Identification of Tetrapeptides from a Mixture Based Positional Scanning Library That Can Restore nM Full Agonist Function of the L106P, I69T, I102S, A219V, C271Y, and C271R Human Melanocortin-4 Polymorphic Receptors (hMC4Rs)

Human obesity has been linked to genetic factors and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) SNPs have been associated with up to 6% frequency in morbidly obese children and adults. A potential therapy for individuals possessing such genetic modifications is the identification of molecules that can restore proper receptor signaling and function. These compounds could serve as personalized medications improving quality of life issues as well as alleviating diseases symptoms associated with obesity including type 2 diabetes. Several hMC4 SNP receptors have been pharmacologically characterized in vitro to have a decreased, or a lack of response, to endogenous agonists such as α-, β-, and γ2-melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSH) and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). Herein we report the use of a mixture based positional scanning combinatorial tetrapeptide library to discover molecules with nM full agonist potency and efficacy to the L106P, I69T, I102S, A219V, C271Y, and C271R hMC4Rs. The most potent compounds at all these hMC4R SNPs include Ac-His-(pI)DPhe-Tic-(pNO2)DPhe-NH2, Ac-His-(pCl)DPhe-Tic-(pNO2)DPhe-NH2, Ac-His-(pCl)DPhe-Arg-(pI)Phe-NH2, and Ac-Arg-(pCl)DPhe-Tic-(pNO2)DPhe-NH2, revealing new ligand pharmacophore models for melanocortin receptor drug design strategies

Discovery of Nanomolar Melanocortin-3 Receptor (MC3R)-Selective Small Molecule Pyrrolidine Bis-Cyclic Guanidine Agonist Compounds Via a High-Throughput unbiased Screening Campaign

The central melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptors (MC3R, MC4R) are key regulators of body weight and energy homeostasis. Herein, the discovery and characterization of first-in-class small molecule melanocortin agonists with selectivity for the melanocortin-3 receptor over the melanocortin-4 receptor are reported. Identified via unbiased mixture-based high-throughput screening approaches, pharmacological evaluation of these pyrrolidine bis-cyclic guanidines resulted in nanomolar agonist activity at the melanocortin-3 receptor. The pharmacological profiles at the remaining melanocortin receptor subtypes tested indicated similar agonist potencies at both the melanocortin-1 and melanocortin-5 receptors and antagonist or micromolar agonist activities at the melanocortin-4 receptor. This group of small molecules represents a new area of chemical space for the melanocortin receptors with mixed receptor pharmacology profiles that may serve as novel lead compounds to modulate states of dysregulated energy balance

Discovery of Mixed Pharmacology Melanocortin-3 Agonists and Melanocortin-4 Receptor Tetrapeptide Antagonist Compounds (TACOs) Based on the Sequence Ac-Xaa1-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Xaa4-NH2

The centrally expressed melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R/MC4R) have been studied as possible targets for weight management therapies, with a preponderance of studies focusing on the MC4R. Herein, a novel tetrapeptide scaffold [Ac-Xaa1-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Xaa4-NH2] is reported. The scaffold was derived from results obtained from a MC3R mixture-based positional scanning campaign. From these results, a set of 48 tetrapeptides were designed and pharmacologically characterized at the mouse melanocortin-1, -3, -4, and -5 receptors. This resulted in the serendipitous discovery of nine compounds that were MC3R agonists (EC50 \u3c 1000 nM) and MC4R antagonists (5.7 \u3c pA2 \u3c 7.8). The three most potent MC3R agonists, 18 [Ac-Arg-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Tic-NH2], 1 [Ac-His-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Tic-NH2], and 41 [Ac-Arg-Arg-(pI)DPhe-DNal(2′)-NH2] were more potent (EC50 \u3c 73 nM) than the melanocortin tetrapeptide Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2. This template contains a sequentially reversed “Arg-(pI)DPhe” motif with respect to the classical “Phe-Arg” melanocortin signaling motif, which results in pharmacology that is first-in-class for the central melanocortin receptors

Discovery of Mixed Pharmacology Melanocortin-3 Agonists and Melanocortin-4 Receptor Tetrapeptide Antagonist Compounds (TACOs) Based on the Sequence Ac-Xaa

The centrally expressed melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R/MC4R) have been studied as possible targets for weight management therapies, with a preponderance of studies focusing on the MC4R. Herein, a novel tetrapeptide scaffold [Ac-Xaa1-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Xaa4-NH2] is reported. The scaffold was derived from results obtained from a MC3R mixture-based positional scanning campaign. From these results, a set of 48 tetrapeptides were designed and pharmacologically characterized at the mouse melanocortin-1, -3, -4, and -5 receptors. This resulted in the serendipitous discovery of nine compounds that were MC3R agonists (EC50 \u3c 1000 nM) and MC4R antagonists (5.7 \u3c pA2 \u3c 7.8). The three most potent MC3R agonists, 18 [Ac-Arg-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Tic-NH2], 1 [Ac-His-Arg-(pI)DPhe-Tic-NH2], and 41 [Ac-Arg-Arg-(pI)DPhe-DNal(2\u27)-NH2] were more potent (EC50 \u3c 73 nM) than the melanocortin tetrapeptide Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2. This template contains a sequentially reversed Arg-(pI)DPhe motif with respect to the classical Phe-Arg melanocortin signaling motif, which results in pharmacology that is first-in-class for the central melanocortin receptors

Synthesis and biological evaluations of novel endomorphin analogues containing α-hydroxy-β-phenylalanine (AHPBA) displaying mixed μ/δ opioid receptor agonist and δ opioid receptor antagonist activities

A novel series of endomorphin-1 (EM-1) and endomorphin-2 (EM-2) analogues was synthesized, incorporating chiral α-hydroxy-β-phenylalanine (AHPBA), and/or Dmt1-Tic2 at different positions. Pharmacological activity and metabolic stability of the series was assessed. Consistent with earlier studies of β-amino acid substitution into endomorphins, multiple analogues incorporation AHPBA displayed high affinity for μ and δ opioid receptors (MOR and DOR, respectively) in radioligand competition binding assays, and an increased stability in rat brain membrane homogenates, notably Dmt-Tic-(2R,3S)AHPBA-Phe-NH2 (compound 26). Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of 26produced antinociception (ED50 value (and 95% confidence interval) = 1.98 (0.79–4.15) nmol, i.c.v.) in the mouse 55 °C warm-water tail-withdrawal assay, equivalent to morphine (2.35 (1.13–5.03) nmol, i.c.v.), but demonstrated DOR-selective antagonism in addition to non-selective opioid agonism. The antinociception of 26 was without locomotor activity or acute antinociceptivetolerance. This novel class of peptides adds to the potentially therapeutically relevant collection of previously reported EM analogues

Discovery of Mixed Pharmacology Melanocortin‑3 Agonists and Melanocortin‑4 Receptor Tetrapeptide Antagonist Compounds (TACOs) Based on the Sequence Ac-Xaa¹‑Arg-(pI)DPhe-Xaa⁴‑NH₂

The centrally expressed melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R/MC4R) have been studied as possible targets for weight management therapies, with a preponderance of studies focusing on the MC4R. Herein, a novel tetrapeptide scaffold [Ac-Xaa¹-Arg-(pI)­DPhe-Xaa⁴-NH₂] is reported. The scaffold was derived from results obtained from a MC3R mixture-based positional scanning campaign. From these results, a set of 48 tetrapeptides were designed and pharmacologically characterized at the mouse melanocortin-1, -3, -4, and -5 receptors. This resulted in the serendipitous discovery of nine compounds that were MC3R agonists (EC₅₀ < 1000 nM) and MC4R antagonists (5.7 < pA₂ < 7.8). The three most potent MC3R agonists, <b>18</b> [Ac-Arg-Arg-(pI)­DPhe-Tic-NH₂], <b>1</b> [Ac-His-Arg-(pI)­DPhe-Tic-NH₂], and <b>41</b> [Ac-Arg-Arg-(pI)­DPhe-DNal(2′)-NH₂] were more potent (EC₅₀ < 73 nM) than the melanocortin tetrapeptide Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH₂. This template contains a sequentially reversed “Arg-(pI)­DPhe” motif with respect to the classical “Phe-Arg” melanocortin signaling motif, which results in pharmacology that is first-in-class for the central melanocortin receptors