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Śliwa P, Dziurzyńska M, Kurczab R, Kucwaj-Brysz K. The Pivotal Distinction between Antagonists' and Agonists' Binding into Dopamine D4 Receptor-MD and FMO/PIEDA Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:746. [PMID: 38255820 PMCID: PMC10815553 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020746] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) is a promising therapeutic target in widespread diseases, and the search for novel agonists and antagonists appears to be clinically relevant. The mechanism of binding to the receptor (R) for antagonists and agonists varies. In the present study, we conducted an in-depth computational study, teasing out key similarities and differences in binding modes, complex dynamics, and binding energies for D4R agonists and antagonists. The dynamic network method was applied to investigate the communication paths between the ligand (L) and G-protein binding site (GBS) of human D4R. Finally, the fragment molecular orbitals with pair interaction energy decomposition analysis (FMO/PIEDA) scheme was used to estimate the binding energies of L-R complexes. We found that a strong salt bridge with D3.32 initiates the inhibition of the dopamine D4 receptor. This interaction also occurs in the binding of agonists, but the change in the receptor conformation to the active state starts with interaction with cysteine C3.36. Such a mechanism may arise in the case of agonists unable to form a hydrogen bond with the serine S5.46, considered, so far, to be crucial in the activation of GPCRs. The energy calculations using the FMO/PIEDA method indicate that antagonists show higher residue occupancy of the receptor binding site than agonists, suggesting they could form relatively more stable complexes. Additionally, antagonists were characterized by repulsive interactions with S5.46 distinguishing them from agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Śliwa
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Dziurzyńska
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
| | - Rafał Kurczab
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Kucwaj-Brysz
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland;
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
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Mishra S, Rout M, Singh MK, Dehury B, Pati S. Illuminating the structural basis of human neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) antagonism through classical all-atoms molecular dynamics simulations. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1848-1869. [PMID: 37942587 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30493] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Advances in structural biology have bestowed insights into the pleiotropic effects of neurokinin 1 receptors (NK1R) in diverse patho-physiological processes, thereby highlighting the potential therapeutic value of antagonists directed against NK1R. Herein, we investigate the mode of antagonist recognition to discern the obscure atomic facets germane for the function and molecular determinants of NK1R. To commence discernment of potent antagonists and the conformational changes in NK1R, induced upon antagonist binding, state-of-the-art classical all-atoms molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in lipid mimetic bilayers have been utilized. MD simulations of structural ensembles reveals the involvement of TM5 and TM6 in tight anchoring of antagonists through a network of interhelical hydrogen-bonds, while, the extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) governs the overall size and nature of the pocket, thereby modulating NK1R. Consistent comparison between experiments and MD simulation results discerns the predominant role of TM3, TM4, and TM6 in lipid-NK1R interaction. Correlation between hydrophobic index and helicity of TM domains elucidates their importance in maintaining the structural stability in addition to regulating NK1R antagonism. Taken together, we anticipate that our computational study marks a comprehensive structural basis of NK1R antagonism in lipid bilayers, which may facilitate designing of new therapeutics against associated diseases targeting human neurokinin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarbani Mishra
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Madhusmita Rout
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Mahender Kumar Singh
- Data Science Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, Haryana, India
| | - Budheswar Dehury
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Sanghamitra Pati
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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Fu X, Zhang Y. Research progress of p38 as a new therapeutic target against morphine tolerance and the current status of therapy of morphine tolerance. J Drug Target 2023; 31:152-165. [PMID: 36264036 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2022.2138895] [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] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
With the development of the medical industry, new painkillers continue to appear in people's field of vision, but so far no painkiller can replace morphine. While morphine has a strong analgesic effect, it is also easy to produce pain sensitivity and tolerance. Due to the great inter-individual differences in patient responses, there are few clear instructions on how to optimise morphine administration regimens, which complicates clinicians' treatment strategies and limits the effectiveness of morphine in long-term pain therapy. P38MAPK is a key member of the MAPK family. Across recent years, it has been discovered that p38MAPK rises dramatically in a wide range of morphine tolerance animal models. Morphine tolerance can be reduced or reversed by inhibiting p38MAPK. However, the role and specific mechanism of p38MAPK are not clear. In this review, we synthesise the relevant findings, highlight the function and potential mechanism of p38MAPK in morphine tolerance, as well as the present status and efficacy of morphine tolerance therapy, and underline the future promise of p38MAPK targeted morphine tolerance treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Fu
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yanhong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, People's Hospital Affiliated to Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-third consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2020 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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Novel NK1R-Targeted 68Ga-/ 177Lu-Radioconjugates with Potential Application against Glioblastoma Multiforme: Preliminary Exploration of Structure-Activity Relationships. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031214. [PMID: 35163139 PMCID: PMC8835841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Locoregionally administered, NK1 receptor (NK1R) targeted radionuclide therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. So far, the radiopharmaceuticals used in this approach have been based on the endogenous agonist of NK1R, Substance P or on its close analogues. Herein, we used a well-known, small molecular NK1R antagonist, L732,138, as the basis for the radiopharmaceutical vector. First, 14 analogues of this compound were evaluated to check whether extending the parent structure with linkers of different lengths would not deteriorate the NK1R binding. The tested analogues had affinity similar to or better than the parent compound, and none of the linkers had a negative impact on the binding. Next, five DOTA conjugates were synthesized and used for labelling with 68Ga and 177Lu. The obtained radioconjugates turned out to be fairly lipophilic but showed rather limited stability in human plasma. Evaluation of the receptor affinity of the (radio)conjugates showed that neither the chelator nor the metal negatively impacts the NK1R binding. The 177Lu-radioconjugates exhibited the binding characteristics towards NK1R similar or better than that of the 177Lu-labelled derivative of Substance P, which is in current clinical use. The experimental results presented herein, along with their structural rationalization provided by modelling, give insight for the further molecular design of small molecular NK1R-targeting vectors.
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Ventura C. Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences "Opioid Receptors and Endorphinergic Systems 2.0". Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168365. [PMID: 34445072 PMCID: PMC8395033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Ventura
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), National Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Engineering—Eldor Lab, Innovation Accelerator, CNR, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), School of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Scheau C, Draghici C, Ilie MA, Lupu M, Solomon I, Tampa M, Georgescu SR, Caruntu A, Constantin C, Neagu M, Caruntu C. Neuroendocrine Factors in Melanoma Pathogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092277. [PMID: 34068618 PMCID: PMC8126040 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma is a very aggressive and fatal malignant tumor. While curable if diagnosed in its early stages, advanced melanoma, despite the complex therapeutic approaches, is associated with one of the highest mortality rates. Hence, more and more studies have focused on mechanisms that may contribute to melanoma development and progression. Various studies suggest a role played by neuroendocrine factors which can act directly on tumor cells, modulating their proliferation and metastasis capability, or indirectly through immune or inflammatory processes that impact disease progression. However, there are still multiple areas to explore and numerous unknown features to uncover. A detailed exploration of the mechanisms by which neuroendocrine factors can influence the clinical course of the disease could open up new areas of biomedical research and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches in melanoma. Abstract Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers with a sharp rise in incidence in the last decades, especially in young people. Recognized as a significant public health issue, melanoma is studied with increasing interest as new discoveries in molecular signaling and receptor modulation unlock innovative treatment options. Stress exposure is recognized as an important component in the immune-inflammatory interplay that can alter the progression of melanoma by regulating the release of neuroendocrine factors. Various neurotransmitters, such as catecholamines, glutamate, serotonin, or cannabinoids have also been assessed in experimental studies for their involvement in the biology of melanoma. Alpha-MSH and other neurohormones, as well as neuropeptides including substance P, CGRP, enkephalin, beta-endorphin, and even cellular and molecular agents (mast cells and nitric oxide, respectively), have all been implicated as potential factors in the development, growth, invasion, and dissemination of melanoma in a variety of in vitro and in vivo studies. In this review, we provide an overview of current evidence regarding the intricate effects of neuroendocrine factors in melanoma, including data reported in recent clinical trials, exploring the mechanisms involved, signaling pathways, and the recorded range of effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Scheau
- Department of Physiology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Carmen Draghici
- Dermatology Research Laboratory, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.D.); (M.A.I.); (M.L.); (I.S.)
| | - Mihaela Adriana Ilie
- Dermatology Research Laboratory, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.D.); (M.A.I.); (M.L.); (I.S.)
| | - Mihai Lupu
- Dermatology Research Laboratory, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.D.); (M.A.I.); (M.L.); (I.S.)
| | - Iulia Solomon
- Dermatology Research Laboratory, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.D.); (M.A.I.); (M.L.); (I.S.)
| | - Mircea Tampa
- Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.T.); (S.R.G.)
| | - Simona Roxana Georgescu
- Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.T.); (S.R.G.)
| | - Ana Caruntu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Carolina Constantin
- Immunology Department, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (C.C.); (M.N.)
- Department of Pathology, Colentina University Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Neagu
- Immunology Department, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (C.C.); (M.N.)
- Department of Pathology, Colentina University Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 076201 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Constantin Caruntu
- Department of Physiology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Dermatology, “Prof. N. Paulescu” National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 011233 Bucharest, Romania
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