Mario Guzzi

[D-Trp34] neuropeptide Y is a potent and selective neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor agonist with dramatic effects on food intake☆

The neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y(5) receptor has been proposed to mediate several physiological effects of NPY, including the potent orexigenic activity of the peptide. However, the lack of selective NPY Y(5) receptor ligands limits the characterization of the physiological roles of this receptor. Screening of several analogs of NPY revealed that [D-Trp(34)]NPY is a potent and selective NPY Y(5) receptor agonist. Unlike the prototype selective NPY Y(5) receptor agonist [D-Trp(32)]NPY, [D-Trp(34)]NPY markedly increases food intake in rats, an effect that is blocked by the selective NPY Y(5) receptor antagonist CGP 71683A. These data demonstrate that [D-Trp(34)]NPY is a useful tool for studies aimed at determining the physiological roles of the NPY Y(5) receptor.

Comparison of the V1b antagonist, SSR149415, and the CRF1 antagonist, CP-154,526, in rodent models of anxiety and depression

Vasopressin and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) are both critical regulators of an animals stress response and have been linked to anxiety and depression. As such, antagonists of the CRF1 and V1b receptor subtypes are being developed as potential treatments for affective disorders. The two most characterized V1b and CRF1 antagonists are SSR149415 and CP-154,526, respectively, and the present studies were designed to compare these two compounds in acute animal models of affective disorders. We employed five anxiety models: Separation-induced pup vocalizations (guinea pig and rat), elevated plus-maze (EPM), conditioned lick suppression (CLS), and marble burying (mouse); as well as three depression models: forced swim test (FST; mouse and rat) and tail suspension test (TST; mouse). SSR149415 (1-30 mg/kg) was active in the vocalization, EPM and CLS models, but inactive in marble burying. CP-154,526 (1-30 mg/kg) was active in vocalization models, but inactive in EPM, CLS, and marble burying. SSR149415 was inactive in all depression models; CP-154,526 was active in rat FST but inactive in mouse models. This work demonstrates the different profiles of V1b and CRF1 receptor antagonists and supports both approaches in the treatment of affective disorders.

Genomic organization and functional characterization of the mouse GalR1 galanin receptor.

Galanin mediates diverse physiological functions in digestive, endocrine, and central nervous systems through G‐protein‐coupled receptors. Two galanin receptors have been cloned but the gene structures are unknown. We report genomic and cDNA cloning of the mouse GalR1 galanin receptor and demonstrate that the coding sequence is uniquely divided into three exons encoding the N‐terminal portion through the fifth transmebrane domain, the third intracellular loop, and the sixth transmembrane domain through the C‐terminus. Functional analysis of the encoded cDNA revealed active ligand binding and intracellular signaling. The expression is detected in brain, spinal cord, heart and skeletal muscle.

Pharmacological characterization of the cloned neuropeptide Y y6 receptor

Neuropeptide Y has potent appetite stimulating effects which are mediated by hypothalamic receptors believed to be of the neuropeptide Y Y(1) and/or neuropeptide Y Y(5) subtype. In mice, the neuropeptide Y y(6) receptor is also expressed in the hypothalamus, suggesting that it too may function as a feeding receptor in this species. Several laboratories have studied the pharmacology of the neuropeptide Y y(6) receptor, but their results are not in agreement. Using neuropeptide Y and a variety of peptide analogs and small molecule antagonists, we have determined that the pharmacology of the cloned mouse neuropeptide Y y(6) receptor is distinct from that of the other known neuropeptide Y receptors. The rank order of binding affinity for the mouse neuropeptide Y y(6) receptor is [(Ile, Glu,Pro,Dpr,Tyr,Arg,Leu,Arg,Tyr-NH(2))(2)human peptide YY=human, rat neuropeptide Y=human, rat neuropeptide Y-(2-36)=human, rat [Leu(31), Pro(34)porcine (Cys(2))-neuropeptide Y-(1-4)-8-aminooctanoyl-(D-Cys(27)porcine [D-Trp(32)rat pancreatic polypeptide=human pancreatic polypeptide. A similar rank order of potency is seen for inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP. The neuropeptide Y Y(5) receptor antagonist trans-naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid ¿4-[4-amino-quinazolin-2-ylamino)-methyl]-cyclohexylmethy l¿-amide hydrochloride (CGP 71683A) and the neuropeptide Y Y(1) receptor antagonist ((R)-N(2)-diphenylacetyl)-N-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-argininam ide) (BIBP3226) bind weakly to the neuropeptide Y y(6) receptor (K(i)10, 000 nM, respectively). Although the function of the neuropeptide Y y(6) receptor remains to be elucidated, its pharmacology is not consistent with a role in appetite regulation.

Tetrahydroquinoline sulfonamides as vasopressin 1b receptor anatgonists

Vasopressin 1b (V1b) antagonists have been postulated as possible treatments for depression and anxiety. A novel series of potent and selective V1b antagonists has been identified starting from an in-house screen hit. The incorporation of a sulfonamide linker between a tetrahydroisoquinoline core and amino piperidine lead to the identification of a V1b antagonist with similar affinity for human and rat receptors. Further optimization of the right hand portion afforded potent V1b antagonists that possessed moderate to high selectivity over other receptors.

Discovery and SAR of cyclic isothioureas as novel NPY Y1 receptor antagonists

A class of novel 2-aminobenzothiazoles have been identified as NPY Y(1) antagonists. Various N-heterocyclic substituted aminophenethyl-2-aminobenzothiazole analogs were synthesized to explore the SAR. Isothiourea analogs and ligands with high potency (K(i) 30 nM) have been identified.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 Receptor Antagonists

Neuropeptide Y(NPY), a 36-residue peptide amide isolated originally from porcine brain, exhibits a wide spectrum of central and peripheral activities mediated by at least six receptor subtypes denoted as Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 [1]. Investigations to date have implicated NPY in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases including feeding disorders, seizures, anxiety, hypertension and diabetes. To aid in the determination of the receptor subtype(s) mediating these effects of NPY, efforts have been made to develop highly potent and selective ligands for various NPY receptors. One of these compounds, GR231118, exhibited subnanomolar affinity to Y1 receptors [2], and has therefore been widely used in defining the role and distribution of Yl receptors. However, our recent investigations revealed that both GR231118 and its parent compound, BW1911U90, exhibit potent agonist activity at the Y4 receptors [3]. This paper describes the SAR studies with BW1911U90 that have resulted in the development of a series of potent and selective Y1 receptor antagonists.