Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is believed to be a major causative factor for cancer-induced cachexia. Recent elucidation of the central circuits involved in GDF15 function and its ...signaling through the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α-like (GFRAL) has prompted the interest of targeting the GDF15-GFRAL signaling for energy homeostasis and body weight regulation. Here, we applied advanced peptide technologies to identify GDF15 peptide fragments inhibiting GFRAL signaling. SPOT peptide arrays revealed binding of GDF15 C-terminal peptide fragments to the extracellular domain of GFRAL. Parallel solid-phase peptide synthesis allowed for generation of complementary GDF15 peptide libraries and their subsequent functional evaluation in cells expressing the GFRAL/RET receptor complex. We identified a series of C-terminal fragments of GDF15 inhibiting GFRAL activity in the micromolar range. These novel GFRAL peptide inhibitors could serve as valuable tools for further development of peptide therapeutics towards the treatment of cachexia and other wasting disorders.
•GFD15 peptide fragments displayed on SPOT arrays bind to GFRAL.•Functional screening of GDF15 peptide fragments reveals GFRAL inhibition.•C-terminal GDF15 peptide fragments inhibit GFRAL signaling.
Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) is an endogenous neuropeptide involved in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis. PrRP binds with high affinity to G-protein coupled receptor 10 (GPR10) and ...with lesser activity towards the neuropeptide FF receptor type 2 (NPFF2R). The present study aimed to develop long-acting PrRP31 analogues with potent anti-obesity efficacy. A comprehensive series of C18 lipidated PrRP31 analogues was characterized in vitro and analogues with various GPR10 and NPFF2R activity profiles were profiled for bioavailability and metabolic effects following subcutaneous administration in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. PrRP31 analogues acylated with a C18 lipid chain carrying a terminal acid (C18 diacid) were potent GPR10-selective agonists and weight-neutral in DIO mice. In contrast, acylation with aliphatic C18 lipid chain (C18) resulted in dual GPR10-NPFF2R co-agonists that suppressed food intake and promoted a robust weight loss in DIO mice, which was sustained for at least one week after last dosing. Rapid in vivo degradation of C18 PrRP31 analogues gave rise to circulating lipidated PrRP metabolites maintaining dual GPR10-NPFF2R agonist profile and long-acting anti-obesity efficacy in DIO mice. Combined GPR10 and NPFF2R activation may therefore be a critical mechanism for obtaining robust anti-obesity efficacy of PrRP31 analogues.
Amylin and Adrenomedullin both belong to the calcitonin peptide family. While amylin plays an important role in maintaining glucose and energy homeostasis, adrenomedullin is primarily known for its ...beneficial vasoactive effects.
We hypothesize that combining the glucoregulatory and anti-obesity properties of amylin with the cardioprotective effects of adrenomedullin could be an effective treatment strategy to address type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases in one molecule. Here we report the design and receptor potencies of unimolecular peptide agonists with dual activity at the amylin and adrenomedullin receptors.
Using solid-phase peptide synthesis, an array of hybrid peptides was rationally designed by substituting amino acids essential for amylin activity into the native adrenomedullin sequence. The pharmacokinetic profile was optimized by lipidation with a C20 diacid. Functional activities of the analogues were measured using a cAMP accumulation assay in cells overexpressing the human amylin receptor subtype 3 (hAMY3-R) or human adrenomedullin receptor subtype 1 (hAM1-R).
All analogues were full agonists on both receptors. hAMY3R potencies were comparable to human native amylin, whereas hAM1-R potencies ranged from equipotent to 100-fold less potent compared to human native adrenomedullin.
In summary, we have synthesized novel hybrid amylin-adrenomedullin peptide agonists with dual activity at the hAMY3R and hAM1-R. Ongoing studies address in vivo efficacy and potency of amylin-adrenomedullin dual agonists in rodent models of obesity and diabetes.
Disclosure
L.S. Dalboege: None. P. Magotti: None. N. Buch-Månson: None. E.M. Bech: None. L.N. Fink: Employee; Self; Gubra. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. S.L. Pedersen: None. K. Fosgerau: Stock/Shareholder; Self; Gubra.
Achieving the optimal combination of multiple glucose measurements and insulin injections provides a complex daily situation for most insulin-dependent diabetes patients with currently available ...insulin products. To date, several fast-acting and long-acting insulins have been developed. However, while the pharmacokinetic profiles have been optimized, it has remained an elusive goal for decades to develop a Glucose Responsive Insulin (GRI), which can be responsive to the fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations during the day. Here we present an unprecedented GRI concept. The concept is based on the hydrolysis of a cleavable linker that is covalently bound to insulin. The chemical nature of this central linker is designed to rapidly release active insulin when glucose rises above euglycemia (5 mM), and this release of active insulin will increase with increasing blood glucose concentration. The second element of the concept is an albumin-mediated inactivation of the GRI by lipidation. After injection, the GRI will bind to albumin and circulate as a depot, resulting in a slow release of insulin like seen with other basal insulins such as insulin Detemir. At the linker level, we have tested three concentrations of glucose, and glucose responsiveness was demonstrated by a decrease in reaction time with increasing glucose concentration. Moreover, fully conjugated GRI molecules were tested in 90% pancreatectomized rats, a model of type 1 diabetes, demonstrating significant and long-lasting glucose lowering effect as compared to control. Overall, we have demonstrated the feasibility of providing a GRI approach, which combines the properties of a basal insulin with that of a bolus insulin. With the circulating depot approach the concept also holds a promise for liver preference. Ultimately our approach could provide a safe insulin for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes with very low risk of side effects.
Disclosure
K. Mannerstedt: Employee; Self; Gubra. E. Engholm: Employee; Self; Gubra. N.K. Mishra: Employee; Self; Gubra. M. Lundh: Employee; Self; Gubra. N. Buch-Månson: None. L.N. Fink: Employee; Self; Gubra. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. S.L. Pedersen: None. P.J. Pedersen: Employee; Self; Gubra. P. Le-Huu: Employee; Self; Gubra, Novo Nordisk A/S. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Novo Nordisk A/S. J. Lai: Employee; Self; Gubra. K.J. Jensen: Consultant; Self; Gubra. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Gubra. K. Fosgerau: Stock/Shareholder; Self; Gubra.
A nucleoside with two nucleobases is incorporated into oligonucleotides. The synthetic building block, 2'-deoxy-2'-C-(2-(thymine-1-yl)ethyl)uridine, 2, is prepared from uridine via ...5',3'-TIPDS-protected 2'-deoxy-2'-C-allyluridine by an oxidative cleavage of the allyl group, a Mitsunobu reaction for the introduction of thymine and appropriate deprotection reactions. This compound is converted into a DMT-protected phosphoramidite and incorporated once into a 13-mer oligodeoxynucleotide sequence, once in an isosequential LNA-modified oligodeoxynucleotide and four times in the middle of a 12-mer oligodeoxynucleotide. These sequences are mixed with different complementary DNA and RNA sequences in order to study the effect of the additional nucleobase in duplexes, in bulged duplexes and in three-way junctions. The first additional thymine is found to be well-accommodated in a DNA-RNA duplex, whereas a DNA-DNA duplex was slightly destabilised. A three-way junction with the additional thymine in the branching point is found to be stabilised in both a DNA-DNA and a DNA-RNA context but destabilised where the modified LNA-sequence is used. In a Mg2+-containing buffer, however, the relative stability of the three-way junctions is found to be opposite with especially the LNA-modified DNA-DNA complex being significantly stabilised by the additional nucleobase.
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