scholarly journals Allosteric Modulators for GPCRs as a Therapeutic Alternative with High Potential in Drug Discovery

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arfaxad Reyes-Alcaraz ◽  
Emilio Y. Lucero Garcia-Rojas ◽  
Richard A. Bond ◽  
Bradley K. McConnell
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Endogenous Ligand ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Multiple Signaling ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) consists of biological microprocessors that can activate multiple signaling pathways. Most GPCRs have an orthosteric pocket where the endogenous ligand(s) typically binds. Conversely, allosteric ligands bind to GPCRs at sites that are distinct from the orthosteric binding region and they modulate the response elicited by the endogenous ligand. Allosteric ligands can also switch the response of a GPCR after ligand binding to a unique signaling pathway, these ligands are termed biased allosteric modulators. Thus, the development of allosteric ligands opens new and multiple ways in which the signaling pathways of GPCRs can be manipulated for potential therapeutic benefit. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which allosteric ligands modulate the effects of endogenous ligands have provided new insights into the interactions between allosteric ligands and GPCRs. These new findings have a high potential to improve drug discovery and development and, therefore, creating the need for better screening methods for allosteric drugs to increase the chances of success in the development of allosteric modulators as lead clinical compounds.

scholarly journals Selectivity Landscape of 100 Therapeutically Relevant GPCR Profiled by an Effector Translocation-Based BRET Platform

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Avet ◽  
Arturo Mancini ◽  
Billy Breton ◽  
Christian Le Gouill ◽  
Alexander S. Hauser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
G Protein ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Systems Pharmacology ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Translocation Assay ◽  
Multiple Signaling ◽  
G Protein Coupled

SUMMARYThe ability of individual G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) to engage multiple signaling pathways opens opportunities for the development of better drugs. This requires new knowledge and tools to determine the G protein subtypes and βarrestins engaged by a given receptor. Here, we used a new BRET-based effector membrane translocation assay (EMTA) that monitors activation of each Gα protein through the recruitment of selective G protein effectors and βarrestins to the plasma membrane. Profiling of 100 therapeutically relevant GPCR revealed a great diversity of coupling profiles with some receptors displaying exquisite selectivity, whereas others promiscuitely engage all four G protein families. Comparison with existing datasets points to commonalities but also to critical differences between studies. Combining a biosensor subset allowed detecting activity of nearly all GPCR thus providing a new tool for safety screens and systems pharmacology. Overall, this work describes unique resources for studying GPCR function and drug discovery.

G-protein-coupled receptor allosterism: the promise and the problem(s)

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 873-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Christopoulos ◽  
L.T. May ◽  
V.A. Avlani ◽  
P.M. Sexton
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Receptor Activity ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Physiological Regulation ◽  
Subtype Selectivity ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Allosteric modulators of G-protein-coupled receptors interact with binding sites that are topographically distinct from the orthosteric site recognized by the receptor's endogenous agonist. Allosteric ligands offer a number of advantages over orthosteric drugs, including the potential for greater receptor subtype selectivity and a more ‘physiological’ regulation of receptor activity. However, the manifestations of allosterism at G-protein-coupled receptors are quite varied, and significant challenges remain for the optimization of screening methods to ensure the routine detection and validation of allosteric ligands.

scholarly journals Potential Utility of Biased GPCR Signaling for Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidetoshi Komatsu ◽  
Mamoru Fukuchi ◽  
Yugo Habata
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Marked Reduction ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Detailed Understanding ◽  
Gpcr Signaling ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Multiple Signaling ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Tremendous advances have been made recently in the identification of genes and signaling pathways associated with the risks for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, there has been a marked reduction in the pipeline for the development of new psychiatric drugs worldwide, mainly due to the complex causes that underlie these disorders. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most common targets of antipsychotics such as quetiapine and aripiprazole, and play pivotal roles in controlling brain function by regulating multiple downstream signaling pathways. Progress in our understanding of GPCR signaling has opened new possibilities for selective drug development. A key finding has been provided by the concept of biased ligands, which modulate some, but not all, of a given receptor’s downstream signaling pathways. Application of this concept raises the possibility that the biased ligands can provide therapeutically desirable outcomes with fewer side effects. Instead, this application will require a detailed understanding of the mode of action of antipsychotics that drive distinct pharmacologies. We review our current understanding of the mechanistic bases for multiple signaling modes by antipsychotics and the potential of the biased modulators to treat mental disorders.

Multiple Signaling Pathways for Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor

Physiology ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-75
Author(s):  
SD Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Platelet Activating Factor ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Paf Receptor ◽  
Multiple Signaling ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor is coupled to multiple signaling pathways, including phospholipid turnover via phospholipases C, D, A2;Ca2+ mobilization;and activation of protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase. The cloned receptor shows homology to G protein-coupled receptors. These developments highlight receptor functions of this novel phospholipid agonist.

scholarly journals Discovery of Novel Allosteric Modulators Targeting an Extra-Helical Binding Site of GLP-1R Using Structure- and Ligand-Based Virtual Screening

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 929
Author(s):  
Qingtong Zhou ◽  
Wanjing Guo ◽  
Antao Dai ◽  
Xiaoqing Cai ◽  
Márton Vass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Screening ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Computational Approach ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1 ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Allosteric modulators have emerged with many potential pharmacological advantages as they do not compete the binding of agonist or antagonist to the orthosteric sites but ultimately affect downstream signaling. To identify allosteric modulators targeting an extra-helical binding site of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) within the membrane environment, the following two computational approaches were applied: structure-based virtual screening with consideration of lipid contacts and ligand-based virtual screening with the maintenance of specific allosteric pocket residue interactions. Verified by radiolabeled ligand binding and cAMP accumulation experiments, two negative allosteric modulators and seven positive allosteric modulators were discovered using structure-based and ligand-based virtual screening methods, respectively. The computational approach presented here could possibly be used to discover allosteric modulators of other G protein-coupled receptors.

scholarly journals Retrospective Ensemble Docking of Allosteric Modulators in an Adenosine G-Protein-Coupled Receptor

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apurba Bhattarai ◽  
Jinan Wang ◽  
Yinglong Miao
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Renal Diseases ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Receptor Flexibility ◽  
Ensemble Docking ◽  
G Protein Coupled

AbstractBackgroundEnsemble docking has proven useful in drug discovery and development. It increases the hit rate by incorporating receptor flexibility into molecular docking as demonstrated on important drug targets including G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) is a key GPCR that has been targeted for treating cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injuries, neuropathic pain and renal diseases. Development of allosteric modulators, compounds binding to distinct and less conserved GPCR target sites compared with agonists and antagonists, has attracted increasing interest for designing selective drugs of the A1AR. Despite significant advances, more effective approaches are needed to discover potent and selective allosteric modulators of the A1AR.MethodsEnsemble docking that integrates Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamic (GaMD) simulations and molecular docking using Autodock has been implemented for retrospective docking of known positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) in the A1AR.ResultsEnsemble docking outperforms docking of the receptor cryo-EM structure. The calculated docking enrichment factors (EFs) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) are significantly increased.ConclusionsReceptor ensembles generated from GaMD simulations are able to increase the success rate of discovering PAMs of A1AR. It is important to account for receptor flexibility through GaMD simulations and flexible docking.General SignificanceEnsemble docking is a promising approach for drug discovery targeting flexible receptors.

scholarly journals Natural Compounds as Guides for the Discovery of Drugs Targeting G-Protein-Coupled Receptors

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (21) ◽  
pp. 5060
Author(s):  
Joan Serrano-Marín ◽  
Irene Reyes-Resina ◽  
Eva Martínez-Pinilla ◽  
Gemma Navarro ◽  
Rafael Franco
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Taste Receptors ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Therapeutic Drugs ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which constitute the most populous family of the human proteome, are the target of 35–45% of approved therapeutic drugs. This review focuses on natural products (excluding peptides) that target GPCRs. Natural compounds identified so far as agonists, antagonists or allosteric modulators of GPCRs have been found in all groups of existing living beings according to Whittaker’s Five Kingdom Classification, i.e., bacteria (monera), fungi, protoctists, plants and animals. Terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids are the most common chemical structures that target GPCRs whose endogenous ligands range from lipids to epinephrine, from molecules that activate taste receptors to molecules that activate smell receptors. Virtually all of the compounds whose formula is displayed in this review are pharmacophores with potential for drug discovery; furthermore, they are expected to help expand the number of GPCRs that can be considered as therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals G Protein-coupled Receptors: One of the Most Important Drug Discovery Targets

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
Yusra Saleh Andijani
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Biased Agonism ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Complex Signaling ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G protein-coupled receptors are considered the most widely investigated drug discovery targets. They are the largest family of receptors with almost 800 genes in humans. Different types of ligands can activate these receptors, such as catecholamines, nucleotides, lipids, and gut microbiota, where some ligands could be bitopic. Nevertheless, some receptors have internal ligands bound to them. Activated G protein-coupled receptors have complex signaling pathways that are involved in almost all bodily functions. Furthermore, they constitute a large percentage of Food and Drug Administration marketed drugs and global share of drugs, in addition to a great proportion of drugs currently in clinical trials targeting these receptors. The approved G protein-coupled receptors targeted drugs and potential drugs are involved in the management of many diseases including cancer, inflammatory diseases, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, pain, and diseases of the central nervous system. Only 10% of G protein-coupled receptors are targeted. Different pharmacological approaches have been considered in drug discovery of these receptors including polypharmacology, allosteric modulators, biased agonism, tethered agonism, and pharmacogenomics. Advances in the technologies are promising to help in the discovery of new targets. The review's aim is to discuss the importance of G protein-coupled receptors as drug discovery targets.

A compendium of G-protein–coupled receptors and cyclic nucleotide regulation of adipose tissue metabolism and energy expenditure

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan P. Ceddia ◽  
Sheila Collins
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Beige Adipocytes ◽  
Nucleotide Regulation ◽  
Ucp1 Expression ◽  
Thermogenic Adipocytes ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Abstract With the ever-increasing burden of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, it is generally acknowledged that there remains a need for developing new therapeutics. One potential mechanism to combat obesity is to raise energy expenditure via increasing the amount of uncoupled respiration from the mitochondria-rich brown and beige adipocytes. With the recent appreciation of thermogenic adipocytes in humans, much effort is being made to elucidate the signaling pathways that regulate the browning of adipose tissue. In this review, we focus on the ligand–receptor signaling pathways that influence the cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, in adipocytes. We chose to focus on G-protein–coupled receptor (GPCR), guanylyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase regulation of adipocytes because they are the targets of a large proportion of all currently available therapeutics. Furthermore, there is a large overlap in their signaling pathways, as signaling events that raise cAMP or cGMP generally increase adipocyte lipolysis and cause changes that are commonly referred to as browning: increasing mitochondrial biogenesis, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression and respiration.

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