1
|
Chalopin Y. GPCR Signaling: A Study of the Interplay Between Structure, Energy, and Function. Proteins 2024. [PMID: 39095933 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26724] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) exemplify sophisticated allosteric communication, transducing extracellular signals through ligand-induced structural rearrangements that resonate through the molecular scaffold. Despite extensive study, the biophysical underpinnings of how conformational changes spread remain unclear. This work employs a novel physics-based framework to characterize the role of energy dissipation in directing intramolecular signaling pathways. By modeling each residue as a network of coupled oscillators, we generate a localization landscape depicting the vibrational energy distribution throughout the protein scaffold. Quantifying directional energy flux between residues reveals distinct pathways for energy and information transfer, illuminating sequences of allosteric communication. Our analysis of CB1 and CCR5 crystal structures unveils an anisotropic pattern of energy dissipation aligning with key functional dynamics, such as activation-related conformational changes. These anisotropic patterns of vibrational energy flow constitute pre-configured channels for allosteric signaling. Elucidating the relationship between structural topology and energy dissipation patterns provides key insights into the thermodynamic drivers of conformational signaling. This methodology significantly advances our mechanistic understanding of allostery in GPCRs and presents a broadly applicable approach for rationally dissecting allosteric communication pathways, with potential implications for structure-based drug design targeting these critical receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yann Chalopin
- Structures, Properties and Modeling of Solids Laboratory Physics Department, CentraleSupélec/National Center for the Scientific Research, University of Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Z, Mukherjee D, Duric B, Austin-Zimmerman I, Trotta G, Spinazzola E, Quattrone D, Murray RM, Di Forti M. Systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of chronic peri-adolescent cannabinoid exposure on schizophrenia-like behaviour in rodents. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02668-5. [PMID: 39090371 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02668-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The link between cannabis use and schizophrenia is well-established in epidemiological studies, especially among adolescents with early-onset use. However, this association in rodent models is less clear. This meta-analysis examined the effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure on distinct schizophrenia-like behaviours in rodents and how experimental variations influence outcomes. METHODS Following a pre-registered protocol (CRD42022338761), we searched PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embse and APA PsychInfo for English-language original studies until May 2024. We synthesised data from experiments on schizophrenia-like behaviour in rats and mice after repeated peri-pubertal (onset between P23-P45) cannabinoid exposure. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE's tool. RESULTS We included 359 experiments from 108 articles across 9 behavioural tests. We found meta-analytic evidence supporting that CB1R agonists, both natural and synthetic, elicited broad schizophrenia-like behavioural alterations, including impaired working memory [g = -0.56; (CI: -0.93, -0.18)], novel object recognition [g = -0.66; (CI: -0.97, -0.35)], novel object location recognition [g = -0.70; (CI: -1.07, -0.33]), social novelty preference [g = -0.52; (CI: -0.93, -0.11)], social motivation [g = -0.21; (CI: -0.42, -0.00)], pre-pulse inhibition [g = -0.43; (CI: -0.76, -0.10)], and sucrose preference [g = -0.87; (CI: -1.46, -0.27)]. By contrast, effects on novelty-induced locomotion were negligible. Subgroup analyses revealed similar effects across sexes and species. Substantial variance in the protocols and moderate-to-high heterogeneity in behavioural outcomes were observed. We found CBD may enhance fear memory recall, but data was limited. DISCUSSION This is the first meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the link between cannabinoids and schizophrenia-like behaviours in rodents. Our results support epidemiological links between early cannabis use and schizophrenia-like phenotypes, confirming the utility of animal models. Standardising protocols will optimise models to strengthen reproducibility and comparisons, our work provides a framework for refining rodent models to elucidate biological pathways linking cannabis and schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhikun Li
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Diptendu Mukherjee
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Bea Duric
- GKT School of Medical Education, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Isabelle Austin-Zimmerman
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Giulia Trotta
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Edoardo Spinazzola
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Diego Quattrone
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Robin M Murray
- South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Marta Di Forti
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust, London, UK.
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Skapinker E, Aldbai R, Aucoin E, Clarke E, Clark M, Ghokasian D, Kombargi H, Abraham MJ, Li Y, Bunsick DA, Baghaie L, Szewczuk MR. Artificial and Natural Sweeteners Biased T1R2/T1R3 Taste Receptors Transactivate Glycosylated Receptors on Cancer Cells to Induce Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Metastatic Phenotype. Nutrients 2024; 16:1840. [PMID: 38931195 PMCID: PMC11206856 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121840] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the role of biased taste T1R2/T1R3 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) agonists on glycosylated receptor signaling may provide insights into the opposing effects mediated by artificial and natural sweeteners, particularly in cancer and metastasis. Sweetener-taste GPCRs can be activated by several active states involving either biased agonism, functional selectivity, or ligand-directed signaling. However, there are increasing arrays of sweetener ligands with different degrees of allosteric biased modulation that can vary dramatically in binding- and signaling-specific manners. Here, emerging evidence proposes the involvement of taste GPCRs in a biased GPCR signaling crosstalk involving matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and neuraminidase-1 (Neu-1) activating glycosylated receptors by modifying sialic acids. The findings revealed that most natural and artificial sweeteners significantly activate Neu-1 sialidase in a dose-dependent fashion in RAW-Blue and PANC-1 cells. To confirm this biased GPCR signaling crosstalk, BIM-23127 (neuromedin B receptor inhibitor, MMP-9i (specific MMP-9 inhibitor), and oseltamivir phosphate (specific Neu-1 inhibitor) significantly block sweetener agonist-induced Neu-1 sialidase activity. To assess the effect of artificial and natural sweeteners on the key survival pathways critical for pancreatic cancer progression, we analyzed the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal markers, CD24, ADLH-1, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in PANC-1 cells, and assess the cellular migration invasiveness in a scratch wound closure assay, and the tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in staging the migratory intercellular communication. The artificial and natural sweeteners induced metastatic phenotype of PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells to promote migratory intercellular communication and invasion. The sweeteners also induced the downstream NFκB activation using the secretory alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) assay. These findings elucidate a novel taste T1R2/T1R3 GPCR functional selectivity of a signaling platform in which sweeteners activate downstream signaling, contributing to tumorigenesis and metastasis via a proposed NFκB-induced epigenetic reprogramming modeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Skapinker
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada; (E.S.); (R.A.); (E.C.); (D.G.); (H.K.); (M.J.A.)
| | - Rashelle Aldbai
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada; (E.S.); (R.A.); (E.C.); (D.G.); (H.K.); (M.J.A.)
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (D.A.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Emilyn Aucoin
- Faculty of Science, Biology (Biomedical Science), York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada;
| | - Elizabeth Clarke
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada; (E.S.); (R.A.); (E.C.); (D.G.); (H.K.); (M.J.A.)
| | - Mira Clark
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada; (M.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - Daniella Ghokasian
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada; (E.S.); (R.A.); (E.C.); (D.G.); (H.K.); (M.J.A.)
| | - Haley Kombargi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada; (E.S.); (R.A.); (E.C.); (D.G.); (H.K.); (M.J.A.)
| | - Merlin J. Abraham
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada; (E.S.); (R.A.); (E.C.); (D.G.); (H.K.); (M.J.A.)
| | - Yunfan Li
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada; (M.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - David A. Bunsick
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (D.A.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Leili Baghaie
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (D.A.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Myron R. Szewczuk
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (D.A.B.); (L.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bunsick DA, Matsukubo J, Aldbai R, Baghaie L, Szewczuk MR. Functional Selectivity of Cannabinoid Type 1 G Protein-Coupled Receptor Agonists in Transactivating Glycosylated Receptors on Cancer Cells to Induce Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Metastatic Phenotype. Cells 2024; 13:480. [PMID: 38534324 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060480] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the role of biased G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonism in receptor signaling may provide novel insights into the opposing effects mediated by cannabinoids, particularly in cancer and cancer metastasis. GPCRs can have more than one active state, a phenomenon called either 'biased agonism', 'functional selectivity', or 'ligand-directed signaling'. However, there are increasing arrays of cannabinoid allosteric ligands with different degrees of modulation, called 'biased modulation', that can vary dramatically in a probe- and pathway-specific manner, not from simple differences in orthosteric ligand efficacy or stimulus-response coupling. Here, emerging evidence proposes the involvement of CB1 GPCRs in a novel biased GPCR signaling paradigm involving the crosstalk between neuraminidase-1 (Neu-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the activation of glycosylated receptors through the modification of the receptor glycosylation state. The study findings highlighted the role of CB1 agonists AM-404, Aravnil, and Olvanil in significantly inducing Neu-1 sialidase activity in a dose-dependent fashion in RAW-Blue, PANC-1, and SW-620 cells. This approach was further substantiated by findings that the neuromedin B receptor inhibitor, BIM-23127, MMP-9 inhibitor, MMP9i, and Neu-1 inhibitor, oseltamivir phosphate, could specifically block CB1 agonist-induced Neu-1 sialidase activity. Additionally, we found that CB1 receptors exist in a multimeric receptor complex with Neu-1 in naïve, unstimulated RAW-Blue, PANC-1, and SW-620 cells. This complex implies a molecular link that regulates the interaction and signaling mechanism among these molecules present on the cell surface. Moreover, the study results demonstrate that CB1 agonists induce NFκB-dependent secretory alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) activity in influencing the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal markers, E-cadherin, and vimentin in SW-620 cells, albeit the impact on E-cadherin expression is less pronounced compared to vimentin. In essence, this innovative research begins to elucidate an entirely new molecular mechanism involving a GPCR signaling paradigm in which cannabinoids, as epigenetic stimuli, may traverse to influence gene expression and contribute to cancer and cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A Bunsick
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Jenna Matsukubo
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Roger Guindon Hall, 451 Smyth Rd #2044, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Rashelle Aldbai
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Leili Baghaie
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Myron R Szewczuk
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lewis M, Baroutian S, Hanning SM. Phytocannabinoids for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: A Scoping Review of Randomised Controlled Trials Published Between 2012 and 2023. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2024; 28:109-118. [PMID: 38095748 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-023-01196-1] [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] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Neuropathic pain (NP) remains a challenge to treat, with 50% of patients experiencing limited efficacy from current treatments. Medicinal cannabis, which contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and other minor cannabinoids, is garnering attention as an alternative treatment for NP. This paper reviews the clinical evidence for phytocannabinoid treatment of NP. RECENT FINDINGS Seventeen randomised controlled trials (RCT) were identified for inclusion in this review. Of these, ten studies using phytocannabinoid preparations containing THC alone had the most evidence for pain relief. Four studies investigating THC/CBD combinations showed some reductions in pain scores, although not all findings were statistically significant, whereas studies investigating CBD (two studies) or cannabidivarin (one study) showed no analgesic effect over placebo. However, CBD studies were of small sample size when compared to other studies in the review and short duration. Results for treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients with THC showed better improvements over those for NP induced by chemotherapy and multiple sclerosis, with these trials using vaporised whole plant cannabis. This formulation may have trace amounts of other minor cannabinoids, compared with synthetic cannabinoids such as dronabinol or nabilone that were investigated in other studies. This review provides an overview of RCTs that have investigated phytocannabinoid use for the treatment of NP. There appears to be evidence to necessitate further high quality RCTs into novel formulations of phytocannabinoids for the treatment of NP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Lewis
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Saeid Baroutian
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Circular Innovations (CIRCUIT) Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Ngā Ara Whetū Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Sara M Hanning
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Petgrave M, Ramgoolam SD, Ganesan A. Deciphering the Molecular Association of Human CRIP1a with an Agonist-Bound Cannabinoid Receptor 1. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:499-517. [PMID: 38159053 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is a class A G-protein-coupled receptor that plays important roles in several physiological and pathophysiological processes. Therefore, targeted regulation of CB1 activity is a potential therapeutic strategy for several diseases, including neurological disorders. Apart from cannabinoid ligands, CB1 signaling can also be regulated by different CB1-associated proteins. In particular, the cannabinoid receptor interacting protein 1a (CRIP1a) associates with an activated CB1 receptor and alters the G-protein selectivity, thereby reducing the agonist-mediated signal transduction of the CB1 receptor. Experimental evidence suggests that two peptides corresponding to the distal and central C-terminal segments of CB1 could interact with CRIP1a. However, our knowledge of the molecular basis of CB1-CRIP1a recognition is still limited. In this work, we use an extensive combination of computational methods to build the first comprehensive atomistic model human CB1-CRIP1a complex. Our model provides novel structural insights into the interactions of CRIP1a with a membrane-embedded, complete, agonist-bound CB1 receptor in humans. Our results highlight the key residues that stabilize the CB1-CRIP1a complex, which will be useful to guide in vitro mutagenesis experiments. Furthermore, our human CB1-CRIP1a complex presents a model system for structure-based drug design to target this physiologically important complex for modulating CB1 activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maya Petgrave
- ArGan'sLab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Shubham Devesh Ramgoolam
- ArGan'sLab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Aravindhan Ganesan
- ArGan'sLab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2G 1C5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Singh S, Sarroza D, English A, McGrory M, Dong A, Zweifel L, Land BB, Li Y, Bruchas MR, Stella N. Pharmacological Characterization of the Endocannabinoid Sensor GRAB eCB2.0. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023. [PMID: 38064488 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0036] [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] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The endocannabinoids (eCBs), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA), are produced by separate enzymatic pathways, activate cannabinoid (CB) receptors with distinct pharmacological profiles, and differentially regulate pathophysiological processes. The genetically encoded sensor, GRABeCB2.0, detects real-time changes in eCB levels in cells in culture and preclinical model systems; however, its activation by eCB analogues produced by cells and by phyto-CBs remains uncharacterized, a current limitation when interpreting changes in its response. This information could provide additional utility for the tool in in vivo pharmacology studies of phyto-CB action. Materials and Methods: GRABeCB2.0 was expressed in cultured HEK293 cells. Live cell confocal microscopy and high-throughput fluorescent signal measurements. Results: 2-AG increased GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal (EC50=85 nM), and the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist, SR141716 (SR1), decreased GRABeCB2.0 signal (IC50=3.3 nM), responses that mirror their known potencies at the CB1R. GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal also increased in response to AEA (EC50=815 nM), the eCB analogues 2-linoleoylglycerol and 2-oleoylglycerol (EC50=632 and 868 nM, respectively), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and Δ8-THC (EC50=1.6 and 2.0 μM, respectively), and the artificial CB1R agonist, CP55,940 (CP; EC50=82 nM); however their potencies were less than what has been described at CB1R. Cannabidiol (CBD) did not affect basal GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal and yet reduced the 2-AG stimulated GRABeCB2.0 responses (IC50=9.7 nM). Conclusions: 2-AG and SR1 modulate the GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal with EC50 values that mirror their potencies at CB1R, whereas AEA, eCB analogues, THC, and CP increase GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal with EC50 values significantly lower than their potencies at CB1R. CBD reduces the 2-AG response without affecting basal signal, suggesting that GRABeCB2.0 retains the negative allosteric modulator (NAM) property of CBD at CB1R. This study describes the pharmacological profile of GRABeCB2.0 to improve interpretation of changes in fluorescent signal in response to a series of known eCBs and CB1R ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simar Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dennis Sarroza
- Department of Pharmacology, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anthony English
- Department of Pharmacology, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Maya McGrory
- Department of Pharmacology, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ao Dong
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Larry Zweifel
- Department of Pharmacology, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Benjamin B Land
- Department of Pharmacology, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yulong Li
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Pharmacology, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nephi Stella
- Department of Pharmacology, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kjær VMS, Stępniewski TM, Medel-Lacruz B, Reinmuth L, Ciba M, Rexen Ulven E, Bonomi M, Selent J, Rosenkilde MM. Ligand entry pathways control the chemical space recognized by GPR183. Chem Sci 2023; 14:10671-10683. [PMID: 37829039 PMCID: PMC10566501 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05962b] [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: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptor GPR183 is a chemotactic receptor with an important function in the immune system and association with a variety of diseases. It recognizes ligands with diverse physicochemical properties as both the endogenous oxysterol ligand 7α,25-OHC and synthetic molecules can activate the G protein pathway of the receptor. To better understand the ligand promiscuity of GPR183, we utilized both molecular dynamics simulations and cell-based validation experiments. Our work reveals that the receptor possesses two ligand entry channels: one lateral between transmembrane helices 4 and 5 facing the membrane, and one facing the extracellular environment. Using enhanced sampling, we provide a detailed structural model of 7α,25-OHC entry through the lateral membrane channel. Importantly, the first ligand recognition point at the receptor surface has been captured in diverse experimentally solved structures of different GPCRs. The proposed ligand binding pathway is supported by in vitro data employing GPR183 mutants with a sterically blocked lateral entrance, which display diminished binding and signaling. In addition, computer simulations and experimental validation confirm the existence of a polar water channel which might serve as an alternative entrance gate for less lipophilic ligands from the extracellular milieu. Our study reveals knowledge to understand GPR183 functionality and ligand recognition with implications for the development of drugs for this receptor. Beyond, our work provides insights into a general mechanism GPCRs may use to respond to chemically diverse ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Madeline Skovgaard Kjær
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen Blegdamsvej 3B 2200 København N Denmark
| | - Tomasz Maciej Stępniewski
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM) & Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) Dr Aiguader 88 E-8003 Barcelona Spain
- InterAx Biotech AG, PARK innovAARE 5234 Villigen Switzerland
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw 02-089 Warsaw Poland
| | - Brian Medel-Lacruz
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM) & Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) Dr Aiguader 88 E-8003 Barcelona Spain
| | - Lisa Reinmuth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen Blegdamsvej 3B 2200 København N Denmark
| | - Marija Ciba
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen Jagtvej 160 2100 København Ø Denmark
| | - Elisabeth Rexen Ulven
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen Jagtvej 160 2100 København Ø Denmark
| | - Massimiliano Bonomi
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3528, Structural Bioinformatics Unit 75015 Paris France
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM) & Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) Dr Aiguader 88 E-8003 Barcelona Spain
| | - Mette Marie Rosenkilde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen Blegdamsvej 3B 2200 København N Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yuan J, Yang B, Hou G, Xie XQ, Feng Z. Targeting the endocannabinoid system: Structural determinants and molecular mechanism of allosteric modulation. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103615. [PMID: 37172889 PMCID: PMC10330941 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Although drugs targeting the orthosteric binding site of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) have several therapeutic effects on human physiological and pathological conditions, they can also cause serious adverse effects. Only a few orthosteric ligands have successfully passed clinical trials. Recently, allosteric modulation has become a novel option for drug discovery, with fewer adverse effects and the potential to avoid drug overdose. In this review, we highlight novel findings related to the drug discovery of allosteric modulators (AMs) targeting CBRs. We summarize newly synthesized AMs and the reported/predicted allosteric binding sites. We also discuss the structural determinants of the AMs binding as well as the molecular mechanism of CBR allostery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Yuan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, and Pharmacometrics & System Pharmacology PharmacoAnalytics, School of Pharmacy; National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research; Drug Discovery Institute; Departments of Computational Biology and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, and Pharmacometrics & System Pharmacology PharmacoAnalytics, School of Pharmacy; National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research; Drug Discovery Institute; Departments of Computational Biology and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Guanyu Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, and Pharmacometrics & System Pharmacology PharmacoAnalytics, School of Pharmacy; National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research; Drug Discovery Institute; Departments of Computational Biology and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Xiang-Qun Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, and Pharmacometrics & System Pharmacology PharmacoAnalytics, School of Pharmacy; National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research; Drug Discovery Institute; Departments of Computational Biology and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Zhiwei Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, and Pharmacometrics & System Pharmacology PharmacoAnalytics, School of Pharmacy; National Center of Excellence for Computational Drug Abuse Research; Drug Discovery Institute; Departments of Computational Biology and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Khoury W, Trus R, Chen X, Baghaie L, Clark M, Szewczuk MR, El-Diasty M. Parsimonious Effect of Pentoxifylline on Angiogenesis: A Novel Pentoxifylline-Biased Adenosine G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling Platform. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081199. [PMID: 37190108 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the physiological process of developing new blood vessels to facilitate the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to meet the functional demands of growing tissues. It also plays a vital role in the development of neoplastic disorders. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a vasoactive synthetic methyl xanthine derivative used for decades to manage chronic occlusive vascular disorders. Recently, it has been proposed that PTX might have an inhibitory effect on the angiogenesis process. Here, we reviewed the modulatory effects of PTX on angiogenesis and its potential benefits in the clinical setting. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. While sixteen studies demonstrated that pentoxifylline had an antiangiogenic effect, four suggested it had a proangiogenic effect, and two other studies showed it did not affect angiogenesis. All studies were either in vivo animal studies or in vitro animal and human cell models. Our findings suggest that pentoxifylline may affect the angiogenic process in experimental models. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish its role as an anti-angiogenesis agent in the clinical setting. These gaps in our knowledge regarding how pentoxifylline is implicated in host-biased metabolically taxing angiogenic switch may be via its adenosine A2BAR G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) mechanism. GPCR receptors reinforce the importance of research to understand the mechanistic action of these drugs on the body as promising metabolic candidates. The specific mechanisms and details of the effects of pentoxifylline on host metabolism and energy homeostasis remain to be elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Khoury
- School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3L4, Canada
| | - Ryan Trus
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada
- School of Medicine, The Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Xingyu Chen
- School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3L4, Canada
| | - Leili Baghaie
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Mira Clark
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N9, Canada
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Myron R Szewczuk
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Mohammad El-Diasty
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Singh S, Sarroza D, English A, McGrory M, Dong A, Zweifel L, Land BB, Li Y, Bruchas MR, Stella N. Pharmacological characterization of the endocannabinoid sensor GRAB eCB2.0. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.03.531053. [PMID: 36945533 PMCID: PMC10028790 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.03.531053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The endocannabinoids (eCBs), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA), are produced by separate enzymatic pathways, activate cannabinoid receptors with distinct pharmacology, and differentially regulate pathophysiological processes. The genetically encoded sensor, GRABeCB2.0, detects real-time changes in eCB levels in cells in culture and preclinical model systems; however, its activation by eCB analogues produced by cells and by phyto-cannabinoids remains uncharacterized, a current limitation when interpreting changes in its response. This information could provide additional utility for the tool in in vivo pharmacology studies of phyto-cannabinoid action. Methods GRABeCB2.0 was expressed in cultured HEK293 cells. Live cell confocal microscopy and high-throughput fluorescent signal measurements. Results 2-AG increased GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal (EC50 = 85 nM), and the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist, SR141617, decreased GRABeCB2.0 signal (SR1, IC50 = 3.3 nM), responses that mirror their known potencies at cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1R). GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal also increased in response to AEA (EC50 = 815 nM), the eCB analogues 2-linoleoylglycerol and 2-oleoylglycerol (2-LG and 2-OG, EC50s = 1.5 and 1.0 μM, respectively), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and Δ8-THC (EC50s = 1.6 and 2.0 μM, respectively), and the artificial CB1R agonist, CP55,940 (CP, EC50 = 82 nM); however their potencies were less than what has been described at CB1R. Cannabidiol (CBD) did not affect basal GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal and yet reduced the 2-AG stimulated GRABeCB2.0 responses (IC50 = 8.8 nM). Conclusions 2-AG and SR1 modulate the GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal with EC50s that mirror their potencies at CB1R whereas AEA, eCB analogues, THC and CP increase GRABeCB2.0 fluorescent signal with EC50s significantly lower than their potencies at CB1R. CBD reduces the 2-AG response without affecting basal signal, suggesting that GRABeCB2.0 retains the negative allosteric modulator (NAM) property of CBD at CB1R. This study describes the pharmacological profile of GRABeCB2.0 to improve interpretation of changes in fluorescent signal in response to a series of known eCBs and CB1R ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simar Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Dennis Sarroza
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Anthony English
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Maya McGrory
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Ao Dong
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Larry Zweifel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Benjamin B. Land
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Yulong Li
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Michael R. Bruchas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Nephi Stella
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for Cannabis Research, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cannabinoids Transmogrify Cancer Metabolic Phenotype via Epigenetic Reprogramming and a Novel CBD Biased G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling Platform. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041030. [PMID: 36831374 PMCID: PMC9954791 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041030] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of epigenetic reprogramming predicts long-term functional health effects. This reprogramming can be activated by exogenous or endogenous insults, leading to altered healthy and different disease states. The exogenous or endogenous changes that involve developing a roadmap of epigenetic networking, such as drug components on epigenetic imprinting and restoring epigenome patterns laid down during embryonic development, are paramount to establishing youthful cell type and health. This epigenetic landscape is considered one of the hallmarks of cancer. The initiation and progression of cancer are considered to involve epigenetic abnormalities and genetic alterations. Cancer epigenetics have shown extensive reprogramming of every component of the epigenetic machinery in cancer development, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, non-coding RNAs, and microRNA expression. Endocannabinoids are natural lipid molecules whose levels are regulated by specific biosynthetic and degradative enzymes. They bind to and activate two primary cannabinoid receptors, type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2), and together with their metabolizing enzymes, form the endocannabinoid system. This review focuses on the role of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 signaling in activating numerous receptor tyrosine kinases and Toll-like receptors in the induction of epigenetic landscape alterations in cancer cells, which might transmogrify cancer metabolism and epigenetic reprogramming to a metastatic phenotype. Strategies applied from conception could represent an innovative epigenetic target for preventing and treating human cancer. Here, we describe novel cannabinoid-biased G protein-coupled receptor signaling platforms (GPCR), highlighting putative future perspectives in this field.
Collapse
|
13
|
Stella N. THC and CBD: Similarities and differences between siblings. Neuron 2023; 111:302-327. [PMID: 36638804 PMCID: PMC9898277 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its sibling, cannabidiol (CBD), are produced by the same Cannabis plant and have similar chemical structures but differ dramatically in their mechanisms of action and effects on brain functions. Both THC and CBD exhibit promising therapeutic properties; however, impairments and increased incidence of mental health diseases are associated with acute and chronic THC use, respectively, and significant side effects are associated with chronic use of high-dose CBD. This review covers recent molecular and preclinical discoveries concerning the distinct mechanisms of action and bioactivities of THC and CBD and their impact on human behavior and diseases. These discoveries provide a foundation for the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics for multiple devastating diseases and to assure their safe use in the growing legal market of Cannabis-based products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nephi Stella
- Department of Pharmacology, Department Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Cannabis Research, Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Martinez Ramirez CE, Ruiz-Pérez G, Stollenwerk TM, Behlke C, Doherty A, Hillard CJ. Endocannabinoid signaling in the central nervous system. Glia 2023; 71:5-35. [PMID: 36308424 PMCID: PMC10167744 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24280] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
It is hard to overestimate the influence of the endocannabinoid signaling (ECS) system on central nervous system (CNS) function. In the 40 years since cannabinoids were found to trigger specific cell signaling cascades, studies of the ECS system continue to cause amazement, surprise, and confusion! CB1 cannabinoid receptors are expressed widely in the CNS and regulate cell-cell communication via effects on the release of both neurotransmitters and gliotransmitters. CB2 cannabinoid receptors are difficult to detect in the CNS but seem to "punch above their weight" as compounds targeting these receptors have significant effects on inflammatory state and behavior. Positive and negative allosteric modulators for both receptors have been identified and examined in preclinical studies. Concentrations of the endocannabinoid ligands, N-arachidonoylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), are regulated by a combination of enzymatic synthesis and degradation and inhibitors of these processes are available and making their way into clinical trials. Importantly, ECS regulates many essential brain functions, including regulation of reward, anxiety, inflammation, motor control, and cellular development. While the field is on the cusp of preclinical discoveries providing impactful clinical and therapeutic insights into many CNS disorders, there is still much to be learned about this remarkable and versatile modulatory system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- César E Martinez Ramirez
- Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Gonzalo Ruiz-Pérez
- Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Todd M Stollenwerk
- Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christina Behlke
- Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ashley Doherty
- Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Jakowiecki J, Orzeł U, Gliździnska A, Możajew M, Filipek S. Specificities of Protein Homology Modeling for Allosteric Drug Design. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2627:339-348. [PMID: 36959457 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2974-1_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The allosteric binding sites are usually located in the flexible areas of proteins, which are hardly visible in the crystal structures. However, there are notable exceptions like allosteric sites in receptors in class B and C of GPCRs, which are located within a well-defined bundle of transmembrane helices. Class B and C evolved from class A and even after swapping of orthosteric and allosteric sites the central binding site persisted and it can be used for easy design of allosteric drugs. However, studying the ligand binding to the allosteric sites in the most populated class A of GPCRs is still a challenge, since they are located mostly in unresolved parts of the receptor's structure, and especially N-terminus. This chapter provides an example of cannabinoid CB1 receptor N-terminal homology modeling, ligand-guided modeling of the allosteric site in GABA receptor, as well as C-linker modeling in the potassium ion channels where the allosteric phospholipid ligand PIP2 is bound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Jakowiecki
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Orzeł
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Gliździnska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz Możajew
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sławomir Filipek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Thermodynamics and Transport Properties of CBD and Δ9-THC: A first attempt using Molecular Dynamics. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.121048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
17
|
Welling MT, Deseo MA, Bacic A, Doblin MS. Biosynthetic origins of unusual cannabimimetic phytocannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L: A review. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 201:113282. [PMID: 35718133 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants of Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) produce an array of more than 160 isoprenylated resorcinyl polyketides, commonly referred to as phytocannabinoids. These compounds represent molecules of therapeutic importance due to their modulation of the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). While understanding of the biosynthesis of the major phytocannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) has grown rapidly in recent years, the biosynthetic origin and genetic regulation of many potentially therapeutically relevant minor phytocannabinoids remain unknown, which limits the development of chemotypically elite varieties of C. sativa. This review provides an up-to-date inventory of unusual phytocannabinoids which exhibit cannabimimetic-like activities and proposes putative metabolic origins. Metabolic branch points exploitable for combinatorial biosynthesis and engineering of phytocannabinoids with augmented therapeutic activities are also described, as is the role of phytocannabinoid remodelling to accelerate the therapeutic portfolio expansion in C. sativa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Welling
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture & Food, AgriBio Building, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Myrna A Deseo
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture & Food, AgriBio Building, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Antony Bacic
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture & Food, AgriBio Building, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Monika S Doblin
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture & Food, AgriBio Building, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ramer R, Wendt F, Wittig F, Schäfer M, Boeckmann L, Emmert S, Hinz B. Impact of Cannabinoid Compounds on Skin Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071769. [PMID: 35406541 PMCID: PMC8997154 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Drugs targeting the endocannabinoid system are of interest as potential systemic chemotherapeutic treatments and for palliative care in cancer. In this context, cannabinoid compounds have been successfully tested as a systemic therapeutic option in preclinical models over the past decades. Recent findings have suggested an essential function of the endocannabinoid system in the homeostasis of various skin functions and indicated that cannabinoids could also be considered for the treatment and prophylaxis of tumour diseases of the skin. Cannabinoids have been shown to exert their anticarcinogenic effects at different levels of skin cancer progression, such as inhibition of tumour growth, proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis, as well as inducing apoptosis and autophagy. This review provides an insight into the current literature on cannabinoid compounds as potential pharmaceuticals for the treatment of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ramer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (R.R.); (F.W.); (F.W.)
| | - Franziska Wendt
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (R.R.); (F.W.); (F.W.)
| | - Felix Wittig
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (R.R.); (F.W.); (F.W.)
| | - Mirijam Schäfer
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.S.); (L.B.); (S.E.)
| | - Lars Boeckmann
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.S.); (L.B.); (S.E.)
| | - Steffen Emmert
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.S.); (L.B.); (S.E.)
| | - Burkhard Hinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (R.R.); (F.W.); (F.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-381-494-5770
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dutta S, Selvam B, Shukla D. Distinct Binding Mechanisms for Allosteric Sodium Ion in Cannabinoid Receptors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:379-389. [PMID: 35019279 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of cannabinoid receptors is not fully explored due to psychoactive side effects and lack of selectivity associated with orthosteric ligands. Allosteric modulators have the potential to become selective therapeutics for cannabinoid receptors. Biochemical experiments have shown the effects of the allosteric Na+ binding on cannabinoid receptor activity. However, the Na+ coordination site and binding pathway are still unknown. Here, we perform molecular dynamic simulations to explore Na+ binding in the cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. Simulations reveal that Na+ binds to the primary binding site from different extracellular sites for CB1 and CB2. A distinct secondary Na+ coordination site is identified in CB1 that is not present in CB2. Furthermore, simulations also show that intracellular Na+ could bind to the Na+ binding site in CB1. Constructed Markov state models show that the standard free energy of Na+ binding is similar to the previously calculated free energy for other class A GPCRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soumajit Dutta
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Balaji Selvam
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Diwakar Shukla
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| |
Collapse
|