Stephen P. Andrews

Discovery of 1,2,4-Triazine Derivatives as Adenosine A(2A) Antagonists using Structure Based Drug Design

Potent, ligand efficient, selective, and orally efficacious 1,2,4-triazine derivatives have been identified using structure based drug design approaches as antagonists of the adenosine A2A receptor. The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 4e and 4g bound to the GPCR illustrate that the molecules bind deeply inside the orthosteric binding cavity. In vivo pharmacokinetic and efficacy data for compound 4k are presented, demonstrating the potential of this series of compounds for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Identification of novel adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonists by virtual screening.

Virtual screening was performed against experimentally enabled homology models of the adenosine A2A receptor, identifying a diverse range of ligand efficient antagonists (hit rate 9%). By use of ligand docking and Biophysical Mapping (BPM), hits 1 and 5 were optimized to potent and selective lead molecules (11–13 from 5, pKI = 7.5–8.5, 13- to >100-fold selective versus adenosine A1; 14–16 from 1, pKI = 7.9–9.0, 19- to 59-fold selective).

Biophysical Mapping of the Adenosine A2A Receptor

A new approach to generating information on ligand receptor interactions within the binding pocket of G protein-coupled receptors has been developed, called Biophysical Mapping (BPM). Starting from a stabilized receptor (StaR), minimally engineered for thermostability, additional single mutations are then added at positions that could be involved in small molecule interactions. The StaR and a panel of binding site mutants are captured onto Biacore chips to enable characterization of the binding of small molecule ligands using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurement. A matrix of binding data for a set of ligands versus each active site mutation is then generated, providing specific affinity and kinetic information (KD, kon, and koff) of receptor–ligand interactions. This data set, in combination with molecular modeling and docking, is used to map the small molecule binding site for each class of compounds. Taken together, the many constraints provided by these data identify key protein–ligand interactions and allow the shape of the site to be refined to produce a high quality three-dimensional picture of ligand binding, thereby facilitating structure based drug design. Results of biophysical mapping of the adenosine A2A receptor are presented.

Extra-helical binding site of a glucagon receptor antagonist.

Glucagon is a 29-amino-acid peptide released from the α-cells of the islet of Langerhans, which has a key role in glucose homeostasis. Glucagon action is transduced by the class B G-protein-coupled glucagon receptor (GCGR), which is located on liver, kidney, intestinal smooth muscle, brain, adipose tissue, heart and pancreas cells, and this receptor has been considered an important drug target in the treatment of diabetes. Administration of recently identified small-molecule GCGR antagonists in patients with type 2 diabetes results in a substantial reduction of fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations. Although an X-ray structure of the transmembrane domain of the GCGR has previously been solved, the ligand (NNC0640) was not resolved. Here we report the 2.5 Å structure of human GCGR in complex with the antagonist MK-0893 (ref. 4), which is found to bind to an allosteric site outside the seven transmembrane (7TM) helical bundle in a position between TM6 and TM7 extending into the lipid bilayer. Mutagenesis of key residues identified in the X-ray structure confirms their role in the binding of MK-0893 to the receptor. The unexpected position of the binding site for MK-0893, which is structurally similar to other GCGR antagonists, suggests that glucagon activation of the receptor is prevented by restriction of the outward helical movement of TM6 required for G-protein coupling. Structural knowledge of class B receptors is limited, with only one other ligand-binding site defined—for the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRF1R)—which was located deep within the 7TM bundle. We describe a completely novel allosteric binding site for class B receptors, providing an opportunity for structure-based drug design for this receptor class and furthering our understanding of the mechanisms of activation of these receptors.

Structure‐Based and Fragment‐Based GPCR Drug Discovery

G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an important family of membrane proteins; historically, drug discovery in this target class has been fruitful, with many of the world’s top‐selling drugs being GPCR modulators. Until recently, the modern techniques of structure‐ and fragment‐based drug discovery had not been fully applied to GPCRs, primarily because of the instability of these proteins when isolated from their cell membrane environments. Recent advances in receptor stabilisation have facilitated major advances in GPCR structural biology over the past six years, with 21 new receptor targets successfully crystallised with one or more ligands. The dramatic increase in GPCR structural information has yielded an increased use of structure‐based methods for hit identification and progression, which are reviewed herein. Additionally, a number of fragment‐based drug discovery techniques have been validated for use with GPCRs in recent years; these approaches and their use in hit identification are reviewed.

Crystal structure of the GLP-1 receptor bound to a peptide agonist

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) regulates glucose homeostasis through the control of insulin release from the pancreas. GLP-1 peptide agonists are efficacious drugs for the treatment of diabetes. To gain insight into the molecular mechanism of action of GLP-1 peptides, here we report the crystal structure of the full-length GLP-1 receptor bound to a truncated peptide agonist. The peptide agonist retains an α-helical conformation as it sits deep within the receptor-binding pocket. The arrangement of the transmembrane helices reveals hallmarks of an active conformation similar to that observed in class A receptors. Guided by this structural information, we design peptide agonists with potent in vivo activity in a mouse model of diabetes.

Structurally Enabled Discovery of Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonists

Over the past decade there has been a revolution in the field of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structural biology. Many years of innovative research from different areas have come together to fuel this significant change in the fortunes of this field, which for many years was characterized by the paucity of high-resolution structures. The determination to succeed has been in part due to the recognized importance of these proteins as drug targets, and although the pharmaceutical industry has been focusing on these receptors, it can be justifiably argued and demonstrated that many of the approved and commercially successful GPCR drugs can be significantly improved to increase efficacy and/or reduce undesired side effects. In addition, many validated targets in this class remain to be drugged. It is widely recognized that application of structure-based drug design approaches can help medicinal chemists a long way toward discovering better drugs. The achievement of structural biologists in providing high-resolution insight is beginning to transform drug discovery efforts, and there are a number of GPCR drugs that have been discovered by use of structural information that are in clinical development. This review aims to highlight the key developments that have brought success to GPCR structure resolution efforts and exemplify the practical application of structural information for the discovery of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists that have potential to treat multiple conditions.

Stabilised G protein-coupled receptors in structure-based drug design: a case study with adenosine A2A receptor

Significant progress has been made with stabilising G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in recent years, and this has enabled the structures of several members of this important target class to be solved by X-ray crystallography. High resolution structural data is improving our understanding of GPCR activation and function, and is beginning to impact the drug discovery community. StaR® proteins are GPCRs which have been minimally engineered to impart thermostability. StaRs® are stable in detergent micelles and are suitable reagents for use with X-ray crystallography, biophysical screening techniques and fragment screening. This article reviews the role that StaRs® can play in the identification and optimisation of novel ligands for GPCRs by examining a specific case in which a preclinical candidate for the treatment of Parkinsons disease was developed. Compound 13 was identified following the virtual screening of experimentally enabled homology models of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) and was subsequently optimised using the structural insight provided by X-ray crystallography and Biophysical Mapping of closely related molecules. Compound 19 is an exemplar from this chemical series which displays low molecular weight and high oral bioavailability; it has a good pharmacokinetic profile and is highly efficacious in preclinical models of Parkinsons disease.

Small Molecule CXCR3 Antagonists.

Chemokines and their receptors are known to play important roles in disease. More than 40 chemokine ligands and 20 chemokine receptors have been identified, but, to date, only two small molecule chemokine receptor antagonists have been approved by the FDA. The chemokine receptor CXCR3 was identified in 1996, and nearly 20 years later, new areas of CXCR3 disease biology continue to emerge. Several classes of small molecule CXCR3 antagonists have been developed, and two have shown efficacy in preclinical models of inflammatory disease. However, only one CXCR3 antagonist has been evaluated in clinical trials, and there remain many opportunities to further investigate known classes of CXCR3 antagonists and to identify new chemotypes. This Perspective reviews the known CXCR3 antagonists and considers future opportunities for the development of small molecules for clinical evaluation.

Structure-based drug design of chromone antagonists of the adenosine A2A receptor

The structure-guided optimisation of a hit series of chromone derivatives, previously identified using virtual screening of homology models of the adenosine A2A receptor, has led to the discovery of potent, selective and ligand efficient antagonists. Lipophilic hotspots and calculated water networks were modelled within the receptor binding site to facilitate rational ligand design.