Unique interaction pattern for a functionally biased ghrelin receptor agonist

Based on the conformationally constrained D-Trp-Phe-D-Trp (wFw) core of the prototype inverse agonist [D-Arg(1),D-Phe(5),D-Trp(7,9),Leu(11)]substance P, a series of novel, small, peptide-mimetic agonists for the ghrelin receptor were generated. By using various simple, ring-constrained spacers connecting the D-Trp-Phe-D-Trp motif with the important C-terminal carboxyamide group, 40 nm agonism potency was obtained and also in one case (wFw-Isn-NH(2), where Isn is isonipecotic acid) ~80% efficacy. However, in contrast to all previously reported ghrelin receptor agonists, the piperidine-constrained wFw-Isn-NH(2) was found to be a functionally biased agonist. Thus, wFw-Isn-NH(2) mediated potent and efficacious signaling through the Gα(q) and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, but in contrast to all previous ghrelin receptor agonists it did not signal through the serum response element, conceivably the Gα(12/13) pathway. The recognition pattern of wFw-Isn-NH(2) with the ghrelin receptor also differed significantly from that of all previously characterized unbiased agonists. Most importantly, wFw-Isn-NH(2) was not dependent on GluIII:09 (Glu3.33), which otherwise is an obligatory TM III anchor point residue for ghrelin agonists. Molecular modeling and docking experiments indicated that wFw-Isn-NH(2) binds in the classical agonist binding site between the extracellular segments of TMs III, VI, and VII, interacting closely with the aromatic cluster between TMs VI and VII, but that it does so in an opposite orientation as compared with, for example, the wFw peptide agonists. It is concluded that the novel peptide-mimetic ligand wFw-Isn-NH(2) is a biased ghrelin receptor agonist and that the selective signaling pattern presumably is due to its unique receptor recognition pattern lacking interaction with key residues especially in TM III.     

Ago-allosteric modulation and other types of allostery in dimeric 7TM receptors

Conventionally, an allosteric modulator is neutral in respect of efficacy and binds to a receptor site distant from the orthosteric site of the endogenous agonist. However, recently compounds being ago-allosteric modulators have been described i.e., compounds acting both as agonists on their own and as enhancers for the endogenous agonists in both increasing agonist potency and providing additive efficacy-superagonism. The additive efficacy can also be observed with agonists, which are neutral or even negative modulators of the potency of the endogenous ligand. Based on the prevailing dimeric concept for 7TM receptors, it is proposed that the ago-allosteric modulators bind in the orthosteric binding site, but-importantly-in the "other" or allosteric protomer of the dimer. Hereby, they can act both as additive co-agonists, and through intermolecular cooperative effects between the protomers, they may influence the potency of the endogenous agonist. It is of interest that at least some endogenous agonists can only occupy one protomer of a dimeric 7TM receptor complex at a time and thereby they leave the orthosteric binding site in the allosteric protomer free, potentially for binding of exogenous, allosteric modulators. If the allosteric modulator is an agonist, it is an ago-allosteric modulator; if it is neutral, it is a classical enhancer. Molecular mapping in hetero-dimeric class-C receptors, where the endogenous agonist clearly binds only in one protomer, supports the notion that allosteric modulators can act through binding in the "other" protomer. It is suggested that for the in vivo, clinical setting a positive ago-allosteric modulator should be the preferred agonist drug.     

Ago-Allosteric Modulation and Other Types of Allostery in Dimeric 7TM Receptors

Conventionally, an allosteric modulator is neutral in respect of efficacy and binds to a receptor site distant from the orthosteric site of the endogenous agonist. However, recently compounds being ago-allosteric modulators have been described i.e., compounds acting both as agonists on their own and as enhancers for the endogenous agonists in both increasing agonist potency and providing additive efficacy—superagonism. The additive efficacy can also be observed with agonists, which are neutral or even negative modulators of the potency of the endogenous ligand. Based on the prevailing dimeric concept for 7TM receptors, it is proposed that the ago-allosteric modulators bind in the orthosteric binding site, but–importantly–in the “other” or allosteric protomer of the dimer. Hereby, they can act both as additive co-agonists, and through intermolecular cooperative effects between the protomers, they may influence the potency of the endogenous agonist. It is of interest that at least some endogenous agonists can only occupy one protomer of a dimeric 7TM receptor complex at a time and thereby they leave the orthosteric binding site in the allosteric protomer free, potentially for binding of exogenous, allosteric modulators. If the allosteric modulator is an agonist, it is an ago-allosteric modulator; if it is neutral, it is a classical enhancer. Molecular mapping in hetero-dimeric class-C receptors, where the endogenous agonist clearly binds only in one protomer, supports the notion that allosteric modulators can act through binding in the “other” protomer. It is suggested that for the in vivo, clinical setting a positive ago-allosteric modulator should be the preferred agonist drug.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of the ghrelin agonist growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) in arthritic rats

Chronic arthritis induces hypermetabolism and cachexia. Ghrelin is a gastrointestinal hormone that has been proposed as a treatment to prevent cachexia. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of administration of the ghrelin agonist growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) to arthritic rats. Male Wistar rats were injected with Freund's adjuvant, and 15 days later arthritic and control rats were daily injected with GHRP-2 (100 microg/kg) or with saline for 8 days. Arthritis induced an increase in serum ghrelin (P < 0.01) and a decrease in serum concentrations of leptin (P < 0.01), whereas GHRP-2 administration increased serum concentrations of leptin. GHRP-2 increased food intake in control rats but not in arthritic rats. However, in arthritic rats GHRP-2 administration ameliorated the external symptoms of arthritis, as it decreased the arthritis score (10.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 13.42 +/- 0.47, P < 0.01) and the paw volume. In addition, circulating IL-6 and nitrites/nitrates were increased by arthritis, and GHRP-2 treatment decreased the serum IL-6 levels (P < 0.01). To elucidate whether GHRP-2 is able to modulate IL-6 release directly on immune cells, peritoneal macrophage cultures were incubated with GHRP-2 or ghrelin, the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor. Both GHRP-2 (10(-7) M) and ghrelin (10(-7) M) prevented endotoxin-induced IL-6 and decreased nitrite/nitrate release from peritoneal macrophages in vitro. These data suggest that GHRP-2 administration has an anti-inflammatory effect in arthritic rats that seems to be mediated by ghrelin receptors directly on immune cells.     

Spiro(indoline-3,4'-piperidine) growth hormone secretagogues as ghrelin mimetics.

A series of small molecules derived from MK-0677, a potent synthetic GHS, mimicking the N-terminal Gly-Ser-O-(n-octanoyl)-L-Ser-Phe segment of ghrelin was synthesized and tested in a binding and in a functional assay measuring intracellular calcium elevation in HEK-293 cells expressing hGHSR1a. Replacement of Phe in this tetrapeptide with a spiro(indoline-3,4'-piperidine) group, Gly-Ser with 2-aminoisobutyric acid, and O-(n-octanoyl)-L-Ser with O-benzyl-D-Ser provided synthetic GHS agonists with similar functional potency as ghrelin.     

Long-term effects of ghrelin and ghrelin receptor agonists on energy balance in rats

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), is the only circulating agent to powerfully promote a positive energy balance. Such action is mediated predominantly by central nervous system pathways controlling food intake, energy expenditure, and nutrient partitioning. The ghrelin pathway may therefore offer therapeutic potential for the treatment of catabolic states. However, the potency of the endogenous hormone ghrelin is limited due to a short half-life and the fragility of its bioactivity ensuring acylation at serine 3. Therefore, we tested the metabolic effects of two recently generated GHS-R agonists, BIM-28125 and BIM-28131, compared with ghrelin. All agents were administered continuously for 1 mo in doses of 50 and 500 nmol x kg(-1) x day(-1) using implanted subcutaneous minipumps in rats. High-dose treatment with single agonists or ghrelin increased body weight gain by promoting fat mass, whereas BIM-28131 was the only one also increasing lean mass significantly. Food intake increased during treatment with BIM-28131 or ghrelin, whereas no effects on energy expenditure were detected. With the lower dose, only BIM-28131 had a significant effect on body weight. This also held true when the compound was administered by subcutaneous injection three times/day. No symptoms or signs of undesired effects were observed in any of the studies or treated groups. These results characterize BIM-28131 as a promising GHS-R agonist with an attractive action profile for the treatment of catabolic disease states such as cachexia.     

Adenosine: A partial agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor

The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) is involved in the regulation of pulsatile GH release. However, until recently, natural endogenous ligands for the receptor were unknown. We fractionated porcine hypothalamic extracts and assayed fractions for activity on HEK293 cells expressing GHS-R and aequorin. A partial agonist was isolated and identified using microspray tandem mass spectrometry as adenosine. GHS-R activation by adenosine and synthetic adenosine agonists is inhibited by the GHS-R selective antagonists L-765,867, D-Lys(3)-GHRP-6, and by theophylline and XAC. Cross desensitization of the GHS-R occurs with both MK-0677 and adenosine. Ligand binding and site directed mutagenesis studies show that adenosine binds to a binding site that is distinct from the previously characterized MK-0677 and GHRP-6 binding pocket. We propose, that adenosine is a physiologically important endogenous GHS-R ligand and speculate that GHS-R ligands modulate dopamine release from hypothalamic neurons.     

Interdependent allosteric free fatty acid receptor 2 modulators synergistically induce functional selective activation and desensitization in neutrophils

The non-activating allosteric modulator AZ1729, specific for free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2), transfers the orthosteric FFAR2 agonists propionate and the P2Y₂R specific agonist ATP into activating ligands that trigger an assembly of the neutrophil superoxide generating NADPH-oxidase. The homologous priming effect on the propionate response and the heterologous receptor cross-talk sensitized ATP response mediated by AZ1729 are functional characteristics shared with Cmp58, another non-activating allosteric FFAR2 modulator. In addition, AZ1729 also turned Cmp58 into a potent activator of the superoxide generating neutrophil NADPH-oxidase, and in agreement with the allosteric modulation concept, the effect was reciprocal in that Cmp58 turned AZ1729 into a potent activating allosteric agonist. The activation signals down-stream of FFAR2 when stimulated by the two interdependent allosteric modulators were biased in that, unlike for orthosteric agonists, the two complementary modulators together triggered an activation of the NADPH-oxidase, but not any transient rise in the cytosolic concentration of free calcium ions (Ca²⁺). Furthermore, following AZ1729/Cmp58 activation, the signaling by the desensitized FFAR2s was functionally selective in that the orthosteric agonist propionate could still induce a transient rise in intracellular Ca²⁺. The novel neutrophil activation and receptor down-stream signaling pattern mediated by the two cross-sensitizing allosteric FFAR2 modulators represent a new regulatory mechanism that controls receptor signaling.     

Feeding response to ghrelin agonist and antagonist in lean and obese Zucker rats

Ghrelin is a new orexigenic and adipogenic peptide primarily produced by the stomach and the hypothalamus. In the present experiment, we determined the circulating ghrelin levels in 60-week old fa/fa Zucker rats with a well-established obesity (n = 12) and in their lean (FA/FA) counterparts (n = 12). We also tested the feeding response of both groups to intra-peritoneal (I.P.) injection of ghrelin agonist and antagonist. Obese rats ate significantly more than the lean rats (21.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 18.3 +/- 0.3 g/day; p < 0.01). Their plasma ghrelin concentration was 35% higher than that in the lean homozygous rats (p < 0.025). GHRP-6 (1 mg/kg I.P, a GHS-R agonist) stimulated food intake in lean but not in obese rats (p < 0.01), whereas [D-Lys)]-GHRP-6 (12 mg/kg I.P., a GHS-R antagonist) decreased food intake in both groups (p < 0.0001). These results indicate that the obese Zucker rat is characterized by an increase in plasma ghrelin concentrations and by an attenuated response to a GHS-R agonist. They support a role for ghrelin in the development of obesity in the absence of leptin signaling.     

Regulation of signal transduction at M2 muscarinic receptor

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors mediate transmission of an extracellular signal represented by released acetylcholine to neuronal or effector cells. There are five subtypes of closely homologous muscarinic receptors which are coupled by means of heterotrimeric G-proteins to a variety of signaling pathways resulting in a multitude of target cell effects. Endogenous agonist acetylcholine does not discriminate among individual subtypes and due to the close homology of the orthosteric binding site the same holds true for most of exogenous agonists. In addition to the classical binding site muscarinic receptors have one or more allosteric binding sites at extracellular domains. Binding of allosteric modulators induces conformational changes in the receptor that result in subtype-specific changes in orthosteric binding site affinity for both muscarinic agonists and antagonists. This overview summarizes our recent experimental effort in investigating certain aspects of M2 muscarinic receptor functioning concerning i) the molecular determinants that contribute to the binding of allosteric modulators, ii) G-protein coupling specificity and subsequent cellular responses and iii) possible functional assays that exploit the unique properties of allosteric modulators for characterization of muscarinic receptor subtypes in intact tissue. A detailed knowledge of allosteric properties of muscarinic receptors is required to permit drug design that will modulate signal transmission strength of specific muscarinic receptor subtypes. Furthermore, allosteric modulation of signal transmission strength is determined by cooperativity rather than concentration of allosteric modulator and thus reduces the danger of overdose.     

Screening for positive allosteric modulators: assessment of modulator concentration-response curves as a screening paradigm

Targeting allosteric binding sites represents a powerful mechanism for selectively modulating receptor function. The advent of functional assays as the screening method of choice is leading to an increase in the number of allosteric modulators identified. These include positive allosteric modulators that can increase the affinity of the orthosteric agonist and potentiate the evoked response. A common method for screening for positive allosteric modulators is to examine a concentration-response (C/R) curve to the putative modulator in the presence of a single, low concentration of agonist. The study reported here has used data simulations for positive allosteric modulators according to the allosteric ternary complex model to generate modulator C/R curves. The results are then compared to the mechanistic parameters used to simulate the data. It is clear from the simulations that the potency of a positive modulator C/R curve in a screening assay is the product of both its affinity and positive cooperativity. However, it is often difficult to tell which parameter dominates the response; not knowing the actual affinity or cooperativity of a ligand may have consequences for receptor selectivity. Further modeling demonstrates that the use and choice of single agonist concentration, as well as changes in the agonist curve Hill slope, can have significant effects on the modulator C/R curve. Finally, the quantitative relationship between modulator C/R curves and the allosteric ternary complex model is explored. These simulations emphasize the importance of careful interpretation of screening data and of conducting full mechanism of action studies for positive allosteric modulators.     

Identification of an efficacy switch region in the ghrelin receptor responsible for interchange between agonism and inverse agonism

The carboxyamidated wFwLL peptide was used as a core ligand to probe the structural basis for agonism versus inverse agonism in the constitutively active ghrelin receptor. In the ligand, an efficacy switch could be built at the N terminus, as exemplified by AwFwLL, which functioned as a high potency agonist, whereas KwFwLL was an equally high potency inverse agonist. The wFw-containing peptides, agonists as well as inverse agonists, were affected by receptor mutations covering the whole main ligand-binding pocket with key interaction sites being an aromatic cluster in transmembrane (TM)-VI and -VII and residues on the opposing face of TM-III. Gain-of-function in respect of either increased agonist or inverse agonist potency or swap between high potency versions of these properties was obtained by substitutions at a number of positions covering a broad area of the binding pocket on TM-III, -IV, and -V. However, in particular, space-generating substitutions at position III:04 shifted the efficacy of the ligands from inverse agonism toward agonism, whereas similar substitutions at position III: 08, one helical turn below, shifted the efficacy from agonism toward inverse agonism. It is suggested that the relative position of the ligand in the binding pocket between this "efficacy shift region" on TM-III and the opposing aromatic cluster on TM-VI and TM-VII leads either to agonism, i.e. in a superficial binding mode, or it leads to inverse agonism, i.e. in a more profound binding mode. This relationship between different binding modes and opposite efficacy is in accordance with the Global Toggle Switch model for 7TM receptor activation.     

Identification of spirocyclic piperidine-azetidine inverse agonists of the ghrelin receptor

The discovery of spirocyclic piperidine-azetidine inverse agonists of the ghrelin receptor is described. The characterization and redressing of the issues associated with these compounds is detailed. An efficient three-step synthesis and a binding assay were relied upon as the primary means of rapidly improving potency and ADMET properties for this class of inverse agonist compounds. Compound 10 n bearing distributed polarity in the form of an imidazo-thiazole acetamide and a phenyl triazole is a unit lower in logP and has significantly improved binding affinity compared to the hit molecule 10a, providing support for further optimization of this series of compounds.     

A novel mechanism of G protein-coupled receptor functional selectivity. Muscarinic partial agonist McN-A-343 as a bitopic orthosteric/allosteric ligand

Many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) possess allosteric binding sites distinct from the orthosteric site utilized by their cognate ligands, but most GPCR allosteric modulators reported to date lack signaling efficacy in their own right. McN-A-343 (4-(N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamoyloxy)-2-butynyltrimethylammonium chloride) is a functionally selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) partial agonist that can also interact allosterically at the M(2) mAChR. We hypothesized that this molecule simultaneously utilizes both an allosteric and the orthosteric site on the M(2) mAChR to mediate these effects. By synthesizing progressively truncated McN-A-343 derivatives, we identified two, which minimally contain 3-chlorophenylcarbamate, as pure allosteric modulators. These compounds were positive modulators of the orthosteric antagonist N-[(3)H]methylscopolamine, but in functional assays of M(2) mAChR-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and guanosine 5'-3-O-([(35)S]thio)triphosphate binding, they were negative modulators of agonist efficacy. This negative allosteric effect was diminished upon mutation of Y177A in the second extracellular (E2) loop of the M(2) mAChR that is known to reduce prototypical allosteric modulator potency. Our results are consistent with McN-A-343 being a bitopic orthosteric/allosteric ligand with the allosteric moiety engendering partial agonism and functional selectivity. This finding suggests a novel and largely unappreciated mechanism of "directed efficacy" whereby functional selectivity may be engendered in a GPCR by utilizing an allosteric ligand to direct the signaling of an orthosteric ligand encoded within the same molecule.     

Structural Determinants of Allosteric Agonism and Modulation at the M4 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor: IDENTIFICATION OF LIGAND-SPECIFIC AND GLOBAL ACTIVATION MECHANISMS*

The recently identified small molecule, 3-amino-5-chloro-6-methoxy-4-methylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid cyclopropylamide (LY2033298), is the first selective allosteric modulator of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) that mediates both receptor activation and positive modulation of the endogenous agonist, acetylcholine (ACh), via the same allosteric site on the M₄ mAChR. We thus utilized this novel chemical tool, as well as ACh, the bitopic (orthosteric/allosteric) agonist, McN-A-343, and the clinically efficacious M₁/M₄ mAChR-preferring agonist, xanomeline, in conjunction with site-directed mutagenesis of four different regions of the M₄ mAChR (extracellular loops 1, 2, and 3, and transmembrane domain 7), to identify regions that govern ligand-specific modes of binding, signaling, and allosteric modulation. In the first extracellular loop (E1), we identified Ile⁹³ and Lys⁹⁵ as key residues that specifically govern the signaling efficacy of LY2033298 and its binding cooperativity with ACh, whereas Phe¹⁸⁶ in the E2 loop was identified as a key contributor to the binding affinity of the modulator for the allosteric site, and Asp⁴³² in the E3 loop appears to be involved in the functional (activation) cooperativity between the modulator and the endogenous agonist. In contrast, the highly conserved transmembrane domain 7 residues, Tyr⁴³⁹ and Tyr⁴⁴³, were identified as contributing to a key activation switch utilized by all classes of agonists. These results provide new insights into the existence of multiple activation switches in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), some of which can be selectively exploited by allosteric agonists, whereas others represent global activation mechanisms for all classes of ligand.     

Mechanisms of leukotriene E4 partial agonist activity at leukotriene D4 receptors in differentiated U-937 cells

Leukotriene E4 (LTE4) is shown to be a partial agonist of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) in differentiated U-937 cells. The data that support this conclusion are: 1) LTE4 completely displaced [3H]LTD4 from its receptors in U-937 cell membranes. 2) LTE4 induced only 30 +/- 4% of the maximal Ca2+ transient induced by LTD4 in the presence of 1 mM extracellular Ca2+ and 60 +/- 4% of the maximal LTD4 response in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. 3) LTE4 induced only a fraction of the inositol phosphates metabolized by LTD4. Moreover, LTE4 resulted in essentially no production of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate isomer, while LTD4 induced a rapid and substantial transient increase in this isomer. The generation of inositol phosphates by both agonists was unaffected by extracellular Ca2+. 4) The EC50 values for Ca2+ mobilization for LTD4 and LTE4 corresponded with their affinity (Kd values) for the LTD4 receptor. 5) A series of structurally diverse LTD4 receptor antagonists blocked the Ca2+ mobilization responses to LTD4 and LTE4 with identical rank orders of potency. 6) LTE4 acted as an antagonist of LTD4 of potency. 6) LTE4 acted as an antagonist of LTD4 effects when they were coadministered. 7) LTE4 and LTD4 acutely desensitized Ca2+ mobilization to each other. All of the effects of LTE4 are explained by its partial agonist activity at the LTD4 receptor as shown by the following data. 1) Neither LTD4 nor LTE4 had any effect on the agonist activity of fMet-Leu-Phe, LTB4, or platelet-activating factor. 2) None of the above agonists or antagonists to the above receptors affected any of the activities of LTD4 or LTE4. 3) Neither LTD4 nor LTE4 induced desensitization of Ca2+ mobilization to any of the non-LTD4 receptor agonists tested. 4) Under the conditions studied, we have not observed any evidence of multiple subclasses of LTD4 receptors in U-937 cells. LTE4 is a partial agonist of the LTD4 receptor, because it can only couple the LTD4 receptor to a portion of the signaling system available to the receptor when occupied by LTD4. Specifically, LTD4 caused the activation of receptor-operated calcium channels, mobilization of intracellular Ca2+, the activation of phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C, and the liberation of an additional, as yet undefined, intracellular mediator. To do this, LTD4 receptors couple to at least two and perhaps more guanine nucleotide binding proteins. LTE4 is unable to activate the phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C but can mimic the other effects of LTD4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Synthesis and evaluation of a conditionally-silent agonist for the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

We introduce the term ‘silent agonists’ to describe ligands that can place the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) into a desensitized state with little or no apparent activation of the ion channel, forming a complex that can subsequently generate currents when treated with an allosteric modulator. KC-1 (5′-phenylanabaseine) was synthesized and identified as a new silent agonist for the α7 nAChR; it binds to the receptor but does not activate α7 nAChR channel opening when applied alone, and its agonism is revealed by co-application with the type II positive allosteric modulator PNU-120596 in the Xenopus oocyte system. The concise synthesis was accomplished in three steps with the C–C bonds formed via Pd-catalyzed mono-arylation and organolithium coupling with N-Boc piperidinone. Comparative structural analyses indicate that a positive charge, an H-bond acceptor, and an aryl ring in a proper arrangement are needed to constitute one class of silent agonist for the α7 nAChR. Because silent agonists may act on signaling pathways not involving ion channel opening, this class of α7 nAChR ligands may constitute a new alternative for the development of α7 nAChR therapeutics.