RESUMO
The design and synthesis of a novel series of potent and cell permeable peptidomimetic inhibitors of the human beta-secretase (BACE) are described. These inhibitors feature a hydroxyethyl secondary amine isostere and a novel aromatic ring replacement for the C-terminus. The crystal structure of BACE in complex with this hydroxyethyl secondary amine isostere inhibitor is also presented.
Assuntos
Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/antagonistas & inibidores , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/química , Modelos Moleculares , Peptídeos/química , Ácidos Ftálicos/síntese química , Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/química , Linhagem Celular , Cristalografia por Raios X , Desenho de Fármacos , Humanos , Mimetismo Molecular , Estrutura Molecular , Ácidos Ftálicos/química , Ácidos Ftálicos/farmacologia , EstereoisomerismoRESUMO
In G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a conserved aspartic acid in the DRY motif at the cytoplasmic end of helix 3 regulates the transition to the active state, while the adjacent arginine is crucial for G protein activation. To examine the functions of these two residues, we made D130I and R131Q mutations in the alpha2A adrenergic receptor (AR). We demonstrate that, unlike other GPCRs, the alpha2A AR is not constitutively activated by the D130I mutation, although the mutation increases agonist affinity. While the R131Q mutation severely disrupts function, it decreases rather than increasing agonist affinity as seen in other GPCRs. We then investigated the molecular effects of the same mutations in a peptide model and showed that Arg131 is not required for peptide-mediated G protein activation. These results indicate that the alpha2A AR does not follow the conventional GPCR mechanistic paradigm with respect to the function of the DRY motif.