AbstractCannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2R) agonists are investigated as therapeutic agents in the clinic. However, their molecular mode-of-action is not fully understood. Here, we report the discovery of LEI-102, a CB2R agonist, used in conjunction with three other CBR ligands (APD371, HU308, and CP55,940) to investigate the selective CB2R activation by binding kinetics, site-directed mutagenesis, and cryo-EM studies. We identify key residues for CB2R activation. Highly lipophilic HU308 and the endocannabinoids, but not the more polar LEI-102, APD371, and CP55,940, reach the binding pocket through a membrane channel in TM1-TM7. Favorable physico-chemical properties of LEI-102 enable oral efficacy in a chemotherapy-induced nephropathy model. This study delineates the molecular mechanism of CB2R activation by selective agonists and highlights the role of lipophilicity in CB2R engagement. This may have implications for GPCR drug design and sheds light on their activation by endogenous ligands.
摘要
大麻素 CB2 受体(CB2R)激动剂被研究用作临床治疗药物。然而,人们对它们的分子作用模式并不完全了解。在此,我们报告了发现的一种 CB2R 激动剂 LEI-102,并将其与其他三种 CBR
配体(APD371、HU308 和 CP55,940)结合使用,通过结合动力学、定点突变和冷冻电镜研究来研究 CB2R 的选择性激活。我们确定了激活 CB2R 的关键残基。高亲脂性的 HU308 和内源性
大麻素,而非极性较强的 LEI-102、APD371 和 CP55,940,可通过 TM1-TM7 的膜通道到达结合口袋。LEI-102 具有良好的物理
化学特性,可在化疗诱导的肾病模型中发挥口服疗效。这项研究描述了选择性激动剂激活 CB2R 的分子机制,并强调了亲脂性在 CB2R 参与中的作用。这可能会对
GPCR 药物设计产生影响,并揭示了内源性
配体对它们的激活作用。