Optimization of First-in-Class Dual-Acting FFAR1/FFAR4 Allosteric Modulators with Novel Mode of Action.

The free fatty acid receptors FFAR1 and FFAR4 are considered promising therapeutic targets for management of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. However, there is a need for entirely novel chemical scaffolds, since many of the highly similar lipophilic chemotypes in development have been abandoned by the pharmaceutical industry, due to toxic effects on hepatocytes and ß-cells. Our group has recently reported the discovery of a 1,3,5-triazine-2-amine-based compound that acts as an allosteric agonist on FFAR1. Here, we present the synthesis and investigation of the structure-activity relationship of an extensive set of analogues of which many display dual-acting agonist properties for both FFAR1 and FFAR4. In several rounds of optimization, we discovered multiple analogues with single-digit nanomolar potency on FFAR1. Pending additional optimization for metabolic stability, the compounds in this study present novel ways of providing beneficial glycemic control while avoiding the notorious toxicity challenges associated with previously identified chemotypes.

Autocrine negative feedback regulation of lipolysis through sensing of NEFAs by FFAR4/GPR120 in WAT.

OBJECTIVES: Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) released from adipocytes inhibit lipolysis through an unclear mechanism. We hypothesized that the LCFA receptor, FFAR4 (GPR120), which is highly expressed in adipocytes, may be involved in this feedback regulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of conditioned media from isoproterenol-stimulated primary cultures of murine and human adipocytes demonstrated that most of the released non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFAs) are known agonists for FFAR4. In agreement with this, conditioned medium from isoproterenol-treated adipocytes stimulated signaling strongly in FFAR4 transfected COS-7 cells as opposed to non-transfected control cells. In transfected 3T3-L1 cells, FFAR4 agonism stimulated Gi- and Go-mini G protein binding more strongly than Gq, effects which were blocked by the selective FFAR4 antagonist AH7614. In primary cultures of murine white adipocytes, the synthetic, selective FFAR4 agonist CpdA inhibited isoproterenol-induced intracellular cAMP accumulation in a manner similar to the antilipolytic control agent nicotinic acid acting through another receptor, HCAR2. In vivo, oral gavage with the synthetic, specific FFAR4 agonist CpdB decreased the level of circulating NEFAs in fasting lean mice to a similar degree as nicotinic acid. In agreement with the identified anti-lipolytic effect of FFAR4, plasma NEFAs and glycerol were increased in FFAR4-deficient mice as compared to littermate controls despite having elevated insulin levels, and cAMP accumulation in primary adipocyte cultures was augmented by treatment with the FFAR4 antagonist conceivably by blocking the stimulatory tone of endogenous NEFAs on FFAR4. CONCLUSIONS: In white adipocytes, FFAR4 functions as an NEFA-activated, autocrine, negative feedback regulator of lipolysis by decreasing cAMP though Gi-mediated signaling.

Molecular dynamics-guided discovery of an ago-allosteric modulator for GPR40/FFAR1.

The long-chain fatty acid receptor FFAR1/GPR40 binds agonists in both an interhelical site between the extracellular segments of transmembrane helix (TM)-III and TM-IV and a lipid-exposed groove between the intracellular segments of these helices. Molecular dynamics simulations of FFAR1 with agonist removed demonstrated a major rearrangement of the polar and charged anchor point residues for the carboxylic acid moiety of the agonist in the interhelical site, which was associated with closure of a neighboring, solvent-exposed pocket between the extracellular poles of TM-I, TM-II, and TM-VII. A synthetic compound designed to bind in this pocket, and thereby prevent its closure, was identified through structure-based virtual screening and shown to function both as an agonist and as an allosteric modulator of receptor activation. This discovery of an allosteric agonist for a previously unexploited, dynamic pocket in FFAR1 demonstrates both the power of including molecular dynamics in the drug discovery process and that this specific, clinically proven, but difficult, antidiabetes target can be addressed by chemotypes different from existing ligands.