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Goßen J, Ribeiro RP, Bier D, Neumaier B, Carloni P, Giorgetti A, Rossetti G. AI-based identification of therapeutic agents targeting GPCRs: introducing ligand type classifiers and systems biology. Chem Sci 2023; 14:8651-8661. [PMID: 37592985 PMCID: PMC10430665 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc02352d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying ligands targeting G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) with novel chemotypes other than the physiological ligands is a challenge for in silico screening campaigns. Here we present an approach that identifies novel chemotype ligands by combining structural data with a random forest agonist/antagonist classifier and a signal-transduction kinetic model. As a test case, we apply this approach to identify novel antagonists of the human adenosine transmembrane receptor type 2A, an attractive target against Parkinson's disease and cancer. The identified antagonists were tested here in a radio ligand binding assay. Among those, we found a promising ligand whose chemotype differs significantly from all so-far reported antagonists, with a binding affinity of 310 ± 23.4 nM. Thus, our protocol emerges as a powerful approach to identify promising ligand candidates with novel chemotypes while preserving antagonistic potential and affinity in the nanomolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Goßen
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine (INM-9/IAS-5) Forschungszentrum Jülich Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany
| | - Rui Pedro Ribeiro
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine (INM-9/IAS-5) Forschungszentrum Jülich Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
| | - Dirk Bier
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
| | - Bernd Neumaier
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne Kerpener Straße 62 50937 Cologne Germany
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine (INM-9/IAS-5) Forschungszentrum Jülich Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany
- JARA-Institut Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (INM-11) Forschungszentrum Jülich Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
| | - Alejandro Giorgetti
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine (INM-9/IAS-5) Forschungszentrum Jülich Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
- Department of Biotechnology University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Giulia Rossetti
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine (INM-9/IAS-5) Forschungszentrum Jülich Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
- Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) Forschungszentrum Jülich Jülich Germany
- Department of Neurology University Hospital Aachen (UKA), RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany
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Design, synthesis and evaluation of amino-3,5-dicyanopyridines and thieno[2,3-b]pyridines as ligands of adenosine A1 receptors for the potential treatment of epilepsy. Med Chem Res 2022; 31:1277-1297. [PMID: 35634433 PMCID: PMC9129901 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02908-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Due to the implication of adenosine in seizure suppression, adenosine-based therapies such as adenosine receptor (AR) agonists have been investigated. This study aimed at investigating thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives as non-nucleoside A1 agonists that could be used in pharmaco-resistant epilepsy (PRE). Compound 7c (thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative), displayed good binding affinity to the rA1 AR (Ki = 61.9 nM). This could be a breakthrough for further investigation of this heterocyclic scaffold as potential ligand. In silico evaluation of this compound raised bioavailability concerns but performed well on drug-likeness tests. The effect of intramolecular cyclisation that occurs during synthesis of thieno[2,3-b]pyridines from the lead compounds, amino-3,5-dicyanopyridine derivatives (6a-s) in relation to AR binding was also evaluated. A significant loss of activity against rA1/rA2A ARs with cyclisation was revealed. Amino-3,5-dicyanopyridines exhibited greater affinity towards rA1 ARs (Ki < 10 nM) than rA2A. Compound 6c had the best rA1 affinity (Ki = 0.076 nM). Novel compounds (6d, 6k, 6l, 6m, 6n, 6o, 6p) were highly selective towards rA1 AR (Ki between 0.179 and 21.0 nM). Based on their high selectivity for A1 ARs, amino-3,5-dicyanopyridines may be investigated further as AR ligands in PRE with the right structural optimisations and formulations. A decrease in rA1 AR affinity is observed with intramolecular cyclisation that occurs during synthesis of thieno[2,3-b]pyridines (7a, 7d, 7c) from amino-3,5-dicyanopyridine derivatives (6a, 6f, 6g). ![]()
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Catarzi D, Varano F, Vigiani E, Calenda S, Melani F, Varani K, Vincenzi F, Pasquini S, Mennini N, Nerli G, Dal Ben D, Volpini R, Colotta V. 4-Heteroaryl Substituted Amino-3,5-Dicyanopyridines as New Adenosine Receptor Ligands: Novel Insights on Structure-Activity Relationships and Perspectives. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040478. [PMID: 35455475 PMCID: PMC9024521 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040478] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A new set of amino-3,5-dicyanopyridines was synthesized and biologically evaluated at the adenosine receptors (ARs). This chemical class is particularly versatile, as small structural modifications can influence not only affinity and selectivity, but also the pharmacological profile. Thus, in order to deepen the structure–activity relationships (SARs) of this series, different substituents were evaluated at the diverse positions on the dicyanopyridine scaffold. In general, the herein reported compounds show nanomolar binding affinity and interact better with both the human (h) A1 and A2A ARs than with the other subtypes. Docking studies at hAR structure were performed to rationalize the observed affinity data. Of interest are compounds 1 and 5, which can be considered as pan ligands as binding all the ARs with comparable nanomolar binding affinity (A1AR: 1, Ki = 9.63 nM; 5, Ki = 2.50 nM; A2AAR: 1, Ki = 21 nM; 5, Ki = 24 nM; A3AR: 1, Ki = 52 nM; 5, Ki = 25 nM; A2BAR: 1, EC50 = 1.4 nM; 5, EC50 = 1.12 nM). Moreover, these compounds showed a partial agonist profile at all the ARs. This combined AR partial agonist activity could lead us to hypothesize a potential effect in the repair process of damaged tissue that would be beneficial in both wound healing and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Catarzi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (F.V.); (E.V.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (V.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Flavia Varano
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (F.V.); (E.V.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (V.C.)
| | - Erica Vigiani
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (F.V.); (E.V.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (V.C.)
| | - Sara Calenda
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (F.V.); (E.V.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (V.C.)
| | - Fabrizio Melani
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (F.V.); (E.V.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (V.C.)
| | - Katia Varani
- Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (K.V.); (F.V.); (S.P.)
| | - Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (K.V.); (F.V.); (S.P.)
| | - Silvia Pasquini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (K.V.); (F.V.); (S.P.)
| | - Natascia Mennini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Ugo Schiff, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia, 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (N.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Giulia Nerli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Ugo Schiff, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia, 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (N.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Diego Dal Ben
- Scuola di Scienze del Farmaco e dei Prodotti della Salute, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Via S.Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.D.B.); (R.V.)
| | - Rosaria Volpini
- Scuola di Scienze del Farmaco e dei Prodotti della Salute, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Via S.Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.D.B.); (R.V.)
| | - Vittoria Colotta
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (F.V.); (E.V.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (V.C.)
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Salmaso V, Jain S, Jacobson KA. Purinergic GPCR transmembrane residues involved in ligand recognition and dimerization. Methods Cell Biol 2021; 166:133-159. [PMID: 34752329 PMCID: PMC8620127 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2021.06.001] [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] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
We compare the GPCR-ligand interactions and highlight important residues for recognition in purinergic receptors-from both X-ray crystallographic and cryo-EM structures. These include A1 and A2A adenosine receptors, and P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors that respond to ADP and other nucleotides. These receptors are important drug discovery targets for immune, metabolic and nervous system disorders. In most cases, orthosteric ligands are represented, except for one allosteric P2Y1 antagonist. This review catalogs the residues and regions that engage in contacts with ligands or with other GPCR protomers in dimeric forms. Residues that are in proximity to bound ligands within purinergic GPCR families are correlated. There is extensive conservation of recognition motifs between adenosine receptors, but the P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors are each structurally distinct in their ligand recognition. Identifying common interaction features for ligand recognition within a receptor class that has multiple structures available can aid in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Salmaso
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Shanu Jain
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kenneth A Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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Matthee C, Terre'Blanche G, Legoabe LJ, Janse van Rensburg HD. Exploration of chalcones and related heterocycle compounds as ligands of adenosine receptors: therapeutics development. Mol Divers 2021; 26:1779-1821. [PMID: 34176057 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10257-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine receptors (ARs) are ubiquitously distributed throughout the mammalian body where they are involved in an extensive list of physiological and pathological processes that scientists have only begun to decipher. Resultantly, AR agonists and antagonists have been the focus of multiple drug design and development programmes within the past few decades. Considered to be a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry, the chalcone framework has attracted a substantial amount of interest in this regard. Due to the potential liabilities associated with its structure, however, it has become necessary to explore other potentially promising compounds, such as heterocycles, which have successfully been obtained from chalcone precursors in the past. This review aims to summarise the emerging therapeutic importance of adenosine receptors and their ligands, especially in the central nervous system (CNS), while highlighting chalcone and heterocyclic derivatives as promising AR ligand lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrisna Matthee
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, North West, South Africa
| | - Gisella Terre'Blanche
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, North West, South Africa.,Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, North West, South Africa
| | - Lesetja J Legoabe
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, North West, South Africa
| | - Helena D Janse van Rensburg
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, North West, South Africa.
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Jacobson KA, IJzerman AP, Müller CE. Medicinal chemistry of P2 and adenosine receptors: Common scaffolds adapted for multiple targets. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 187:114311. [PMID: 33130128 PMCID: PMC8081756 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Prof. Geoffrey Burnstock originated the concept of purinergic signaling. He demonstrated the interactions and biological roles of ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptors. This review paper traces the historical origins of many currently used antagonists and agonists for P2 receptors, as well as adenosine receptors, in early attempts to identify ligands for these receptors - prior to the use of chemical libraries for screening. Rather than presenting a general review of current purinergic ligands, we focus on common chemical scaffolds (privileged scaffolds) that can be adapted for multiple receptor targets. By carefully analyzing the structure activity relationships, one can direct the selectivity of these scaffolds toward different receptor subtypes. For example, the weak and non-selective P2 antagonist reactive blue 2 (RB-2) was derivatized using combinatorial synthetic approaches, leading to the identification of selective P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y12 or P2X2 receptor antagonists. A P2X4 antagonist NC-2600 is in a clinical trial, and A3 adenosine agonists show promise, for chronic pain. P2X7 antagonists have been in clinical trials for depression (JNJ-54175446), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory pain and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). P2X3 antagonists are in clinical trials for chronic cough, and an antagonist named after Burnstock, gefapixant, is expected to be the first P2X3 antagonist filed for approval. We are seeing that the vision of Prof. Burnstock to use purinergic signaling modulators, most recently at P2XRs, for treating disease is coming to fruition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, LACDR, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
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Deganutti G, Barkan K, Ladds G, Reynolds CA. Multisite Model of Allosterism for the Adenosine A1 Receptor. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:2001-2015. [PMID: 33779168 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c01331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite being a target for about one-third of approved drugs, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) still represent a tremendous reservoir for therapeutic strategies against diseases. For example, several cardiovascular and central nervous system conditions could benefit from clinical agents that activate the adenosine 1 receptor (A1R); however, the pursuit of A1R agonists for clinical use is usually impeded by both on- and off-target side effects. One of the possible strategies to overcome this issue is the development of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) capable of selectively enhancing the effect of a specific receptor subtype and triggering functional selectivity (a phenomenon also referred to as bias). Intriguingly, besides enforcing the effect of agonists upon binding to an allosteric site, most of the A1R PAMs display intrinsic partial agonism and orthosteric competition with antagonists. To rationalize this behavior, we simulated the binding of the prototypical PAMs PD81723 and VCP171, the full-agonist NECA, the antagonist 13B, and the bitopic agonist VCP746. We propose that a single PAM can bind several A1R sites rather than a unique allosteric pocket, reconciling the structure-activity relationship and the mutagenesis results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Deganutti
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Alison Gingell Building, Coventry CV1 5FB, U.K
| | - Kerry Barkan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, U.K
| | - Graham Ladds
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, U.K
| | - Christopher A Reynolds
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Alison Gingell Building, Coventry CV1 5FB, U.K
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Akhmadiev NS, Akhmetova VR, Ibragimov AG. 2-Amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile-6-sulfanylpyridines: synthesis and multiple biological activity - a review. RSC Adv 2021; 11:11549-11567. [PMID: 35423618 PMCID: PMC8696045 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00363a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This review integrates the published data of the last decade (from 2010 to 2020) on the synthesis of the 2-amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile-6-sulfanylpyridine scaffold, the derivatives of which are widely used in the synthesis of biologically active compounds. Currently, no systematic accounts of synthetic routes towards this class of heterocyclic compounds can be found in the literature. The present-day trends in the catalytic synthesis of 2-amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile-6-sulfanylpyridines are considered using pseudo-four-component reaction (pseudo-4CR) by condensation of malononitrile molecules with thiols and aldehydes, and alternative three-component (3CR) condensations of malononitrile with 2-arylidenemalononitrile and S-nucleophiles. The latest advances in the catalytic synthesis of biologically active compounds with 2-amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile-6-sulfanylpyridine scaffold via the multicomponent reactions of malononitrile have been discussed.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Nail S Akhmadiev
- Institute of Petrochemistry and Catalysis, Russian Academy of Science 141 Prospekt Octyabrya 450075 Ufa Russian Federation +7 3472 842750 +7 3472 842750
| | - Vnira R Akhmetova
- Institute of Petrochemistry and Catalysis, Russian Academy of Science 141 Prospekt Octyabrya 450075 Ufa Russian Federation +7 3472 842750 +7 3472 842750
| | - Askhat G Ibragimov
- Institute of Petrochemistry and Catalysis, Russian Academy of Science 141 Prospekt Octyabrya 450075 Ufa Russian Federation +7 3472 842750 +7 3472 842750
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Catarzi D, Varano F, Colotta V. Special Issue "Adenosine Receptors as Attractive Targets in Human Diseases". Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020140. [PMID: 33578687 PMCID: PMC7916353 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Spinozzi E, Baldassarri C, Acquaticci L, Del Bello F, Grifantini M, Cappellacci L, Riccardo P. Adenosine receptors as promising targets for the management of ocular diseases. Med Chem Res 2021; 30:353-370. [PMID: 33519168 PMCID: PMC7829661 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02704-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ocular drug discovery arena has undergone a significant improvement in the last few years culminating in the FDA approvals of 8 new drugs. However, despite a large number of drugs, generics, and combination products available, it remains an urgent need to find breakthrough strategies and therapies for tackling ocular diseases. Targeting the adenosinergic system may represent an innovative strategy for discovering new ocular therapeutics. This review focused on the recent advance in the field and described the numerous nucleoside and non-nucleoside modulators of the four adenosine receptors (ARs) used as potential tools or clinical drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Spinozzi
- School of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Cecilia Baldassarri
- School of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Acquaticci
- School of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Fabio Del Bello
- School of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Mario Grifantini
- School of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Loredana Cappellacci
- School of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Petrelli Riccardo
- School of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
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Molecular Targets of Cannabidiol in Experimental Models of Neurological Disease. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215186. [PMID: 33171772 PMCID: PMC7664437 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid known for its beneficial effects including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, CBD is a compound with antidepressant, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and antipsychotic effects. Thanks to all these properties, the interest of the scientific community for it has grown. Indeed, CBD is a great candidate for the management of neurological diseases. The purpose of our review is to summarize the in vitro and in vivo studies published in the last 15 years that describe the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of CBD and its therapeutic application in neurological diseases. CBD exerts its neuroprotective effects through three G protein coupled-receptors (adenosine receptor subtype 2A, serotonin receptor subtype 1A and G protein-coupled receptor 55), one ligand-gated ion channel (transient receptor potential vanilloid channel-1) and one nuclear factor (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ). Moreover, the therapeutical properties of CBD are also due to GABAergic modulation. In conclusion, CBD, through multi-target mechanisms, represents a valid therapeutic tool for the management of epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
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Dal Ben D, Antonioli L, Lambertucci C, Spinaci A, Fornai M, D'Antongiovanni V, Pellegrini C, Blandizzi C, Volpini R. Approaches for designing and discovering purinergic drugs for gastrointestinal diseases. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:687-703. [PMID: 32228110 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1743673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Purines finely modulate physiological motor, secretory, and sensory functions in the gastrointestinal tract. Their activity is mediated by the purinergic signaling machinery, including receptors and enzymes regulating their synthesis, release, and degradation. Several gastrointestinal dysfunctions are characterized by alterations affecting the purinergic system. AREAS COVERED The authors provide an overview on the purinergic receptor signaling machinery, the molecules and proteins involved, and a summary of medicinal chemistry efforts aimed at developing novel compounds able to modulate the activity of each player involved in this machinery. The involvement of purinergic signaling in gastrointestinal motor, secretory, and sensory functions and dysfunctions, and the potential therapeutic applications of purinergic signaling modulators, are then described. EXPERT OPINION A number of preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that the pharmacological manipulation of purinergic signaling represents a viable way to counteract several gastrointestinal diseases. At present, the paucity of purinergic therapies is related to the lack of receptor-subtype-specific agonists and antagonists that are effective in vivo. In this regard, the development of novel therapeutic strategies should be focused to include tools able to control the P1 and P2 receptor expression as well as modulators of the breakdown or transport of purines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Dal Ben
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino , Camerino, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Catia Lambertucci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino , Camerino, Italy
| | - Andrea Spinaci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino , Camerino, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa D'Antongiovanni
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosaria Volpini
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino , Camerino, Italy
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