Potent Body Weight-Lowering Effect of a Neuromedin U Receptor 2-selective PEGylated Peptide

J Med Chem. 2017 Jul 27;60(14):6089-6097. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00330. Epub 2017 Jul 18.

Abstract

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a neuropeptide that mediates a variety of physiological functions via its receptors, NMUR1 and NMUR2. Recently, there has been an increased focus on NMU as a promising treatment option for diabetes and obesity. A short form of NMU (NMU-8) has potent agonist activity for both receptors but is metabolically unstable. Therefore, we designed and synthesized NMU-8 analogues modified by polyethylene glycol (PEG; molecular weight, 20 kDa; PEG20k) via a linker. 3-(2-Naphthyl)alanine substitution at position 19 increased NMUR2 selectivity of NMU-8 analogues with retention of high agonist activity. Compound 37, an NMUR2-selective PEG20k analogue containing piperazin-1-ylacetyl linker, exhibited a potent body weight-lowering effect with concomitant inhibition of food intake in a dose-dependent manner (body weight loss of 12.4% at 30 nmol/kg) by once-daily repeated dosing for 2 weeks in mice with diet-induced obesity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Naphthalenes / chemical synthesis
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacokinetics
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology
  • Neuropeptides / chemistry*
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Peptide Fragments / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacokinetics
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
  • Piperazines / chemical synthesis
  • Piperazines / pharmacokinetics
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / agonists*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Dietary Fats
  • Naphthalenes
  • Neuropeptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Piperazines
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • neuromedin U receptor
  • neuromedin U
  • Polyethylene Glycols