Michael S. Bernatowicz

Eleven Amino Acid Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists with Antidiabetic Activity

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a 30 or 31 amino acid peptide hormone that contributes to the physiological regulation of glucose homeostasis and food intake. Herein, we report the discovery of a novel class of 11 amino acid GLP-1 receptor agonists. These peptides consist of a structurally optimized 9-mer, which is closely related to the N-terminal 9 amino acids of GLP-1, linked to a substituted C-terminal biphenylalanine (BIP) dipeptide. SAR studies resulted in 11-mer GLP-1R agonists with similar in vitro potency to the native 30-mer. Peptides 21 and 22 acutely reduced plasma glucose excursions and increased plasma insulin concentrations in a mouse model of diabetes. These peptides also showed sustained exposures over several hours in mouse and dog models. The described 11-mer GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a new tool in further understanding GLP-1 receptor pharmacology that may lead to novel antidiabetic agents.

Synthesis of A 3-oxo-4(S)-amino acid analog of pepstatin. A new inhibitor of carboxyl (acid) proteases

Abstract A ketone analog of pepstatin, in which the 3S hydroxyl group is oxidized to a ketone group, has been synthesized and shown to be a potent inhibitor of pepsin. Kinetics of inhibition of pepsin provide evidence that the ketone pepstatin analog binds to pepsin differently than pepstatin. The relationship of these complexes to crystal complexes of pepstatin-carboxyl proteases is discussed.