Identification of novel GPR81 agonist lead series for target biology evaluation

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2020 Feb 15;30(4):126953. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.126953. Epub 2020 Jan 7.

Abstract

GPR81 is a novel drug target that is implicated in the control of glucose and lipid metabolism. The lack of potent GPR81 modulators suitable for in vivo studies has limited the pharmacological characterization of this lactate sensing receptor. We performed a high throughput screen (HTS) and identified a GPR81 agonist chemical series containing a central acyl urea scaffold linker. During SAR exploration two additional new series were evolved, one containing cyclic acyl urea bioisosteres and another a central amide bond. These three series provide different selectivity and physicochemical properties suitable for in-vivo studies.

Keywords: GHSR1a; GPCR; GPR109A; GPR81; HTS; Lipolysis.

MeSH terms

  • Amides / chemistry
  • Amides / metabolism
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / agonists*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / agonists
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Urea / analogs & derivatives*
  • Urea / metabolism

Substances

  • Amides
  • HCAR1 protein, human
  • HCAR2 protein, human
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Ghrelin
  • Urea