Agouti-related protein (AGRP) and agouti (ASP) are the only two naturally occurring antagonists of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) identified to date, and when over expressed in mice, result in an obese phenotype. Obesity (body mass index >25) afflicts millions of people in the United States and other countries, and is a major risk factor for heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, stroke and hypertension. In industrialized countries, the problem of obesity is compounded by overeating, a high fat content diet, and a lack of exercise. The last few years have seen the characterization of over 30 pathways that have been identified to participate in and regulate feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. The melanocortin pathway includes the melanocortin agonists, derived from the preprohormone proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene transcript, the five melanocortin receptors identified to date (MC1R-MC5R), and the only 2 naturally occurring antagonists of GPCRs, agouti (ASP) and agouti-related protein (AGRP). Four melanocortin genetic factors expressed in neurons (POMC, AGRP, MC3R, and MC4R) have been identified as being involved in energy homeostasis. AGRP is a competitive antagonist at the MC3R and MC4R as well as an inverse agonist at the MC4R. An AGRP polymorphism has been identified in humans diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, linking AGRP with a human physiological disease state. These data support the hypothesis that AGRP is involved in the regulation of melanocortin receptor mediated neuropharmacology.
The aims of the current application are to a) design and synthesize ligands with increased receptor subtype potency and/or selectivity, b) identify putative ligand-receptor interactions for the rational design of potential therapeutic molecules, and c) study selected molecules in mice. To achieve these objectives, we will use peptide design, combinatorial libraries, and GPCR mutagenesis strategies. Additionally, biophysical techniques [2D 1H NMR and computer assisted molecular modeling (CAMM)] will also be used and selected compounds will be administered into the brain and periphery of wild type and MC4R knock out mice to study physiological changes.

Public Health Relevance

Obesity is a complex disease and is a risk factor for several other associated diseases. The melanocortin pathway has been identified in mice and humans, to regulate obesity. This research project proposes to generate knowledge for the rational design of molecules as potential therapeutic agents to prevent or treat the diseases associated with over or under eating.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK064250-09
Application #
8323347
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MNPS-C (09))
Program Officer
Pawlyk, Aaron
Project Start
2011-08-01
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2012-08-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$313,894
Indirect Cost
$99,468
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Ericson, Mark D; Singh, Anamika; Tala, Srinivasa R et al. (2018) Human ?-Defensin 1 and ?-Defensin 3 (Mouse Ortholog mBD14) Function as Full Endogenous Agonists at Select Melanocortin Receptors. J Med Chem 61:3738-3744
Ericson, Mark D; Wilczynski, Andrzej; Sorensen, Nicholas B et al. (2015) Discovery of a ?-Hairpin Octapeptide, c[Pro-Arg-Phe-Phe-Dap-Ala-Phe-DPro], Mimetic of Agouti-Related Protein(87-132) [AGRP(87-132)] with Equipotent Mouse Melanocortin-4 Receptor (mMC4R) Antagonist Pharmacology. J Med Chem 58:4638-47
Singh, Anamika; Dirain, Marvin L; Wilczynski, Andrzej et al. (2014) Synthesis, biophysical, and pharmacological evaluation of the melanocortin agonist AST3-88: modifications of peptide backbone at Trp 7 position lead to a potent, selective, and stable ligand of the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R). ACS Chem Neurosci 5:1020-31
Haslach, Erica M; Huang, Huisuo; Dirain, Marvin et al. (2014) Identification of tetrapeptides from a mixture based positional scanning library that can restore nM full agonist function of the L106P, I69T, I102S, A219V, C271Y, and C271R human melanocortin-4 polymorphic receptors (hMC4Rs). J Med Chem 57:4615-28
Singh, Anamika; Dirain, Marvin; Witek, Rachel et al. (2013) Structure-activity relationships of peptides incorporating a bioactive reverse-turn heterocycle at the melanocortin receptors: identification of a 5800-fold mouse melanocortin-3 receptor (mMC3R) selective antagonist/partial agonist versus the mouse melano J Med Chem 56:2747-63
Irani, Boman G; Xiang, Zhimin; Yarandi, Hossein N et al. (2011) Implication of the melanocortin-3 receptor in the regulation of food intake. Eur J Pharmacol 660:80-7
Singh, Anamika; Wilczynski, Andrzej; Holder, Jerry R et al. (2011) Incorporation of a bioactive reverse-turn heterocycle into a peptide template using solid-phase synthesis to probe melanocortin receptor selectivity and ligand conformations by 2D 1H NMR. J Med Chem 54:1379-90
Xiang, Zhimin; Proneth, Bettina; Dirain, Marvin L et al. (2010) Pharmacological characterization of 30 human melanocortin-4 receptor polymorphisms with the endogenous proopiomelanocortin-derived agonists, synthetic agonists, and the endogenous agouti-related protein antagonist. Biochemistry 49:4583-600
Singh, Anamika; Haslach, Erica M; Haskell-Luevano, Carrie (2010) Structure-activity relationships (SAR) of melanocortin and agouti-related (AGRP) peptides. Adv Exp Med Biol 681:1-18
Schaub, Jay W; Bruce, Erin B; Haskell-Luevano, Carrie (2010) Drugs, exercise, and the melanocortin-4 receptor-- different means, same ends: treating obesity. Adv Exp Med Biol 681:49-60

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