Discovery of an Orally Efficacious Positive Allosteric Modulator of the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor

J Med Chem. 2021 Mar 25;64(6):3439-3448. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00029. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Abstract

The identification of LSN3318839, a positive allosteric modulator of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), is described. LSN3318839 increases the potency and efficacy of the weak metabolite GLP-1(9-36)NH2 to become a full agonist at the GLP-1R and modestly potentiates the activity of the highly potent full-length ligand, GLP-1(7-36)NH2. LSN3318839 preferentially enhances G protein-coupled signaling by the GLP-1R over β-arrestin recruitment. Ex vivo experiments show that the combination of GLP-1(9-36)NH2 and LSN3318839 produces glucose-dependent insulin secretion similar to that of GLP-1(7-36)NH2. Under nutrient-stimulated conditions that release GLP-1, LSN3318839 demonstrates robust glucose lowering in animal models alone or in treatment combination with sitagliptin. From a therapeutic perspective, the biological properties of LSN3318839 support the concept that GLP-1R potentiation is sufficient for reducing hyperglycemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Allosteric Regulation / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Drug Discovery
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / agonists*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / chemistry
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / chemistry*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Hypoglycemic Agents