;G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise a large superfamily of target proteins (nearly 800 different human genes encode for GPCRs) and each of them can adopt functionally distinct conformations. New chemotypes and allosteric modulation, which are the focus of this project, will facilitate the development of novel, highly selective drugs because allosteric sites are significantly less conserved between GPCR subtypes and closely related sub-families and display higher structural variation. The Medicinal Chemistry Core will synthesize new GPCR ligands as reagents to enable new crystal structures, as molecular tools to help deconvolute signaling pathways, and as innovative lead compounds. This core aims to provide such optimized molecules, working intimately with all three ofthe Projects. Collaborating with Project 3, the working plan ofthe Medicinal Chemistry Core includes the development of covalent agonists to facilitate high-resolution, active state structures ofthe M2 and MS muscarinic receptors and the synthesis of heavy atom-substituted ligands for structures of muscarinic receptors bound to allosteric modulators. To evaluate effect of allosteric ligands on binding kinetics of purified GPCRs (Project 2), fluorophore-labeled M2 and MS receptor antagonist and agonists will be developed. In the field of ligand discovery and optimization, the Medicinal Chemistry Core will work intimately with Project 1 to optimize new chemotypes identified from library docking campaigns and to develop high affinity allosteric ligands from docking hits, which must be improved by at least two order of magnitude in affinity to become valuable tools and lead compounds for drug discovery. The Medicinal Chemistry Core essentially contributes to the larger project?combining GPCR crystal structure determination with sophisticated new biophysical assays with molecular docking campaigns for new chemotypes.

Public Health Relevance

The Medicinal Chemistry Core will be crucial for the progression of effective and selective allosteric GPCR modulators, which is the long-term goal of this interdisciplinary project. Not only do we expect useful reagents, and occasionally therapeutic leads, to emerge from this program, but also integrated strategies for pragmatic optimization .

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Program--Cooperative Agreements (U19)
Project #
5U19GM106990-02
Application #
8731957
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BST-J)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2014-06-01
Budget End
2015-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$141,751
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Type
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Korczynska, Magdalena; Clark, Mary J; Valant, Celine et al. (2018) Structure-based discovery of selective positive allosteric modulators of antagonists for the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:E2419-E2428
Liu, Xiangyu; Ahn, Seungkirl; Kahsai, Alem W et al. (2017) Mechanism of intracellular allosteric ?2AR antagonist revealed by X-ray crystal structure. Nature 548:480-484
Fish, Inbar; Stößel, Anne; Eitel, Katrin et al. (2017) Structure-Based Design and Discovery of New M2 Receptor Agonists. J Med Chem 60:9239-9250
Stößel, Anne; Brox, Regine; Purkayastha, Nirupam et al. (2017) Development of molecular tools based on the dopamine D3 receptor ligand FAUC 329 showing inhibiting effects on drug and food maintained behavior. Bioorg Med Chem 25:3491-3499
Brea, Roberto J; Cole, Christian M; Lyda, Brent R et al. (2017) In Situ Reconstitution of the Adenosine A2A Receptor in Spontaneously Formed Synthetic Liposomes. J Am Chem Soc 139:3607-3610
Manglik, Aashish; Lin, Henry; Aryal, Dipendra K et al. (2016) Structure-based discovery of opioid analgesics with reduced side effects. Nature 537:185-190
DeVree, Brian T; Mahoney, Jacob P; Vélez-Ruiz, Gisselle A et al. (2016) Allosteric coupling from G protein to the agonist-binding pocket in GPCRs. Nature 535:182-6
Thal, David M; Sun, Bingfa; Feng, Dan et al. (2016) Crystal structures of the M1 and M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Nature 531:335-40
Mahoney, Jacob P; Sunahara, Roger K (2016) Mechanistic insights into GPCR-G protein interactions. Curr Opin Struct Biol 41:247-254
Kruse, Andrew C; Hu, Jianxin; Kobilka, Brian K et al. (2014) Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor X-ray structures: potential implications for drug development. Curr Opin Pharmacol 16:24-30

Showing the most recent 10 out of 15 publications