Design, Structural Optimization, and Characterization of the First Selective Macrocyclic Neurotensin Receptor Type 2 Non-opioid Analgesic

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
2021.0

Abstract

Neurotensin (NT) receptor type 2 (NTS2) represents an attractive target for the development of new NT-based analgesics. Here, we report the synthesis and functional in vivo characterization of the first constrained NTS2-selective macrocyclic NT analog. While most chemical optimization studies rely on the NT(8-13) fragment, we focused on NT(7-12) as a scaffold to design NTS2-selective macrocyclic peptides. Replacement of Ile by Leu, and Pro/Pro by allylglycine residues followed by cyclization via ring-closing metathesis led to macrocycle 4, which exhibits good affinity for NTS2 (50 nM), high selectivity over NTS1 (>100 μM), and improved stability compared to NT(8-13). In vivo profiling in rats reveals that macrocycle 4 produces potent analgesia in three distinct rodent pain models, without causing the undesired effects associated with NTS1 activation. We further provide evidence of its non-opioid antinociceptive activity, therefore highlighting the strong therapeutic potential of NTS2-selective analogs for the management of acute and chronic pain.

Knowledge Graph

Similar Paper

Design, Structural Optimization, and Characterization of the First Selective Macrocyclic Neurotensin Receptor Type 2 Non-opioid Analgesic
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2021.0
Identification and Functional Characterization of a Stable, Centrally Active Derivative of the Neurotensin (8−13) Fragment as a Potential First-in-Class Analgesic
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2010.0
Potent, Efficacious, and Stable Cyclic Opioid Peptides with Long Lasting Antinociceptive Effect after Peripheral Administration
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2020.0
Synthesis and Characterization in Vitro and in Vivo of (<scp>l</scp>)-(Trimethylsilyl)alanine Containing Neurotensin Analogues
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2015.0
Development of Multifunctional and Orally Active Cyclic Peptide Agonists of Opioid/Neuropeptide FF Receptors that Produce Potent, Long-Lasting, and Peripherally Restricted Antinociception with Diminished Side Effects
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2021.0
Potent μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists from Cyclic Peptides Tyr-c[<scp>d</scp>-Lys-Xxx-Tyr-Gly]: Synthesis, Biological, and Structural Evaluation
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2016.0
Synthesis and Biological Characterization of Cyclic Disulfide-Containing Peptide Analogs of the Multifunctional Opioid/Neuropeptide FF Receptor Agonists That Produce Long-Lasting and Nontolerant Antinociception
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2020.0
Identification of simpler analogs of neurotensin(9–13) which retain antinociceptive activity
Bioorganic &amp; Medicinal Chemistry Letters 1993.0
Synthesis and biological evaluation of compact, conformationally constrained bifunctional opioid agonist – Neurokinin-1 antagonist peptidomimetics
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2015.0
Hybrid peptides endomorphin-2/DAMGO: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2013.0