Physiology and Pharmacology Publications
Single Amino Acid Replacement in G-7039 Leads to a 70-fold Increase in Binding toward GHS-R1a
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-17-2019
Journal
ChemMedChem
Volume
14
Issue
20
First Page
1762
Last Page
1766
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1002/cmdc.201900466
Abstract
© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim The growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a) is a class A rhodopsin-like G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that is expressed in a variety of human tissues and is differentially expressed in benign and malignant prostate cancer. Previously, the peptidomimetic [1-Nal4,Lys5(4-fluorobenzoyl)]G-7039 was designed as a molecular imaging tool for positron emission tomography (PET). However, this candidate was a poor binder (IC50=69 nm), required a lengthy four-step radiosynthesis, and had a cLogP above 8. To address these challenges, we now report on changes targeted at the 4th position of G-7039. A 2-fluoropropionic acid (2-FPA) group was added on to Lys5 to determine the potential binding affinity of the [18F]-2-FP radiolabeled analogue, which could be prepared by simplified radiochemistry. Lead candidate [Tyr4,Lys5(2-fluoropropionyl)]G-7039 exhibited an IC50 of 0.28 nm and low picomolar activity toward GHS-R1a. Molecular docking revealed a molecular basis for this picomolar affinity.