Discovery of a Human Neuromedin U Receptor 1-Selective Hexapeptide Agonist with Enhanced Serum Stability

J Med Chem. 2017 Jun 22;60(12):5228-5234. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00694. Epub 2017 Jun 2.

Abstract

Neuromedin U (NMU) activates two NMU receptors (NMUR1 and NMUR2) and is a useful antiobesity drug lead. We report discovery of a hexapeptide agonist, 2-thienylacetyl-Trp1-Phe(4-F)2-Arg3-Pro4-Arg5-Asn6-NH2 (4). However, the NMUR1 selectivity and serum stability of this agonist were unsatisfactory. Through a structure-activity relationship study focused on residue 2 of agonist 4, serum stability, and pharmacokinetic properties, we report here the discovery of a novel NMUR1 selective hexapeptide agonist 7b that suppresses body weight gain in mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Drug Stability
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peptides / blood
  • Peptides / pharmacokinetics
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / agonists*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects*

Substances

  • NMUR1 protein, human
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • neuromedin U receptor
  • Calcium