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M A Cascieri

Publications and source records attributed to M A Cascieri.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Tryptophan-derived NK1 antagonists: conformationally constrained heterocyclic bioisosteres of the ester linkage.

The 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl ester of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan 1 (L-732,138) has been identified previously as a potent and selective substance P receptor antagonist. A series of analogs which introduced a 6-membered heterocyclic ring into the backbone of this structure were prepared for evaluation as bioisosteric replacements of the ester linkage of 1. The 2,5-dioxopiperazine 2 had very weak receptor affinity, but 2-oxopiperazine 5 exhibited modest activity. Examination of the conformations accessible to the substituents on these templates led to exploration of the corresponding 5-membered heterocyclic rings. This study culminated in the identification of oxazolidinedione 14 as a suitable ester mimic in terms of the retention of good NK1 binding affinity.

Animals↗

Synthesis and biological evaluation of NK1 antagonists derived from L-tryptophan.

The 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl ester of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan (3), which was derived from the screening lead N-ethyl-L-tryptophan benzyl ester, has been used as a starting point to identify high-affinity substance P receptor antagonists with improved in vivo activity. Altering the ester moiety to an amide or ether led to a substantial loss in binding affinity, but conversion to a ketone provided compounds with affinity comparable to the equivalent esters. A homochiral synthesis of the key intermediate amino ketone 15 was developed which allows its preparation on a large scale. From this intermediate a range of amine-containing acylamino derivatives were prepared with affinity optimized in the morpholinylbutyramide 161 which has an IC50 of 0.17 nM at the human NK1 receptor. In addition to improving affinity, the amino group also provided aqueous solubility for a number of these derivatives. When tested in vivo the quinuclidine derivative L-737,488 (16i) was found to be an orally active (ID50 = 1.8 mg/kg) inhibitor of substance P-induced dermal extravasation in the guinea pig.

Amines↗

Molecular characterization of a common binding site for small molecules within the transmembrane domain of G-protein coupled receptors.

The cloning of over 100 members of the superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors has resulted in the identification and characterization of novel targets for therapeutic intervention. In addition, mutagenesis studies aimed at understanding the nature of the molecular interactions of these receptors with peptides and small molecules have led to advancements in the ability to synthesize novel therapeutic agents with high affinity and specificity for these receptors. These experiments have shown that there is a common binding site for small molecules within the transmembrane domain of G-protein coupled receptors regardless of the nature of the endogenous, physiologically relevant receptor agonist. Finally, the demonstration that the binding sites for peptide agonists and nonpeptide competitive antagonists are not necessarily identical has provided insights regarding the mechanism of competitive antagonism in these receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutational analysis of neurokinin receptor function.

The interactions of the NK1 receptor with peptide agonists or nonpeptide antagonists have been investigated by site-directed mutagenesis and computer modeling. At least 10 residues in the extracellular and transmembrane regions of the receptor are required for the binding of many peptide agonists. The C-terminal amide of peptide agonists is likely to be bound near Asn-85. Residues likely to be involved in the subsequent receptor activation include Glu-78 and Tyr-205. The binding site for nonpeptide antagonists can be defined by at least five residues in transmembrane helices 4-7, and primary contacts between key residues and quinuclidine antagonists have been assigned based on CP-96,345 and its analogs. Analyses of the wild-type and mutant NK1 and NK2 receptors, intact and truncated peptides, and various antagonists suggest that the agonist and antagonist binding sites overlap spatially, even though agonists and antagonists do not interact with the same set of residues on the receptor. Mapping the ligand binding site not only allows us to better understand the ligand--receptor interaction and antagonism but also leads to a refined three-dimensional model of the NK1 receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of a preadipocyte cell line from rat bone marrow and differentiation to adipocytes.

A unique population of rat adipocyte precursor cells was derived from normal rat bone marrow. The epitheloid-like preadipocytes were isolated from a mixed culture of bone marrow cells by a combination of differential trypsinization, enrichment by Ficoll gradient centrifugation, and differential seeding. This cell line, designated RBM-Ad, can be fully differentiated into multilocular adipocytes morphologically resembling brown adipose tissue. No changes in the differentiation pattern are observed during propagation of these cells, and they have been successfully carried and differentiated up to passage 49. Histological staining of differentiated cells with Sudan black, Sudan IV, and oil red O indicates the presence of lipids in intracellular vesicles. The nonselective beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity in both preadipocytes and differentiated adipocytes. In contrast, BRL-37344, a beta 3-adrenergic receptor-specific agonist, stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity and glycerol release in differentiated adipocytes, but not preadipocytes. In addition, differentiated adipocytes contain messenger RNA encoding the brown adipose-specific protein, thermogenin. Thus, this rat preadipocyte cell line can be differentiated into adipocytes that histologically and functionally resemble brown adipose tissue.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Characterization of the interaction of diacylpiperazine antagonists with the human neurokinin-1 receptor: identification of a common binding site for structurally dissimilar antagonists.

We recently described a novel series of diacylpiperazine antagonists of the human neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor. The diacylpiperazine compounds are structurally dissimilar from previously described NK-1 antagonists. L-161,664 [1-(N,N-diphenylaminocarbonyl)-4-(N',N'-di-n-pentylaminocarbony l) piperazine-2-diethylaminopropylcarboxamide] inhibits 125I-substance P binding to the human NK-1 receptor with an IC50 of 43 +/- 21 nM but has 50-fold and 200-fold lower affinity for the human NK-2 and NK-3 receptors, respectively. L-161,664 inhibits substance P-stimulated inositol monophosphate accumulation in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human NK-1 receptor by increasing the EC50 for substance P but not its maximal effect. The compound decreases the apparent affinity of the NK-1 receptor for 125I-substance P and does not alter the rate of dissociation of 125I-substance P from the receptor. These data indicate that L-161,664 is a potent and selective competitive antagonist of the human NK-1 receptor. L-161,664 has reduced affinity for mutants of the NK-1 receptor in which alanine has replaced Gln-165 in transmembrane helix 4, His-197 in helix 5, His-265 in helix 6, or Tyr-287 in helix 7. Similarly, a novel series of acyclic 2-benzhydryl-2-aminoethyl ethers that we have recently shown to be competitive NK-1 receptor antagonists have reduced affinity for the Q165A. H197A, and H265A mutant receptors. These residues have been shown to be important for binding of quinuclidine, tryptophan benzyl ester, and perhydroisoindole antagonists to the receptor. Analysis of the interaction of structural analogs of L-161,664 with the Q165A mutant receptor suggests that this residue interacts with the 2-diethylaminopropylcarboxamide side chain of L-161,664. Thus, even though the diacylpiperazine antagonists are structurally dissimilar from other classes of antagonists described to date, these data suggest that a common antagonist binding site that accomodates much structural diversity is present in the human NK-1 receptor. Furthermore, these data, combined with those obtained from medicinal chemistry approaches, suggest a minimum pharmacophore map for the interaction of these diverse ligands with the NK-1 binding site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of glutamine 165 in the fourth transmembrane segment of the human neurokinin-1 receptor with quinuclidine antagonists.

Substance P binds to and activates the neurokinin-1 receptor with high affinity, thereby modulating several neuronal pathways including pain transmission and neurogenic inflammation. Several high affinity non-peptide antagonists have recently been described. To elucidate the molecular interactions specific for binding to the neurokinin-1 receptor, site-directed mutagenesis has been utilized to identify amino acid residues that interact directly with antagonists. Glutamine 165 in the fourth transmembrane segment was shown to be critical for the binding of CP-96,345 but not SR140333. Analysis of quinuclidine analogs suggests that glutamine 165 interacts with the C-3 heteroatom in this class of antagonists, probably through a hydrogen bond. Glutamine 165 also plays a minor role in the binding of peptides and RP67580. In contrast, serine 169 was determined to be critical for the binding of RP67580. These data indicate that residues 165 and 169 in the fourth transmembrane segment, along with residues in the fifth, sixth, and seventh transmembrane segments as demonstrated previously, form the non-peptide antagonist binding site in the neurokinin-1 receptor. Furthermore, the antagonist binding site overlaps with the binding site for peptide agonists in the fourth and seventh transmembrane segments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the interaction of N-acyl-L-tryptophan benzyl ester neurokinin antagonists with the human neurokinin-1 receptor.

We have recently shown that a series of N-acyl-L-tryptophan benzyl esters are potent substance P antagonists (Macleod, A. M., Merchant, K. J., Cascieri, M. A., Sadowski, S., Ber, E., Swain, C. J., and Baker, R. (1993) J. Med Chem. 14, 2044-2045). We now report the detailed characterization of the interaction of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan-3,5-bistrifluoromethyl benzyl ester (L-732,138) with the human neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor. L-732,138 inhibits the binding of 125I-substance P to the cloned human NK1 receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells with an IC50 of 2.3 +/- 0.7 nM. In contrast, it has 200-fold lower affinity for the cloned rat NK-1 receptor and has > 1000-fold lower affinity for the human NK-2 and NK-3 receptors. L-732,138 acts as a competitive antagonist of substance P, as shown by functional Schild analysis of the inhibition of substance P-induced inositol phosphate synthesis, by kinetic analysis of the dissociation rate, and by thermodynamic analysis of the equilibrium binding of 125I-substance P to the NK-1 receptor. L-732,138 also competitively inhibits the binding of the quinuclidine amine antagonist, [125I]L-703,606, to the receptor. The compound has 230- and 10-fold reduced affinity for mutant NK-1 receptors in which histidine 265 or histidine 197, respectively, are replaced with alanine. We have previously shown that these residues play key roles in the binding of quinuclidine antagonists to the NK-1 receptor. These results suggest that the tryptophan and quinuclidine series of NK-1 antagonists bind to similar binding sites on the human NK-1 receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of histidine 265 in antagonist binding to the neurokinin-1 receptor.

Previous studies suggested that the antagonist binding site in the neurokinin-1 receptor is composed of phylogenetically conserved residues, while phylogenetically divergent residues affect the conformation of the binding site. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the role of conserved residues in antagonist binding. Histidine 197 in the human receptor was found to interact with CP-96,345 but not RP67580. In addition, a nearby residue, histidine 265 of the human receptor, is required for the binding of RP67580 but not CP-96,345 or substance P. The interaction between residue 265 and RP67580 is consistent with a hydrogen bonding interaction. Analysis of several analogs of CP-96,345 revealed that histidine 265 of the human receptor is in proximity to the substituted benzyl moiety of CP-96,345, and can interact with other analogs of CP-96,345. In contrast to the human neurokinin-1 receptor, both histidine 197 and histidine 265 in the rat neurokinin-1 receptor appear to interact with both CP-96,345 and RP67580. These results support a conformational difference between the antagonist binding sites of the rat and human neurokinin-1 receptors and provide a model for examining specific interactions between antagonists and the receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of the interaction of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) analogs with the IGF-I receptor and IGF-binding proteins.

Analogs of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) have been prepared by site-directed mutagenesis in order to determine the structural domains of IGF-I required for IGF receptor and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) binding, and to produce analogs with selective affinity for receptors or IGFBP to determine the physiologic roles of these proteins. Distinct domains of IGF-I are important for maintaining high affinity for the IGF-I receptor and for the various species of IGFBPs. The analogs that selectively bind to the receptor and have reduced affinity for IGFBPs have proved useful in determining the relative importance of IGFBPs in the regulation of the biologic activity of IGF-I. In most cases, analogs with reduced affinity for IGFBP have increased or normal potency compared with IGF-I. These data suggest that binding of IGF-I to IGFBP inhibits its biologic activity. As these analogs are cleared more rapidly after parenteral administration, however, they do not provide a significant advantage over IGF-I for in vivo administration. Analogs with poor affinity for the receptor have also been useful in demonstrating that a given activity of IGF-I is mediated by the type 1 IGF receptor. These studies confirm that the role of these various proteins in IGF-I action is complex, and may be cell specific or tissue-type specific.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amino-aromatic interaction between histidine 197 of the neurokinin-1 receptor and CP 96345.

Substance P is a peptide neurotransmitter that binds to the neurokinin-1 receptor and is involved in pain transmission and neurogenic inflammation. Recently, a non-peptide substance P antagonist (CP 96345) has been shown to be effective in animal models of pain and inflammation. An understanding of the molecular interactions responsible for ligand binding will be critical for the development of more specific and selective antagonists for the neurokinin-1 receptor and for the discovery of new antagonists for related G-protein-coupled receptors. Here we report that histidine at position 197 in the fifth transmembrane helix of the human neurokinin-1 receptor binds specifically to CP 96345 but not to peptide agonists. Substitution of His 197 by different amino acids and analysis of structural analogues of antagonists suggest that His 197 is involved in an amino-aromatic interaction with the benzhydryl moiety of CP 96345.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of the interaction of IGF-I analogs with the IGF-I receptor and IGF binding proteins.

Distinct domains of IGF-I are important for maintaining high affinity for the IGF-I receptor and for the various species of IGFBPs. The analogs that selectively bind the receptor have proven useful in determining the relative importance of IGFBPs in the regulation of the biological activity of IGF-I. Analogs with poor affinity for the receptor have also been useful in order to demonstrate that a given activity of IGF-I is mediated by the type 1 IGF receptor. These studies confirm that the role of these various proteins in IGF-I action is complex, and may be cell or tissue-type specific.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the binding of [125I-iodo-histidyl, methyl-Phe7] neurokinin B to the neurokinin-3 receptor.

We have characterized the binding of [125I-iodo-histidyl, methyl Phe7]neurokinin B (125I-NKB) to the human neurokinin-3 (NK3) receptor. 125I-NKB specifically binds to the NK3 receptor expressed in CHO cells with a Kd of 0.2 nM. The ligand displays little crossreactivity with the human NK1 and NK2 receptors. The binding of 125I-NKB to the human NK3 receptor and to rat cortex membranes is inhibited by neurokinin B with IC50 of 1.5 nM and 4 nM, respectively. In contrast, 350- to 500-fold higher concentrations of substance P and neurokinin A are required to inhibit binding to either receptor preparation. The data suggest that 125I-NKB is a high affinity, selective ligand for the human and rat NK3 receptor.

Animals↗

Effect of charybdotoxin and leiurotoxin I on potassium currents in bullfrog sympathetic ganglion and hippocampal neurons.

The effects of charybdotoxin and leiurotoxin I were examined on several classes of K+ currents in bullfrog sympathetic ganglion and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Highly purified preparations of charybdotoxin selectively blocked a large voltage- and Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current (IC) responsible for action potential repolarization (IC50 = 6 nM) while leiurotoxin I selectively blocked a small Ca(2+)-dependent K+ conductance (IAHP) responsible for the slow afterhyperpolarization following an action potential (IC50 = 7.5 nM) in bullfrog sympathetic ganglion neurons. Neither of the toxins had significant effects on other K+ currents (M-current [IM], A-current [IA] and the delayed rectifier [IK]) present in these cells. Leiurotoxin I at a concentration of 20 nM had no detectable effect on currents in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. This lack of effect on IAHP in central neurons suggests that the channels underlying slow AHPs in those neurons are pharmacologically distinct from analogous channels in peripheral neurons.

Animals↗

Structural determinants for binary and ternary complex formation between insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3.

Structural analogs of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), with alterations to each of the B, C, A, and D domains, have been tested for their ability to form binary complexes with IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and ternary complexes with IGFBP-3 and the acid-labile subunit (alpha-subunit). Two functionally distinct regions of IGF-I have been identified. The first, involving residues 3 and 4 and the alpha-helix between residues 8 and 18 of the B-domain, as well as residues 49-51 in the A-domain, appears important for IGFBP-3 binding, such that substitution of these residues results in decreased binary complex available for alpha-subunit binding. The second region, distal to the IGFBP-3-binding epitope and primarily involving the D-domain and B-domain near residue 24, with some involvement of the C-domain, appears slightly inhibitory to binary complex formation, such that analogs with a truncated D-domain or with a Gly4 bridge substituted for the C-domain show enhanced binding to IGFBP-3. However, binary complexes formed from these analogs bind the alpha-subunit with reduced affinity, the effect being most marked when substitution of the C-domain, or replacement of Tyr24, is superimposed on D-domain truncation. It is concluded that although the alpha-subunit does not itself bind IGF-I, its interaction with IGFBP-3 in the ternary complex is dependent on structural determinants on IGF-I distal to the IGFBP-3 binding domain.

Binding, Competitive↗

Competition for binding to insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-2, 3, 4, and 5 by the IGFs and IGF analogs.

The insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II bind to IGF binding proteins (BP) with high affinity. The affinity of each of the IGFs for individual BPs and the regions of the IGF-I molecule that are required for this high affinity binding have been defined only for IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3. The present studies have determined the affinity of several IGF analogs (prepared using in vitro mutagenesis) for pure IGFBP-2, 3, 4, and 5. The results show IGFBP-2 binds these analogs in a manner similar to IGFBP-1. For example, a mutation in the A chain region (positions 49, 50, 51) or B chain (positions 3, 4) results in greater than 20-fold reduction in affinity for either IGFBP-1 or 2. In contrast, mutations in the A chain region have minimal effect on binding to IGFBP-3, whereas substitutions at the 3, 4, 15, 16 positions of the B chain reduce IGF-I affinity by at least 50-fold. At pH 7.4, binding of the analogs to IGFBP-4 is less affected by substitutions at the B chain 3, 4 positions compared to IGFBP-1, 2, and 3, but IGFBP-4 affinity for analogs containing the A chain substitutions is greatly reduced similarly to IGFBP-1 and 2. Binding to IGFBP-5 is greatly reduced by either A or B chain substitutions and most of the mutations result in greater than 100-fold reduction in affinity. Acidic pH 6.0 was associated with increased affinity of IGFBP-4 for the A chain containing mutants. The results indicate that only IGFBP-1 and 2 have nearly identical affinity for each of these analogs, whereas IGFBP-3, 4, and 5 have similarities and significant differences. The findings suggest that different binding proteins have differential structural requirements for optimal IGF-I binding.

Animals↗

Determination of the amino acid residues in substance P conferring selectivity and specificity for the rat neurokinin receptors.

We have measured the affinity of various analogs and fragments of the tachykinin substance P for the cloned rat NK1, NK2, and NK3 receptors heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The hydrophobic carboxyl-terminal pentapeptide sequence substance P-(7-11) binds with similar affinity (2-20 microM) to all three receptors. Our data suggest that addition of one to three amino-terminal residues to this sequence results in the optimization of its interaction within the binding pocket of the NK1 receptor. The addition of Pro-Gln-Gln to the carboxyl-terminal pentapeptide sequence increases affinity for the NK1 receptor, either by providing additional binding interactions or by modifying the conformation of the carboxyl-terminal sequence. This latter hypothesis is supported by the observation that physalaemin and phyllomedusin, which also contain a proline residue in the position analogous to the proline residue 4 of substance P, are also selective for NK1 receptors. Tachykinins that lack this proline have no higher affinity for NK1 than [pGlu] substance P-(6-11). Conversely, addition of Pro-Gln-Gln to the carboxyl-terminal pentapeptide sequence is unfavorable for NK2 and NK3 receptor binding. Preliminary data suggest that tachykinins with high affinity (Kd less than 500 nM) for NK2 receptors contain an aspartate residue in the position analogous to residue 5 of substance P, suggesting that an ionic interaction with the receptor may contribute binding energy. Further experiments will be required to determine the structural determinants of the NK1, NK2, and NK3 receptors responsible for these binding properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗