Titel
Nature-inspired dimerization as a strategy to modulate neuropeptide pharmacology exemplified with vasopressin and oxytocin
Autor*in
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Abstract
Vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) are cyclic neuropeptides that regulate fundamental physiological functions via four G protein-coupled receptors, V1aR, V1bR, V2R, and OTR. Ligand development remains challenging for these receptors due to complex structure–activity relationships. Here, we investigated dimerization as a strategy for developing ligands with novel pharmacology. We regioselectively synthesised and systematically studied parallel, antiparallel and N- to C-terminal cyclized homo- and heterodimer constructs of VP, OT and dVDAVP (1-deamino-4-valine-8-D-arginine-VP). All disulfide-linked dimers, except for the head-to-tail cyclized constructs, retained nanomolar potency despite the structural implications of dimerization. Our results support a single chain interaction for receptor activation. Dimer orientation had little impact on activity, except for the dVDAVP homodimers, where an antagonist to agonist switch was observed at the V1aR. This study provides novel insights into the structural requirements of VP/OT receptor activation and spotlights dimerization as a strategy to modulate pharmacology, a concept also frequently observed in nature.
Stichwort
General Chemistry
Objekt-Typ
Sprache
Englisch [eng]
Persistent identifier
Erschienen in
Titel
Chemical Science
Band
12
Ausgabe
11
ISSN
2041-6520
Erscheinungsdatum
2021
Seitenanfang
4057
Seitenende
4062
Publication
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Erscheinungsdatum
2021
Zugänglichkeit
Rechte
Rechteangabe
© 2021 The Author(s)
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