Peptide Half-Life Extension: Divalent, Small-Molecule Albumin Interactions Direct the Systemic Properties of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) Analogues

J Med Chem. 2017 Sep 14;60(17):7434-7446. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00787. Epub 2017 Aug 16.

Abstract

Noncovalent binding of biopharmaceuticals to human serum albumin protects against enzymatic degradation and renal clearance. Herein, we investigated the effect of mono- or divalent small-molecule albumin binders for half-life extension of peptides. For proof-of-principle, the clinically relevant glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) was functionalized with diflunisal, indomethacin, or both. In vitro, all GLP-1 analogues had subnanomolar GLP-1 receptor potency. Surface plasmon resonance revealed that both small molecules were able to confer albumin affinity to GLP-1 and indicated that affinity is increased for divalent analogues. In lean mice, the divalent GLP-1 analogues were superior to monovalent analogues with respect to control of glucose homeostasis and suppression of food intake. Importantly, divalent GLP-1 analogues showed efficacy comparable to liraglutide, an antidiabetic GLP-1 analogue that carries a long-chain fatty acid. Finally, pharmacokinetic investigations of a divalent GLP-1 analogue demonstrated a promising gain in circulatory half-life and absorption time compared to its monovalent equivalent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albumins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diflunisal / analogs & derivatives*
  • Diflunisal / metabolism
  • Diflunisal / pharmacokinetics
  • Diflunisal / pharmacology
  • Drug Design*
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / metabolism
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / pharmacokinetics
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / pharmacology
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / metabolism
  • Half-Life
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / chemistry*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / metabolism
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Indomethacin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Indomethacin / metabolism
  • Indomethacin / pharmacokinetics
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Diflunisal
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Indomethacin