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Lu Y, Hatzipantelis CJ, Langmead CJ, Stewart GD. Molecular insights into orphan G protein-coupled receptors relevant to schizophrenia. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:2095-2113. [PMID: 37605621 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16221] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia remains a sizable socio-economic burden that continues to be treated with therapeutics based on 70-year old science. All currently approved therapeutics primarily target the dopamine D2 receptor to achieve their efficacy. Whilst dopaminergic dysregulation is a key feature in this disorder, the targeting of dopaminergic machinery has yielded limited efficacy and an appreciable side effect burden. Over the recent decades, numerous drugs that engage non-dopaminergic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have yielded a promise of efficacy without the deleterious side effect profile, yet none have successfully completed clinical studies and progressed to the market. More recently, there has been increased attention around non-dopaminergic GPCR-targeting drugs, which demonstrated efficacy in some schizophrenia symptom domains. This provides renewed hope that effective schizophrenia treatment may lie outside of the dopaminergic space. Despite the potential for muscarinic receptor- (and other well-characterised GPCR families) targeting drugs to treat schizophrenia, they are often plagued with complications such as lack of receptor subtype selectivity and peripheral on-target side effects. Orphan GPCR studies have opened a new avenue of exploration with many demonstrating schizophrenia-relevant mechanisms and a favourable expression profile, thus offering potential for novel drug development. This review discusses centrally expressed orphan GPCRs: GPR3, GPR6, GPR12, GPR52, GPR85, GPR88 and GPR139 and their relationship to schizophrenia. We review their expression, signalling mechanisms and cellular function, in conjunction with small molecule development and structural insights. We seek to provide a snapshot of the growing evidence and development potential of new classes of schizophrenia therapeutics. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue Therapeutic Targeting of G Protein-Coupled Receptors: hot topics from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists 2021 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.14/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lu
- Drug Discovery Biology and Neuroscience & Mental Health Therapeutic Program Area, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Christopher J Langmead
- Drug Discovery Biology and Neuroscience & Mental Health Therapeutic Program Area, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
- Neuromedicines Discovery Centre, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
- Phrenix Therapeutics, Parkville, Australia
| | - Gregory D Stewart
- Drug Discovery Biology and Neuroscience & Mental Health Therapeutic Program Area, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
- Neuromedicines Discovery Centre, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
- Phrenix Therapeutics, Parkville, Australia
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2
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Birgül Iyison N, Abboud C, Abboud D, Abdulrahman AO, Bondar AN, Dam J, Georgoussi Z, Giraldo J, Horvat A, Karoussiotis C, Paz-Castro A, Scarpa M, Schihada H, Scholz N, Güvenc Tuna B, Vardjan N. ERNEST COST action overview on the (patho)physiology of GPCRs and orphan GPCRs in the nervous system. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38825750 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16389] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large family of cell surface receptors that play a critical role in nervous system function by transmitting signals between cells and their environment. They are involved in many, if not all, nervous system processes, and their dysfunction has been linked to various neurological disorders representing important drug targets. This overview emphasises the GPCRs of the nervous system, which are the research focus of the members of ERNEST COST action (CA18133) working group 'Biological roles of signal transduction'. First, the (patho)physiological role of the nervous system GPCRs in the modulation of synapse function is discussed. We then debate the (patho)physiology and pharmacology of opioid, acetylcholine, chemokine, melatonin and adhesion GPCRs in the nervous system. Finally, we address the orphan GPCRs, their implication in the nervous system function and disease, and the challenges that need to be addressed to deorphanize them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Necla Birgül Iyison
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Bogazici, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Clauda Abboud
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Dayana Abboud
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | | | - Ana-Nicoleta Bondar
- Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Magurele, Romania
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute for Computational Biomedicine (IAS-5/INM-9), Jülich, Germany
| | - Julie Dam
- Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Zafiroula Georgoussi
- Laboratory of Cellular Signalling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anemari Horvat
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology - Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christos Karoussiotis
- Laboratory of Cellular Signalling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Alba Paz-Castro
- Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs research group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago, Spain
| | - Miriam Scarpa
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Scholz
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bilge Güvenc Tuna
- Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nina Vardjan
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology - Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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3
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Anversa RG, Maddern XJ, Lawrence AJ, Walker LC. Orphan peptide and G protein-coupled receptor signalling in alcohol use disorder. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:595-609. [PMID: 38073127 PMCID: PMC10953447 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16301] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have long been, and continue to be, one of the most popular target classes for drug discovery in CNS disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Yet, orphaned neuropeptide systems and receptors (oGPCR), which have no known cognate receptor or ligand, remain understudied in drug discovery and development. Orphan neuropeptides and oGPCRs are abundantly expressed within the brain and represent an unprecedented opportunity to address brain function and may hold potential as novel treatments for disease. Here, we describe the current literature regarding orphaned neuropeptides and oGPCRs implicated in AUD. Specifically, in this review, we focus on the orphaned neuropeptide cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), and several oGPCRs that have been directly implicated in AUD (GPR6, GPR26, GPR88, GPR139, GPR158) and discuss their potential and pitfalls as novel treatments, and progress in identifying their cognate receptors or ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Goncalves Anversa
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMelbourneVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Xavier J. Maddern
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMelbourneVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Andrew J. Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMelbourneVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Leigh C. Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMelbourneVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
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4
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Rifat A, Ossola B, Bürli RW, Dawson LA, Brice NL, Rowland A, Lizio M, Xu X, Page K, Fidzinski P, Onken J, Holtkamp M, Heppner FL, Geiger JRP, Madry C. Differential contribution of THIK-1 K + channels and P2X7 receptors to ATP-mediated neuroinflammation by human microglia. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:58. [PMID: 38409076 PMCID: PMC10895799 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03042-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is highly influenced by microglia, particularly through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequent release of IL-1β. Extracellular ATP is a strong activator of NLRP3 by inducing K+ efflux as a key signaling event, suggesting that K+-permeable ion channels could have high therapeutic potential. In microglia, these include ATP-gated THIK-1 K+ channels and P2X7 receptors, but their interactions and potential therapeutic role in the human brain are unknown. Using a novel specific inhibitor of THIK-1 in combination with patch-clamp electrophysiology in slices of human neocortex, we found that THIK-1 generated the main tonic K+ conductance in microglia that sets the resting membrane potential. Extracellular ATP stimulated K+ efflux in a concentration-dependent manner only via P2X7 and metabotropic potentiation of THIK-1. We further demonstrated that activation of P2X7 was mandatory for ATP-evoked IL-1β release, which was strongly suppressed by blocking THIK-1. Surprisingly, THIK-1 contributed only marginally to the total K+ conductance in the presence of ATP, which was dominated by P2X7. This suggests a previously unknown, K+-independent mechanism of THIK-1 for NLRP3 activation. Nuclear sequencing revealed almost selective expression of THIK-1 in human brain microglia, while P2X7 had a much broader expression. Thus, inhibition of THIK-1 could be an effective and, in contrast to P2X7, microglia-specific therapeutic strategy to contain neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rifat
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernardino Ossola
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Roland W Bürli
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Lee A Dawson
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Nicola L Brice
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Anna Rowland
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Marina Lizio
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Xiao Xu
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Keith Page
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Pawel Fidzinski
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy-Center Berlin-Brandenburg, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Neurocure Cluster of Excellence, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Onken
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Holtkamp
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy-Center Berlin-Brandenburg, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank L Heppner
- Neurocure Cluster of Excellence, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg R P Geiger
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Madry
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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5
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Bresinsky M, Shahraki A, Kolb P, Pockes S, Schihada H. Development of Fluorescent AF64394 Analogues Enables Real-Time Binding Studies for the Orphan Class A GPCR GPR3. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15025-15041. [PMID: 37907069 PMCID: PMC10641823 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The orphan G protein-coupled receptor (oGPCR) GPR3 represents a potential drug target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and metabolic disorders. However, the limited toolbox of pharmacological assays hampers the development of advanced ligands. Here, we developed a signaling pathway-independent readout of compound-GPR3 interaction. Starting from computational binding pose predictions of the most potent GPR3 ligand, we designed a series of fluorescent AF64394 analogues and assessed their suitability for BRET-based binding studies. The most potent ligand, 45 (UR-MB-355), bound to GPR3 and closely related receptors, GPR6 and GPR12, with similar submicromolar affinities. Furthermore, we found that 45 engages GPR3 in a distinct mode compared to AF64394, and coincubation studies with the GPR3 agonist diphenyleneiodonium chloride revealed allosteric modulation of 45 binding. These insights provide new cues for the pharmacological manipulation of GPR3 activity. This novel binding assay will foster the development of future drugs acting through these pharmacologically attractive oGPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Bresinsky
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Aida Shahraki
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University
of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 8, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kolb
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University
of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 8, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University
of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 8, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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6
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Mu C, Li X, Yang Y, Zhou Y, Wang C, Doyle KJ, Ye N, Mistry A, Bürli RW. Scalable Synthesis of CVN424, an Inverse Agonist of the GPR6 Receptor. Org Process Res Dev 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.oprd.2c00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Changwei Mu
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., No. 6, TaiHe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., No. 6, TaiHe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Yifang Yang
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., No. 6, TaiHe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Yusheng Zhou
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., No. 6, TaiHe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Chunhua Wang
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., No. 6, TaiHe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Kevin J. Doyle
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Naidong Ye
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Anil Mistry
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Roland W. Bürli
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
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7
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Magariños MP, Gaulton A, Félix E, Kiziloren T, Arcila R, Oprea TI, Leach AR. Illuminating the druggable genome through patent bioactivity data. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15153. [PMID: 37151295 PMCID: PMC10162037 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The patent literature is a potentially valuable source of bioactivity data. In this article we describe a process to prioritise 3.7 million life science relevant patents obtained from the SureChEMBL database (https://www.surechembl.org/), according to how likely they were to contain bioactivity data for potent small molecules on less-studied targets, based on the classification developed by the Illuminating the Druggable Genome (IDG) project. The overall goal was to select a smaller number of patents that could be manually curated and incorporated into the ChEMBL database. Using relatively simple annotation and filtering pipelines, we have been able to identify a substantial number of patents containing quantitative bioactivity data for understudied targets that had not previously been reported in the peer-reviewed medicinal chemistry literature. We quantify the added value of such methods in terms of the numbers of targets that are so identified, and provide some specific illustrative examples. Our work underlines the potential value in searching the patent corpus in addition to the more traditional peer-reviewed literature. The small molecules found in these patents, together with their measured activity against the targets, are now accessible via the ChEMBL database.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Gaulton
- EMBL-EBI, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Exscientia, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Tudor I. Oprea
- Translational informatics Division, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
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8
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Targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease. J Mol Biol 2022:167927. [PMID: 36563742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized in part by the deterioration of dopaminergic neurons which leads to motor impairment. Although there is no cure for PD, the motor symptoms can be treated using dopamine replacement therapies including the dopamine precursor L-DOPA, which has been in use since the 1960s. However, neurodegeneration in PD is not limited to dopaminergic neurons, and many patients experience non-motor symptoms including cognitive impairment or neuropsychiatric disturbances, for which there are limited treatment options. Moreover, there are currently no treatments able to alter the progression of neurodegeneration. There are many therapeutic strategies being investigated for PD, including alternatives to L-DOPA for the treatment of motor impairment, symptomatic treatments for non-motor symptoms, and neuroprotective or disease-modifying agents. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which include the dopamine receptors, are highly druggable cell surface proteins which can regulate numerous intracellular signaling pathways and thereby modulate the function of neuronal circuits affected by PD. This review will describe the treatment strategies being investigated for PD that target GPCRs and their downstream signaling mechanisms. First, we discuss new developments in dopaminergic agents for alleviating PD motor impairment, the role of dopamine receptors in L-DOPA induced dyskinesia, as well as agents targeting non-dopamine GPCRs which could augment or replace traditional dopaminergic treatments. We then discuss GPCRs as prospective treatments for neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms in PD. Finally, we discuss the evidence pertaining to ghrelin receptors, β-adrenergic receptors, angiotensin receptors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors, which have been proposed as disease modifying targets with potential neuroprotective effects in PD.
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9
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Margolin DH, Brice NL, Davidson A, Matthews KL, Carlton MBL. A Phase I, First-In-Human, Healthy Volunteer Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of CVN424, a Novel GPR6 Inverse Agonist for Parkinson's Disease. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 381:33-41. [PMID: 35110393 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
CVN424 is a novel small molecule and first-in-class candidate therapeutic to selectively modulate GPR6, an orphan G-protein coupled receptor. Expression of GPR6 is largely confined to the subset of striatal projection neurons that give rise to the indirect (striatopallidal) pathway, important in the control of movement. CVN424 improves motor function in preclinical animal models of Parkinson's disease. Here we report results of a phase 1, first-in-human study investigating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CVN424 in healthy volunteers. The study (NCT03657030) was randomized, double-blind, and placebo controlled. CVN424 was orally administered in ascending doses to successive cohorts as inpatients in a clinical research unit. Single doses ranged from 1 mg to 225 mg, and repeated (7 day) daily doses were 25 mg, 75 mg, or 150 mg. CVN424 peak plasma concentrations were reached within 2h post-dose in the fasted state and increased with increasing dose. Dosing after a standardized high-fat meal reduced and delayed the peak plasma concentration but total plasma exposure was similar. Mean terminal half-life ranged from 30h to 41h. CVN424 was generally well tolerated: no serious or severe adverse effects were observed, and there were no clinically significant changes in vital signs or laboratory parameters. We conclude that CVN424, a nondopaminergic compound that modulates a novel therapeutic target, was safe and well tolerated. A phase 2 study in patients with Parkinson's disease is underway. Significance Statement This is the first-in-human clinical study of a first-in-class candidate therapeutic. CVN424 modulates a novel drug target, GPR6, which is selectively expressed in a pathway in the brain that has been implicated in the motor dysfunction of patients with Parkinson's disease. This study paves the way for investigating this novel mechanism of action in patients with Parkinson's disease.
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10
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Sun H, Monenschein H, Schiffer HH, Reichard HA, Kikuchi S, Hopkins M, Macklin TK, Hitchcock S, Adams M, Green J, Brown J, Murphy ST, Kaushal N, Collia DR, Moore S, Ray WJ, English NM, Carlton MBL, Brice NL. First-Time Disclosure of CVN424, a Potent and Selective GPR6 Inverse Agonist for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: Discovery, Pharmacological Validation, and Identification of a Clinical Candidate. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9875-9890. [PMID: 33861086 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder with the urgent unmet need for efficient symptomatic therapies with fewer side effects. GPR6 is an orphan G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) with highly restricted expression in dopamine receptor D2-type medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the indirect pathway, a striatal brain circuit which shows aberrant hyperactivity in PD patients. Potent and selective GPR6 inverse agonists (IAG) were developed starting from a low-potency screening hit (EC50 = 43 μM). Herein, we describe the multiple parameter optimization that led to the discovery of multiple nanomolar potent and selective GPR6 IAG, including our clinical compound CVN424. GPR6 IAG reversed haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats and restored mobility in the bilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned rat PD model demonstrating that inhibition of GPR6 activity in vivo normalizes activity in basal ganglia circuitry and motor behavior. CVN424 is currently in clinical development to treat motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huikai Sun
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Holger Monenschein
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Hans H Schiffer
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Holly A Reichard
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Shota Kikuchi
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Maria Hopkins
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Todd K Macklin
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Stephen Hitchcock
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Mark Adams
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jason Green
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jason Brown
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sean T Murphy
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Nidhi Kaushal
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Deanna R Collia
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Steve Moore
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - William J Ray
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Nicole Marion English
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | | | - Nicola L Brice
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge, U.K
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