Stapled and Xenopus Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1)-Based Dual GLP-1/Gastrin Receptor Agonists with Improved Metabolic Benefits in Rodent Models of Obesity and Diabetes

J Med Chem. 2020 Nov 12;63(21):12595-12613. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00736. Epub 2020 Oct 30.

Abstract

Diabetes is characterized by pancreas dysfunction and is commonly associated with obesity. Hypoglycemic agents capable of improving β-cell function and reducing body weight therefore are gaining increasing interest. Though glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R)/cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK-2R) dual agonist ZP3022 potently increases β-cell mass and improves glycemic control in diabetic db/db mice, the in vivo half-life (t1/2) is short, and its body weight reducing activity is limited. Here, we report the discovery of a series of novel GLP-1R/CCK-2R dual agonists. Starting from Xenopus GLP-1, dual cysteine mutation was conducted followed by covalent side chain stapling and albumin binder incorporation, resulting in a stabilized secondary structure, increased agonist potency, and improved stability. Further C-terminal conjugation of gastrin-6 generated GLP-1R/CCK-2R dual agonists, among which 6a and 6b showed higher stability and hypoglycemic activity than liraglutide and ZP3022. Desirably, 6a and 6b exhibited prominent metabolic benefits in diet-induced obesity mice without causing nausea responses and exerted considerable effects on β-cell restoration in db/db mice. These preclinical studies suggest the potential role of GLP-1R/CCK-2R dual agonists as effective agents for treating diabetes and related metabolic disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / agonists*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / genetics
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / metabolism
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Half-Life
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / chemistry*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / metabolism
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / cytology
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B / agonists*
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xenopus Proteins / agonists*
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / metabolism
  • Xenopus laevis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Peptides
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • ZP3022
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1