Guangcheng Jiang

Synthesis and Pharmacological Characterization of Novel Glucagon-like Peptide-2 (GLP-2) Analogues with Low Systemic Clearance

Glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor agonists have therapeutic potential for the treatment of intestinal diseases. The native hGLP-2, a 33 amino acid gastrointestinal peptide, is not a suitable clinical candidate, due to its very short half-life in humans. In search of GLP-2 receptor agonists with better pharmacokinetic characteristics, a series of GLP-2 analogues containing Gly substitution at position 2, norleucine in position 10, and hydrophobic substitutions in positions 11 and/or 16 was designed and synthesized. In vitro receptor potency at the human GLP-2, selectivity vs the human GLP-1 and GCG receptors, and PK profile in rats were determined for the new analogues. A number of compounds more potent at the hGLP-2R than the native hormone, showing excellent receptor selectivity and very low systemic clearance (CL) were discovered. Analogues 69 ([Gly(2),Nle(10),D-Thi(11),Phe(16)]hGLP-2-(1-30)-NH2), 72 ([Gly(2),Nle(10),D-Phe(11),Leu(16)]hGLP-2-(1-33)-OH), 73 ([Gly(2),Nle(10),D-Phe(11),Leu(16)]hGLP-2-(1-33)-NH2), 81 ([Gly(2),Nle(10),D-Phe(11),Leu(16)]hGLP-2-(1-33)-NHEt), and 85 ([Gly(2),Nle(10),D-Phe(11),Leu(16)]hGLP-2-(1-33)-NH-((CH2)2O)4-(CH2)2-CONH2) displayed the desired profiles (EC50 (hGLP-2R) < 100 pM, CL in rat <0.3 mL/min/kg, selective vs hGLP-1R and hGCGR). Compound 73 (FE 203799) was selected as a candidate for clinical development.

Characterization of Betidamino Acid-Containing Somatostatin and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogs with Electrospray Mass Spectrometry and Tandem Mass Spectrometry

We report the electrospray mass spectra and tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra of a series of chemically-stable somatostatin (SRIF) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs which incorporate acylated or alkylated/acylated aminoglycine residues (betidamino acids) into their structure. In the case of SRIF, we compare the betidamino acid-containing analogs with the equivalent peptide without the betide-type linkage. We observe significant differences in the fragmentation patterns of each class of compound. We extend this study by comparing a variety of different betidamino acid-containing GnRH analogs to investigate the effects of different acyl groups, chirality and methylation of the side-chain nitrogen of amino glycine on the gas-phase stability of these protonated peptide molecules.