Eberhard Heller

Dualsteric GPCR targeting: a novel route to binding and signaling pathway selectivity

Selective modulation of cell function by G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) activation is highly desirable for basic research and therapy but difficult to achieve. We present a novel strategy toward this goal using muscarinic acetylcholine receptors as a model. The five subtypes bind their physiological transmitter in the highly conserved orthosteric site within the transmembrane domains of the receptors. Orthosteric muscarinic activators have no binding selectivity and poor signaling specificity. There is a less well conserved allosteric site at the extracellular entrance of the binding pocket. To gain subtype‐selective receptor activation, we synthesized two hybrids fusing a highly potent oxotremorine‐like orthosteric activator with M2‐selective bis(ammonio)alkane‐type allosteric fragments. Radioligand binding in wild‐type and mutant receptors supplemented by receptor docking simulations proved M2 selective and true allosteric/orthosteric binding. G protein activation measurements using orthosteric and allosteric blockers identified the orthosteric part of the hybrid to engender receptor activation. Hybrid‐induced dynamic mass redistribution in CHO‐hM2 cells disclosed pathway‐specific signaling. Selective receptor activation (M2>M1>M3) was verified in living tissue preparations. As allosteric sites are increasingly recognized on GPCRs, the dualsteric concept of GPCR targeting represents a new avenue toward potent agonists for selective receptor and signaling pathway activation.— Antony, J., Kellershohn, K., Mohr‐Andrä, M., Kebig, A., Prilla, S., Muth, M., Heller, E., Disingrini, T., Dallanoce, C., Bertoni, S., Schrobang, J., Tränkle, C., Kostenis, E., Christopoulos, A., Höltje, H.‐D., Barocelli, E., De Amici, M., Holzgrabe, U., Mohr, K. Dualsteric GPCR targeting: a novel route to binding and signaling pathway selectivity. FASEB J. 23, 442–450 (2009)

Allosteric Small Molecules Unveil a Role of an Extracellular E2/Transmembrane Helix 7 Junction for G Protein-coupled Receptor Activation

G protein-coupled receptors represent the largest superfamily of cell membrane-spanning receptors. We used allosteric small molecules as a novel approach to better understand conformational changes underlying the inactive-to-active switch in native receptors. Allosteric molecules bind outside the orthosteric area for the endogenous receptor activator. The human muscarinic M2 acetylcholine receptor is prototypal for the study of allosteric interactions. We measured receptor-mediated G protein activation, applied a series of structurally diverse muscarinic allosteric agents, and analyzed their cooperative effects with orthosteric receptor agonists. A strong negative cooperativity of receptor binding was observed with acetylcholine and other full agonists, whereas a pronounced negative cooperativity of receptor activation was observed with the partial agonist pilocarpine. Applying a newly synthesized allosteric tool, point mutated receptors, radioligand binding, and a three-dimensional receptor model, we found that the deviating allosteric/orthosteric interactions are mediated through the core region of the allosteric site. A key epitope is M2Trp422 in position 7.35 that is located at the extracellular top of transmembrane helix 7 and that contacts, in the inactive receptor, the extracellular loop E2. Trp 7.35 is critically involved in the divergent allosteric/orthosteric cooperativities with acetylcholine and pilocarpine, respectively. In the absence of allosteric agents, Trp 7.35 is essential for receptor binding of the full agonist and for receptor activation by the partial agonist. This study provides first evidence for a role of an allosteric E2/transmembrane helix 7 contact region for muscarinic receptor activation by orthosteric agonists.

A new synthetic route to compounds of the AFDX-type with affinity to muscarinic M2-receptor

Abstract [3-(1,3-Dioxo-1,3-dihydroisoindol-2-yl)-propyl]dimethyl-{6-[(1-{2-[(6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-benzo[ e ]pyrido[3,2- b ][1,4]diazepine-11-carbonyl)amino]ethyl}piperidin-2-yl-methyl)-propylamino]hexyl}ammonium bromide a hybride containing a fragment of the antagonist of muscarinic receptor AFDX-384 and a W84 moiety known as allosteric modulator of antagonist binding, was synthesized in a divergent synthesis starting from pipecolic acid, phthalic anhydride and 3-amino-2-chloropyridine. This new microwave assisted route is very convenient and allows to modify the piperidine ring, the benzodiazepine system, the phthalimide moiety and the chains connecting the ring systems. Yields and reproducibility were satisfying.

Structure–Activity Relationships of Strychnine Analogs at Glycine Receptors

Nine strychnine derivatives including neostrychnine, strychnidine, isostrychnine, 21,22‐dihydro‐21‐hydroxy‐22‐oxo‐strychnine, and several hydrogenated analogs were synthesized, and their antagonistic activities at human α1 and α1β glycine receptors were evaluated. Isostrychnine has shown the best pharmacological profile exhibiting an IC50 value of 1.6 μM at α1 glycine receptors and 3.7‐fold preference towards the α1 subtype. SAR Analysis indicates that the lactam moiety and the C(21)C(22) bond in strychnine are essential structural features for its high antagonistic potency at glycine receptors

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry of N-glycans derivatized with isonicotinic hydrazide and its biotinylated form

RATIONALE Successful structural characterization of glycans often requires derivatization prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Here we report on a new derivatization reagent for glycans, biotinylated isonicotinic hydrazide, allowing glycan analysis by both mass spectrometry (MS) and biochemically. Fragmentation behavior in MS and its use in structural elucidation were investigated and compared with other labels. METHODS Glycans, released from ribonuclease B and ovalbumin, were derivatized with hydrazine labels (isoniazid (INH), biotinylated isonicotinic hydrazide (BINH) and biotinamidocaproylhydrazide (BACH)). In addition, native counterparts and 2-aminobenzamide (2-AB) derivatives were prepared. Comparative matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight (MALDI TOF/TOF) experiments were carried out to investigate the fragmentation pattern of the derivatives. Finally, the capability of BINH derivatives to bind lectins was explored. RESULTS Generally, derivatization provided beneficial enhancement in the mass spectrometric signal intensity as compared to native counterparts. The mass spectrometric fragmentation varied with the kind of label used. The most significant structure-revealing ions (cross-ring cleavages) were observed in the spectra of BINH derivatives, whereas mainly glycosidic cleavages were found with native form of glycans and 2-AB derivatives. CONCLUSIONS Hydrazine derivatization provided the means to obtain structurally informative fragment ions. Due to BINH derivatization, specific fragments of the isomers allowed the identification of diverse glycans. The derivatization reaction can be carried out without the need for purification. The biotin residue of BINH enabled for biochemical studies, i.e. protein-glycan interactions.

Comparison of Conventional and Microwave Assisted Reactions Giving Aromatic Oxazolidines

Summary. By reaction of aromatic aldehydes with (-)-ephedrine aromatic 1,3-oxazolidines can be obtained. The reaction was carried out either at conventional conditions or by microwave heating. The different diastereomeric ratios were determined by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy.