 is a useful strategy for obtaining G protein biased agonists for the NOP receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Pacifico
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department
of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valentina Albanese
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Erika Marzola
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Joaquim Azevedo Neto
- Department
of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department
of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA
Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Technopole
of Ferrara, Via Fossato
di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department
of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Delia Preti
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA
Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Technopole
of Ferrara, Via Fossato
di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Taylor RM, Jeong IH, May MD, Bergman EM, Capaldi VF, Moore NLT, Matson LM, Lowery-Gionta EG. Fear expression is reduced after acute and repeated nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor antagonism in rats: therapeutic implications for traumatic stress exposure. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2943-2958. [PMID: 32588078 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05582-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Evaluation of pharmacotherapies for acute stress disorder (ASD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is challenging due to robust heterogeneity of trauma histories and limited efficacy of any single candidate to reduce all stress-induced effects. Pursuing novel mechanisms, such as the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) system, may be a viable path for therapeutic development and of interest as it is involved in regulation of relevant behaviors and recently implicated in PTSD and ASD. OBJECTIVES First, we evaluated NOP receptor antagonism on general behavioral performance and again following a three-species predator exposure model (Experiment 1). Then, we evaluated effects of NOP antagonism on fear memory expression (Experiment 2). METHODS Adult, male rats underwent daily administration of NOP antagonists (J-113397 or SB-612,111; 0-20 mg/kg, i.p.) and testing in acoustic startle, elevated plus maze, tail-flick, and open field tests. Effects of acute NOP antagonism on behavioral performance following predator exposure were then assessed. Separately, rats underwent fear conditioning and were later administered SB-612,111 (0-3 mg/kg, i.p.) prior to fear memory expression tests. RESULTS J-113397 and SB-612,111 did not significantly alter most general behavioral performance measures alone, suggesting minimal off-target behavioral effects of NOP antagonism. J-113397 and SB-612,111 restored performance in measures of exploratory behavior (basic movements on the elevated plus maze and total distance in the open field) following predator exposure. Additionally, SB-612,111 significantly reduced freezing behavior relative to control groups across repeated fear memory expression tests, suggesting NOP antagonism may be useful in dampening fear responses. Other measures of general behavioral performance were not significantly altered following predator exposure. CONCLUSIONS NOP antagonists may be useful as pharmacotherapeutics for dampening fear responses to trauma reminders, and the present results provide supporting evidence for the implication of the NOP system in the neuropathophysiology of dysregulations in fear learning and memory processes observed in trauma- and stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Taylor
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA.
| | - Isaac H Jeong
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Matthew D May
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Bergman
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Vincent F Capaldi
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Nicole L T Moore
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Liana M Matson
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Emily G Lowery-Gionta
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA.
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10
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Ferrari F, Rizzo S, Ruzza C, Calo G. Detailed In Vitro Pharmacological Characterization of the Clinically Viable Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Peptide Receptor Antagonist BTRX-246040. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 373:34-43. [PMID: 31937563 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.262865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the natural ligand of the N/OFQ receptor (NOP), which is widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system. Selective NOP antagonists are worthy of testing as innovative drugs to treat depression, Parkinson disease, and drug abuse. The aim of this study was to perform a detailed in vitro characterization of BTRX-246040 (also known as LY2940094, [2-[4-[(2-chloro-4,4-difluoro-spiro[5H-thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7,4'-piperidine]-1'-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-3-pyridyl]methanol), a novel NOP antagonist that has been already studied in humans. BTRX-246040 has been tested in vitro in the following assays: calcium mobilization in cells expressing NOP and classic opioid receptors and chimeric G proteins, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assay measuring NOP interaction with G proteins and β-arrestins, the label-free dynamic mass redistribution assay, and the electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens. BTRX-246040 was systematically compared with the standard NOP antagonist SB-612111. In all assays, BTRX-246040 behaves as a pure and selective antagonist at human recombinant and murine native NOP receptors displaying 3-10-fold higher potency than the standard antagonist SB-612111. BTRX-246040 is an essential pharmacological tool to further investigate the therapeutic potential of NOP antagonists in preclinical and clinical studies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: NOP antagonists may be innovative antidepressant drugs. In this research, the novel clinically viable NOP antagonist BTRX-246040 has been deeply characterized in vitro in a panel of assays. BTRX-246040 resulted a pure, potent, and selective NOP antagonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (F.F., S.R., C.R., G.C.) and Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy (C.R.)
| | - Sabrina Rizzo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (F.F., S.R., C.R., G.C.) and Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy (C.R.)
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (F.F., S.R., C.R., G.C.) and Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy (C.R.)
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (F.F., S.R., C.R., G.C.) and Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy (C.R.)
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11
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Mercatelli D, Bezard E, Eleopra R, Zaveri NT, Morari M. Managing Parkinson's disease: moving ON with NOP. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:28-47. [PMID: 31648371 PMCID: PMC6976791 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The opioid-like neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor (NOP receptor) contribute to Parkinson's disease (PD) and motor complications associated with levodopa therapy. The N/OFQ-NOP receptor system is expressed in cortical and subcortical motor areas and, notably, in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra compacta. Dopamine depletion, as in rodent models of PD results in up-regulation of N/OFQ transmission in the substantia nigra and down-regulation of N/OFQ transmission in the striatum. Consistent with this, NOP receptor antagonists relieve motor deficits in PD models by reinstating the physiological balance between excitatory and inhibitory inputs impinging on nigro-thalamic GABAergic neurons. NOP receptor antagonists also counteract the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, possibly by attenuating the excitotoxicity or modulating the immune response. Conversely, NOP receptor agonists attenuate levodopa-induced dyskinesia by attenuating the hyperactivation of striatal D1 receptor signalling in neurons of the direct striatonigral pathway. The N/OFQ-NOP receptor system might represent a novel target in the therapy of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Mercatelli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of PharmacologyUniversity of Ferrara and National Institute of NeuroscienceFerraraItaly
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293Université de BordeauxBordeauxFrance
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5293BordeauxFrance
| | - Roberto Eleopra
- Neurology Unit 1Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Nurulain T. Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, Medicinal Chemistry DivisionMountain ViewCaliforniaUSA
| | - Michele Morari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of PharmacologyUniversity of Ferrara and National Institute of NeuroscienceFerraraItaly
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12
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Holanda VAD, Pacifico S, Azevedo Neto J, Finetti L, Lobão-Soares B, Calo G, Gavioli EC, Ruzza C. Modulation of the NOP receptor signaling affects resilience to acute stress. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:1540-1549. [PMID: 31337258 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119864942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor (NOP) are implicated in the modulation of emotional states. Previous human and rodent findings support NOP antagonists as antidepressants. However, the role played by the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in resilience to stress is unclear. AIMS The present study investigated the effects of activation or blockade of NOP receptor signaling before exposure to acute stress. METHODS The behavioral effects of the administration before stress of the NOP agonists Ro 65-6570 (0.01-1 mg/kg) and MCOPPB (0.1-10 mg/kg), and the NOP antagonist SB-612111 (1-10 mg/kg) were assessed in mice exposed to inescapable electric footshock and forced swim as stressors. The behavioral phenotype of mice lacking the NOP receptor (NOP(-/-)) exposed to inescapable electric footshock was also investigated. RESULTS The activation of NOP receptor signaling with the agonists increased the percentage of mice developing helpless behavior and facilitated immobile posture. In contrast, the blockade of NOP receptor reduced the acquisition of depressive-like phenotypes, and similar resistance to develop helpless behaviors was observed in NOP(-/-) mice. Under the same stressful conditions, the antidepressant nortriptyline (20 mg/kg) did not change the acquisition of helpless behavior and immobile posture. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the view that NOP activation during acute stress facilitates the development of depressive-related behaviors, whereas NOP blockade has a protective outcome. This study showed for first time that NOP antagonists are worthy of investigation as preemptive treatments in patients with severe risk factors for depression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Benzimidazoles/administration & dosage
- Benzimidazoles/pharmacology
- Cycloheptanes/administration & dosage
- Cycloheptanes/pharmacology
- Depression/drug therapy
- Depression/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Imidazoles/administration & dosage
- Imidazoles/pharmacology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Nortriptyline/pharmacology
- Opioid Peptides/metabolism
- Piperidines/administration & dosage
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Receptors, Opioid/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid/metabolism
- Resilience, Psychological/drug effects
- Spiro Compounds/administration & dosage
- Spiro Compounds/pharmacology
- Stress, Psychological/drug therapy
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
- Nociceptin Receptor
- Nociceptin
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A D Holanda
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Joaquim Azevedo Neto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luca Finetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Bruno Lobão-Soares
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Abstract
The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide receptor (NOP) is a G protein-coupled receptor involved in the regulation of several physiological functions and pathological conditions. Thus, researchers from academia and industry are pursuing NOP to discover and study novel pharmacological entities. In a multidisciplinary effort of pharmacologists, medicinal chemists, and molecular and structural biologists the mechanisms of NOP activation and inhibition have been, at least partially, disentangled. Here, we review the in vitro methodologies employed, which have contributed to our understanding of this target. We hope this chapter guides the reader through the mostly established assay platforms to investigate NOP pharmacology, and gives some hints taking advantage from what has already illuminated the function of other GPCRs. We analyzed the pharmacological results obtained with a large panel of NOP ligands investigated in several assays including receptor binding, stimulation of GTPγS binding, decrease of cAMP levels, calcium flux stimulation via chimeric G proteins, NOP/G protein and NOP/β-arrestin interaction, label-free assays such as dynamic mass redistribution, and bioassays such as the electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Malfacini
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Girolamo Caló
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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14
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Angelico P, Barchielli M, Lazzeri M, Guerrini R, Caló G. Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ and Urinary Bladder. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 254:347-365. [PMID: 30430260 DOI: 10.1007/164_2018_182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Following identification as the endogenous ligand for the NOP receptor, nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) has been shown to control several biological functions including the micturition reflex. N/OFQ elicits a robust inhibitory effect on rat micturition by reducing the excitability of the afferent fibers. After intravesical administration N/OFQ increases urodynamic bladder capacity and volume threshold in overactive bladder patients but not in normal subjects. Moreover daily treatment with intravesical N/OFQ for 10 days significantly reduced urine leakage episodes. Different chemical modifications were combined into the N/OFQ sequence to generate Rec 0438 (aka UFP-112), a peptide NOP full agonist with high potency and selectivity and long-lasting duration of action. Rec 0438 mimicked the robust inhibitory effects of N/OFQ on rat micturition reflex; its action is solely due to NOP receptor stimulation, does not show tolerance liability after 2 weeks of treatment, and can be elicited by intravesical administration. Collectively the evidence summarized and discussed in this chapter strongly suggests that NOP agonists are promising innovative drugs to treat overactive bladder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Massimo Lazzeri
- Department of Urology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Clinical and Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Caló
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Holanda VAD, Santos WB, Asth L, Guerrini R, Calo' G, Ruzza C, Gavioli EC. NOP agonists prevent the antidepressant-like effects of nortriptyline and fluoxetine but not R-ketamine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:3093-3102. [PMID: 30145654 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5004-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous ligand of a Gi protein-coupled receptor named NOP. Both N/OFQ and NOP receptor are widely expressed in brain areas involved in the control of emotional processes. Clinical and preclinical studies support antidepressant effects due to the blockade of NOP receptor signaling. By contrast, NOP receptor activation did not evoke any change in behavioral despair tests. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the co-administration of NOP agonists and classic antidepressant drugs in the forced swimming test (FST) and learned helplessness model (LH) in mice. METHODS Male Swiss mice were co-administered with NOP agonists (N/OFQ and Ro 65-6570) and antidepressants (nortriptyline, fluoxetine, and R-ketamine) or SB-612111 (NOP antagonist) and the behavioral effects were assessed in the FST and LH tests. RESULTS Fluoxetine, nortriptyline, R-ketamine and the NOP antagonist SB-612111 displayed antidepressant-like effects in the FST. The administration of the NOP agonists N/OFQ and Ro 65-6570 did not induce any behavioral change. However, co-administration of NOP agonists blocked the antidepressant effects of SB-612111, fluoxetine, and nortriptyline, but not R-ketamine in the FST. Similarly, in the LH, the systemic injection of SB-612111, nortriptyline, and R-ketamine reversed helplessness. The co-administration of Ro 65-6570 blocked the antidepressant-like effects of SB-612111 and nortriptyline, but not R-ketamine. CONCLUSIONS NOP receptor activation inhibits the acute antidepressant effects of nortriptyline and fluoxetine, but not R-ketamine. The present findings contribute to further understand the role played by the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in regulating mood states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A D Holanda
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, sn, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Wilton B Santos
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, sn, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Laila Asth
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, sn, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, sn, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59072-970, Brazil.
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Malfacini D, Simon K, Trapella C, Guerrini R, Zaveri NT, Kostenis E, Calo’ G. NOP receptor pharmacological profile - A dynamic mass redistribution study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203021. [PMID: 30161182 PMCID: PMC6117024 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide NOP receptor is coupled to pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G proteins (Gi/o) whose activation leads to the inhibition of both cAMP production and calcium channel activity, and to the stimulation of potassium currents. The label free dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) approach has been demonstrated useful for investigating the pharmacological profile of G protein-coupled receptors. Herein, we employ DMR technology to systematically characterize the pharmacology of a large panel of NOP receptor ligands. These are of peptide and non-peptide nature and display varying degrees of receptor efficacy, ranging from full agonism to pure antagonism. Using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the human NOP receptor we provide rank orders of potency for full and partial agonists as well as apparent affinities for selective antagonists. We find the pharmacological profile of NOP receptor ligands to be similar but not identical to values reported in the literature using canonical assays for Gi/o-coupled receptors. Our data demonstrate that holistic label-free DMR detection can be successfully used to investigate the pharmacology of the NOP receptor and to characterize the cellular effects of novel NOP receptor ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Malfacini
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Katharina Simon
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Girolamo Calo’
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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17
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Awwad HO, Durand CD, Gonzalez LP, Tompkins P, Zhang Y, Lerner MR, Brackett DJ, Sherry DM, Awasthi V, Standifer KM. Post-blast treatment with Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor antagonist reduces brain injury-induced hypoxia and signaling proteins in vestibulomotor-related brain regions. Behav Brain Res 2018; 340:183-194. [PMID: 27793733 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.10.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) diagnoses have increased due to aggressive sports and blast-related injuries, but the cellular mechanisms and pathology underlying mTBI are not completely understood. Previous reports indicate that Nociceptin Orphanin/FQ (N/OFQ), an endogenous neuropeptide, contributes to post-injury ischemia following mechanical brain injury, yet its specific role in cerebral hypoxia, vestibulomotor function and injury marker expression following blast-induced TBI is not known. This study is the first to identify a direct association of N/OFQ and its N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor with TBI-induced changes following a single 80psi head blast exposure in male rats. N/OFQ and NOP receptor expression increased in brain tissue and plasma following TBI, concurrent with vestibular dysfunction but preceding hypoxia and appearance of injury markers compared to sham rats. A single post-blast treatment with the NOP receptor antagonist, SB-612111, transiently improved acute vestibulomotor performance. It also prevented increases in markers of TBI-induced hypoxia, pro-apoptotic proteins and injury seen 8-10days post-blast. This study reveals an apparent role for the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in blast TBI and suggests potential therapeutic utility of NOP receptor antagonists for mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hibah O Awwad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
| | - Cindy D Durand
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Larry P Gonzalez
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Paul Tompkins
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Megan R Lerner
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA; Oklahoma city VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Daniel J Brackett
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA
| | - David M Sherry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, USA
| | - Vibhudutta Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Kelly M Standifer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, USA
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18
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Ferrari F, Malfacini D, Journigan BV, Bird MF, Trapella C, Guerrini R, Lambert DG, Calo' G, Zaveri NT. In vitro pharmacological characterization of a novel unbiased NOP receptor-selective nonpeptide agonist AT-403. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2017; 5. [PMID: 28805972 PMCID: PMC5684865 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) regulates several biological functions via selective activation of the N/OFQ receptor (NOP), a member of the opioid receptor family. We recently identified a new high affinity and highly selective NOP agonist AT-403. In this study, we characterized the functional profile of AT-403 and compared it to other known nonpeptide NOP agonists Ro 65-6570, Ro 2q, SCH-221510, MCOPPB, AT-202 and SCH-486757, using the following assays: GTPγ[35 S] stimulated binding, calcium mobilization assay in cells-expressing human NOP or classical opioid receptors and chimeric G proteins, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) based assay for studying NOP receptor interaction with G protein and arrestin, and the electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens bioassay. All compounds behaved as NOP full agonists consistently showing the following rank order of potency MCOPPB > AT-403 > Ro 65-6570 = Ro 2q > SCH-221510 > AT-202 > SCH-486757. AT-403 and MCOPPB displayed the highest NOP selectivity both at human and murine receptors. Interestingly, while all the other nonpeptide NOP agonists displayed bias toward G protein-mediated signaling in the BRET assay, AT-403, similar to the natural ligand N/OFQ, behaved as an unbiased agonist, activating G-protein-mediated function as well as arrestin recruitment. AT-403 may be a useful nonpeptide tool compound to study the pharmacology of NOP activation in disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Ferrari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Blair V Journigan
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC. 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, California
| | - Mark F Bird
- Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - David G Lambert
- Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Critical Care and Pain Management, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nurulain T Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC. 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, California
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Perrey DA, Li JX, Zhang Y. Modified synthesis of NOP receptor antagonist SB612111. SYNTHESIS-STUTTGART 2017; 49:1394-1400. [PMID: 31571700 DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1588379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
SB612111 ((5S,7S)-7-{[4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl}-1-methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulen-5-ol) is a potent and selective antagonist of the nociception/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor. In the process of synthesizing cis-SB612111 to support ongoing animal studies, several key steps of the published syntheses in the patent literature proceeded in low yields in our hands, particularly with the route to the key intermediate piperidine 3, the reduction of amide 14, lactone 17 formation and the final reductive amination between 18 and 3 in the diastereoselective synthesis. We have thus explored various reaction conditions and successfully improved the yields for the necessary synthetic steps. We herein report our modified synthesis of SB612111 as the cis-diastereomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Perrey
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214, USA
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
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20
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Kallupi M, Scuppa G, de Guglielmo G, Calò G, Weiss F, Statnick MA, Rorick-Kehn LM, Ciccocioppo R. Genetic Deletion of the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptor in the Rat Confers Resilience to the Development of Drug Addiction. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:695-706. [PMID: 27562376 PMCID: PMC5240182 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The nociceptin (NOP) receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor whose natural ligand is the NOP/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide. Evidence from pharmacological studies suggests that the N/OFQ system is implicated in the regulation of several addiction-related phenomena, such as drug intake, withdrawal, and relapse. Here, to further explore the role of NOP system in addiction, we used NOP (-/-) rats to study the motivation for cocaine, heroin, and alcohol self-administration in the absence of N/OFQ function. Conditioned place preference (CPP) and saccharin (0.2% w/v) self-administration were also investigated. Results showed that NOP (-/-) rats self-administer less cocaine (0.25, 0.125, or 0.5 mg/infusion) both under a fixed ratio 1 and a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement compared with wild-type (Wt) controls. Consistently, cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was able to induce CPP in Wt but not in NOP (-/-). When NOP (-/-) rats were tested for heroin (20 μg/infusion) and ethanol (10% v/v) self-administration, they showed significantly lower drug intake compared with Wt. Conversely, saccharin self-administration was not affected by NOP deletion, excluding the possibility of nonspecific learning deficits or generalized disruption of reward mechanisms in NOP (-/-) rats. These findings were confirmed with pharmacological experiments using two selective NOP antagonists, SB-612111 and LY2817412. Both drugs attenuated alcohol self-administration in Wt rats but not in NOP (-/-) rats. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that genetic deletion of NOP receptors confers resilience to drug abuse and support a role for NOP receptor antagonism as a potential treatment option for drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsida Kallupi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy,Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Giulia Scuppa
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Giordano de Guglielmo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy,Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Friedbert Weiss
- Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael A Statnick
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | | | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy,School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, 62032 Italy, Tel: +39 07 3740 3313, Fax: +39 07 3740 3325, E-mail:
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Collins LM, Dal Bo G, Calcagno M, Monzón-Sandoval J, Sullivan AM, Gutierrez H, Morari M, O'Keeffe GW. Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Inhibits the Survival and Axon Growth of Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Through a p38-MAPK Dependent Mechanism. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 53:7284-7297. [PMID: 26687234 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9611-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is an opioid-like neuropeptide that binds and signals through a G-protein-coupled receptor called the N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor. N/OFQ and the NOP receptor are expressed in the midbrain and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Genetic removal of the N/OFQ precursor partially protects midbrain dopaminergic neurons from 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine-induced toxicity, suggesting that endogenous N/OFQ may be detrimental to dopaminergic neurons. However, whether N/OFQ directly affects the survival and growth of dopaminergic neurons is unknown. Here, we show that N/OFQ has a detrimental effect on the survival of dopaminergic neurons and the growth of their axons in primary cultures of the E14 rat ventral mesencephalon. N/OFQ potentiates the effects of the neurotoxins 6-hydroxydopamine and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium through p38-MAPK signalling. We also show that like α-synuclein, there is a significant reduction in N/OFQ messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the midbrain of patients with Parkinson's disease. These results demonstrate for the first time that N/OFQ is detrimental to the survival and growth of dopaminergic neurons and that its expression is altered in the midbrain of patients with Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise M Collins
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Giorgia Dal Bo
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mariangela Calcagno
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Jimena Monzón-Sandoval
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7TS, UK
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Aideen M Sullivan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Humberto Gutierrez
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Michele Morari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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22
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Ferrari F, Cerlesi MC, Malfacini D, Asth L, Gavioli EC, Journigan BV, Kamakolanu UG, Meyer ME, Yasuda D, Polgar WE, Rizzi A, Guerrini R, Ruzza C, Zaveri NT, Calo G. In vitro functional characterization of novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor agonists in recombinant and native preparations. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 793:1-13. [PMID: 27780725 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) regulates several biological functions via selective activation of the N/OFQ receptor (NOP). In this study novel nonpeptide NOP ligands were characterized in vitro in receptor binding and [35S]GTPγS stimulated binding in membranes of cells expressing human NOP and classical opioid receptors, calcium mobilization assay in cells coexpressing the receptors and chimeric G proteins, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) based assay for studying NOP receptor interaction with G protein and arrestin, the electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens and the mouse colon bioassays. The action of the AT compounds were compared with standard NOP agonists (N/OFQ and Ro 65-6570) and the NOP selective antagonist SB-612111. AT compounds displayed high NOP affinity and behaved as NOP agonists in all the functional assays consistently showing the following rank order of potency AT-127≥AT-090≥AT-035>AT-004= AT-001. AT compounds behaved as NOP full agonists in the calcium mobilization and mouse colon assays and as partial agonists in the [35S]GTPγS and BRET assays. Interestingly AT-090 and AT-127, contrary to standard nonpeptide agonists that display G protein biased agonism, behaved as an unbiased agonists. AT-090 and AT-127 displayed higher NOP selectivity than Ro 65-6570 at native mouse receptors. AT-090 and AT-127 might be useful pharmacological tools for investigating the therapeutic potential of NOP partial agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Ferrari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Cerlesi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Laila Asth
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | | | | | - Michael E Meyer
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC. 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Dennis Yasuda
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC. 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Willma E Polgar
- SRI International, Biosciences Division, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Anna Rizzi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Girolamo Calo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy.
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23
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Rizzi A, Cerlesi MC, Ruzza C, Malfacini D, Ferrari F, Bianco S, Costa T, Guerrini R, Trapella C, Calo' G. Pharmacological characterization of cebranopadol a novel analgesic acting as mixed nociceptin/orphanin FQ and opioid receptor agonist. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2016; 4:e00247. [PMID: 28116100 PMCID: PMC5242173 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of cebranopadol, a novel agonist for opioid and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptors (NOP). In vitro cebranopadol was assayed in calcium mobilization studies in cells coexpressing NOP or opioid receptors and chimeric G‐proteins and in a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay for studying receptor interaction with G‐protein and β‐arrestin 2. The mouse tail withdrawal and formalin tests were used for investigating cebranopadol antinociceptive properties. In calcium mobilization studies cebranopadol showed the following rank order of potency NOP = mu > kappa ≥ delta. In BRET studies, cebranopadol promoted NOP and mu receptors interaction with G‐protein with similar high potency and efficacy. However, cebranopadol did not stimulated NOP–β‐arrestin 2 interactions and displayed reduced potency at mu/β‐arrestin 2. In vivo, cebranopadol exhibits highly potent and extremely long‐lasting antinociceptive effects. The effects of cebranopadol in the tail withdrawal assay were sensitive to both SB‐612111 and naloxone. Collectively the present results confirm and extend previous finding demonstrating that cebranopadol, by acting as mixed NOP/opioid receptor agonist, elicits robust analgesic effects in different pain models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rizzi
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Cerlesi
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Sara Bianco
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Tommaso Costa
- Department of Pharmacology Istituto Superiore di Sanita' Rome Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
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24
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Hardaway JA, Jensen J, Kim M, Mazzone CM, Sugam JA, Diberto JF, Lowery-Gionta EG, Hwa LS, Pleil KE, Bulik CM, Kash TL. Nociceptin receptor antagonist SB 612111 decreases high fat diet binge eating. Behav Brain Res 2016; 307:25-34. [PMID: 27036650 PMCID: PMC4896639 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.03.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Binge eating is a dysregulated form of feeding behavior that occurs in multiple eating disorders including binge-eating disorder, the most common eating disorder. Feeding is a complex behavioral program supported through the function of multiple brain regions and influenced by a diverse array of receptor signaling pathways. Previous studies have shown the overexpression of the opioid neuropeptide nociceptin (orphanin FQ, N/OFQ) can induce hyperphagia, but the role of endogenous nociceptin receptor (NOP) in naturally occurring palatability-induced hyperphagia is unknown. In this study we adapted a simple, replicable form of binge eating of high fat food (HFD). We found that male and female C57BL/6J mice provided with daily one-hour access sessions to HFD eat significantly more during this period than those provided with continuous 24h access. This form of feeding is rapid and entrained. Chronic intermittent HFD binge eating produced hyperactivity and increased light zone exploration in the open field and light-dark assays respectively. Treatment with the potent and selective NOP antagonist SB 612111 resulted in a significant dose-dependent reduction in binge intake in both male and female mice, and, unlike treatment with the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine, produced no change in total 24-h food intake. SB 612111 treatment also significantly decreased non-binge-like acute HFD consumption in male mice. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that high fat binge eating is modulated by NOP signaling and that the NOP system may represent a promising novel receptor to explore for the treatment of binge eating.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Andrew Hardaway
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer Jensen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michelle Kim
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher M Mazzone
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan A Sugam
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey F Diberto
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Emily G Lowery-Gionta
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lara S Hwa
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kristen E Pleil
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- UNC Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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25
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Raddad E, Chappell A, Meyer J, Wilson A, Ruegg CE, Tauscher J, Statnick MA, Barth V, Zhang X, Verfaille SJ. Occupancy of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Peptide Receptors by the Antagonist LY2940094 in Rats and Healthy Human Subjects. Drug Metab Dispos 2016; 44:1536-42. [DOI: 10.1124/dmd.116.070359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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26
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Toll L, Bruchas MR, Calo' G, Cox BM, Zaveri NT. Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptor Structure, Signaling, Ligands, Functions, and Interactions with Opioid Systems. Pharmacol Rev 2016; 68:419-57. [PMID: 26956246 PMCID: PMC4813427 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The NOP receptor (nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid peptide receptor) is the most recently discovered member of the opioid receptor family and, together with its endogenous ligand, N/OFQ, make up the fourth members of the opioid receptor and opioid peptide family. Because of its more recent discovery, an understanding of the cellular and behavioral actions induced by NOP receptor activation are less well developed than for the other members of the opioid receptor family. All of these factors are important because NOP receptor activation has a clear modulatory role on mu opioid receptor-mediated actions and thereby affects opioid analgesia, tolerance development, and reward. In addition to opioid modulatory actions, NOP receptor activation has important effects on motor function and other physiologic processes. This review discusses how NOP pharmacology intersects, contrasts, and interacts with the mu opioid receptor in terms of tertiary structure and mechanism of receptor activation; location of receptors in the central nervous system; mechanisms of desensitization and downregulation; cellular actions; intracellular signal transduction pathways; and behavioral actions with respect to analgesia, tolerance, dependence, and reward. This is followed by a discussion of the agonists and antagonists that have most contributed to our current knowledge. Because NOP receptors are highly expressed in brain and spinal cord and NOP receptor activation sometimes synergizes with mu receptor-mediated actions and sometimes opposes them, an understanding of NOP receptor pharmacology in the context of these interactions with the opioid receptors will be crucial to the development of novel therapeutics that engage the NOP receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Toll
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida (L.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology, and Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Science, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (G.C.); Professor of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland (B.M.C.); and Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, Mountain View, California (N.T.Z.)
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida (L.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology, and Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Science, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (G.C.); Professor of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland (B.M.C.); and Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, Mountain View, California (N.T.Z.)
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida (L.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology, and Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Science, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (G.C.); Professor of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland (B.M.C.); and Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, Mountain View, California (N.T.Z.)
| | - Brian M Cox
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida (L.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology, and Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Science, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (G.C.); Professor of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland (B.M.C.); and Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, Mountain View, California (N.T.Z.)
| | - Nurulain T Zaveri
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida (L.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology, and Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Science, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy (G.C.); Professor of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland (B.M.C.); and Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, Mountain View, California (N.T.Z.)
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27
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Zaveri NT. Nociceptin Opioid Receptor (NOP) as a Therapeutic Target: Progress in Translation from Preclinical Research to Clinical Utility. J Med Chem 2016; 59:7011-28. [PMID: 26878436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the two decades since the discovery of the nociceptin opioid receptor (NOP) and its ligand, nociceptin/orphaninFQ (N/OFQ), steady progress has been achieved in understanding the pharmacology of this fourth opioid receptor/peptide system, aided by genetic and pharmacologic approaches. This research spawned an explosion of small-molecule NOP receptor ligands from discovery programs in major pharmaceutical companies. NOP agonists have been investigated for their efficacy in preclinical models of anxiety, cough, substance abuse, pain (spinal and peripheral), and urinary incontinence, whereas NOP antagonists have been investigated for treatment of pain, depression, and motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Translation of preclinical findings into the clinic is guided by PET and receptor occupancy studies, particularly for NOP antagonists. Recent progress in preclinical NOP research suggests that NOP agonists may have clinical utility for pain treatment and substance abuse pharmacotherapy. This review discusses the progress toward validating the NOP-N/OFQ system as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurulain T Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics , 320 Logue Avenue, Suite 142, Mountain View, California 94043, United States
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28
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Arcuri L, Viaro R, Bido S, Longo F, Calcagno M, Fernagut PO, Zaveri NT, Calò G, Bezard E, Morari M. Genetic and pharmacological evidence that endogenous nociceptin/orphanin FQ contributes to dopamine cell loss in Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 89:55-64. [PMID: 26804029 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 01/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate whether the endogenous neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) contributes to the death of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease, we undertook a genetic and a pharmacological approach using NOP receptor knockout (NOP(-/-)) mice, and the selective and potent small molecule NOP receptor antagonist (-)-cis-1-methyl-7-[[4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzocyclohepten-5-ol (SB-612111). Stereological unbiased methods were used to estimate the total number of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra of i) NOP(-/-) mice acutely treated with the parkinsonian neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), ii) naïve mice subacutely treated with MPTP, alone or in combination with SB-612111, iii) rats injected with a recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector overexpressing human mutant p.A53T α-synuclein, treated with vehicle or SB-612111. NOP(-/-) mice showed a 50% greater amount of nigral dopamine neurons spared in response to acute MPTP compared to controls, which was associated with a milder motor impairment. SB-612111, given 4 days after MPTP treatment to mimic the clinical condition, prevented the loss of nigral dopamine neurons and striatal dopaminergic terminals caused by subacute MPTP. SB-612111, administered a week after the AAV injections in a clinically-driven protocol, also increased by 50% both the number of spared nigral dopamine neurons and striatal dopamine terminals, and prevented accompanying motor deficits induced by α-synuclein. We conclude that endogenous N/OFQ contributes to dopamine neuron loss in pathogenic and etiologic models of Parkinson's disease through NOP receptor-mediated mechanisms. NOP receptor antagonists might prove effective as disease-modifying agents in Parkinson's disease, through the rescue of degenerating nigral dopamine neurons and/or the protection of the healthy ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovico Arcuri
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Neuroscience Center and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Riccardo Viaro
- Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, Section of Human Physiology, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Simone Bido
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Neuroscience Center and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesco Longo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Neuroscience Center and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mariangela Calcagno
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Neuroscience Center and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pierre-Olivier Fernagut
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nurulain T Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94040, USA
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Neuroscience Center and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Michele Morari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Neuroscience Center and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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29
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The Importance of Ligand-Receptor Conformational Pairs in Stabilization: Spotlight on the N/OFQ G Protein-Coupled Receptor. Structure 2015; 23:2291-2299. [PMID: 26526853 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2015.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism by which ligands affect receptor conformational equilibria is key in accelerating membrane protein structural biology. In the case of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), we currently pursue a brute-force approach for identifying ligands that stabilize receptors and facilitate crystallogenesis. The nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor (NOP) is a member of the opioid receptor subfamily of GPCRs for which many structurally diverse ligands are available for screening. We observed that antagonist potency is correlated with a ligand's ability to induce receptor stability (Tm) and crystallogenesis. Using this screening strategy, we solved two structures of NOP in complex with top candidate ligands SB-612111 and C-35. Docking studies indicate that while potent, stabilizing antagonists strongly favor a single binding orientation, less potent ligands can adopt multiple binding modes, contributing to their low Tm values. These results suggest a mechanism for ligand-aided crystallogenesis whereby potent antagonists stabilize a single ligand-receptor conformational pair.
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30
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Malfacini D, Ambrosio C, Gro’ MC, Sbraccia M, Trapella C, Guerrini R, Bonora M, Pinton P, Costa T, Calo’ G. Pharmacological Profile of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptors Interacting with G-Proteins and β-Arrestins 2. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132865. [PMID: 26248189 PMCID: PMC4527783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) controls several biological functions by selectively activating an opioid like receptor named N/OFQ peptide receptor (NOP). Biased agonism is emerging as an important and therapeutically relevant pharmacological concept in the field of G protein coupled receptors including opioids. To evaluate the relevance of this phenomenon in the NOP receptor, we used a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer technology to measure the interactions of the NOP receptor with either G proteins or β-arrestin 2 in the absence and in presence of increasing concentration of ligands. A large panel of receptor ligands was investigated by comparing their ability to promote or block NOP/G protein and NOP/arrestin interactions. In this study we report a systematic analysis of the functional selectivity of NOP receptor ligands. NOP/G protein interactions (investigated in cell membranes) allowed a precise estimation of both ligand potency and efficacy yielding data highly consistent with the known pharmacological profile of this receptor. The same panel of ligands displayed marked differences in the ability to promote NOP/β-arrestin 2 interactions (evaluated in whole cells). In particular, full agonists displayed a general lower potency and for some ligands an inverted rank order of potency was noted. Most partial agonists behaved as pure competitive antagonists of receptor/arrestin interaction. Antagonists displayed similar values of potency for NOP/Gβ1 or NOP/β-arrestin 2 interaction. Using N/OFQ as reference ligand we computed the bias factors of NOP ligands and a number of agonists with greater efficacy at G protein coupling were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Malfacini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - C. Ambrosio
- Department of Pharmacology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M. C. Gro’
- Department of Pharmacology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Sbraccia
- Department of Pharmacology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - C. Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - R. Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M. Bonora
- Department of Morphology, Surgery, and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology, and Experimental Biology and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - P. Pinton
- Department of Morphology, Surgery, and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology, and Experimental Biology and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - T. Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G. Calo’
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Rizzi A, Malfacini D, Cerlesi MC, Ruzza C, Marzola E, Bird MF, Rowbotham DJ, Salvadori S, Guerrini R, Lambert DG, Calo G. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of nociceptin/orphanin FQ tetrabranched derivatives. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 171:4138-53. [PMID: 24903280 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE An innovative chemical approach, named peptide welding technology (PWT), allows the synthesis of multibranched peptides with extraordinary high yield, purity and reproducibility. With this approach, three different tetrabranched derivatives of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) have been synthesized and named PWT1-N/OFQ, PWT2-N/OFQ and PWT3-N/OFQ. In the present study we investigated the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of PWT N/OFQ derivatives and compared their actions with those of the naturally occurring peptide. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The following in vitro assays were used: receptor and [(35)S]-GTPγS binding, calcium mobilization in cells expressing the human N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor, or classical opioid receptors and chimeric G proteins, electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens bioassay. In vivo experiments were performed; locomotor activity was measured in normal mice and in animals with the NOP receptor gene knocked out [NOP(-/-)]. KEY RESULTS In vitro PWT derivatives of N/OFQ behaved as high affinity potent and rather selective full agonists at human recombinant and animal native NOP receptors. In vivo PWT derivatives mimicked the inhibitory effects exerted by the natural peptide on locomotor activity showing 40-fold higher potency and extremely longer lasting action. The effects of PWT2-N/OFQ were no longer evident in NOP(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The results showed that the PWT can be successfully applied to the peptide sequence of N/OFQ to generate tetrabranched derivatives characterized by a pharmacological profile similar to the native peptide and associated with a higher potency and marked prolongation of action in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rizzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience
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32
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Khroyan TV, Wu J, Polgar WE, Cami-Kobeci G, Fotaki N, Husbands SM, Toll L. BU08073 a buprenorphine analogue with partial agonist activity at μ-receptors in vitro but long-lasting opioid antagonist activity in vivo in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 172:668-80. [PMID: 24903063 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Buprenorphine is a potent analgesic with high affinity at μ, δ and κ and moderate affinity at nociceptin opioid (NOP) receptors. Nevertheless, NOP receptor activation modulates the in vivo activity of buprenorphine. Structure activity studies were conducted to design buprenorphine analogues with high affinity at each of these receptors and to characterize them in in vitro and in vivo assays. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Compounds were tested for binding affinity and functional activity using [(35) S]GTPγS binding at each receptor and a whole-cell fluorescent assay at μ receptors. BU08073 was evaluated for antinociceptive agonist and antagonist activity and for its effects on anxiety in mice. KEY RESULTS BU08073 bound with high affinity to all opioid receptors. It had virtually no efficacy at δ, κ and NOP receptors, whereas at μ receptors, BU08073 has similar efficacy as buprenorphine in both functional assays. Alone, BU08073 has anxiogenic activity and produces very little antinociception. However, BU08073 blocks morphine and U50,488-mediated antinociception. This blockade was not evident at 1 h post-treatment, but is present at 6 h and remains for up to 3-6 days. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These studies provide structural requirements for synthesis of 'universal' opioid ligands. BU08073 had high affinity for all the opioid receptors, with moderate efficacy at μ receptors and reduced efficacy at NOP receptors, a profile suggesting potential analgesic activity. However, in vivo, BU08073 had long-lasting antagonist activity, indicating that its pharmacokinetics determined both the time course of its effects and what receptor-mediated effects were observed. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2.
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33
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Li J, Nishimura H, Matsushima A, Shimohigashi Y. N-methylthioacetylation of RYYRIK-NH2 with enhanced specific binding affinity and high antagonist activity for nociceptin ORL1 receptor. Bioorg Med Chem 2014; 22:5721-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2014.09.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 09/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Thomas RC, Bath MF, Stover CM, Lambert DG, Thompson JP. Exploring LPS-induced sepsis in rats and mice as a model to study potential protective effects of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ system. Peptides 2014; 61:56-60. [PMID: 25161013 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The nociceptin receptor (NOP) and its ligand nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) have been shown to exert a modulatory effect on immune cells during sepsis. We evaluated the suitability of an experimental lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis model for studying changes in the nociceptin system. C57BL/6 mice BALB/c mice and Wistar rats were inoculated with different doses of LPS with or without a nociceptin receptor antagonist (UFP-101 or SB-612111). In C57BL/6 mice LPS 0.85 mg/kg injection produced no septic response, whereas 1.2mg/kg produced a profound response within 5h. In BALB/c mice, LPS 4 mg/kg produced no response, whereas 7 mg/kg resulted in a profound response within 24h. In Wistar rats LPS 15 mg/kg caused no septic response in 6/10 animals, whereas 25mg/kg resulted in marked lethargy before 24h. Splenic interleukin-1β mRNA in BALB/c mice, and serum TNF-α concentrations in Wistar rats increased after LPS injection in a dose-dependent manner, but were undetectable in control animals, indicating that LPS had stimulated an inflammatory reaction. IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations in LPS-treated animals were unaffected by administration of a NOP antagonist. Similarly NOP antagonists had no effect on survival or expression of mRNA for NOP or ppN/OFQ (the N/OFQ precursor) in a variety of tissues. In these animal models, the dose-response curve for LPS was too steep to allow use in survival studies and no changes in the N/OFQ system occurred within 24h. We conclude that LPS-inoculation in rodents is an unsuitable model for studying possible changes in the NOP-N/OFQ system in sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roisin C Thomas
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, United Kingdom.
| | - Michael F Bath
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, United Kingdom.
| | - Cordula M Stover
- Department of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Leicester, Medical Sciences Building, University Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom.
| | - David G Lambert
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, United Kingdom.
| | - Jonathan P Thompson
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, United Kingdom.
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35
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Guerrini R, Marzola E, Trapella C, Pela' M, Molinari S, Cerlesi MC, Malfacini D, Rizzi A, Salvadori S, Calo' G. A novel and facile synthesis of tetra branched derivatives of nociceptin/orphanin FQ. Bioorg Med Chem 2014; 22:3703-12. [PMID: 24878361 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Branched peptides have been found to be useful in several research fields however their synthesis and purification is complicated. Here we present a novel and facile synthesis of tetra branched derivatives of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ). Three N/OFQ tetra branched derivatives were prepared using novel cores (PWT1, PWT2 and PWT3) containing a maleimido moiety. [Cys(18)]N/OFQ-NH2 was linked to the cores via thiol-Michael reaction characterized by high yield and purity of the desired final product. In the electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens PWT-N/OFQ derivatives mimicked the inhibitory action of the natural sequence showing similar maximal effects and 3 fold higher potencies. The NOP selective antagonist SB-612111 antagonized the effects of N/OFQ and PWT derivatives with similar pKB values (8.02-8.48). In vivo after supraspinal administration PWT2-N/OFQ stimulated food intake in mice mimicking the action of N/OFQ. Compared to the natural peptide PWT2-N/OFQ was 40 fold more potent and elicited larger effects. These findings suggest that the PWT chemical strategy can be successfully applied to biologically active peptides to generate, with unprecedented high purity and yield, tetra branched derivatives displaying an in vitro pharmacological profile similar to that of the natural sequence associated, in vivo, to increased potency and effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Laboratorio per le tecnologie delle terapie avanzate (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Erika Marzola
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Laboratorio per le tecnologie delle terapie avanzate (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michela Pela'
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Molinari
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Cerlesi
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Rizzi
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Severo Salvadori
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Laboratorio per le tecnologie delle terapie avanzate (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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36
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Toledo MA, Pedregal C, Lafuente C, Diaz N, Martinez-Grau MA, Jiménez A, Benito A, Torrado A, Mateos C, Joshi EM, Kahl SD, Rash KS, Mudra DR, Barth VN, Shaw DB, McKinzie D, Witkin JM, Statnick MA. Discovery of a novel series of orally active nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor antagonists based on a dihydrospiro(piperidine-4,7'-thieno[2,3-c]pyran) scaffold. J Med Chem 2014; 57:3418-29. [PMID: 24678969 DOI: 10.1021/jm500117r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Nociceptin/OFQ (N/OFQ) is a 17 amino acid peptide that is the endogenous ligand for the ORL1/NOP receptor. Nociceptin appears to regulate a host of physiological functions such as biological reactions to stress, anxiety, mood, and drug abuse, in addition to feeding behaviors. To develop tools to study the function of nociceptin and NOP receptor, our research effort sought to identify orally available NOP antagonists. Our effort led to the discovery of a novel chemical series based on the dihydrospiro(piperidine-4,7'-thieno[2,3-c]pyran) scaffold. Herein we show that dihydrospiro(piperidine-4,7'-thieno[2,3-c]pyran)-derived compounds are potent NOP antagonists with high selectivity versus classical opioid receptors (μ, δ, and κ). Moreover, these compounds exhibit sufficient bioavailability to produce a high level of NOP receptor occupancy in the brain following oral administration in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Toledo
- Centro de Investigación Lilly, Avenida de la Industria 30, 28108-Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
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Gavioli EC, Calo' G. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor antagonists as innovative antidepressant drugs. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 140:10-25. [PMID: 23711793 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor (NOP) were identified in the mid 90s as a novel peptidergic system structurally related to opioids. A growing body of preclinical evidence suggests that blockade of NOP receptors evokes antidepressant-like actions. These have been explored using a range of compounds (peptide and non peptide antagonists), across different species (rat and mouse) and assays (behavioral despair and chronic mild stress) suggesting a robust and consistent antidepressant-like effect. Moreover, rats and mice knockout for the NOP receptor gene display an antidepressant-like phenotype in behavioral despair assays. Electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and neurochemical studies point to an important role played by monoaminergic systems, particularly 5-HTergic, in mediating the antidepressant-like properties of NOP antagonists. However other putative mechanisms of action, including modulation of the CRF system, circadian rhythm and a possible neuroendocrine-immune control might be involved. A close relationship between the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system and stress responses is well described in the literature. Stressful situations also alter endocrine, behavioral and neurochemical parameters in rats and chronic administration of a NOP antagonist restored these alterations. Interestingly, clinical findings showed that plasma N/OFQ levels were significantly altered in major and post-partum depression, and bipolar disease patients. Collectively, data in the literature support the notion that blockade of NOP receptor signaling could be a novel and interesting strategy for the development of innovative antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Cristina Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-970 Natal-RN, Brazil.
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38
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Munro TA, Huang XP, Inglese C, Perrone MG, Van't Veer A, Carroll FI, Béguin C, Carlezon WA, Colabufo NA, Cohen BM, Roth BL. Selective κ opioid antagonists nor-BNI, GNTI and JDTic have low affinities for non-opioid receptors and transporters. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70701. [PMID: 23976952 PMCID: PMC3747596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nor-BNI, GNTI and JDTic induce selective κ opioid antagonism that is delayed and extremely prolonged, but some other effects are of rapid onset and brief duration. The transient effects of these compounds differ, suggesting that some of them may be mediated by other targets. Results In binding assays, the three antagonists showed no detectable affinity (Ki≥10 µM) for most non-opioid receptors and transporters (26 of 43 tested). There was no non-opioid target for which all three compounds shared detectable affinity, or for which any two shared sub-micromolar affinity. All three compounds showed low nanomolar affinity for κ opioid receptors, with moderate selectivity over μ and δ (3 to 44-fold). Nor-BNI bound weakly to the α2C-adrenoceptor (Ki = 630 nM). GNTI enhanced calcium mobilization by noradrenaline at the α1A-adrenoceptor (EC50 = 41 nM), but did not activate the receptor, displace radioligands, or enhance PI hydrolysis. This suggests that it is a functionally-selective allosteric enhancer. GNTI was also a weak M1 receptor antagonist (KB = 3.7 µM). JDTic bound to the noradrenaline transporter (Ki = 54 nM), but only weakly inhibited transport (IC50 = 1.1 µM). JDTic also bound to the opioid-like receptor NOP (Ki = 12 nM), but gave little antagonism even at 30 µM. All three compounds exhibited rapid permeation and active efflux across Caco-2 cell monolayers. Conclusions Across 43 non-opioid CNS targets, only GNTI exhibited a potent functional effect (allosteric enhancement of α1A-adrenoceptors). This may contribute to GNTI's severe transient effects. Plasma concentrations of nor-BNI and GNTI may be high enough to affect some peripheral non-opioid targets. Nonetheless, κ opioid antagonism persists for weeks or months after these transient effects dissipate. With an adequate pre-administration interval, our results therefore strengthen the evidence that nor-BNI, GNTI and JDTic are highly selective κ opioid antagonists.
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MESH Headings
- Allosteric Regulation
- Biological Transport
- Caco-2 Cells
- Calcium/metabolism
- Guanidines/metabolism
- Guanidines/pharmacology
- Humans
- Kinetics
- Morphinans/metabolism
- Morphinans/pharmacology
- Naltrexone/analogs & derivatives
- Naltrexone/metabolism
- Naltrexone/pharmacology
- Narcotic Antagonists/metabolism
- Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology
- Norepinephrine/metabolism
- Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Piperidines/metabolism
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Protein Binding
- Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Tetrahydroisoquinolines/metabolism
- Tetrahydroisoquinolines/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Munro
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Xi-Ping Huang
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Carmela Inglese
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Perrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Ashlee Van't Veer
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - F. Ivy Carroll
- Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Cécile Béguin
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - William A. Carlezon
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nicola A. Colabufo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Bruce M. Cohen
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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39
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Marti M, Mela F, Budri M, Volta M, Malfacini D, Molinari S, Zaveri NT, Ronzoni S, Petrillo P, Calò G, Morari M. Acute and chronic antiparkinsonian effects of the novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor antagonist NiK-21273 in comparison with SB-612111. Br J Pharmacol 2013; 168:863-79. [PMID: 22994368 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02219.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Revised: 08/25/2012] [Accepted: 08/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor antagonists have been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach to Parkinson's disease. Main limitations of previous studies were the use of structurally similar compounds and the evaluation of their acute effects only. We report here on the acute and long-term antiparkinsonian effects of the novel compound 2-[3-[4-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-2-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-indol-1-yl]-acetamide (NiK-21273) in comparison with the potent and selective NOP receptor antagonist SB-612111. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Basic pharmacological properties of NiK-21273 were studied in cell lines and isolated tissues (mouse and rat vas deferens). Antiparkinsonian effects were studied in reserpinized mice and 6-hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats under both acute and chronic administration protocols. KEY RESULTS In vitro, NiK-21273 behaved as a potent (pA(2) 7.7) and selective NOP receptor antagonist. In vivo, it reduced hypokinesia in reserpinized mice at 0.1 and 1 but not 10 mg·kg(-1), whereas SB-612111 (0.01-1 mg·kg(-1)) provided a dose-dependent antiparkinsonian effect. NiK-21273 ameliorated motor performance in 6-hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats at 0.5 and 5 but not 15 mg·kg(-1). SB-612111 replicated these effects in the 0.01-1 mg·kg(-1) range without loss of efficacy. Both antagonists synergized with L-DOPA at subthreshold doses. Chronic administration of NiK-21273 provided delayed improvement in baseline activity at 0.5 and 1.5 mg·kg(-1), although tolerance to the higher dose was observed. Conversely, SB-612111 (1 mg·kg(-1)) maintained its effects over time without modifying baseline activity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS NOP receptor antagonists provide motor benefit in parkinsonism models although the 'therapeutic' window and long-term effects may vary between compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Marti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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40
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Pedregal C, Joshi EM, Toledo MA, Lafuente C, Diaz N, Martinez-Grau MA, Jiménez A, Benito A, Navarro A, Chen Z, Mudra DR, Kahl SD, Rash KS, Statnick MA, Barth VN. Development of LC-MS/MS-Based Receptor Occupancy Tracers and Positron Emission Tomography Radioligands for the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (NOP) Receptor. J Med Chem 2012; 55:4955-67. [DOI: 10.1021/jm201629q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Concepción Pedregal
- Centro de
Investigación Lilly, Avenida de la Industria 30, 28108-Alcobendas,
Madrid, Spain
| | - Elizabeth M. Joshi
- Eli Lilly & Co., Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Miguel A. Toledo
- Centro de
Investigación Lilly, Avenida de la Industria 30, 28108-Alcobendas,
Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Lafuente
- Centro de
Investigación Lilly, Avenida de la Industria 30, 28108-Alcobendas,
Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Diaz
- Centro de
Investigación Lilly, Avenida de la Industria 30, 28108-Alcobendas,
Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria A. Martinez-Grau
- Centro de
Investigación Lilly, Avenida de la Industria 30, 28108-Alcobendas,
Madrid, Spain
| | - Alma Jiménez
- Centro de
Investigación Lilly, Avenida de la Industria 30, 28108-Alcobendas,
Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Benito
- Centro de
Investigación Lilly, Avenida de la Industria 30, 28108-Alcobendas,
Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Navarro
- Eli Lilly & Co., Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Zhaogen Chen
- Eli Lilly & Co., Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Daniel R. Mudra
- Eli Lilly & Co., Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Steven D. Kahl
- Eli Lilly & Co., Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Karen S. Rash
- Eli Lilly & Co., Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Michael A. Statnick
- Eli Lilly & Co., Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Vanessa N. Barth
- Eli Lilly & Co., Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
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41
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Dietis N, McDonald J, Molinari S, Calo G, Guerrini R, Rowbotham DJ, Lambert DG. Pharmacological characterization of the bifunctional opioid ligand H-Dmt-Tic-Gly-NH-Bzl (UFP-505). Br J Anaesth 2011; 108:262-70. [PMID: 22194444 DOI: 10.1093/bja/aer377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While producing good-quality analgesia, µ-opioid (MOP) receptor activation produces a number of side-effects including tolerance. Simultaneous blockade of δ-opioid (DOP) receptors has been shown to reduce tolerance to morphine. Here, we characterize a prototype bifunctional opioid H-Dmt-Tic-Gly-NH-Bzl (UFP-505). METHODS We measured receptor binding affinity in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing recombinant human MOP, DOP, k-opioid (KOP), nociceptin/orphanin (NOP) receptors. For activation, we measured the binding of GTPγ(35)S to membranes from CHO(hMOP), CHO(hDOP), rat cerebrocortex, and rat spinal cord. In addition, we assessed 'end organ' responses in the guinea pig ileum and mouse vas deferens. RESULTS UFP-505 bound to CHO(hMOP) and CHO(hDOP) with (binding affinity) pK(i) values of 7.79 and 9.82, respectively. There was a weak interaction at KOP and NOP (pK(i) 6.29 and 5.86). At CHO(hMOP), UFP-505 stimulated GTPγ(35)S binding with potency (pEC(50)) of 6.37 and in CHO(hDOP) reversed the effects of a DOP agonist with affinity (pK(b)) of 9.81 (in agreement with pK(i) at DOP). UFP-505 also stimulated GTPγ(35)S binding in rat cerebrocortex and spinal cord with pEC(50) values of 6.11-6.53. In the guinea pig ileum (MOP-rich preparation), UFP-505 inhibited contractility with pEC(50) of 7.50 and in the vas deferens (DOP-rich preparation) reversed the effects of a DOP agonist with an affinity (pA(2)) of 9.15. CONCLUSIONS We have shown in a range of preparations and assays that UFP-505 behaves as a potent MOP agonist and DOP antagonist; a MOP/DOP bifunctional opioid. Further studies in dual expression systems and whole animals with this prototype are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Dietis
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK.
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Kimura Y, Fujita M, Hong J, Lohith TG, Gladding RL, Zoghbi SS, Tauscher JA, Goebl N, Rash KS, Chen Z, Pedregal C, Barth VN, Pike VW, Innis RB. Brain and whole-body imaging in rhesus monkeys of 11C-NOP-1A, a promising PET radioligand for nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptors. J Nucl Med 2011; 52:1638-45. [PMID: 21880575 PMCID: PMC3216483 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.111.091181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Our laboratory developed (S)-3-(2'-fluoro-6',7'-dihydrospiro[piperidine-4,4'-thieno[3,2-c]pyran]-1-yl)-2-(2-fluorobenzyl)-N-methylpropanamide ((11)C-NOP-1A), a new radioligand for the nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor, with high affinity (K(i), 0.15 nM) and appropriate lipophilicity (measured logD, 3.4) for PET brain imaging. Here, we assessed the utility of (11)C-NOP-1A for quantifying NOP receptors in the monkey brain and estimated the radiation safety profile of this radioligand based on its biodistribution in monkeys. METHODS Baseline and blocking PET scans were acquired from head to thigh for 3 rhesus monkeys for approximately 120 min after (11)C-NOP-1A injection. These 6 PET scans were used to quantify NOP receptors in the brain and to estimate radiation exposure to organs of the body. In the blocked scans, a selective nonradioactive NOP receptor antagonist (SB-612111; 1 mg/kg intravenously) was administered before (11)C-NOP-1A. In all scans, arterial blood was sampled to measure the parent radioligand (11)C-NOP-1A. Distribution volume (V(T); a measure of receptor density) was calculated with a compartment model using brain and arterial plasma data. Radiation-absorbed doses were calculated using the MIRD Committee scheme. RESULTS After (11)C-NOP-1A injection, peak uptake of radioactivity in the brain had a high concentration (∼5 standardized uptake value), occurred early (∼12 min), and thereafter washed out quickly. V(T) (mL · cm(-3)) was highest in the neocortex (∼20) and lowest in hypothalamus and cerebellum (∼13). SB-612111 blocked approximately 50%-70% of uptake and reduced V(T) in all brain regions to approximately 7 mL · cm(-3). Distribution was well identified within 60 min of injection and stable for the remaining 60 min, consistent with only parent radioligand and not radiometabolites entering the brain. Whole-body scans confirmed that the brain had specific (i.e., displaceable) binding but could not detect specific binding in peripheral organs. The effective dose for humans estimated from the baseline scans in monkeys was 5.0 μSv/MBq. CONCLUSION (11)C-NOP-1A is a useful radioligand for quantifying NOP receptors in the monkey brain, and its radiation dose is similar to that of other (11)C-labeled ligands for neuroreceptors. (11)C-NOP-1A appears to be a promising candidate for measuring NOP receptors in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuyuki Kimura
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masahiro Fujita
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jinsoo Hong
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Talakad G. Lohith
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert L. Gladding
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sami S. Zoghbi
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Victor W. Pike
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert B. Innis
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Mustazza C, Bastanzio G. Development of nociceptin receptor (NOP) agonists and antagonists. Med Res Rev 2011; 31:605-48. [PMID: 20099319 DOI: 10.1002/med.20197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The nociceptin opioid (NOP) receptor is the most recently discovered member of the family of the opioid receptors; its endogenous agonist is the peptide nociceptin. Due to the subsequent elucidation of its physiological role in both central and peripheral nervous system and in some non-neural tissues, there is a rapidly growing interest in the pharmacological application of substances active on this receptor. Despite the current clinical use of a morphinane-based NOP/MOP mixed ligand (buprenorphine) as an analgesic and in the treatment of drug addictions, so far just a few clinical trials have been made with selective NOP ligands. However, the perspective of their utilization is rapidly growing. Agonists can find applications in the treatment of neuropathic pain, anxiety, cough, drug addition, urinary incontinence, anorexia, congestive heart failure, hypertension; and antagonists for pain, depression, Parkinson's disease, obesity, and as memory enhancers. Besides peptide ligands, which are still subjected to many pharmacological investigations, many different chemical classes of NOP ligands have been discovered: piperidines, nortropanes, spiropiperidines, 4-amino-quinolines and quinazolines, and others. The new advances in establishing structure-activity relationships, also with the help of modeling studies, can permit the development of more active and selective molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Mustazza
- Dipartimento del Farmaco, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, Roma, Italy.
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Pike VW, Rash KS, Chen Z, Pedregal C, Statnick MA, Kimura Y, Hong J, Zoghbi SS, Fujita M, Toledo MA, Diaz N, Gackenheimer SL, Tauscher JT, Barth VN, Innis RB. Synthesis and evaluation of radioligands for imaging brain nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptors with positron emission tomography. J Med Chem 2011; 54:2687-700. [PMID: 21438532 PMCID: PMC3081360 DOI: 10.1021/jm101487v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) coupled to an effective radioligand could provide an important tool for understanding possible links between neuropsychiatric disorders and brain NOP (nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide) receptors. We sought to develop such a PET radioligand. High-affinity NOP ligands were synthesized based on a 3-(2'-fluoro-4',5'-dihydrospiro[piperidine-4,7'-thieno[2,3-c]pyran]-1-yl)-2(2-halobenzyl)-N-alkylpropanamide scaffold and from experimental screens in rats, with ex vivo LC-MS/MS measures, three ligands were identified for labeling with carbon-11 and evaluation with PET in monkey. Each ligand was labeled by (11)C-methylation of an N-desmethyl precursor and studied in monkey under baseline and NOP receptor-preblock conditions. The three radioligands, [(11)C](S)-10a-c, gave similar results. Baseline scans showed high entry of radioactivity into the brain to give a distribution reflecting that expected for NOP receptors. Preblock experiments showed high early peak levels of brain radioactivity, which rapidly declined to a much lower level than seen in baseline scans, thereby indicating a high level of receptor-specific binding in baseline experiments. Overall, [(11)C](S)-10c showed the most favorable receptor-specific signal and kinetics and is now selected for evaluation in human subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor W Pike
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States.
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Liao YY, Jiang F, Chiou LC. Quantitative study of the antagonistic effect of (-)-cis-1-Methyl-7-[[4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzocyclohepten-5-ol (SB-612111) on nociceptin/orphanin FQ-mediated potassium channel activation in rat periaqueductal gray slices. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 657:84-8. [PMID: 21300055 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.01.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Revised: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor, a non-opioid branch of the opioid receptor family, shows structural similarities to traditional opioid receptors but binds opioid with very poor affinity. This receptor has been implicated in many physiological functions including pain regulation. This study quantitatively investigated the effect of (-)-cis-1-Methyl-7-[[4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)piperidin-1 -yl]methyl]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzocyclohepten-5-ol (SB-612111), a novel non-peptide ligand of NOP receptor, on the native NOP receptors in the midbrain ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), a crucial region for pain regulation. SB-612111 concentration-dependently antagonized N/OFQ-induced G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying K(+) (GIRK) current in vlPAG neurons. The IC(50) value of SB-612111 estimated from dose-response curves is 87.7±1.2nM. SB-612111 had no intrinsic agonistic activity and did not affect the GIRK current induced by [D-Ala(2), N-Me-Phe(4), Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin, a mu-opioid receptor agonist, when tested at concentrations of up to 1μM. It is concluded that SB-612111 is a pure, potent and selective antagonist of NOP receptors that mediate GIRK channel activation in the vlPAG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Yu Liao
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Volta M, Marti M, McDonald J, Molinari S, Camarda V, Pelà M, Trapella C, Morari M. Pharmacological profile and antiparkinsonian properties of the novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor antagonist 1-[1-cyclooctylmethyl-5-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridin-4-yl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-benzoimidazol-2-one (GF-4). Peptides 2010; 31:1194-204. [PMID: 20307605 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2010] [Revised: 03/10/2010] [Accepted: 03/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study we provided a pharmacological characterization of the recently synthesized nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide receptor (NOP) antagonist 1-[1-Cyclooctylmethyl-5-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridin-4-yl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-benzoimidazol-2-one (GF-4) and investigated its antiparkinsonian properties. GF-4 inhibited N/OFQ binding to CHO(hNOP) cell membranes (pK(i) 7.46), and antagonized N/OFQ effects in a calcium mobilization assay and electrically stimulated isolated tissues (pK(B) 7.27-7.82), showing a approximately 5-fold selectivity over classical opioid receptors. In vivo, GF-4 dually modulated stepping activity in wild-type mice, causing facilitation in the 0.01-10mg/kg dose range and inhibition at 30mg/kg. These effects were mediated by NOP receptors since GF-4 was ineffective in NOP receptor knock-out mice. Antiparkinsonian properties of GF-4 were investigated in 6-hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats. GF-4 ameliorated akinesia, bradykinesia and overall gait ability in the 0.1-10mg/kg dose range, but inhibited motor activity at 30mg/kg. To investigate the circuitry underlying motor facilitating and inhibitory effects of GF-4, microdialysis coupled to behavioral testing (akinesia test) was performed. An anti-akinetic dose of GF-4 (1mg/kg) reduced glutamate (GLU) and enhanced GABA release in SNr, while the pro-akinetic dose of GF-4 (30mg/kg) evoked opposite effects. Moreover, the anti-akinetic dose of GF-4 reduced GABA and increased GLU release in ventro-medial thalamus, the pro-akinetic dose decreasing GABA without affecting GLU release in this area. We conclude that GF-4 is an effective NOP receptor antagonist able to attenuate parkinsonian-like symptoms in vivo via inhibition of the nigro-thalamic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Volta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara Italy
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Calo' G, Rizzi A, Cifani C, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Regoli D, Massi M, Salvadori S, Lambert DG, Guerrini R. UFP-112 a potent and long-lasting agonist selective for the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ receptor. CNS Neurosci Ther 2010; 17:178-98. [PMID: 20497197 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2009.00107.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) controls several biological functions via selective activation of the N/OFQ peptide receptor (NOP). [(pF)Phe(4) Aib(7) Arg(14) Lys(15) ]N/OFQ-NH(2) (UFP-112) is an NOP receptor ligand designed using a combination of several chemical modifications in the same peptide sequence that increase NOP receptor affinity/potency and/or reduce susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. In the present review article, we summarize data from the literature and present original findings on the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological features of UFP-112. Moreover, important biological actions and possible therapeutic indications of NOP receptor agonists are discussed based on the results obtained with UFP-112 and compared with other peptide and nonpeptide NOP receptor ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girolamo Calo'
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara, and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy.
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Largent-Milnes TM, Vanderah TW. Recently patented and promising ORL-1 ligands: where have we been and where are we going? Expert Opin Ther Pat 2010; 20:291-305. [PMID: 20180617 DOI: 10.1517/13543771003602004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD The interactions of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and the opioid receptor-like receptor 1 (nociceptin opioid peptide--NOP) have been implicated in a variety of systems including cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, and the central and peripheral nervous systems. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW To elucidate the endogenous role of the N/OFQ-NOP system through the use of knockout and knockdown animal preparations, though most advances have been made using a host of synthetic agonists and antagonists. This review gives a brief history of the receptor-ligand discovery, the development of these agonists and antagonists within the last 10 years as published, and the therapeutic indications thereof focusing on pain. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN The use of NOP ligands in pain has been controversial at best; however, there are indications that both agonists and antagonists have a place in the clinical setting for acute and chronic pain. NOP ligands have potential as novel therapeutics, interestingly, when incorporated into a rationally-designed multi-target agent. TAKE HOME MESSAGE The discovery of N/OFQ and NOP opened a new option for the treatment of pain with the potential for a decreased side effect profile. Numerous compounds have been designed to target this system, the most promising of which have mixed profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tally M Largent-Milnes
- University of Arizona, Department of Pharmacology, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85724-5050, USA
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Fischetti C, Camarda V, Rizzi A, Pelà M, Trapella C, Guerrini R, McDonald J, Lambert DG, Salvadori S, Regoli D, Calo' G. Pharmacological characterization of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor non peptide antagonist Compound 24. Eur J Pharmacol 2009; 614:50-7. [PMID: 19445927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2008] [Revised: 04/16/2009] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Compound 24, 1-benzyl-N-[3-[spiroisobenzofuran-1(3H),4'-piperidin-1-yl]propyl] pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide was recently identified as a nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide receptor (NOP) ligand. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profiles of Compound 24 were investigated. In vitro studies were performed measuring receptor and [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding and calcium mobilization in cells expressing the recombinant NOP receptor as well as using N/OFQ sensitive tissues. In vivo studies were conducted using the tail withdrawal assay in mice. Compound 24 produced a concentration-dependent displacement of [(3)H]N/OFQ binding to CHO(hNOP) cell membranes showing high affinity (pK(i) 9.62) and selectivity (1000 fold) over classical opioid receptors. Compound 24 antagonized with high potency the following in vitro effects of N/OFQ: stimulation of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding in CHO(hNOP) cell membranes (pA(2) 9.98), calcium mobilization in CHO(hNOP) cells expressing the Galpha(qi5) chimeric protein (pK(B) 8.73), inhibition of electrically evoked twitches in the mouse (pA(2) 8.44) and rat (pK(B) 8.28) vas deferens, and in the guinea pig ileum (pK(B) 9.12). In electrically stimulated tissues, Compound 24 up to 1 microM did not modify the effects of classical opioid receptor agonists. Finally in vivo, in the mouse tail withdrawal assay, Compound 24 at 10 mg/kg antagonized the pronociceptive and antinociceptive effects of 1 nmol N/OFQ given supraspinally and spinally, respectively. Under the same experimental conditions Compound 24 did not affect the antinociceptive action of 3 nmol endomorphin-1 injected intrathecally. The present study demonstrated that Compound 24 is a pure, competitive, and highly potent non-peptide NOP receptor selective antagonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Fischetti
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Pharmacological profile of NOP receptors coupled with calcium signaling via the chimeric protein G alpha qi5. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2009; 379:599-607. [PMID: 19183962 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-009-0396-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2008] [Accepted: 01/08/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the Galpha(qi5) protein was used to force the human nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor to signal through the Ca(2+) pathway in CHO cells. [Ca(2+)](i) levels were monitored using the fluorometer FlexStation II and the Ca(2+) dye Fluo 4 AM. Concentration response curves were generated with a panel of full and partial agonists, while NOP antagonists were assessed in inhibition-response curves. The following rank order of potency of antagonists was measured: SB - 612111 > J - 113397 = Trap - 101 > or = UFP - 101 > [Nphe1]N/OF Q(1 - 13)NH2 >> naloxone, which is superimposable to literature findings. The rank order of potency of full and partial agonists is also similar to that obtained in previous studies with the exception of a panel of ligands (UFP-112, Ro 64-6198, ZP120, UFP-113) whose potency was relatively low in the Galpha(qi5)-NOP receptor calcium assay. Interestingly, these NOP ligands are characterized by slow kinetic of interaction with the NOP receptor, as demonstrated by bioassay experiments. These results demonstrated that the FlexStation II-Galpha(qi5)-NOP receptor calcium assay represents an adequate and useful screening for NOP receptor ligands, particularly for antagonists.
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