GPCR heterodimers: asymmetries in ligand binding and signalling output offer new targets for drug discovery

Dimers of GPCRs have held the imagination of researchers for almost 20 years. However, only recently has their value as potentially novel drug targets been increased significantly, and primarily, in the context of GPCR heterodimers. The view of receptor heterodimers as allosteric machines has transformed the way we understand structural and functional asymmetries inherent in their organization. These asymmetries alter both signalling output and how they might be targeted pharmacologically. The paper in this issue of BJP by Siddiquee and colleagues (2013) highlights our growing understanding of such asymmetries and their implications. They show that heterodimers of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor and the apelin receptor recognize and respond to their respective ligands in distinct ways from the parent receptors expressed alone. Further, they demonstrate asymmetric allosteric effects in the context of the heterodimer that may have significant implications for our understanding of such receptor complexes.

Linked Article

This article is a commentary on the research paper by Siddiquee et al., pp. 1104–1117 of this issue. To view this paper visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02192.x     

Antagonist interaction with the human 5-HT(7) receptor mediates the rapid and potent inhibition of non-G-protein-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity: a novel GPCR effect

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The human 5-hydroxytryptamine₇ (h5-HT₇) receptor is G_s-coupled and stimulates the production of the intracellular signalling molecule cAMP. Previously, we reported a novel property of the h5-HT₇ receptor: pseudo-irreversible antagonists irreversibly inhibit forskolin-stimulated (non-receptor-mediated) cAMP production. Herein, we sought to determine if competitive antagonists also affect forskolin-stimulated activity and if this effect is common among other G_s-coupled receptors.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Recombinant cell lines expressing h5-HT₇ receptors or other receptors of interest were briefly exposed to antagonists; cAMP production was then stimulated by forskolin and quantified by an immunocompetitive assay.

KEY RESULTS

In human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably expressing h5-HT₇ receptors, all competitive antagonists inhibited nearly 100% of forskolin-stimulated cAMP production. This effect was insensitive to pertussis toxin, that is, not G_i/o-mediated. Potency to inhibit forskolin-stimulated activity strongly correlated with h5-HT₇ binding affinity (r²= 0.91), indicating that the antagonists acted through h5-HT₇ receptors to inhibit forskolin. Potency and maximal effects of clozapine, a prototypical competitive h5-HT₇ antagonist, were unaffected by varying forskolin concentration. Antagonist interaction with h5-HT₆, human β₁, β₂, and β₃ adrenoceptors did not inhibit forskolin''s activity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The inhibition of adenylate cyclase, as measured by forskolin''s activity, is an underlying property of antagonist interaction with h5-HT₇ receptors; however, this is not a common property of other G_s-coupled receptors. This phenomenon may be involved in the roles played by h5-HT₇ receptors in human physiology. Development of h5-HT₇ antagonists that do not elicit this effect would aid in the elucidation of its mechanisms and shed light on its possible physiological relevance.     

Identification of the domains in RXFP4 (GPCR142) responsible for the high affinity binding and agonistic activity of INSL5 at RXFP4 compared to RXFP3 (GPCR135)

Relaxin-3 is a potent agonist for both G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) RXFP3 (also known as GPCR135) and RXFP4 (also known as GPCR142) while insulin-like peptides 5 (INSL5) is a selective RXFP4 agonist. INSL5 is also a weak (low affinity) RXFP3 antagonist. RXFP3 and RXFP4 share about 50% homology. We have used gain-of-function (RXFP3 --> RXFP4) and loss-of-function (RXFP4 --> RXFP3) chimeras to identify the domains critical for the binding and activation induced by INSL5. Replacing extracellular loop (EL) 1 or EL3 of RXFP3 with the corresponding domains from RXFP4 does not change the RXFP3 pharmacological profile. Exchanging the N-terminus and EL2 of RXFP3 with these of RXFP4 results in a chimeric receptor (CR5) with a high affinity for INSL5. However, in contrast to native RXFP4, INSL5 does not elicit an agonist response from CR5. Conversely, replacing the N-terminus and EL2 of RXFP4 with counterparts from RXFP3 (CR15) results in a chimeric receptor for which relaxin-3 and INSL5 are high and low affinity agonists, respectively. Further mutagenesis studies indicate that transmembrane (TM) domains 2, 3 and 5 of RXFP4 are critical determinants of functional receptor activation by INSL5. Replacement of TM2, 3, and 5 of RXFP3 with equivalent domains from RXFP4 results in a chimeric receptor that can be activated by INSL5. These results suggest that the N-terminus and EL2 domains of RXFP3 and RXFP4 are involved in ligand binding while TM2, 3, and 5 are critical for receptor activation.     

Chemical Probe Identification Platform for Orphan GPCRs Using Focused Compound Screening: GPR39 as a Case Example

相似文献   

Effect of a traditional Chinese medicine Liu Wei Di Huang Wan on the activities of CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in healthy volunteers

1. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (LDW), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used for the treatment of various diseases in China. This study was designed to investigate the potential herb–drug interactions of LDW in healthy volunteers and attempted to ascertain whether the interaction might be affected by genotypes.

2. We assessed the effect of LDW on the activities of CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in 12 Chinese healthy subjects in a single-center, controlled, non-blinded, two-way crossover clinical trial. The subject pool consisted of six extensive metabolizers with CYP2C19*1/*1 and six poor metabolizers with CYP2C19*2/*2. Placebo or 4.8?g LDW (12 pills, 0.2?g/pill, twice daily) was given to each participant for 14 continuous days with a wash-out period of 2 weeks after an oral administration of 30?mg omeprazole, 30?mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide and 7.5?mg midazolam. The activities of CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 were ascertained by their respective plasma or urinary metabolic ratios on day 14 post-treatment.

3. There is no difference in the activities of the three tested enzymes before or after a 14-day administration of LDW. LDW had no effect on the pharmacokinetic parameters of the substrates and their metabolites.

4. A 14-day administration of LDW did not affect the activities of CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. LDW is unlikely to cause pharmacokinetic interaction when it is combined with other medications predominantly metabolized by these enzymes.

     

Enzymatic characteristics of CYP3A5 and CYP3A4: A comparison of in vitro kinetic and drug–drug interaction patterns

CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 exhibit significant overlap in substrate specificity, but can differ in catalytic activity and regioselectivity. To investigate their characteristics further, the enzymatic reactions of the two CYP3A enzymes were compared using midazolam, nifedipine, testosterone and terfenadine as substrates. Both CYP3A5 and CYP3A4 showed sigmoid and substrate inhibition patterns for testosterone 6β-hydroxylation and terfenadine t-butylhydroxylation (TFDOH), respectively. In the other reactions, the kinetic model for CYP3A5 was not similar to that for CYP3A4. An inhibition study demonstrated that the interactions between α-naphthoflavone (αNF) and CYP3A substrates were different for the two CYP3A enzymes. αNF stimulated nifedipine oxidation catalysed by CYP3A5, but did not stimulate that catalysed by CYP3A4. αNF at less than 32?µM inhibited TFDOH catalysed by CYP3A5, but did not inhibit that catalysed by CYP3A4. These results indicate that CYP3A5 has different enzymatic characteristics from CYP3A4 in some CYP3A catalysed reactions.     

The protein Ocular albinism 1 is the orphan GPCR GPR143 and mediates depressor and bradycardic responses to DOPA in the nucleus tractus solitarii

Background and Purpose: L-DOPA is generally considered to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson''s disease by its conversion to dopamine. We have proposed that DOPA is itself a neurotransmitter in the CNS. However, specific receptors for DOPA have not been identified. Recently, the gene product of ocular albinism 1 (OA1) was found to exhibit DOPA-binding activity. Here, we have investigated whether OA1 is a functional receptor of DOPA in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS).Experimental Approach: We examined immunohistochemical expression of OA1 in the NTS, and the effects of DOPA microinjected into the depressor sites of NTS on blood pressure and heart rate in anaesthetized rats, with or without prior knock-down of OA1 in the NTS, using shRNA against OA1.Key Results: Using a specific OA1 antibody, OA1-positive cells and nerve fibres were found in the depressor sites of the NTS. OA1 expression in the NTS was markedly suppressed by microinjection into the NTS of adenovirus vectors carrying the relevant shRNA sequences against OA1. In animals treated with OA1 shRNA, depressor and bradycardic responses to DOPA, but not those to glutamate, microinjected into the NTS were blocked. Bilateral injections into the NTS of DOPA cyclohexyl ester, a competitive antagonist against OA1, suppressed phenylephrine-induced bradycardic responses without affecting blood pressure responses.Conclusion and Implications: OA1 acted as a functional receptor for DOPA in the NTS, mediating depressor and bradycardic responses. Our results add to the evidence for a central neurotransmitter role for DOPA, without conversion to dopamine.     

CYP3A5~*3和CYP3A4~*18B基因多态性对肾移植患者环孢素药代动力学的影响

目的回顾性研究肾脏移植后1mon,CYP3A5*3和CYP3A4*18B基因多态性对CsA药代动力学参数的影响。方法采用PCR-RFLP方法分析了63名肾脏移植患者CYP3A5*3和CYP3A4*18B基因型;荧光偏正免疫法用于检测肾移植患者静脉全血中的CsA浓度。结果在63名肾移植患者中,CYP3A5*3和CYP3A4*18B突变等位基因发生频率分别为0.770(95CI:0.767～0.773),0.235(95CI:0.235～0.241),而且这些等位基因表现出完全连锁不平衡。在移植术后1mon内,携带CYP3A4*1/*1野生型纯合子患者的C0以及剂量校正谷血浓度(C0/D)均明显高于携带CYP3A4*1/*18B杂合子或CYP3A4*18B/*18B突变型纯合子患者(P<0.05,Mann-WhitneyUtest);CYP3A5*1/*1基因型组的给药剂量明显高于CYP3A5*1/*3或CYP3A5*3/*3基因型组(P=0.004<0.01,Kruakal-Wallistest);CYP34*18B和CYP3A5*3联合考虑,对于CYP3A5表达组,同样发现C0、C0/D在CYP3A4*1/*1组C0以及C0/D均明显高于CYP3A4*1/*18B或CYP3A4*18B/*18B组(P<0.05,Mann-WhitneyUtest);而其他药动学参数在CYP3A5*3及CYP3A4*18B各组间相比差异则没有统计学意义。结论CYP3A5*3和(或)CYP3A4*18B基因多态性对肾移植后1monCsA药代动力学有一定影响,移植前CYP3A5*3基因型的分析仍需进一步研究。     

Pharmacokinetics of midazolam in CYP3A4- and CYP3A5-genotyped subjects

Objective We investigated whether differences in pharmacokinetics of midazolam, a CYP3A probe, could be demonstrated between subjects with different CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genotypes.Methods Plasma concentrations of midazolam, and of total (conjugated + unconjugated) 1OH-midazolam, and 4OH-midazolam were measured after the oral administration of 7.5 mg or of 75 µg of midazolam in 21 healthy subjects.Results CYP3A5*7, CYP3A4*1E, CYP3A4*2, CYP3A4*4, CYP3A4*5, CYP3A4*6, CYP3A4*8, CYP3A4*11, CYP3A4*12, CYP3A4*13, CYP3A4*17 and CYP3A4*18 alleles were not identified in the 21 subjects. CYP3A5*3, CYP3A5*6, CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A4*1F alleles were identified in 20, 1, 4 and 2 subjects, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed for the AUC_inf values between the different genotypes after the 75-µg or the 7.5-mg dose.Conclusion Presently, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genotyping methods do not sufficiently reflect the inter-individual variability of CYP3A activity.     

Inhibition of the metabolism of etizolam by itraconazole in humans: evidence for the involvement of CYP3A4 in etizolam metabolism

Objective To clarify the involvement of cytochrome P₄₅₀ (CYP) 3A4 in the metabolism of etizolam.Methods The effects of itraconazole, a potent and specific inhibitor of CYP3A4, on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of etizolam were examined. Twelve healthy male volunteers received itraconazole (200 mg/day) or placebo for 7 days in a double-blind randomized crossover manner, and on the 6th day they received a single oral 1-mg dose of etizolam. Blood samplings and evaluation of psychomotor function using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and Stanford Sleepiness Scale were conducted up to 24 h after etizolam dosing. Plasma concentration of etizolam was measured by means of high-performance liquid chromatography.Results Itraconazole treatment significantly increased the total area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC; 213±106 ngh/ml versus 326±166 ngh/ml, P<0.001) and the elimination half-life (12.0±5.4 h versus 17.3±7.4 h, P<0.01) of etizolam. The 90% confidence interval of the itraconazole/placebo ratio of the total AUC was 1.38–1.68, indicating a significant effect of itraconazole. No significant change was induced by itraconazole in the two pharmacodynamic parameters.Conclusion The present study suggests that itraconazole inhibits the metabolism of etizolam, providing evidence that CYP3A4 is at least partly involved in etizolam metabolism.     

Involvement of human cytochrome P450 3A4 in reduced haloperidol oxidation

Objective: The present study was conducted to identify in vitro the cytochrome P450(CYP) isoform involved in the metabolic conversion of reduced haloperidol to haloperidol using microsomes derived from human AHH-1 TK +/− cells expressing human cytochrome P450s. The inhibitory and/or stimulatory effects of reduced haloperidol or haloperidol on CYP2D6-catalyzed carteolol 8-hydroxylase activity were also investigated. Results: The CYP isoform involved in the oxidation of reduced haloperidol to haloperidol was CYP3A4. CYP1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 2E1 were not involved in the oxidation. The k_M value for the CYP3A4 expressed in the cells was 69.7 μmol · l⁻¹, and the V_max was 4.87 pmol · min⁻¹ · pmol⁻¹ P450. Troleandomycin, a relatively selective probe for CYP3A enzymes, inhibited the CYP3A4-mediated oxidation of reduced haloperidol in a dose-dependent manner. Quinidine and sparteine competitively inhibited the oxidative reaction with a k_i value of 24.9 and 1390 μmol · l⁻¹, respectively. Carteolol 8-hydroxylase activity, which is a selective reaction probe for CYP2D6 activity, was inhibited by reduced haloperidol with a k_i value of 4.3 μmol · l⁻¹. Haloperidol stimulated the CYP2D6-mediated carteolol 8-hydroxylase activity with an optimum concentration of 1 μmol · l⁻¹, whereas higher concentrations of the compound (>10 μmol · l⁻¹) inhibited the hydroxylase activity. Conclusion: It was concluded that CYP3A4, not CYP2D6, is the principal isoform of cytochrome P450 involved in the metabolic conversion of reduced haloperidol to haloperidol. It was further found that reduced haloperidol is a substrate of CYP3A4 and an inhibitor of CYP2D6, and that haloperidol has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on CYP2D6 activity. Received: 10 April 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 16 December 1997     

Association between CYP3A4 gene polymorphisms and clopidogrel response in patients with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

CYP3A4 plays a critical role in clopidogrel activation in the liver. The polymorphism ofCYP3A4 may have an important effect on clopidogrel response in patients with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact ofCYP3A4 polymorphism on platelet reactivity after clopidogrel treatment and the outcomes of patients. A systematic literature search (up to 7^th October, 2019) was performed on the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and Chinese databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wan Fang Data. Cohort studies or case-control studies evaluated platelet reactivity and patients’ outcomes in different genotype patients. The Review Manager software was used for data analysis, and the NOS scale was used to assess the quality of included studies. A total of 18 articles were included in the Meta-analysis. The results showed the platelet reactivity after clopidogrel administration had no significant difference betweenCYP3A4 variant carriers and non-carriers. The occurrence of composite ischemic events or stent thrombosis had no significant difference betweenCYP3A4 variant carriers and non-carriers, either. In conclusion, there was no significant association betweenCYP3A4 polymorphism and clopidogrel response in patients with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.     

Heterocyclic compounds and their uses: a patent evaluation of WO2010151735A2

A series of pyrido-pyrimidin-4-ones, incorporating purine/pyrimidine scaffolds, were prepared by a succession of standard reactions and tested for the inhibition of 4 isoforms of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) class I, that is, the α, β, δ and γ PI3Ks. Compounds with activity, from the nanomolar to the micromolar, against isoform PI3Kδ were detected, and have been assayed in vivo with the human B cells proliferation assay, stimulated by anti-IgM or IL-4, showing remarkable activity. The patent claims a very promising new class of PI3Kδ inhibitors with selectivity for the δ-class enzymes, involved in a variety of diseases, such as, but not limited to, cancer, autoimmune disease and allergy. The chemotype claimed in the patent is new, and a large chemical diversity was generated by standard chemical processes. The biological activity and selectivity of these enzyme inhibitors seem to be very good.     

A novel chloro-substituted pentenamide from the fruiting bodies of Amanita virgineoides

One unusual chloro-substituted pentenamide, (3R)-4-chloro-3-hydroxy-4-pentenamide (1), together with 11 known compounds (2–12) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Amanita virgineoides. The structure of 1 including the absolute configuration was characterized by extensive spectroscopic analyses and quantum calculation. Compound 1 displayed no obvious activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV), human enterovirus 71 (EV71) or coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3).     

CYP3A4,CYP3A5和MDR1基因多态性对环孢素处置的影响

环孢素是一个广泛用于器官移植患者的免疫抑制剂,具有治疗指数窄,不同个体间药代动力学差异较大的特点。它主要通过肝脏和小肠的CYP3A4和CYP3A5代谢;同时它又是药物转运体的底物。不同个体间药物代谢酶和转运体活性的差异可能是造成不同器官移植患者环孢素药代动力学差异的主要原因。而遗传因素即编码药物代谢酶和转运体基因序列的差异可能是其产生活性差异的分子机制。因此,从编码药物代谢酶和转运体的基因入手,可能会为器官移植患者提供最优的治疗方案。     

Human CYP3A4-introduced HepG2 cells: In vitro screening system of new chemicals for the evaluation of CYP3A4-inhibiting activity

1. The aims were to attest whether HepG2-GS-3A4, a cell line into which the human CYP3A4 gene was introduced, can be used for a screening of chemicals that will inhibit CYP3A4 activity.

2. The capacity of the cells for metabolizing CYP3A4 substrates in vitro was evaluated. Also determined was the effect of CYP3A4 inhibitors and non-inhibitors on nifedipine hydroxylation. Western blot, immunohistochemostry and determination of β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-reductase activity were performed.

3. HepG2-GS-3A4 selectively metabolized substrates of CYP3A4 (diazepam, nordiazepam, lidocaine, atorvastatin, and nifedipine) to a greater degree than control. The metabolites were easily detected in the culture medium. Values of V_max of HepG2-GS-3A4 were about 30- to 100-fold higher than those of the control, while values of K_m were comparable. Pre-incubation of cimetidine and ketoconazole significantly inhibited nifedipine hydroxylation, while addition of inhibitors specific to other isoforms of CYPs had no substantial effect. The HepG2-GS-3A4 expressed a higher amount of CYP3A4 protein and mRNA than control. Most NADPH reductase activity was detected in microsomal fractions.

4 In conclusion, HepG2-GS-3A4 sufficiently and selectively metabolize substrates of CYP3A4, and inhibitors of CYP3A4 reduced the metabolism. Because the metabolites were easily detected in the culture medium, this cell might be useful for the new and easy screening of new drugs for the evaluation of CYP3A4-inhibiting activity in vitro.     

Potential role of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) heterodimerization in neuropsychiatric disorders: A focus on depression

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome and are the target of approximately half of all therapeutic drugs. For many years, GPCRs were thought to exist and function as monomeric units. However, during the past two decades, substantial biochemical, structural and functional evidence have indicated that GPCRs can associate and form heteromers that exhibit functional properties distinct from the corresponding monomers. The understanding of the unique pharmacological and functional properties of such heteromers is a major challenge for neuroscience, particularly given the abundant evidence suggesting that GPCR heteromers may play a crucial role in neuropsychiatric disorders. Herein, we present current data on the role of GPCR heterodimerization in neuropsychiatric disorders, with a focus on its potential implications in depression. The presented examples of pairs of receptors, with their specific pharmacological and functional properties, are likely to lead to novel effective strategies in antidepressant drug development. The currently available techniques for studying GPCR heterodimerization, both in vitro as well as in situ in native tissue, are also described.     

中药止咳橘红颗粒对CYP3A4和CYP1A2抑制作用的研究

目的：在人体内研究止咳橘红对CYP3A4和CYP1A2的抑制作用，以预测止咳橘红与常用临床药物的相互作用。方法：咪哒唑仑和咖啡因分别作为CYP3A4和A2的探针药物，采取交叉设计，10名受试者在服用3d止咳橘红的前后均服用7.5mg咪哒唑仑和100mg咖啡因，服药后采血测定两者及代谢产物的代谢动力学参数，探讨针药物及代谢物的浓度用HPLC-MS法测定，Cmax,tmax从药时曲线中直接读出，AUC用梯形法计算，Ke用3P87程序进行拟合计算，分析服药前后CYP3A4和CYP1A2被抑制的情况，结果 服用止咳橘红后，咪哒唑仑的代谢受到了轻微的抑制，它的血药浓度，达峰时间和药时曲线下面积都有了升高趋势，但无显著差异。而咖啡因的代谢未受到影响。结论 止咳橘红对CYP3A4的活性有较弱的抑制作用，能够导致CYP3A4底物咪哒唑仑代谢的轻微抑制，而对CYP1A2的活性没有影响。止咳橘红长期使用或超过治疗剂量使用时是否会对CYP3A4产生显著性影响。尚需进一步的研究证明。