The design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, [D-Lys(6)(1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-carboxyanthraquinone)]GnRH ([D-Lys(6)(Emo)]GnRH), is described. Synthesis of this analogue was carried out in a homogeneous solution as well as on a polymer support. [D-Lys(6)(Emo)]GnRH was found to bind to rat pituitary GnRH receptors (IC50 = 0.25 nM), to induce luteinizing hormone (LH) release (ED50 = 27 pM), and to be devoid of any toxicity. This analogue also proved to be a very potent agonist in vivo and exhibited a prolonged bioactivity. Six hours after its administration to rats, LH levels were substantially higher than those of rats treated with a 10-fold higher dose of the parent peptide. Moreover, chronic treatment of adult male rats with [D-Lys(6)(Emo)]GnRH (0.1 nmol/rat) for one week resulted in a further decrease of the weight of the testes and prostate as compared to those of rats that were treated with a higher dose of [D-Lys] GnRH (1 nmol/rat). The prolonged activity of [D-Lys(6)(Emo)]GnRH may be attributed to its emodic acid moiety, which enhances the binding affinity of the analogue to human serum albumin. Indeed, we found that emodic. acid binds to human serum albumin almost completely at the examined range of concentrations.
Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs and methods of use thereof
申请人:Koch Yitzhak
公开号:US20060100154A1
公开(公告)日:2006-05-11
The present invention relates to the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of potent long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs including agonists and antagonists comprising a GnRH peptide conjugated to emodic acid or an emodic acid derivative. These long acting analogs bind to GnRH receptors with high affinity and are devoid of any toxicity or antiproliferative effects. The present invention further relates to therapeutic uses of these GnRII analogs as contraceptives, in controlling fertility and in treating and/or preventing sex-hormone dependent diseases or conditions.