Solution Structures of Cyclic Melanocortin Agonists and Antagonists by NMR

Jinfa Ying, Katalin E. Kövér, Xuyuan Gu, Guoxia Han, Dev B. Trivedi, Malcolm J. Kavarana, Victor J. Hruby*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The melanocortin receptors are involved in many physiological functions, including pigmentation, sexual function, feeding behavior, and energy homeostasis, making them potential targets for drugs to treat obesity, sexual dysfunction, etc. Understanding the conformational basis of the receptor-ligand interactions is crucial to the design of potent and selective ligands for these receptors. The solution structures of the cyclic melanocortin agonists, partial agonist, and antagonists MTII, VJH085, SHU9II9, MK5, and MK9 were determined by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) spectroscopy at pH 4.5 and 25 °C in water (90% H2O/10% D2O). The overall backbone structures of these cyclic α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analogues around the message sequence (His6-D-Phe 7/D-Nal(2′)7-Arg8-Trp9) were similar and reasonably well defined. β-Turns spanning His6 and D-Phe7/D-Nal(2′)7 were identified in all analogues, and an amphiphilic molecular surface was obtained for the message sequence residues in most structures within the NMR ensembles. The β-turn, which most closely resembles a type II β-turn, leads to stacking between the aromatic rings of His6 and D-Phe7 in MTII and VJH085. However, no aromatic stacking between His6 and D-Nal(2′) 7 was found in structures of the D-Nal(2′) 7-containing analogues. The difference in the side-chain dispositions of His6 and D-Nal(2′)7 may be responsible for the reduced potency or antagonist activity of the D-Nal(2′)7-containing analogues. In addition, our results suggest that the side-chain orientations may also modulate the receptor selectivity. The information found in this study will be useful for the further design of ligands for melanocortin receptors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)696-716
Number of pages21
JournalBiopolymers - Peptide Science Section
Volume71
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Conformation/bioactivity relationships
  • Melanocortin receptors
  • NMR
  • Torsion-angle dynamics
  • α-MSH
  • β-turns

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