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Li K, Huntwork RH, Horn GQ, Alam SM, Tomaras GD, Dennison SM. TitrationAnalysis: a tool for high throughput binding kinetics data analysis for multiple label-free platforms. Gates Open Res 2024; 7:107. [PMID: 38009106 PMCID: PMC10667272 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.14743.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Label-free techniques including Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Biolayer Interferometry (BLI) are biophysical tools widely used to collect binding kinetics data of bimolecular interactions. To efficiently analyze SPR and BLI binding kinetics data, we have built a new high throughput analysis tool named the TitrationAnalysis. It can be used as a package in the Mathematica scripting environment and ultilize the non-linear curve-fitting module of Mathematica for its core function. This tool can fit the binding time course data and estimate association and dissociation rate constants ( k a and k d respectively) for determining apparent dissociation constant ( K D ) values. The high throughput fitting process is automatic, requires minimal knowledge on Mathematica scripting and can be applied to data from multiple label-free platforms. We demonstrate that the TitrationAnalysis is optimal to analyze antibody-antigen binding data acquired on Biacore T200 (SPR), Carterra LSA (SPR imaging) and ForteBio Octet Red384 (BLI) platforms. The k a , k d and K D values derived using TitrationAnalysis very closely matched the results from the commercial analysis software provided specifically for these instruments. Additionally, the TitrationAnalysis tool generates user-directed customizable results output that can be readily used in downstream Data Quality Control associated with Good Clinical Laboratory Practice operations. With the versatility in source of data input source and options of analysis result output, the TitrationAnalysis high throughput analysis tool offers investigators a powerful alternative in biomolecular interaction characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Li
- Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Richard H.C. Huntwork
- Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Gillian Q. Horn
- Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - S. Munir Alam
- Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Georgia D. Tomaras
- Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - S. Moses Dennison
- Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
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2
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Luginina AP, Khnykin AN, Khorn PA, Moiseeva OV, Safronova NA, Pospelov VA, Dashevskii DE, Belousov AS, Borschevskiy VI, Mishin AV. Rational Design of Drugs Targeting G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: Ligand Search and Screening. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:958-972. [PMID: 38880655 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924050158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane proteins that participate in many physiological processes and represent major pharmacological targets. Recent advances in structural biology of GPCRs have enabled the development of drugs based on the receptor structure (structure-based drug design, SBDD). SBDD utilizes information about the receptor-ligand complex to search for suitable compounds, thus expanding the chemical space of possible receptor ligands without the need for experimental screening. The review describes the use of structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) for GPCR ligands and approaches for the functional testing of potential drug compounds, as well as discusses recent advances and successful examples in the application of SBDD for the identification of GPCR ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra P Luginina
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Andrey N Khnykin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Polina A Khorn
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Olga V Moiseeva
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
- Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| | - Nadezhda A Safronova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Pospelov
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Dmitrii E Dashevskii
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Anatolii S Belousov
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Valentin I Borschevskiy
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
- Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Moscow Region, 141980, Russia
| | - Alexey V Mishin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
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3
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Liu C, Zhang Z, Li B, Huang K, Zhang Y, Li M, Letcher RJ. Lipid Metabolic Disorders Induced by Organophosphate Esters in Silver Carp from the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4904-4913. [PMID: 38437168 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
The Yangtze River fishery resources have declined strongly over the past few decades. One suspected reason for the decline in fishery productivity, including silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), has been linked to organophosphate esters (OPEs) contaminant exposure. In this study, the adverse effect of OPEs on lipid metabolism in silver carp captured from the Yangtze River was examined, and our results indicated that muscle concentrations of the OPEs were positively associated with serum cholesterol and total lipid levels. In vivo laboratory results revealed that exposure to environmental concentrations of OPEs significantly increased the concentrations of triglyceride, cholesterol, and total lipid levels. Lipidome analysis further confirmed the lipid metabolism dysfunction induced by OPEs, and glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids were the most affected lipids. Hepatic transcriptomic analysis found that OPEs caused significant alterations in the transcription of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Pathways associated with lipid homeostasis, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signal pathway, cholesterol metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and steroid biosynthesis, were significantly changed. Furthermore, the affinities of OPEs were different, but the 11 OPEs tested could bind with PPARγ, suggesting that OPEs could disrupt lipid metabolism by interacting with PPARγ. Overall, this study highlighted the harmful effects of OPEs on wild fish and provided mechanistic insights into OPE-induced metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunsheng Liu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zihan Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Boqun Li
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Kai Huang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yongkang Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Meng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa K1S 5B6 Ontario, Canada
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Nagl M, Mönnich D, Rosier N, Schihada H, Sirbu A, Konar N, Reyes-Resina I, Navarro G, Franco R, Kolb P, Annibale P, Pockes S. Fluorescent Tools for the Imaging of Dopamine D 2 -Like Receptors. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300659. [PMID: 37942961 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300659] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The family of dopamine D2 -like receptors represents an interesting target for a variety of neurological diseases, e. g. Parkinson's disease (PD), addiction, or schizophrenia. In this study we describe the synthesis of a new set of fluorescent ligands as tools for visualization of dopamine D2 -like receptors. Pharmacological characterization in radioligand binding studies identified UR-MN212 (20) as a high-affinity ligand for D2 -like receptors (pKi (D2long R)=8.24, pKi (D3 R)=8.58, pKi (D4 R)=7.78) with decent selectivity towards D1 -like receptors. Compound 20 is a neutral antagonist in a Go1 activation assay at the D2long R, D3 R, and D4 R, which is an important feature for studies using whole cells. The neutral antagonist 20, equipped with a 5-TAMRA dye, displayed rapid association to the D2long R in binding studies using confocal microscopy demonstrating its suitability for fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, in molecular brightness studies, the ligand's binding affinity could be determined in a single-digit nanomolar range that was in good agreement with radioligand binding data. Therefore, the fluorescent compound can be used for quantitative characterization of native D2 -like receptors in a broad variety of experimental setups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Nagl
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Denise Mönnich
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Rosier
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexei Sirbu
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany
| | - Nergis Konar
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany
| | - Irene Reyes-Resina
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Franco
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter Kolb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paolo Annibale
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
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5
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Rosier N, Mönnich D, Nagl M, Schihada H, Sirbu A, Konar N, Reyes-Resina I, Navarro G, Franco R, Kolb P, Annibale P, Pockes S. Shedding Light on the D 1 -Like Receptors: A Fluorescence-Based Toolbox for Visualization of the D 1 and D 5 Receptors. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300658. [PMID: 37983731 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300658] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine D1 -like receptors are the most abundant type of dopamine receptors in the central nervous system and, even after decades of discovery, still highly interesting for the study of neurological diseases. We herein describe the synthesis of a new set of fluorescent ligands, structurally derived from D1 R antagonist SCH-23390 and labeled with two different fluorescent dyes, as tool compounds for the visualization of D1 -like receptors. Pharmacological characterization in radioligand binding studies identified UR-NR435 (25) as a high-affinity ligand for D1 -like receptors (pKi (D1 R)=8.34, pKi (D5 R)=7.62) with excellent selectivity towards D2 -like receptors. Compound 25 proved to be a neutral antagonist at the D1 R and D5 R in a Gs heterotrimer dissociation assay, an important feature to avoid receptor internalization and degradation when working with whole cells. The neutral antagonist 25 displayed rapid association and complete dissociation to the D1 R in kinetic binding studies using confocal microscopy verifying its applicability for fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, molecular brightness studies determined a single-digit nanomolar binding affinity of the ligand, which was in good agreement with radioligand binding data. For this reason, this fluorescent ligand is a useful tool for a sophisticated characterization of native D1 receptors in a variety of experimental setups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Rosier
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Denise Mönnich
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Nagl
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexei Sirbu
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nergis Konar
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Irene Reyes-Resina
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Franco
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter Kolb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paolo Annibale
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Scotland, UK
| | - 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, MN 55414, USA
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6
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Papadourakis M, Sinenka H, Matricon P, Hénin J, Brannigan G, Pérez-Benito L, Pande V, van Vlijmen H, de Graaf C, Deflorian F, Tresadern G, Cecchini M, Cournia Z. Alchemical Free Energy Calculations on Membrane-Associated Proteins. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:7437-7458. [PMID: 37902715 PMCID: PMC11017255 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00365] [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: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins have diverse functions within cells and are well-established drug targets. The advances in membrane protein structural biology have revealed drug and lipid binding sites on membrane proteins, while computational methods such as molecular simulations can resolve the thermodynamic basis of these interactions. Particularly, alchemical free energy calculations have shown promise in the calculation of reliable and reproducible binding free energies of protein-ligand and protein-lipid complexes in membrane-associated systems. In this review, we present an overview of representative alchemical free energy studies on G-protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, transporters as well as protein-lipid interactions, with emphasis on best practices and critical aspects of running these simulations. Additionally, we analyze challenges and successes when running alchemical free energy calculations on membrane-associated proteins. Finally, we highlight the value of alchemical free energy calculations calculations in drug discovery and their applicability in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Papadourakis
- Biomedical
Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Hryhory Sinenka
- Institut
de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, F-67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Pierre Matricon
- Sosei
Heptares, Steinmetz Building,
Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, United
Kingdom
| | - Jérôme Hénin
- Laboratoire
de Biochimie Théorique UPR 9080, CNRS and Université Paris Cité, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Grace Brannigan
- Center
for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University−Camden, Camden, New Jersey 08103, United States of America
- Department
of Physics, Rutgers University−Camden, Camden, New Jersey 08102, United States
of America
| | - Laura Pérez-Benito
- CADD,
In Silico Discovery, Janssen Research &
Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Vineet Pande
- CADD,
In Silico Discovery, Janssen Research &
Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Herman van Vlijmen
- CADD,
In Silico Discovery, Janssen Research &
Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Chris de Graaf
- Sosei
Heptares, Steinmetz Building,
Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, United
Kingdom
| | - Francesca Deflorian
- Sosei
Heptares, Steinmetz Building,
Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6DG, United
Kingdom
| | - Gary Tresadern
- CADD,
In Silico Discovery, Janssen Research &
Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Marco Cecchini
- Institut
de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, F-67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Zoe Cournia
- Biomedical
Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Fang M, Chen L, Tang T, Qiu M, Xu X. The committed oligodendrocyte precursor cell, a newly-defined intermediate progenitor cell type in oligodendroglial lineage. Glia 2023; 71:2499-2510. [PMID: 37278537 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24426] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In the central nervous system, oligodendrocytes (OLs) produce myelin sheaths that provide trophic support to neuronal axons and increase the propagation speed of action potential. OLs are constantly generated from OL precursor cells (OPCs) throughout life span. The production of myelinating OLs consists of three canonical stages: OPCs, newly-formed OLs (NFOs), and mature myelinating OLs. Recently, single-cell RNA transcriptomic analyses identified a new population of oligodendroglial cells, namely differentiation committed OPCs (COPs). COPs represent a critical intermediate population between OPCs and NFOs, as revealed by specific expression of G-protein coupled receptor 17 (GPR17). The dysregulation of COPs leads to the remyelination failure in demyelinating diseases and impairs the replacement of lost myelin sheaths due to aging. Hence, understanding the development of COPs and their underlying regulatory network will be helpful in establishing new strategies for promoting myelin repair in demyelinating diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the development and functions of COPs under both physiological and pathological conditions. Overall, COPs function as "checkpoints" to prevent inappropriate precocious OL differentiation and myelination through expressing distinct regulatory factors. Deepening our understanding of COPs may not only advance our knowledge of how OL lineage progresses during development, but also open the door to new treatments for demyelinating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minxi Fang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lixia Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Tang
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Mengsheng Qiu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Xu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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8
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Harrington AW, Liu C, Phillips N, Nepomuceno D, Kuei C, Chang J, Chen W, Sutton SW, O'Malley D, Pham L, Yao X, Sun S, Bonaventure P. Identification and characterization of select oxysterols as ligands for GPR17. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:401-421. [PMID: 36214386 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE G-protein coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) is an orphan receptor involved in the process of myelination, due to its ability to inhibit the maturation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into myelinating oligodendrocytes. Despite multiple claims that the biological ligand has been identified, it remains an orphan receptor. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Seventy-seven oxysterols were screened in a cell-free [35 S]GTPγS binding assay using membranes from cells expressing GPR17. The positive hits were characterized using adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), inositol monophosphate (IP1) and calcium mobilization assays, with results confirmed in rat primary oligodendrocytes. Rat and pig brain extracts were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and endogenous activator(s) were identified in receptor activation assays. Gene expression studies of GPR17, and CYP46A1 (cytochrome P450 family 46 subfamily A member 1) enzymes responsible for the conversion of cholesterol into specific oxysterols, were performed using quantitative real-time PCR. KEY RESULTS Five oxysterols were able to stimulate GPR17 activity, including the brain cholesterol, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24S-HC). A specific brain fraction from rat and pig extracts containing 24S-HC activates GPR17 in vitro. Expression of Gpr17 during mouse brain development correlates with the expression of Cyp46a1 and the levels of 24S-HC itself. Other active oxysterols have low brain concentrations below effective ranges. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Oxysterols, including but not limited to 24S-HC, could be physiological activators for GPR17 and thus potentially regulate OPC differentiation and myelination through activation of the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Changlu Liu
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Naomi Phillips
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Chester Kuei
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Joseph Chang
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Weixuan Chen
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Steven W Sutton
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Daniel O'Malley
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Ly Pham
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Xiang Yao
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Siquan Sun
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California, USA
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9
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Thalhammer A, Bröker NK. Biophysical Approaches for the Characterization of Protein-Metabolite Interactions. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2554:199-229. [PMID: 36178628 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2624-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
With an estimate of hundred thousands of protein molecules per cell and the number of metabolites several orders of magnitude higher, protein-metabolite interactions are omnipresent. In vitro analyses are one of the main pillars on the way to establish a solid understanding of how these interactions contribute to maintaining cellular homeostasis. A repertoire of biophysical techniques is available by which protein-metabolite interactions can be quantitatively characterized in terms of affinity, specificity, and kinetics in a broad variety of solution environments. Several of those provide information on local or global conformational changes of the protein partner in response to ligand binding. This review chapter gives an overview of the state-of-the-art biophysical toolbox for the study of protein-metabolite interactions. It briefly introduces basic principles, highlights recent examples from the literature, and pinpoints promising future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Thalhammer
- Physical Biochemistry, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Nina K Bröker
- Physical Biochemistry, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Health and Medical University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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10
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Functional Heterodimerization between the G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR17 and the Chemokine Receptors 2 and 4: New Evidence. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010261. [PMID: 36613703 PMCID: PMC9820414 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
GPR17, a G protein-coupled receptor, is a pivotal regulator of myelination. Its endogenous ligands trigger receptor desensitization and downregulation allowing oligodendrocyte terminal maturation. In addition to its endogenous agonists, GPR17 could be promiscuously activated by pro-inflammatory oxysterols and chemokines released at demyelinating lesions. Herein, the chemokine receptors CXCR2 and CXCR4 were selected to perform both in silico modelling and in vitro experiments to establish their structural and functional interactions with GPR17. The relative propensity of GPR17 and CXCR2 or CXCR4 to form homo- and hetero-dimers was assessed by homology modelling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and co-immunoprecipitation and immunoenzymatic assay. The interaction between chemokine receptors and GPR17 was investigated by determining receptor-mediated modulation of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Our data show the GPR17 association with CXCR2 or CXCR4 and the negative regulation of these interactions by CXCR agonists or antagonists. Moreover, GPR17 and CXCR2 heterodimers can functionally influence each other. In contrast, CXCR4 can influence GPR17 functionality, but not vice versa. According to MD simulations, all the dimers reached conformational stability and negative formation energy, confirming the experimental observations. The cross-talk between these receptors could play a role in the development of the neuroinflammatory milieu associated with demyelinating events.
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Liu M, Martyn AP, Quinn RJ. Natural product-based PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs). Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:2292-2307. [PMID: 36196977 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00038e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Covering: upto 2022Natural products have an embedded recognition of protein surfaces. They possess this property as they are produced by biosynthetic enzymes and are substrates for one or more enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway. The inherent advantages, compared to synthetic compound libraries, is this ligand-protein binding which is, in many cases, a function of the 3-dimensional properties. Protein degradation is a recent novel therapeutic approach with several compounds now in the clinic. This review highlights the potential of PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) in the area of natural products. The approach will complement existing approaches such as the direct use of a bioactive natural product or its analogues, pharmacophore development and drug-antibody conjugates. The chemical synthesis and challenges of using natural product-based PROTACs are summarised. The review also highlights methods to detect the ternary complexes necessary for PROTAC mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Liu
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Alexander P Martyn
- Cancer and Ageing Research Program (CARP), Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health (CGPH), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ronald J Quinn
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Li Q, Yin G, Wang J, Li L, Liang Q, Zhao X, Chen Y, Zheng X, Zhao X. An emerging paradigm to develop analytical methods based on immobilized transmembrane proteins and its applications in drug discovery. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Arif SM, Floto RA, Blundell TL. Using Structure-guided Fragment-Based Drug Discovery to Target Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections in Cystic Fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:857000. [PMID: 35433835 PMCID: PMC9006449 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.857000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is progressive genetic disease that predisposes lungs and other organs to multiple long-lasting microbial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most prevalent and deadly pathogen among these microbes. Lung function of CF patients worsens following chronic infections with P. aeruginosa and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Emergence of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa due to intrinsic and adaptive antibiotic resistance mechanisms has failed the current anti-pseudomonal antibiotics. Hence new antibacterials are urgently needed to treat P. aeruginosa infections. Structure-guided fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is a powerful approach in the field of drug development that has succeeded in delivering six FDA approved drugs over the past 20 years targeting a variety of biological molecules. However, FBDD has not been widely used in the development of anti-pseudomonal molecules. In this review, we first give a brief overview of our structure-guided FBDD pipeline and then give a detailed account of FBDD campaigns to combat P. aeruginosa infections by developing small molecules having either bactericidal or anti-virulence properties. We conclude with a brief overview of the FBDD efforts in our lab at the University of Cambridge towards targeting P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R. Andres Floto
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine University of Cambridge, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Centre for Lung Infection, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tom L. Blundell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Tom L. Blundell,
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Eiger DS, Pham U, Gardner J, Hicks C, Rajagopal S. GPCR Systems Pharmacology: A Different Perspective on the Development of Biased Therapeutics. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 322:C887-C895. [PMID: 35196164 PMCID: PMC9037395 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00449.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of transmembrane receptors and are the target of approximately one-third of all Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmaceutical drugs. GPCRs interact with many transducers, such as heterotrimeric G proteins, GPCR kinases (GRKs), and β-arrestins. Recent experiments have demonstrated that some ligands can activate distinct effector proteins over others, a phenomenon termed biased agonism. These discoveries have raised the potential of developing drugs which preferentially activate therapeutic signaling pathways over those that lead to deleterious side effects. However, to date, only one biased GPCR therapeutic has received FDA approval and many others have either failed to meet their specified primary endpoints and or demonstrate superiority over currently available treatments. Additionally, there is a lack of understanding regarding how biased agonism measured at a GPCR leads to specific downstream physiologic responses. Here, we briefly summarize the history and current status of biased agonism at GPCRs and suggest adoption of a systems pharmacology approach upon which to develop GPCR-targeted drugs that demonstrate heightened therapeutic efficacy with improved side effect profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Scott Eiger
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Uyen Pham
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Julia Gardner
- Trinty College, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Chloe Hicks
- Trinty College, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sudarshan Rajagopal
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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Das N, Yadav S, Negi KS, Tariff E, Sen P. Microsecond Active-Site Dynamics Primarily control Proteolytic Activity of Bromelain: A Single Molecular Level Study with a Denaturant, a Stabilizer and a Macromolecular Crowder. BBA ADVANCES 2022; 2:100041. [PMID: 37082607 PMCID: PMC10074955 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2022.100041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are dynamic entity with various molecular motions at different timescale and length scale. Molecular motions are crucial for the optimal function of an enzyme. It seems intuitive that these motions are crucial for optimal enzyme activity. However, it is not easy to directly correlate an enzyme's dynamics and activity due to biosystems' enormous complexity. amongst many factors, structure and dynamics are two prime aspects that combinedly control the activity. Therefore, having a direct correlation between protein dynamics and activity is not straightforward. Herein, we observed and correlated the structural, functional, and dynamical responses of an industrially crucial proteolytic enzyme, bromelain with three versatile classes of chemicals: GnHCl (protein denaturant), sucrose (protein stabilizer), and Ficoll-70 (macromolecular crowder). The only free cysteine (Cys-25 at the active-site) of bromelain has been tagged with a cysteine-specific dye to unveil the structural and dynamical changes through various spectroscopic studies both at bulk and at the single molecular level. Proteolytic activity is carried out using casein as the substrate. GnHCl and sucrose shows remarkable structure-dynamics-activity relationships. Interestingly, with Ficoll-70, structure and activity are not correlated. However, microsecond dynamics and activity are beautifully correlated in this case also. Overall, our result demonstrates that bromelain dynamics in the microsecond timescale around the active-site is probably a key factor in controlling its proteolytic activity.
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Gupta R, Srivastava D, Sahu M, Tiwari S, Ambasta RK, Kumar P. Artificial intelligence to deep learning: machine intelligence approach for drug discovery. Mol Divers 2021; 25:1315-1360. [PMID: 33844136 PMCID: PMC8040371 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 92.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Drug designing and development is an important area of research for pharmaceutical companies and chemical scientists. However, low efficacy, off-target delivery, time consumption, and high cost impose a hurdle and challenges that impact drug design and discovery. Further, complex and big data from genomics, proteomics, microarray data, and clinical trials also impose an obstacle in the drug discovery pipeline. Artificial intelligence and machine learning technology play a crucial role in drug discovery and development. In other words, artificial neural networks and deep learning algorithms have modernized the area. Machine learning and deep learning algorithms have been implemented in several drug discovery processes such as peptide synthesis, structure-based virtual screening, ligand-based virtual screening, toxicity prediction, drug monitoring and release, pharmacophore modeling, quantitative structure-activity relationship, drug repositioning, polypharmacology, and physiochemical activity. Evidence from the past strengthens the implementation of artificial intelligence and deep learning in this field. Moreover, novel data mining, curation, and management techniques provided critical support to recently developed modeling algorithms. In summary, artificial intelligence and deep learning advancements provide an excellent opportunity for rational drug design and discovery process, which will eventually impact mankind. The primary concern associated with drug design and development is time consumption and production cost. Further, inefficiency, inaccurate target delivery, and inappropriate dosage are other hurdles that inhibit the process of drug delivery and development. With advancements in technology, computer-aided drug design integrating artificial intelligence algorithms can eliminate the challenges and hurdles of traditional drug design and development. Artificial intelligence is referred to as superset comprising machine learning, whereas machine learning comprises supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Further, deep learning, a subset of machine learning, has been extensively implemented in drug design and development. The artificial neural network, deep neural network, support vector machines, classification and regression, generative adversarial networks, symbolic learning, and meta-learning are examples of the algorithms applied to the drug design and discovery process. Artificial intelligence has been applied to different areas of drug design and development process, such as from peptide synthesis to molecule design, virtual screening to molecular docking, quantitative structure-activity relationship to drug repositioning, protein misfolding to protein-protein interactions, and molecular pathway identification to polypharmacology. Artificial intelligence principles have been applied to the classification of active and inactive, monitoring drug release, pre-clinical and clinical development, primary and secondary drug screening, biomarker development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, bioactivity identification and physiochemical properties, prediction of toxicity, and identification of mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Gupta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Devesh Srivastava
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Mehar Sahu
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Swati Tiwari
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Rashmi K Ambasta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Pravir Kumar
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India.
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Raffaele S, Boccazzi M, Fumagalli M. Oligodendrocyte Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030565. [PMID: 33807572 PMCID: PMC8000560 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelin is the lipid-rich structure formed by oligodendrocytes (OLs) that wraps the axons in multilayered sheaths, assuring protection, efficient saltatory signal conduction and metabolic support to neurons. In the last few years, the impact of OL dysfunction and myelin damage has progressively received more attention and is now considered to be a major contributing factor to neurodegeneration in several neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Upon OL injury, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) of adult nervous tissue sustain the generation of new OLs for myelin reconstitution, but this spontaneous regeneration process fails to successfully counteract myelin damage. Of note, the functions of OPCs exceed the formation and repair of myelin, and also involve the trophic support to axons and the capability to exert an immunomodulatory role, which are particularly relevant in the context of neurodegeneration. In this review, we deeply analyze the impact of dysfunctional OLs in ALS pathogenesis. The possible mechanisms underlying OL degeneration, defective OPC maturation, and impairment in energy supply to motor neurons (MNs) have also been examined to provide insights on future therapeutic interventions. On this basis, we discuss the potential therapeutic utility in ALS of several molecules, based on their remyelinating potential or capability to enhance energy metabolism.
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de Oliveira Vitarelli M, Elias MC. Quantifying the Affinity of Trypanosoma cruzi RPA-1 to the Single-Stranded DNA Overhang of the Telomere Using Surface Plasmon Resonance. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2281:217-228. [PMID: 33847961 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1290-3_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors provide real-time binding affinity measurements between a pair of biomolecules, characterizing its interaction dynamics. An example of Trypanosoma cruzi's RPA-1 and a single-stranded DNA telomere sequence is presented with detailed guidelines and fundamentals for SPR technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela de Oliveira Vitarelli
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Development of the first in vivo GPR17 ligand through an iterative drug discovery pipeline: A novel disease-modifying strategy for multiple sclerosis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231483. [PMID: 32320409 PMCID: PMC7176092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The GPR17 receptor, expressed on oligodendroglial precursors (OPCs, the myelin producing cells), has emerged as an attractive target for a pro-myelinating strategy in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the proof-of-concept that selective GPR17 ligands actually exert protective activity in vivo is still missing. Here, we exploited an iterative drug discovery pipeline to prioritize novel and selective GPR17 pro-myelinating agents out of more than 1,000,000 compounds. We first performed an in silico high-throughput screening on GPR17 structural model to identify three chemically-diverse ligand families that were then combinatorially exploded and refined. Top-scoring compounds were sequentially tested on reference pharmacological in vitro assays with increasing complexity, ending with myelinating OPC-neuron co-cultures. Successful ligands were filtered through in silico simulations of metabolism and pharmacokinetics, to select the most promising hits, whose dose and ability to target the central nervous system were then determined in vivo. Finally, we show that, when administered according to a preventive protocol, one of them (named by us as galinex) is able to significantly delay the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of MS. This outcome validates the predictivity of our pipeline to identify novel MS-modifying agents.
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Lecca D, Raffaele S, Abbracchio MP, Fumagalli M. Regulation and signaling of the GPR17 receptor in oligodendroglial cells. Glia 2020; 68:1957-1967. [PMID: 32086854 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Remyelination, namely, the formation of new myelin sheaths around denuded axons, counteracts axonal degeneration and restores neuronal function. Considerable advances have been made in understanding this regenerative process that often fails in diseases like multiple sclerosis, leaving axons demyelinated and vulnerable to damage, thus contributing to disease progression. The identification of the membrane receptor GPR17 on a subset of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), which mediate remyelination in the adult central nervous system (CNS), has led to a huge amount of evidence that validated this receptor as a new attractive target for remyelinating therapies. Here, we summarize the role of GPR17 in OPC function, myelination and remyelination, describing its atypical pharmacology, its downstream signaling, and the genetic and epigenetic factors modulating its activity. We also highlight crucial insights into GPR17 pathophysiology coming from the demonstration that oligodendrocyte injury, associated with inflammation in chronic neurodegenerative conditions, is invariably characterized by abnormal and persistent GPR17 upregulation, which, in turn, is accompanied by a block of OPCs at immature premyelinating stages. Finally, we discuss the current literature in light of the potential exploitment of GPR17 as a therapeutic target to promote remyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Lecca
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Raffaele
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria P Abbracchio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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