Expanding Structure-Activity Relationships of Human Urotensin II Peptide Analogues: A Proposed Key Role of the N-Terminal Region for Novel Urotensin II Receptor Modulators

J Med Chem. 2024 Aug 22;67(16):13879-13890. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00688. Epub 2024 Aug 3.

Abstract

While the urotensinergic system plays a role in influencing various pathologies, its potential remains untapped because of the absence of therapeutically effective urotensin II receptor (UTR) modulators. Herein, we developed analogues of human urotensin II (hU-II) peptide in which, along with well-known antagonist-oriented modifications, the Glu1 residue was subjected to single-point mutations. The generated library was tested by a calcium mobilization assay and ex vivo experiments, also in competition with selected ligands. Interestingly, many derivatives showed noncompetitive modulation that was rationalized by the lateral allostery concept applied to a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) multimeric model. UPG-108 showed an unprecedented ability to double the efficacy of hU-II, while UPG-109 and UPG-111 turned out to be negative allosteric modulators of UTR. Overall, our investigation will serve to explore and highlight the expanding possibilities of modulating the UTR system through N-terminally modified hU-II analogues and, furthermore, will aim to elucidate the intricate nature of such a GPCR system.

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation / drug effects
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetulus
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / agonists
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Urotensins* / chemistry
  • Urotensins* / metabolism
  • Urotensins* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Urotensins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • urotensin II
  • UTS2R protein, human