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Cavatão FG, Pinto ÉSM, Krause MJ, Alho CS, Dorn M. Molecular Basis of MC1R Activation: Mutation-Induced Alterations in Structural Dynamics. Proteins 2024. [PMID: 38923677 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26722] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The MC1R protein is a receptor found in melanocytes that plays a role in melanin synthesis. Mutations in this protein can impact hair color, skin tone, tanning ability, and increase the risk of skin cancer. The MC1R protein is activated by the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Previous studies have shown that mutations affect the interaction between MC1R and α-MSH; however, the mechanism behind this process is poorly understood. Our study aims to shed light on this mechanism using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to analyze the Asp84Glu and Asp294His variants. We simulated both the wild-type (WT) protein and the mutants with and without ligand. Our results reveal that mutations induce unique conformations during state transitions, hindering the switch between active and inactive states and decreasing cellular levels of cAMP. Interestingly, Asp294His showed increased ligand affinity but decreased protein activity, highlighting that tighter binding does not always lead to increased activation. Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of MC1R mutations on protein activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Guimarães Cavatão
- Center for Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Mathias J Krause
- Institute for Applied and Numerical Mathematics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Clarice Sampaio Alho
- Forensic Science, National Institute of Science and Technology, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- PPG Patologia, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcio Dorn
- Center for Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Forensic Science, National Institute of Science and Technology, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Institute of Informatics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Yue WK, Zhang T, Shandre Mugan R, Barlow N, Chalmers DK, Pouton CW, Thompson PE. Targeting Melanocortin Receptors Using S NAr-Type Macrocyclization: A Doubly Orthogonal Route to Cyclic Peptide Conjugates. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3273-3283. [PMID: 36808973 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
While a range of strategies exist to accomplish peptide macrocyclization, they are frequently limited by the need for orthogonal protection or provide little opportunity for structural diversification. We have evaluated an efficient macrocyclization method that employs nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) to create thioether macrocycles. This versatile macrocyclization, orthogonal to conventional peptide synthesis, can be performed in solution on unprotected peptidomimetics or on resin-bound peptides with side-chain protection in place. We show that the electron-withdrawing groups present in the products can be further utilized in subsequent orthogonal reactions to alter the peptide properties or to add prosthetic groups. The macrocyclization strategy was applied to the design of melanocortin ligands, generating a library of potent melanocortin agonists that exhibit distinct subtype selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiao K Yue
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Tianxia Zhang
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Rekha Shandre Mugan
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Nicholas Barlow
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - David K Chalmers
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Philip E Thompson
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Metal Peptide Conjugates in Cell and Tissue Imaging and Biosensing. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2022; 380:30. [PMID: 35701677 PMCID: PMC9197911 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-022-00384-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Metal complex luminophores have seen dramatic expansion in application as imaging probes over the past decade. This has been enabled by growing understanding of methods to promote their cell permeation and intracellular targeting. Amongst the successful approaches that have been applied in this regard is peptide-facilitated delivery. Cell-permeating or signal peptides can be readily conjugated to metal complex luminophores and have shown excellent response in carrying such cargo through the cell membrane. In this article, we describe the rationale behind applying metal complexes as probes and sensors in cell imaging and outline the advantages to be gained by applying peptides as the carrier for complex luminophores. We describe some of the progress that has been made in applying peptides in metal complex peptide-driven conjugates as a strategy for cell permeation and targeting of transition metal luminophores. Finally, we provide key examples of their application and outline areas for future progress.
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Galdiero S, Gomes PAC. Peptide-Based Drugs and Drug Delivery Systems. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22122185. [PMID: 29292757 PMCID: PMC6149859 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Galdiero
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.
- Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPEB), University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Paula A C Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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