title: Study of human Orexin-1 and -2 G-protein-coupled receptors with novel and published antagonists by modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and site-directed mutagenesis.
abstract: The class A G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) Orexin-1 (OX1) and Orexin-2 (OX2) are located predominantly in the brain and are linked to a range of different physiological functions, including the control of feeding, energy metabolism, modulation of neuro-endocrine function, and regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) and domain exchange (chimera) studies have provided important insight into key features of the OX1 and OX2 binding sites. However, the precise determinants of antagonist binding and selectivity are still not fully known. In this work, we used homology modeling of OX receptors to direct further SDM studies. These SDM studies were followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to rationalize the full scope of the SDM data and to explain the role of each mutated residue in the binding and selectivity of a set of OX antagonists: Almorexant (dual OX1 and OX2 antagonist), SB-674042 (OX1 selective antagonist), EMPA (OX2 selective antagonist), and others. Our primary interest was focused on transmembrane helix 3 (TM3), which is identified as being of great importance for the selectivity of OX antagonists. These studies revealed conformational differences between the TM3 helices of OX1 and OX2, resulting from differences in amino acid sequences of the OX receptors that affect key interhelical interactions formed between TM3 and neighboring TM domains. The MD simulation protocol used here, which was followed by flexible docking studies, went beyond the use of static models and allowed for a more detailed exploration of the OX structures. In this work, we have demonstrated how even small differences in the amino acid sequences of GPCRs can lead to significant differences in structure, antagonist binding affinity, and selectivity of these receptors. The MD simulations allowed refinement of the OX receptor models to a degree that was not possible with static homology modeling alone and provided a deeper rationalization of the SDM data obtained. To validate these findings and to demonstrate that they can be usefully applied to the design of novel, very selective OX antagonists, we show here two examples of antagonists designed in house: EP-109-0092 (OX1 selective) and EP-009-0513 (OX2 selective).
authors.affiliation: Evotec (UK) Ltd., 114 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SA, United Kingdom. Alexander.Heifetz@Evotec.com
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heifetz
authors.forename: G Benjamin
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Biggin
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fryatt
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hallett
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manikowski
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reifegerste
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slack
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Law
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000068797:Orexins; D011487:Protein Conformation; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled