Discovery of novel, potent, and orally bioavailable pyrido[2,3-d][1]benzazepin-6-one antagonists for parathyroid hormone receptor 1.

Structural modification of a 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one-based PTHR1 antagonist 5, a novel type of PTHR1 antagonist previously synthesized in our laboratories, yielded compound 10, which had better chemical stability than compound 5. Successive optimization of the lead 10 improved aqueous solubility, metabolic stability, and animal pharmacokinetics, culminating in the identification of DS37571084 (12). Our study paves the way for the discovery of novel and orally bioavailable PTHR1 antagonists.

Discovery of novel PTHR1 antagonists: Design, synthesis, and structure activity relationships.

The discovery and optimization of a novel series of PTHR1 antagonists are described. Starting from known PTHR1 antagonists, we identified more potent 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one derivatives by means of a scaffold-hopping approach. The representative compound 23 (DS08210767) exhibited nanomolar-level PTHR1 antagonist activity and potential oral bioavailability in a pharmacokinetic study.

Characteristics of parathyroid hormone-1 receptor agonists and antagonists.

Aim: Parathyroid hormone-1 receptor (PTH1R) is a member of B G protein-coupled receptors. The agonistic activation of the PTH1R results in the production and secretion of osteoclast-stimulating cytokines while antagonists may be used to treat bone metastases, hypercalcemia, cachexia and hyperparathyroidism. Results: We built pharmacophore models and investigated the characteristics of PTH1R agonists and antagonists. The agonist model consists of three hydrophobic points, one hydrogen bond acceptor and one positive ionizable point. The antagonist model consists of one hydrogen bond donor and three hydrophobic points. Conclusion: The features of the two models are similar, but the hydrogen bond acceptor, which is the main difference between PTH1R agonists and antagonists, suggests it may be essential for the agonist.

ß-Alanine mediated inhibition of PTHR1suppresses the proliferation, invasion and tumorigenesis in metastatic human osteosarcoma U2OS cells.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of ß-alanine mediated inhibition of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTHR1), suppresses the proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis in metastatic human osteosarcoma U2OS cells. Cell survival rate was reduced 96.54, 91.23, 84.62, 76.42 and 69.72% following incubation of ß-alanine at 50-250 mM respectively. Annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) staining showed a reduced level of viable cells (71.37%) at 250 mM of ß-alanine. U2OS cell proliferation, adhesion, invasion, and migration were decreased following incubation with ß-alanine. Matrix metalloproteinases-2/9 (MMP-2/9) mRNA expression was reduced, whereas tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1/2 (TIMP-1/2) mRNA expression was increased remarkably. The mRNA and protein of PTHR1 were reduced in the cells following incubation with ß-alanine. Vacuole membrane protein 1 (Vmp1) mRNA and protein were increased in the cells following incubation with ß-alanine. In tunel assay, the number of PTHR1 positive cells was 67, 34 and 17 following incubation with ß-alanine at 150, 200 and 250 mM respectively. Taking all these data together, it is concluded that ß-alanine mediated inhibition of PTHR1 reduced the U2OS cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the results indicated that the ß-alanine induced expression of PTHR1 has a positive relationship with invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells.

A Convenient In Vivo Model Using Small Interfering RNA Silencing to Rapidly Assess Skeletal Gene Function.

It is difficult to study bone in vitro because it contains various cell types that engage in cross-talk. Bone biologically links various organs, and it has thus become increasingly evident that skeletal physiology must be studied in an integrative manner in an intact animal. We developed a model using local intraosseous small interfering RNA (siRNA) injection to rapidly assess the effects of a target gene on the local skeletal environment. In this model, 160-g male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 1-2 weeks. The left tibia received intraosseous injection of a parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (Pth1r) or insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (Igf-1r) siRNA transfection complex loaded in poloxamer 407 hydrogel, and the right tibia received the same volume of control siRNA. All the tibias received an intraosseous injection of recombinant human parathyroid hormone (1-34) (rhPTH (1-34)) or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Calcein green and alizarin red were injected 6 and 2 days before euthanasia, respectively. IGF-1R and PTH1R expression levels were detected via RT-PCR assays and immunohistochemistry. Bone mineral density (BMD), microstructure, mineral apposition rates (MARs), and strength were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, micro-CT, histology and biomechanical tests. The RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry results revealed that IGF-1R and PTH1R expression levels were dramatically diminished in the siRNA-treated left tibias compared to the right tibias (both p<0.05). Using poloxamer 407 hydrogel as a controlled-release system prolonged the silencing effect of a single dose of siRNA; the mRNA expression levels of IGF-1R were lower at two weeks than at one week (p<0.01). The BMD, bone microstructure parameters, MAR and bone strength were significantly decreased in the left tibias compared to the right tibias (all p<0.05). This simple and convenient local intraosseous siRNA injection model achieved gene silencing with very small quantities of siRNA over a short treatment period (≤7 days).

Backbone Modification of a Parathyroid Hormone Receptor-1 Antagonist/Inverse Agonist.

A backbone-modified peptide derived from parathyroid hormone (PTH) is shown to function as an inhibitor and inverse agonist of parathyroid hormone receptor-1 (PTHR1) signaling. This receptor acts to regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis, as well as bone turnover and development. PTH is a natural agonist of PTHR1, and PTH(1-34) displays full activity relative to the natural 84-residue hormone. PTH(1-34) is used clinically to treat osteoporosis. N-terminally truncated derivatives of PTH(1-34), such as PTH(7-34), are known to bind to PTHR1 without initiating intracellular signaling and can thus act as competitive antagonists of PTH-induced signaling at PTHR1. In some cases, N-terminally truncated PTH derivatives also act as inverse agonists of PTHR1 variants that display pathologically high levels of signaling in the absence of PTH. Many analogues of PTH, however, are rapidly degraded by proteases, which may limit biomedical application. We show that backbone modification via periodic replacement of α-amino acid residues with homologous ß-amino acid residues leads to an α/ß-PTH(7-34) peptide that retains the antagonist and inverse agonist activities of the prototype α-peptide while exhibiting enhanced stability in the presence of aggressive proteases. These findings highlight the value of backbone-modified peptides derived from PTH as tools for investigating determinants of PTH metabolism and provide guidance for designing therapeutic agents for diseases arising from excessive ligand-dependent or ligand-independent PTHR1 activity.

Bovine parathyroid hormone enhances osteoclast bone resorption by modulating V-ATPase through PTH1R.

The vacuolar-type H+ adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase) plays an important role in cellular acidification and bone resorption by osteoclasts. However, the direct effect of bovine parathyroid hormone (bPTH) on V-ATPase has not yet been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of bPTH on V-ATPase and osteoclasts. Osteoclasts from bone marrow (BM)-derived monocytes of C57BL/6 mice were cultured with or without bPTH. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the V-ATPase a3-subunit and d2-subunit (by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis), V-ATPase activity (using the V type ATPase Activity Assay kit) and the bone resorption function of osteoclasts (by bone resorption assay) were examined following treatment with various concentrations of bPTH (0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 ng/ml) alone or with bPTH and its inhibitor, bafilomycin A1. Furthermore, the expression of parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors in osteoclasts was also detected. The results revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of V-ATPase a3-subunit and d2-subunit increased in a dose­dependent manner, paralleling the level of bPTH present. In addition, an increase in the concentration of bPTH was accompanied by the increased resorption capability of osteoclasts, whereas bone resorption was inhibited in the presence of bafilomycin A1. In addition, we confirmed the existence of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) in osteoclasts using three different methods (RT-qPCR, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining). We found that bPTH enhanced the bone resorption capability of osteoclasts by modulating the expression of V-ATPase subunits, intracellular acidification and V-ATPase activity. Thus, we propose that PTH has a direct effect on osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and that this effect is mediated through PTH1R, thus contributing to bone remodeling.

PTHrP regulates water absorption and aquaporin expression in the intestine of the marine sea bream (Sparus aurata, L.).

Water ingestion by drinking is fundamental for ion homeostasis in marine fish. However, the fluid ingested requires processing to allow net water absorption in the intestine. The formation of luminal carbonate aggregates impacts on calcium homeostasis and requires epithelial HCO3(-) secretion to enable water absorption. In light of its endocrine importance in calcium handling and the indication of involvement in HCO3(-) secretion the present study was designed to expose the role of the parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in HCO3(-) secretion, water absorption and the regulation of aqp1 gene expression in the anterior intestine of the sea bream. HCO3(-) secretion rapidly decreased when PTHrP(1-34) was added to anterior intestine of the sea bream mounted in Ussing chambers. The effect achieved a maximum inhibition of 60% of basal secretion rates, showing a threshold effective dose of 0.1 ng ml(-1) compatible with reported plasma values of PTHrP. When applied in combination with the adenylate cyclase inhibitor (SQ 22.536, 100 µmol l(-1)) or the phospholipase C inhibitor (U73122, 10 µmol l(-1)) the effect of PTHrP(1-34) on HCO3(-) secretion was reduced by about 50% in both cases. In parallel, bulk water absorption measured in intestinal sacs was sensitive to inhibition by PTHrP. The inhibitory action conforms to a typical dose-response curve in the range of 0.1-1000 ng ml(-1), achieves a maximal effect of 60-65% inhibition from basal rates and shows threshold significant effects at hormone levels of 0.1 ng ml(-1). The action of PTHrP in water absorption was completely abolished in the presence of the adenylate cyclase inhibitor (SQ 22.536, 100 µmol l(-1)) and was insensitive to the phospholipase C inhibitor (U73122, 10 µmol l(-1)). In vivo injections of PTHrP(1-34) or the PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonist PTHrP(7-34) evoked respectively, a significant decrease or increase of aqp1ab, but not aqp1a. Overall the present results suggest that PTHrP acts as a key regulator of carbonate aggregate formation in the intestine of marine fish via its actions on water absorption, calcium regulation and HCO3(-) secretion.

Knockdown of PTHR1 in osteosarcoma cells decreases invasion and growth and increases tumor differentiation in vivo.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common cancer of bone. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium homeostasis and bone development, while the paracrine/autocrine PTH-related protein (PTHrP) has central roles in endochondral bone formation and bone remodeling. Using a murine OS model, we found that OS cells express PTHrP and the common PTH/PTHrP receptor (PTHR1). To investigate the role of PTHR1 signaling in OS cell behavior, we used shRNA to reduce PTHR1 expression. This only mildly inhibited proliferation in vitro, but markedly reduced invasion through collagen and reduced expression of RANK ligand (RANKL). Administration of PTH(1-34) did not stimulate OS proliferation in vivo but, strikingly, PTHR1 knockdown resulted in a profound growth inhibition and increased differentiation/mineralization of the tumors. Treatment with neutralizing antibody to PTHrP did not recapitulate the knockdown of PTHR1. Consistent with this lack of activity, PTHrP was predominantly intracellular in OS cells. Knockdown of PTHR1 resulted in increased expression of late osteoblast differentiation genes and upregulation of Wnt antagonists. RANKL production was reduced in knockdown tumors, providing for reduced homotypic signaling through the receptor, RANK. Loss of PTHR1 resulted in the coordinated loss of gene signatures associated with the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Using Ezh2 inhibitors, we demonstrate that the increased expression of osteoblast maturation markers is in part mediated by the loss of PRC2 activity. Collectively these results demonstrate that PTHR1 signaling is important in maintaining OS proliferation and undifferentiated state. This is in part mediated by intracellular PTHrP and through regulation of the OS epigenome.

Backbone modification of a polypeptide drug alters duration of action in vivo.

Systematic modification of the backbone of bioactive polypeptides through ß-amino acid residue incorporation could provide a strategy for generating molecules with improved drug properties, but such alterations can result in lower receptor affinity and potency. Using an agonist of parathyroid hormone receptor-1 (PTHR1), a G protein-coupled receptor in the B-family, we present an approach for αâ†’ß residue replacement that enables both high activity and improved pharmacokinetic properties in vivo.

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2 is a negative regulator of parathyroid hormone receptor/Gq signaling.

The parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR) is a class B G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates the endocrine and paracrine effects of parathyroid hormone and related peptides through the activation of phospholipase Cß-, adenylyl cyclase-, mitogen-activated protein kinase-, and ß-arrestin-initiated signaling pathways. It is currently not clear how specificity among these downstream signaling pathways is achieved. A possible mechanism involves adaptor proteins that affect receptor/effector coupling. In a proteomic screen with the PTHR C terminus, we identified vav2, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rho GTPases, as a PTHR-interacting protein. The core domains of vav2 bound to the intracellular domains of the PTHR independent of receptor activation. In addition, vav2 specifically interacted with activated Gα(q) but not with Gα(s) subunits, and it competed with PTHR for coupling to Gα(q). Consistent with its specific interaction with Gα(q), vav2 impaired G(q)-mediated inositol phosphate generation but not G(s)-mediated cAMP generation. This inhibition of G(q) signaling was specific for PTHR signaling, compared with other G(q)-coupled GPCRs. Moreover, the benefit for PTHR-mediated inositol phosphate generation in the absence of vav2 required the ezrin binding domain of Na(+)/H(+)-exchanger regulatory factor 1. Our results show that a RhoA GEF can specifically interact with a GPCR and modulate its G protein signaling specificity.

Effects of nicotine on PTHrP and PTHrP receptor expression in rat coronary endothelial cells.

AIMS: The study was aimed to investigate whether nicotine affects endothelial expression of PTHrP and PTHrP receptor, a peptide system involved in endothelial protection against apoptosis. METHODS: Isolated and cultured rat coronary endothelial cells were used. Immunoblot techniques were used to study activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and to quantify PTHrP and PTHrP receptor expression. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify PTHrP, PTHrP-receptor, bcl-2, and bax mRNA expression. The rate of apoptosis was determined by HOE33258 staining and confirmed by quantification of the bcl-2-to-bax ratio. In vitro data were compared to hearts from rats exposed to cigarette smoking. RESULTS: Nicotine induced PTHrP protein expression at nanomolar levels and small increases of PTHrP release (≈8%). Antagonists directed against the α7 subunit of cholinergic receptors, the most prominent isoform, attenuated nicotine-dependent increases of PTHrP expression. This effect of nicotine was p38 MAPK dependent. Nicotine at micromolar concentrations reduced PTHrP receptor expression. In vitro and in vivo we found a correlation between PTHrP receptor expression and bcl-2 expression. CONCLUSION: Nicotine induces PTHrP expression in endothelial cells but excessive concentrations of nicotine reduce PTHrP receptor expression thereby attenuating any protective effects of PTHrP against apoptosis.

PTH1 receptor is involved in mediating cellular response to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The molecular pathways by which long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) influence skeletal health remain elusive. Both LCPUFA and parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor (PTH1R) are known to be involved in bone metabolism while any direct link between the two is yet to be established. Here we report that LCPUFA are capable of direct, PTH1R dependent activation of extracellular ligand-regulated kinases (ERK). From a wide range of fatty acids studied, varying in chain length, saturation, and position of double bonds, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic fatty acids (DHA) caused the highest ERK phosphorylation. Moreover, EPA potentiated the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH(1-34)) in a superagonistic manner. EPA or DHA dependent ERK phosphorylation was inhibited by the PTH1R antagonist and by knockdown of PTH1R. Inhibition of PTH1R downstream signaling molecules, protein kinases A (PKA) and C (PKC), reduced EPA and DHA dependent ERK phosphorylation indicating that fatty acids predominantly activate G-protein pathway and not the ß-arrestin pathway. Using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence microscopy and a genetically engineered PTH1R sensor (PTH-CC), we detected conformational responses to EPA similar to those caused by PTH(1-34). PTH1R antagonist blocked the EPA induced conformational response of the PTH-CC. Competitive binding studies using fluorescence anisotropy technique showed that EPA and DHA competitively bind to and alter the affinity of PTH1 receptor to PTH(1-34) leading to a superagonistic response. Finally, we showed that EPA stimulates protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation in a PTH1R-dependent manner and affects the osteoblast survival pathway, by inhibiting glucocorticoid-induced cell death. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that LCPUFAs, EPA and DHA, can activate PTH1R receptor at nanomolar concentrations and consequently provide a putative molecular mechanism for the action of fatty acids in bone.

Type 1 receptor parathyroid hormone (PTH1R) influences breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by high levels of glucose.

Increased breast cancer incidence parallels the increase in cases of type 2 diabetes. We investigated the effect of type 1 receptor parathyroid hormone (PTH1R) expression on viability and apoptosis of breast cancer cells exposed to high levels of glucose. Upregulation of PTH1R was detected in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and diabetes. In vitro, PTH1R silencing suppressed cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by high levels of glucose by regulating Bax/Bcl-2 expression. These results suggest PTH1R silencing may represent a novel treatment approach for patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who are also managing diabetes.

PTH-receptors regulate norepinephrine release in human heart and kidney.

Recent data suggests that chronic renal failure and hyperparathyroidism are associated with sympathetic overactivity. Since peptide hormones are known to modulate norepinephrine (NE) release by activating prejunctional receptors, this study investigates whether parathyroid hormone fragment (1-34) (hPTH(1-34)) increases neuronal NE release in human heart and kidney. Using specific PTH-receptor agonists and antagonists, this study furthermore highlights functional differences between PTH1 and PTH2 receptors. Human atrial and renal tissues were incubated with [(3)H]-NE and superfused. Three electrical stimulations (5Hz, 1min) induced a stable [(3)H]-NE release which was taken as an index of endogenous NE release. RT-PCR with specific primers for PTH1- and PTH2-receptor was performed in heart and kidney. hPTH(1-34) (0.01-0.1µmol/L) and a stable analog of its second messenger cAMP (8-bromo-cAMP) increased [(3)H]-NE release in human atria. This facilitatory effect of PTH was also observed in human renal cortex. The PTH1-receptor antagonist (D-Trp(12), Tyr(34))-pTH-(7-34) (0.5µmol/L) abolished the effect of hPTH(1-34). This data was verified using isolated perfused mouse kidneys. Tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP-39) (0.1nmol/L-0.1µmol/L) decreased [(3)H]-NE release in atria. PTH1- and PTH2-receptor expressions were demonstrated in human heart and kidney. Moreover, a splice variant of the PTH2-receptor was detected in human kidney. In conclusion, PTH is able to facilitate NE release in human atria and renal cortex by activation of PTH1-receptors. The highly increased PTH levels that can be observed in chronic renal failure might be one contributor for the elevated sympathetic nerve activity and the associated cardiovascular mortality in patients with end stage renal disease.

ß-arrestin-biased agonism at the parathyroid hormone receptor uncouples bone formation from bone resorption.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a principle regulator of bone and calcium metabolism and PTH analogs hold great promise as a therapy for metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis. PTH acts principally through the type IPTH/PTH-related peptide receptor (PTH1R), a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR). GPCRs are a family of seven transmembrane cell surface receptors that share conserved structural, functional, and regulatory properties. Recent studies demonstrate that the complex metabolic effects induced by PTH1R stimulation are not entirely a consequence of conventional GPCR signaling. ß-arrestins, in addition to their GPCR desensitizing actions, also serve as multifunctional scaffolding proteins linking the PTH1R to signaling molecules independent of the classic G protein coupled second messenger-dependent pathways. In vitro, D-Trp(12),Tyr(34)-bPTH(7-34) (PTH-ßarr), a ß-arrestin selective biased agonist for the PTH1R, antagonizes receptor-G protein coupling but activates arrestin-dependent signaling. In vivo, intermittent administration of, PTH-ßarr to mice, induces anabolic bone formation, completely independent of classic G protein-coupled signaling mechanisms. While both PTH-ßarr and the conventional agonist PTH(1-34) stimulate anabolic bone formation in mice, unlike PTH(1-34), which activates G protein coupling, PTH-ßarr does not induce hypercalcemia or increase markers of bone resorption. This newly recognized ability of ß-arrestins to serve as signal transducers for the PTH1R represents an innovative paradigm of receptor signaling which can be targeted to induce a subset of physiologic responses in bone. Exploitation of ß-arrestin biased agonism may offer therapeutic benefit for the treatment of metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

The N- and C-terminal domains of parathyroid hormone-related protein affect differently the osteogenic and adipogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is synthesized by diverse tissues, and its processing produces several fragments, each with apparently distinct autocrine and paracrine bioactivities. In bone, PTHrP appears to modulate bone formation in part through promoting osteoblast differentiation. The putative effect of PTH-like and PTH-unrelated fragments of PTHrP on human mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) is not well known. Human MSCs were treated with PTHrP (1-36) or PTHrP (107-139) or both (each at 10 nM) in osteogenic or adipogenic medium, from the start or after 6 days of exposure to the corresponding medium, and the expression of several osteoblastogenic and adipogenic markers was analyzed. PTHrP (1-36) inhibited adipogenesis in MSCs and favoured the expression of osteogenic early markers. The opposite was observed with treatment of MSCs with PTHrP (107-139). Moreover, inhibition of the adipogenic differentiation by PTHrP (1-36) prevailed in the presence of PTHrP (107-139). The PTH/PTHrP type 1 receptor (PTH1R) gene expression was maximum in the earlier and later stages of osteogenesis and adipogenesis, respectively. While PTHrP (107-139) did not modify the PTH1R overexpression during adipogenesis, PTHrP (1-36) did inhibit it; an effect which was partially affected by PTHrP (7-34), a PTH1R antagonist, at 1 microM. These findings demonstrate that both PTHrP domains can exert varying effects on human MSCs differentiation. PTHrP (107-139) showed a tendency to favor adipogenesis, while PTHrP (1-36) induced a mild osteogenic effect in these cells, and inhibited their adipocytic commitment. This further supports the potential anabolic action of the latter peptide in humans.

The N- and C-terminal domains of parathyroid hormone-related protein affect differently the osteogenic and adipogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is synthesized by diverse tissues, and its processing produces several fragments, each with apparently distinct autocrine and paracrine bioactivities. In bone, PTHrP appears to modulate bone formation in part through promoting osteoblast differentiation. The putative effect of PTH-like and PTH-unrelated fragments of PTHrP on human mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) is not well known. Human MSCs were treated with PTHrP (1-36) or PTHrP (107-139) or both (each at 10 nM) in osteogenic or adipogenic medium, from the start or after 6 days of exposure to the corresponding medium, and the expression of several osteoblastogenic and adipogenic markers was analyzed. PTHrP (1-36) inhibited adipogenesis in MSCs and favoured the expression of osteogenic early markers. The opposite was observed with treatment of MSCs with PTHrP (107-139). Moreover, inhibition of the adipogenic differentiation by PTHrP (1-36) prevailed in the presence of PTHrP (107-139). The PTH/PTHrP type 1 receptor (PTH1R) gene expression was maximum in the earlier and later stages of osteogenesis and adipogenesis, respectively. While PTHrP (107-139) did not modify the PTH1R overexpression during adipogenesis, PTHrP (1-36) did inhibit it; an effect which was partially affected by PTHrP (7-34), a PTH1R antagonist, at 1 microM. These findings demonstrate that both PTHrP domains can exert varying effects on human MSCs differentiation. PTHrP (107-139) showed a tendency to favor adipogenesis, while PTHrP (1-36) induced a mild osteogenic effect in these cells, and inhibited their adipocytic commitment. This further supports the potential anabolic action of the latter peptide in humans.

PTH and PTH antagonist induce different conformational changes in the PTHR1 receptor.

Interaction of ligands with their specific receptors is accompanied by conformational shifts culminating in receptor activation and expression of hormonal activity. Using an engineered disulfide bond formation strategy, we characterized the relative conformational changes taking place within the PTH type 1 receptor (PTHR1) at the interface of transmembrane (TM)5 and TM6 on binding the PTH agonist, PTH(1-34), compared with the antagonist PTH(7-34). Cysteines were singly incorporated into a portion of the extracellular-facing region of TM5 (365-370), while simultaneously a second cysteine was introduced at position 420, 423, or 425 at the extracellular end of TM6, leading to a total of 18 double cysteine-containing PTHR1 mutants. All mutants, except P366C/V423C and P366C/M425C, were expressed in the cell membrane preparations. In the presence of agonist, H420C and M425C in TM6 formed disulfide bonds with all and with most, respectively, of the substituted cysteines incorporated in TM5. In contrast to the conformational shift induced (or stabilized) by agonist in activating the receptor, antagonist binding produced no detectable change from the basal (inactive) conformation of PTHR1. Our studies provide physicochemical evidence that the extracellular-facing ligand binding regions of receptor, TM5 and TM6, are dynamic and move relative to each other on ligand binding. The distinct differences in receptor conformation induced (or stabilized) by agonist PTH(1-34) compared with antagonist PTH(7-34) begin to provide insight into the early events in and mechanism of PTHR1 activation.

Discovery and characterization of novel, potent, non-peptide parathyroid hormone-1 receptor antagonists.

A 1,3,4-benzotriazepine was identified as a suitable lead in our effort toward obtaining a non-peptide parathyroid hormone-1 receptor (PTH1R) antagonist. A process of optimization afforded derivatives displaying nanomolar PTH1R affinity, a representative example of which behaved as a PTH1R antagonist in cell-based cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assays, with selectivity over PTH2 receptors.