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Conjugates of therapeutic oligonucleotides (ONs) including peptide conjugates, provide a potential solution to the major challenge of specific tissue delivery faced by this class of drugs. Conjugations are often positioned terminal at the ONs, although internal placement of other chemical modifications are known to be of critical importance. The introduction of internal conjugation handles in chemically modified ONs require highly specialized and expensive nucleoside phosphoramidites. Here, we present a method for synthesizing a library of peptide-siRNA conjugates by conjugation at internal phosphorous positions via sulfonylphosphoramidate modifications incorporated into the sense strand. The sulfonylphosphoramidate modification offers benefits as it can be directly incorporated into chemically modified ONs by simply changing the oxidation step during synthesis, and furthermore holds the potential to create multifunctionalized therapeutic ONs. We have developed a workflow using a novel pH-controlled amine-to-amine linker that yields peptide-siRNA conjugates linked via amide bonds, and we have synthesized conjugates between GLP1 peptides and a HPRT1 siRNA as a model system. The in vitro activity of the conjugates was tested by GLP1R activity and knockdown of the HPRT1 gene. We found that conjugation near the 3'-end is more favorable than certain central internal positions and different internal conjugation strategies were compared., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.)

Aims/hypothesis: Normalisation of blood glucose in individuals with diabetes is recommended to reduce development of diabetic complications. However, risk of severe hypoglycaemia with intensive insulin therapy is a major obstacle that prevents many individuals with diabetes from obtaining the recommended reduction in HbA 1c . Inhibition of glucagon receptor signalling and liver-preferential insulin action have been shown individually to have beneficial effects in preclinical models and individuals with diabetes (i.e. improved glycaemic control), but also have effects that are potential safety risks (i.e. alpha cell hyperplasia in response to glucagon receptor antagonists and increased levels of liver triacylglycerols and plasma alanine aminotransferase activity in response to glucagon receptor antagonists and liver-preferential insulin). We hypothesised that a combination of glucagon inhibition and liver-preferential insulin action in a dual-acting molecule would widen the therapeutic window. By correcting two pathogenic mechanisms (dysregulated glucagon signalling and non-physiological distribution of conventional insulin administered s.c.), we hypothesised that lower doses of each component would be required to obtain sufficient reduction of hyperglycaemia, and that the undesirable effects that have previously been observed for monotreatment with glucagon antagonists and liver-preferential insulin could be avoided., Methods: A dual-acting glucagon receptor inhibitor and liver-preferential insulin molecule was designed and tested in rodent models (normal rats, rats with streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia, db/db mice and mice with diet-induced obesity and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia), allowing detailed characterisation of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the dual-acting molecule and relevant control compounds, as well as exploration of how the dual-acting molecule influenced glucagon-induced recovery and spontaneous recovery from acute hypoglycaemia., Results: This molecule normalised blood glucose in diabetic models, and was markedly less prone to induce hypoglycaemia than conventional insulin treatment (approximately 4.6-fold less potent under hypoglycaemic conditions than under normoglycaemic conditions). However, compared to treatment with conventional long-acting insulin, this dual-acting molecule also increased triacylglycerol levels in the liver (approximately 60%), plasma alanine aminotransferase levels (approximately twofold) and alpha cell mass (approximately twofold)., Conclusions/interpretation: While the dual-acting glucagon receptor inhibitor and liver-preferential insulin molecule showed markedly improved regulation of blood glucose, effects that are potential safety concerns persisted in the pharmacologically relevant dose range., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Here, we describe molecular engineering of monovalent ultra-long acting two-chain insulin-Fc conjugates. Insulin-Fc conjugates were synthesized using trifunctional linkers with one amino reactive group for reaction with a lysine residue of insulin and two thiol reactive groups used for re-bridging of a disulfide bond within the Fc molecule. The ultra-long pharmacokinetic profile of the insulin-Fc conjugates was the result of concertedly slowing insulin receptor-mediated clearance by (1) introduction of amino acid substitutions that lowered the insulin receptor affinity and (2) conjugating insulin to the Fc element. Fc conjugation leads to recycling by the neonatal Fc receptor and increase in the molecular size, both contributing to the ultra-long pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.

Expression of recombinant proteins traditionally require a cellular system to transcribe and translate foreign DNA to a desired protein. The process requires special knowledge of the specific cellular metabolism in use and is often time consuming and labour intensive. A cell free expression system provides an opportunity to express recombinant proteins without consideration of the living cell. Instead, a cell free system relies on either a cellular lysate or recombinant proteins to carry out protein synthesis, increasing overall production speed and ease of handling. The one-pot cell free setup is commonly known as an in vitro transcription/translation reaction (IVTT). Here we focused on a PURE (Protein synthesis Using Recombinant Elements) IVTT system based on recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli. We evaluated the cell free system's ability to express functional insulin analogues compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a well-established system for large scale production of recombinant human insulin and insulin analogues. Significantly, it was found that correct insulin expression and folding was governed by the inherent properties of the primary amino acids sequence of insulin, whereas the eukaryotic features of the expression system apparently play a minor role. The IVTT system successfully produced insulin analogues identical in structure and with similar insulin receptor affinity to those produced by yeast. In conclusion we demonstrate that the PURE IVTT system is highly suited for expressing soluble molecules with higher order features and multiple disulphide bridges., (Copyright © 2021 Novo Nordisk AS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Insulin icodec is a novel, long-acting insulin analog designed to cover basal insulin requirements with once-weekly subcutaneous administration. Here we describe the molecular engineering and the biological and pharmacological properties of insulin icodec., Research Design and Methods: A number of in vitro assays measuring receptor binding, intracellular signaling as well as cellular metabolic and mitogenic responses were used to characterize the biological properties of insulin icodec. To evaluate the pharmacological properties of insulin icodec in individuals with type 2 diabetes, a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, multiple-dose, dose escalation trial was conducted., Results: The long half-life of insulin icodec was achieved by introducing modifications to the insulin molecule aiming to obtain a safe, albumin-bound circulating depot of insulin icodec, providing protracted insulin action and clearance. Addition of a C20 fatty diacid-containing side chain imparts strong, reversible albumin binding, while three amino acid substitutions (A14E, B16H and B25H) provide molecular stability and contribute to attenuating insulin receptor (IR) binding and clearance, further prolonging the half-life. In vitro cell-based studies showed that insulin icodec activates the same dose-dependent IR-mediated signaling and metabolic responses as native human insulin (HI). The affinity of insulin icodec for the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor was proportionately lower than its binding to the IR, and the in vitro mitogenic effect of insulin icodec in various human cells was low relative to HI. The clinical pharmacology trial in people with type 2 diabetes showed that insulin icodec was well tolerated and has pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties that are suited for once-weekly dosing, with a mean half-life of 196 hours and close to even distribution of glucose-lowering effect over the entire dosing interval of 1 week., Conclusions: The molecular modifications introduced into insulin icodec provide a novel basal insulin with biological and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties suitable for once-weekly dosing., Trial Registration Number: NCT02964104., Competing Interests: Competing interests: All authors are current or past employees of Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Here, we describe the molecular engineering of insulin icodec to achieve a plasma half-life of 196 h in humans, suitable for once-weekly subcutaneously administration. Insulin icodec is based on re-engineering of the ultra-long oral basal insulin OI338 with a plasma half-life of 70 h in humans. This systematic re-engineering was accomplished by (1) further increasing the albumin binding by changing the fatty diacid from a 1,18-octadecanedioic acid (C18) to a 1,20-icosanedioic acid (C20) and (2) further reducing the insulin receptor affinity by the B16Tyr → His substitution. Insulin icodec was selected by screening for long intravenous plasma half-life in dogs while ensuring glucose-lowering potency following subcutaneous administration in rats. The ensuing structure-activity relationship resulted in insulin icodec. In phase-2 clinical trial, once-weekly insulin icodec provided safe and efficacious glycemic control comparable to once-daily insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes patients. The structure-activity relationship study leading to insulin icodec is presented here.

Recently, the first basal oral insulin (OI338) was shown to provide similar treatment outcomes to insulin glargine in a phase 2a clinical trial. Here, we report the engineering of a novel class of basal oral insulin analogues of which OI338, 10 , in this publication, was successfully tested in the phase 2a clinical trial. We found that the introduction of two insulin substitutions, A14E and B25H, was needed to provide increased stability toward proteolysis. Ultralong pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained by attaching an albumin-binding side chain derived from octadecanedioic (C18) or icosanedioic acid (C20) to the lysine in position B29. Crucial for obtaining the ultralong PK profile was also a significant reduction of insulin receptor affinity. Oral bioavailability in dogs indicated that C18-based analogues were superior to C20-based analogues. These studies led to the identification of the two clinical candidates OI338 and OI320 ( 10 and 24 , respectively).

Covalent cross-linking of biomolecules can be useful in pursuit of tissue targeting or dual targeting of two receptors on cell surfaces for avidity effects. Long linkers (>10 kDa) can be advantageous for such purposes, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) linkers are most commonly used due to the high aqueous solubility of PEG and its relative inertness toward biological targets. However, PEG is non-biodegradable, and available PEG linkers longer than 5 kDa are heterogeneous (polydisperse), which means that conjugates based on such materials will be mixtures. We describe here recombinant linkers of distinct lengths, which can be expressed in yeast, which are polar, and which carry orthogonal reactivity at each end of the linker, thus allowing chemoselective cross-linking of proteins. A conjugate between insulin and either of the two trypsin inhibitor peptides/proteins exemplifies the technology, using a GQAP-based linker of molecular weight of 17 848, having one amine at the N-terminal, and one Cys, at the C-terminal. Notably, yeast-based expression systems typically give products with mixed disulfides when expressing proteins that are equipped with one unpaired Cys, namely, mixed disulfides with glutathione, free Cys amino acid, and/or a protein homodimer. To obtain a homogeneous linker, we worked out conditions for transforming the linker with mixed disulfides into a linker with a homogeneous disulfide, using excess 4-mercaptophenylacetic acid. Subsequently, the N-terminal amine of the linker was transformed into an azide, and the C-terminal Cys disulfide was reduced to a free thiol and reacted with halo-acetyl insulin. The N-terminal azide was finally conjugated to either of the two types of alkyne-containing trypsin inhibitor peptides/proteins. This reaction sequence allowed the cross-linked proteins to carry internal disulfides, as no reduction step was needed after protein conjugations. The insulin-trypsin inhibitor conjugates were shown to be stabilized toward enzymatic digestions and to have partially retained binding to the insulin receptor., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following competing financial interest(s): All the authors are employees of the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S, but Novo Nordisk has no direct economic interest in the described linkers., (Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society.)

Recently, the clinical proof of concept for the first ultra-long oral insulin was reported, showing efficacy and safety similar to subcutaneously administered insulin glargine. Here, we report the molecular engineering as well as biological and pharmacological properties of these insulin analogues. Molecules were designed to have ultra-long pharmacokinetic profile to minimize variability in plasma exposure. Elimination plasma half-life of ~20 h in dogs and ~70 h in man is achieved by a strong albumin binding, and by lowering the insulin receptor affinity 500-fold to slow down receptor mediated clearance. These insulin analogues still stimulate efficient glucose disposal in rats, pigs and dogs during constant intravenous infusion and euglycemic clamp conditions. The albumin binding facilitates initial high plasma exposure with a concomitant delay in distribution to peripheral tissues. This slow appearance in the periphery mediates an early transient hepato-centric insulin action and blunts hypoglycaemia in dogs in response to overdosing.

Background: Insulin analogues comprising acidic amino acid substitutions at position B10 have previously been shown to display increased mitogenic potencies compared to human insulin and the underlying molecular mechanisms have been subject to much scrutiny and debate. However, B10 is still an attractive position for amino acid substitutions given its important role in hexamer formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the receptor binding properties as well as the metabolic and mitogenic potencies of a series of insulin analogues with different amino acid substitutions at position B10 and to identify a B10-substituted insulin analogue without an increased mitogenic to metabolic potency ratio., Methodology/principal Findings: A panel of ten singly-substituted B10 insulin analogues with different amino acid side chain characteristics were prepared and insulin receptor (both isoforms) and IGF-I receptor binding affinities using purified receptors, insulin receptor dissociation rates using BHK cells over-expressing the human insulin receptor, metabolic potencies by lipogenesis in isolated rat adipocytes, and mitogenic potencies using two different cell types predominantly expressing either the insulin or the IGF-I receptor were systematically investigated. Only analogues B10D and B10E with significantly increased insulin and IGF-I receptor affinities as well as decreased insulin receptor dissociation rates displayed enhanced mitogenic potencies in both cell types employed. For the remaining analogues with less pronounced changes in receptor affinities and insulin receptor dissociation rates, no apparent correlation between insulin receptor occupancy time and mitogenicity was observed., Conclusions/significance: Several B10-substituted insulin analogues devoid of disproportionate increases in mitogenic compared to metabolic potencies were identified. In the present study, receptor binding affinity rather than insulin receptor off-rate appears to be the major determinant of both metabolic and mitogenic potency. Our results also suggest that the increased mitogenic potency is attributable to both insulin and IGF-I receptor activation.

Aims/hypothesis: There is controversy with respect to molecular characteristics of insulin analogues. We report a series of experiments forming a comprehensive characterisation of the long acting insulin analogues, glargine and detemir, in comparison with human insulin, IGF-1, and the super-mitogenic insulin, X10., Methods: We measured binding of ligands to membrane-bound and solubilised receptors, receptor activation and mitogenicity in a number of cell types., Results: Detemir and glargine each displayed a balanced affinity for insulin receptor (IR) isoforms A and B. This was also true for X10, whereas IGF-1 had a higher affinity for IR-A than IR-B. X10 and glargine both exhibited a higher relative IGF-1R than IR binding affinity, whereas detemir displayed an IGF-1R:IR binding ratio of ≤ 1. Ligands with high relative IGF-1R affinity also had high affinity for IR/IGF-1R hybrid receptors. In general, the relative binding affinities of the analogues were reflected in their ability to phosphorylate the IR and IGF-1R. Detailed analysis revealed that X10, in contrast to the other ligands, seemed to evoke a preferential phosphorylation of juxtamembrane and kinase domain phosphorylation sites of the IR. Sustained phosphorylation was only observed from the IR after stimulation with X10, and after stimulation with IGF-1 from the IGF-1R. Both X10 and glargine showed an increased mitogenic potency compared to human insulin in cells expressing many IGF-1Rs, whereas only X10 showed increased mitogenicity in cells expressing many IRs., Conclusions: Detailed analysis of receptor binding, activation and in vitro mitogenicity indicated no molecular safety concern with detemir.

The relative expression patterns of the two IR (insulin receptor) isoforms, +/- exon 11 (IR-B/IR-A respectively), are tissue-dependent. Therefore we have developed insulin analogues with different binding affinities for the two isoforms to test whether tissue-preferential biological effects can be attained. In rats and mice, IR-B is the most prominent isoform in the liver (> 95%) and fat (> 90%), whereas in muscles IR-A is the dominant isoform (> 95%). As a consequence, the insulin analogue INS-A, which has a higher relative affinity for human IR-A, had a higher relative potency [compared with HI (human insulin)] for glycogen synthesis in rat muscle strips (26%) than for glycogen accumulation in rat hepatocytes (5%) and for lipogenesis in rat adipocytes (4%). In contrast, the INS-B analogue, which has an increased affinity for human IR-B, had higher relative potencies (compared with HI) for inducing glycogen accumulation (75%) and lipogenesis (130%) than for affecting muscle (45%). For the same blood-glucose-lowering effect upon acute intravenous dosing of mice, INS-B gave a significantly higher degree of IR phosphorylation in liver than HI. These in vitro and in vivo results indicate that insulin analogues with IR-isoform-preferential binding affinity are able to elicit tissue-selective biological responses, depending on IR-A/IR-B expression.

Background: The insulin receptor (IR) exists in two isoforms, A and B, and the isoform expression pattern is tissue-specific. The C-terminus of the insulin B chain is important for receptor binding and has been shown to contact the IR just adjacent to the region where the A and B isoforms differ. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of the C-terminus of the B chain in IR isoform binding in order to explore the possibility of engineering tissue-specific/liver-specific insulin analogues., Methodology/principal Findings: Insulin analogue libraries were constructed by total amino acid scanning mutagenesis. The relative binding affinities for the A and B isoform of the IR were determined by competition assays using scintillation proximity assay technology. Structural information was obtained by X-ray crystallography. Introduction of B25A or B25N mutations resulted in analogues with a 2-fold preference for the B compared to the A isoform, whereas the opposite was observed with a B25Y substitution. An acidic amino acid residue at position B27 caused an additional 2-fold selective increase in affinity for the receptor B isoform for analogues bearing a B25N mutation. Furthermore, the combination of B25H with either B27D or B27E also resulted in B isoform-preferential analogues (2-fold preference) even though the corresponding single mutation analogues displayed no differences in relative isoform binding affinity., Conclusions/significance: We have discovered a new class of IR isoform-selective insulin analogues with 2-4-fold differences in relative binding affinities for either the A or the B isoform of the IR compared to human insulin. Our results demonstrate that a mutation at position B25 alone or in combination with a mutation at position B27 in the insulin molecule confers IR isoform selectivity. Isoform-preferential analogues may provide new opportunities for developing insulin analogues with improved clinical benefits.

Aim: To compare the properties of insulin detemir with human insulin or insulin aspart in various in vitro and in vivo experiments, thereby highlighting the importance of performing dose-response studies when investigating insulin analogues, in this study specifically insulin detemir., Methods: Displacement of membrane-associated insulin receptors from human and rat hepatocytes, and from Chinese Hamster Ovary cells over-expressing human insulin receptor (CHO-hIR) at varying albumin concentrations is measured. Lipogenesis in primary rat adipocytes over time and the effects in the simultaneous presence of insulin detemir and human insulin or insulin aspart are assessed. The hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp technique in rats is used to establish dose-response curves for multiple metabolic endpoints and to investigate the effects of the simultaneous presence of insulin detemir and human insulin., Results: Both in vitro and in vivo, insulin detemir shows full efficacy and right-shifted parallel dose-response curves compared with human insulin. The potency estimates are different between the in vivo and in vitro conditions and among different in vitro conditions, that is the potency decreases in vitro with increasing albumin concentration. The effects of insulin detemir and human insulin are additive both in vitro and in vivo., Conclusions: Insulin detemir is fully efficacious compared with human insulin on all metabolic endpoints measured in vitro and in vivo. The fact that the potency estimates are method-dependent emphasizes the importance of establishing full dose-response relationships when characterizing insulin detemir.

GPR39 is an orphan member of the ghrelin receptor family that recently was suggested to be the receptor for obestatin, a peptide derived from the ghrelin precursor. Here, we compare the effect of obestatin to the effect of Zn(2+) on signal transduction and study the effect of obestatin on food intake. Although Zn(2+) stimulated inositol phosphate turnover, cAMP production, arrestin mobilization, as well as cAMP response element-dependent and serum response element-dependent transcriptional activity in GPR39-expressing cells as opposed to mock-transfected cells, no reproducible effect was obtained with obestatin in the GPR39-expressing cells. Moreover, no specific binding of obestatin could be detected in two different types of GPR39-expressing cells using three different radioiodinated forms of obestatin. By quantitative PCR analysis, GPR39 expression was readily detected in peripheral organs such as duodenum and kidney but not in the pituitary and hypothalamus, i.e. presumed central target organs for obestatin. Obestatin had no significant and reproducible effect on acute food intake in either freely fed or fasted lean mice. It is concluded that GPR39 is probably not the obestatin receptor. In contrast, the potency and efficacy of Zn(2+) in respect of activating signaling indicates that this metal ion could be a physiologically relevant agonist or modulator of GPR39.

The neuropeptide Y (NPY)/peptide YY (PYY) system has been implicated in the physiology of obesity for several decades. More recently ignited enormous interest in PYY3-36, an endogenous Y2-receptor agonist, as a promising anti-obesity compound. Despite this interest, there have been remarkably few subsequent reports reproducing or extending the initial findings, while at the same time studies finding no anti-obesity effects have surfaced. Out of 41 different rodent studies conducted (in 16 independent labs worldwide), 33 (83%) were unable to reproduce the reported effects and obtained no change or sometimes increased food intake, despite use of the same experimental conditions (i.e. adaptation protocols, routes of drug administration and doses, rodent strains, diets, drug vendors, light cycles, room temperatures). Among studies by authors in the original study, procedural caveats are reported under which positive effects may be obtained. Currently, data speak against a sustained decrease in food intake, body fat, or body weight gain following PYY3-36 administration and make the previously suggested role of the hypothalamic melanocortin system unlikely as is the existence of PYY deficiency in human obesity. We review the studies that are in the public domain which support or challenge PYY3-36 as a potential anti-obesity target.

Batterham et al. report that the gut peptide hormone PYY3-36 decreases food intake and body-weight gain in rodents, a discovery that has been heralded as potentially offering a new therapy for obesity. However, we have been unable to replicate their results. Although the reasons for this discrepancy remain undetermined, an effective anti-obesity drug ultimately must produce its effects across a range of situations. The fact that the findings of Batterham et al. cannot easily be replicated calls into question the potential value of an anti-obesity approach that is based on administration of PYY3-36.

In 1972, Brazeau et al. isolated somatostatin (somatotropin release-inhibiting factor, SRIF), a cyclic polypeptide with two biologically active isoforms (SRIF-14 and SRIF-28). This event prompted the successful quest for SRIF receptors. Then, nearly a quarter of a century later, it was announced that a neuropeptide, to be named cortistatin (CST), had been cloned, bearing strong resemblance to SRIF. Evidence of special CST receptors never emerged, however. CST rather competed with both SRIF isoforms for specific receptor binding. And binding to the known subtypes with affinities in the nanomolar range, it has therefore been acknowledged to be a third endogenous ligand at SRIF receptors. This review goes through mechanisms of signal transduction, pharmacology, and anatomical distribution of SRIF receptors. Structurally, SRIF receptors belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled (GPC) receptors, sharing the characteristic seven-transmembrane-segment (STMS) topography. Years of intensive research have resulted in cloning of five receptor subtypes (sst(1)-sst(5)), one of which is represented by two splice variants (sst(2A) and sst(2B)). The individual subtypes, functionally coupled to the effectors of signal transduction, are differentially expressed throughout the mammalian organism, with corresponding differences in physiological impact. It is evident that receptor function, from a physiological point of view, cannot simply be reduced to the accumulated operations of individual receptors. Far from being isolated functional units, receptors co-operate. The total receptor apparatus of individual cell types is composed of different-ligand receptors (e.g. SRIF and non-SRIF receptors) and co-expressed receptor subtypes (e.g. sst(2) and sst(5) receptors) in characteristic proportions. In other words, levels of individual receptor subtypes are highly cell-specific and vary with the co-expression of different-ligand receptors. However, the question is how to quantify the relative contributions of individual receptor subtypes to the integration of transduced signals, ultimately the result of collective receptor activity. The generation of knock-out (KO) mice, intended as a means to define the contributions made by individual receptor subtypes, necessarily marks but an approximation. Furthermore, we must now take into account the stunning complexity of receptor co-operation indicated by the observation of receptor homo- and heterodimerisation, let alone oligomerisation. Theoretically, this phenomenon adds a novel series of functional megareceptors/super-receptors, with varied pharmacological profiles, to the catalogue of monomeric receptor subtypes isolated and cloned in the past. SRIF analogues include both peptides and non-peptides, receptor agonists and antagonists. Relatively long half lives, as compared to those of the endogenous ligands, have been paramount from the outset. Motivated by theoretical puzzles or the shortcomings of present-day diagnostics and therapy, investigators have also aimed to produce subtype-selective analogues. Several have become available.

Background: In the context of mammalian oocyte maturation, it has been suggested that intermediates of cholesterol biosynthesis may represent the physiological signal that instructs the oocyte to reinitiate meiosis., Methods: Endogenous levels of follicular fluid meiosis-activating sterol (FF-MAS) were monitored in rabbit ovarian tissue, and the influence of exogenous gonadotrophins on sterol formation was assessed. The involvement of cAMP in FF-MAS-induced versus spontaneous oocyte maturation in vitro in mice was also investigated, as was the direct microinjection of FF-MAS into mouse oocytes., Results: Levels of FF-MAS in rabbit ovaries were significantly elevated 1 h after hCG/LH induction and remained so for 4 and 12 h after induction. In naked oocytes undergoing spontaneous maturation, a significant decrease in cAMP was detected after 30 min of culture. However, FF-MAS-mediated induction of oocyte maturation in hypoxanthine-arrested naked oocytes was not associated with any detectable decrease in intracellular cAMP levels. Microinjected FF-MAS failed to induce any noticeable meiosis., Conclusions: A rapid increase in FF-MAS level occurred in vivo in the rabbit ovary in response to LH, and clear differences were seen in the cAMP pattern during spontaneous and induced oocyte maturation in mice.

6-Chloro-3-alkylamino-4H-thieno[3,2-e]-1,2,4-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide derivatives were synthesized and characterized as activators of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels in the beta-cells by measuring effects on membrane potential and insulin release in vitro. The effects on vascular tissue in vitro were measured on rat aorta and small mesenteric vessels. Selected compounds were characterized as competitive inhibitors of [(3)H]glibenclamide binding to membranes of HEK293 cells expressing human SUR1/Kir6.2 and as potent inhibitors of insulin release in isolated rat islets. 6-Chloro-3-(1-methylcyclobutyl)amino-4H-thieno[3,2-e]-1,2,4-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide (54) was found to bind and activate the SUR1/Kir6.2 K(ATP) channels in the low nanomolar range and to be at least 1000 times more potent than the reference compound diazoxide with respect to inhibition of insulin release from rat islets. Several compounds, e.g., 3-propylamino- (30), 3-isopropylamino- (34), 3-(S)-sec-butylamino- (37), and 3-(1-methylcyclopropyl)amino-4H-thieno[3,2-e]-1,2,4-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide (53), which were found to be potent and beta-cell selective activators of K(ATP) channels in vitro, were found to inhibit insulin secretion in rats with minimal effects on blood pressure and to exhibit good oral pharmacokinetic properties.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) bind to the Y-receptors with very different affinities: NPY has high affinity for the receptors Y(1), Y(2) and Y(5), while PP binds only to Y(4)-receptor with picomolar affinity. By exchanging of specific amino acid positions between the two peptides, we developed 38 full-length PP/NPY chimeras with binding properties that are completely different from those of the two native ligands. Pig NPY (pNPY) analogs containing the segment 19-23 from human PP (hPP) bound to the Y-receptors with much lower affinity than NPY itself. The affinity of the hPP analog containing the pNPY segments 1-7 and 19-23 was comparable to that of pNPY at the Y(1)- and Y(5)-receptor subtypes, and to that of hPP at the Y(4)-receptor. Furthermore, the presence of the segments 1-7 from chicken PP (cPP) and 19-23 from pNPY within the hPP sequence led to a ligand with IC(50) of 40 pM at the Y(5)-receptor. This is the most potent Y(5)-receptor ligand known so far, with 15-fold higher affinity than NPY.

The orexigenic role of central neuropeptide Y (NPY) in nonhuman primates has been questioned. Therefore, we have studied the effect of central NPY on feeding in ad libitum-fed male rhesus macaques. NPY dose-dependently increased food intake, with the maximal effect obtained by 50 microg (960 min food intake +/- SEM, 104 +/- 5 to 188 +/- 11 g; vehicle vs. NPY; n = 6). Blood glucose levels were unaffected by intracerebroventricular administration of NPY, but animals receiving either 20 or 50 microg displayed increased plasma levels of insulin and cortisol at few time points. To assess the pharmacological specificity of this response, a novel Y1 antagonist, [(Ile,Glu,Pro,Daba,Tyr,Arg,Leu,Arg,Tyr-NH2)2 cyclic (2,4'),(2',4)-diamide] (Y1ANT), was synthesized. Receptor binding experiments demonstrated that Y1ANT preferentially binds to Y1 and Y4 receptors (pKi 10.12 +/- 0.06 and 9.11 +/- 0.05 nmol/L, respectively). Functional analysis revealed that Y1ANT is a Y1 antagonist and a partial Y4 agonist. Central administration of Y1ANT blocked NPY-induced feeding. In food-deprived monkeys, Y1ANT attenuated the feeding response. However, Y1ANT had no effect on food intake in satiated monkeys. Thus, endogenous NPY is likely to be involved in the regulation of food intake in the nonhuman primate, and this effect is at least partially mediated via Y1-like receptors.

Somatostatin [somatotropin release-inhibiting factor (SRIF)] is a cyclic tetradecapeptide that is a potent inhibitor of growth hormone (GH) secretion from the anterior pituitary. In addition to the inhibitory effects on GH-release, SRIF-14 and SRIF-28, a 28-amino acid form of SRIF extended from the N-terminal end, inhibit the release of a variety of other peptides including glucagon, insulin, and gastrin, and both peptides act as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the central nervous system and the periphery. SRIF exerts its potent inhibitory effects following binding to high affinity SRIF receptors (ssts) that have been identified on target tissues. The recent cloning of five ssts has confirmed that the effects of SRIF are mediated by a family of G protein-coupled receptors (sst1-5). Based on structural and pharmacological properties sst2, sst3, and sst5 belong to the SRIF1 receptor subclass, and the sst1 and sst4 subtypes comprise the SRIF2 subclass. The major difference between these two subclasses is that SRIF1 receptors bind octapeptide and hexapeptide SRIF-14 analogs with high affinity, while SRIF2 receptors bind these analogs with drastically reduced affinity. A screening program was initiated to identify a lead nonpeptide with affinity for sst1-5 receptors. The search focused on a scaffold with the following attachments: (1) a heteroaromatic nucleus to mimic the Trp8 residue, (2) a nonheteroaromatic nucleus to mimic Phe7, and (3) a primary amine or other basic group to mimic the Lys9 residue of SRIF-14. Using these criteria, a novel thiourea (NNC 26-9100, 17) was discovered as a structural lead. The key fragments in this compound are a heteroaromatic moiety (pyridine), an aromatic group, and a basic imidazole group connected through a thiourea scaffold. Compound 17 exhibited a Ki = 6 nM at sst4 receptors with a 100-fold sst4/sst2 selectivity and was shown to be a full agonist at this receptor subtype. This article will review the literature on the design and development of nonpeptide somatostatin receptor ligands and the therapeutic potential of these agents. Furthermore, our work on the development of 2-pyridylthioureas as sst4 receptor agonists will be described.

The many actions of somatostatin in the central nervous system are mediated through specific membrane receptors of which five have been cloned. In this study, we have investigated the distribution of one of these receptors, the sst2 subtype, in the brain and spinal cord of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Immunohistochemistry was carried out by using polyclonal antibodies raised against the C-terminal part of the human sst2 receptor. sst2 immunoreactivity was found in the forebrain, brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord. In the forebrain, strong immunoreactivity was observed in the deep layers of the neocortex as well as in the endopiriform cortex, claustrum, and basolateral amygdaloid nucleus. Immunoreactivity was also found in the CA1 area of the hippocampus and in the subiculum. In the diencephalon, staining was observed in the periventricular area, the dorsomedial and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus, and the medial habenular nucleus. Other areas such as the thalamus, striatum, and globus pallidus were almost devoid of staining. In the brainstem, strong immunoreactivity was observed in the locus coeruleus and the parabrachial nucleus. In addition, immunostaining was observed in the cortex of the cerebellum. In the spinal cord, intense immunoreactivity was seen in lamina I and II of the dorsal horn. Finally, immunoreactive cells were widely distributed in the anterior pituitary. The localization of the sst2 receptor in many brain regions suggests that this receptor subtype is involved in different neuromodulatory actions of somatostatin such as somatosensory, motor, memory, and neuroendocrine functions.

Utilizing NNC 26-9100 (11) as a structural lead, a variety of nonpeptide derivatives of somatostatin were synthesized and evaluated for sst2 and sst4 receptor binding affinity. A novel thiourea scaffold was utilized to attach (1) a heteroaromatic nucleus to mimic the Trp8 residue, (2) a nonheteroaromatic nucleus to mimic Phe7, and (3) a primary amine or other basic group to mimic the Lys9 residue of somatostatin. Displacement studies were carried out using membranes from cell lines expressing ssts [BHK cells (sst4) and HEK 293 cells (sst2)] utilizing [125I]Tyr11-SRIF as the radioligand. Several thioureas (11, 38, 39, 41, and 42) and the urea 66 exhibited Ki values of less than 100 nM. The thioureas 11 (Ki = 6 nM) and 41 (Ki = 16 nM) and the urea 66 (Ki = 14 nM) are believed to be the most potent nonpeptide sst4 agonists known. Since the thiourea 11 and the urea 66 exhibit high sst4 selectivity, these novel nonpeptide derivatives may be useful tools for studying the sst4 receptor. Studies are currently in progress to evaluate the therapeutic potential of NNC 26-9100 (11) in the treatment of glaucoma.

A number of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor subtypes, including the recently cloned Y5 receptor, have been implicated in the stimulation of food intake. In the present study, Y5 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were used to assess the potential involvement of the Y5 receptor in the regulation of spontaneous as well as NPY-induced food intake. Repeated central administration of Y5 antisense ODN significantly decreased spontaneous food intake and subsequently resulted in a significant weight loss. Furthermore, Y5 antisense ODN pre-treatment significantly inhibited the robust feeding response elicited by central administration of NPY (5.3+/-0. 8 vs 1.08+/-0.28 g, vehicle+/-s.e.m. vs Y5 ODN+/-s.e.m.). The present results provide evidence that central Y5 receptors are involved in both spontaneous as well as NPY-induced food intake, which may prove to be a new therapeutic route in the treatment of obesity and other disorders of appetite.

Somatostatin is known to mediate its actions through five G-protein-coupled receptors (sst1-sst5). We have studied the expression of the sst1 receptor in the rat hypothalamus by using a subtype-specific antiserum. In Western blotting, the antiserum reacted specifically with a band with an apparent molecular weight of 80,000 in membranes prepared from hypothalamic tissue. The localization of the sst1 receptor was investigated by immunohistochemistry in hypothalamus sections. Additionally, an immunofluorescent double-labeling was performed for the sst1 receptor and somatostatin. Light microscopy revealed that the sst1 receptor is located in perikarya and nerve fibers in the rostral periventricular area surrounding the third ventricle as well as in nerve fibers projecting from the perikarya to the external layer of the median eminence. In these neuronal structures, sst1 immunoreactivity was found to be colocalized with somatostatin. Furthermore, the location of sst1 receptors was studied by immunoelectron microscopy in the median eminence. In the external layer, receptor immunoreactivity was confined to nerve terminals. Immunoreactive nerve terminals were seen to make synapse-like junctions with other both stained and unstained nerve terminals. Thus, the sst1 receptor is present in the classic somatostatinergic hypothalamic parvocellular system inhibiting hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary gland. These findings indicate that the sst1 receptor may act as an autoreceptor and inhibit the release of somatostatin from periventricular neurons projecting to the median eminence.

Antisera selective for five somatostatin receptor subtypes, human sst1-sst5, were raised in rabbits. C-terminal parts of human sst1-sst5 receptors were expressed as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase. Fusion proteins were affinity-purified and used for raising polyclonal antibodies. In Western blot analysis, all five antisera were tested on preparations of mammalian cell lines transfected with human sst1-sst5, respectively. sst1 antiserum reacted with a broad band of 53-72 kDa. A band of 71-95 kDa was detected with the antiserum raised against sst2, 65-85 kDa with sst3 antiserum, 45 kDa with sst4 antiserum and 52-66 kDa with sst5 antiserum. No cross-reactivity could be detected to any of the other four somatostatin receptor subtypes. Enzymatical deglycosylation of the receptors revealed that sst1, sst2, sst5 and possibly sst3 in this system are subjected to N-linked glycosylation, whereas sst4 is not. Two of the antisera (sst2 and sst5) were used for immunohistochemical localization of the receptors. sst2 and sst5 antisera labeled neurons in e.g. the amygdaloid complex, hippocampus, fascia dentata and the neocortex in rat and monkey tissue. This is the first report on antisera against all five somatostatin receptor subtypes and the first immunohistochemical visualization of sst5 receptors in the mammalian brain.

cDNAs encoding glutamate receptor glu1, glu2 (Q and R) or glu4 under control of a constitutively active metallothionine promoter, were transfected into baby hamster kidney cells. Following the addition of selection agent, transfectants expressing high levels of glutamate receptor as measured by [3H]alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-isoxalazole-4-propionate (AMPA) binding, were selected for further studies. Using glutamate receptor antibodies, the receptor proteins were visualized in Western blotting as having a molecular weight of approximately 100 kDa. [3H]AMPA binding to the glutamate receptor expressing cell lines revealed that glu1, glu2 (Q), and glu4 receptors displayed a single site in Scatchard analysis with Kd values of 12, 15.7 and 21 nM, respectively. However, the Ca2+ impermeable variant of the glu2 receptor, glu2 (R) displayed a curvilinear Scatchard plot. Computer resolution suggested the presence of a high and low affinity state (KH = 2.9 nM; KL = 40.7 nM). The pharmacological profile of the [3H]AMPA binding to these recombinant receptors resembled the high affinity [3H]AMPA binding site in rat brain showing high affinity for glutamate, quisqualate, and medium affinity for 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, CNQX; 6,7-dinitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, DNQX; and 6-nitro-7-sulphanyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline-2,3,dione, NBQX. Kainate displayed low affinity and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), was inactive in inhibiting specific [3H]AMPA binding. These cell lines will prove to be important tools in the study of glutamate receptors.

In screening for antifungal metabolites, a novel compound, malonofungin, exhibiting growth inhibitory activity against Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), has been isolated from fermentations of Phaeoramularia fusimaculans CBS 616.87. Its structure is established as (E)-(3R,4S,5S)-5-acetoxy-2-amino-2-carboxy-3,4-dihydroxy-14-oxoicos++ +-6-enoic acid, representing an addition to the rare class of naturally occurring aminomalonic acids. 1H NMR data and extensive use of CD spectroscopy have been utilized to establish the absolute stereochemistry of malonofungin. The structural and biological relationship of malonofungin to previously reported fungal metabolites is discussed.

5.7-Dinitro-quinoxaline-2.3-dione (MNQX) displaced [3H]glycine binding to cortical membranes but had no effect n [3H]3-((+/-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid ([3H]CPP) binding. MNQX potently antagonized N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-evoked release of [3H]GABA from cultured cortical neurones, NMDA evoked spreading depression and NMDA depolarizations in the rat neo-cortex. All of these responses were reversed by addition of glycine to the perfusion media. These results suggested that MNQX is an antagonist at the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor associated with the NMDA receptor/ionophore complex. Furthermore the compound was found to antagonise audiogenic seizures in DBA-2 mice indicating the potential of glycine antagonists of this type in anticonvulsant therapy.