U.S. patent application number 13/234827 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for method of using gpr35 to identify metabolic-stabilizing compounds.
Invention is credited to Zhi Liang Chu, James N. Leonard.
Application Number | 20120208843 13/234827 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35207528 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120208843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leonard; James N. ; et
al. |
August 16, 2012 |
Method of Using GPR35 to Identify Metabolic-Stabilizing
Compounds
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for identifying a
metabolic stabilizing compound, comprising: a) contacting a
candidate compound with GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35
functionality is increased, wherein an increase in GPR35
functionality is indicative of the candidate compound being a
metabolic stabilizing compound. The invention further relates to a
method for treating or preventing a metabolic-related disorder,
comprising administering to an individual in need thereof an
effective amount of a GPR35 modulator.
Inventors: |
Leonard; James N.; (San
Diego, CA) ; Chu; Zhi Liang; (San Diego, CA) |
Family ID: |
35207528 |
Appl. No.: |
13/234827 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11638343 |
Dec 13, 2006 |
8039219 |
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13234827 |
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11596035 |
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PCT/US05/18082 |
May 23, 2005 |
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11638343 |
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60574849 |
May 26, 2004 |
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60585156 |
Jul 1, 2004 |
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60612862 |
Sep 24, 2004 |
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60644684 |
Jan 18, 2005 |
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60647969 |
Jan 27, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
514/312 ;
435/6.13; 435/7.21; 546/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 33/6893 20130101;
A61P 9/10 20180101; A61P 9/12 20180101; A61P 3/08 20180101; G01N
2333/726 20130101; A61P 3/10 20180101; A61K 31/425 20130101; A61P
9/00 20180101; A61P 25/00 20180101; G01N 2500/00 20130101; A61P
3/04 20180101; A61P 3/00 20180101; A61P 3/06 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/312 ;
546/156; 435/7.21; 435/6.13 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/47 20060101
A61K031/47; A61P 3/10 20060101 A61P003/10; A61P 3/00 20060101
A61P003/00; A61P 9/10 20060101 A61P009/10; A61P 9/12 20060101
A61P009/12; G01N 21/76 20060101 G01N021/76; A61P 3/06 20060101
A61P003/06; A61P 3/04 20060101 A61P003/04; A61P 9/00 20060101
A61P009/00; G01N 33/566 20060101 G01N033/566; C12Q 1/68 20060101
C12Q001/68; A61P 3/08 20060101 A61P003/08; C07D 215/48 20060101
C07D215/48; A61P 25/00 20060101 A61P025/00 |
Claims
1. A method for identifying a metabolic-stabilizing compound,
comprising: a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an
increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a metabolic-stabilizing compound.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said GPR35 is human.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining comprises a
second messenger assay.
4. A metabolic stabilizing compound identified according to the
method of claim 1.
5. The compound of claim 4, wherein said metabolic stabilizing
compound is a GPR35 agonist.
6-8. (canceled)
9. A method for treating or preventing a metabolic-related disorder
in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to said
individual an effective amount of the compound of claim 4.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said metabolic-related disorder
is diabetes, Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, inadequate glucose
tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia,
hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia,
dyslipidemia, obesity, aging, Syndrome X, atherosclerosis, heart
disease, stroke, hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein said metabolic-related disorder
is Type II diabetes.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein said metabolic-related disorder
is dyslipidemia.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein said method further comprises
administering to said individual an effective amount of an agent
used for the treatment of diabetes, blood lipid disorders, or
obesity.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the individual is a mammal.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the individual is a human.
16-19. (canceled)
20. A method for treating or preventing a metabolic-related
disorder, comprising administering to an individual in need thereof
an effective amount of a GPR35 modulator.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said modulator is an
agonist.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein said metabolic-related disorder
is diabetes, Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, inadequate glucose
tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia,
hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia,
dyslipidemia, obesity, aging, Syndrome X, atherosclerosis, heart
disease, stroke, hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein said metabolic-related disorder
is Type II diabetes.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein said metabolic-related disorder
is dyslipidemia.
25. The method of claim 20, wherein said method further comprises
administering to said individual an effective amount of an agent
used for the treatment of diabetes, blood lipid disorders, or
obesity.
26. The method of claim 20, wherein the individual is a mammal.
27. The method of claim 20, wherein the individual is a human.
28-35. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from the
following provisional applications, filed via U.S. Express mail
with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the indicated
dates: U.S. Provisional No. 60/574,849, filed May 26, 2004; U.S.
Provisional No. 60/585,156, filed Jul. 1, 2004; U.S. Provisional
No. 60/612,862, filed Sep. 24, 2004; U.S. Provisional No.
60/644,684, filed Jan. 18, 2005; and U.S. Provisional No.
60/647,969, filed Jan. 27, 2005, and from U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/596,035, filed on Nov. 8, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to methods for identifying a
metabolic stabilizing compound, for example, a compound that
controls blood glucose levels and/or decreases free fatty acid
levels in a subject, by determining whether a compound modulates
GPR35 functionality. Accordingly, compounds of the present
invention are useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of
metabolic-related disorders such as diabetes, dyslipidemia,
atherosclerosis, and obesity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cells use glucose as a main source of energy. Therefore,
food is first broken down by the body to glucose prior to being
utilized. Glucose is then released from the gut into the blood
resulting in a rise in blood glucose levels. In response to this
rise in glucose level, pancreatic .beta.-islet cells increase their
production and secretion of insulin. Insulin circulates through the
blood and acts as a messenger, sending a signal to insulin
responsive organs such as the adipose tissue, muscle and liver, to
increase their intake of glucose. In this way a rise in blood
glucose is accompanied by a subsequent increase in insulin
secretion from .beta.-cells. It is the rise in insulin that acts to
return blood glucose levels to normal. In healthy individuals blood
glucose levels are kept fairly constant. This state of equilibrium,
called normoglycemia (normal glucose level) is tightly controlled
by insulin.
[0004] In diseases such as diabetes this tight regulation of blood
glucose level is lost, leading to the increased blood glucose
levels observed in diabetics. A state of hyperglycemia (high
glucose level) can occur due to an insufficient production of
insulin by the pancreatic .beta.-cells and/or through inadequate
uptake of glucose by target organs such as muscle, liver and fat.
The end result is an increase in blood glucose level. Thus,
diabetes can be thought of as the result of two types of
impairment: impaired insulin secretion from the .beta.-cells and
impaired insulin sensitivity by the major insulin responsive
organs. This impaired insulin sensitivity, also known as insulin
resistance (because the organs are resistant to the effects of
insulin), means that more insulin is required in order for the
target organs to increase their glucose uptake. Insulin resistance
leads to increased pressure on the .beta.-cells because the
.beta.-cells need to increase their insulin secretion to compensate
for insulin resistance. This is an escalating problem leading first
to impaired glucose tolerance and; eventually, complete loss of
insulin secretion due to the inability of the pancreas to keep up
with the ever-increasing demand for insulin.
[0005] Diabetes is a diagnostic term for a group of disorders
characterized by abnormal glucose homeostasis resulting in elevated
blood glucose. There are many types of diabetes, but the two most
common are Type I, also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus or IDDM, and Type II, also referred to as
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM. Type I diabetes
is mainly a disease with a young age of onset, and is due to the
destruction of the insulin secreting .beta.-cells in the pancreas
by the immune system. In this case the body fails to recognize the
pancreatic .beta.-cells as being self and destroys its own cells.
With the destruction of the .beta.-cells there is a complete loss
of insulin secretion and so affected individuals have an absolute
dependency on insulin for survival. Type II diabetes is mainly a
disease with a later age of onset, usually after the age of 40, but
in recent years it is more common to find younger people being
diagnosed with Type II diabetes. It is mainly characterized by
insulin resistance and beta cell exhaustion and is often associated
with obesity. Type II diabetes is more common than Type I diabetes
and accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases diagnosed
worldwide.
[0006] Chronic exposure of tissues to hyperglycemia can result in
diverse complications including microvascular problems of
neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy and the macrovascular
complications of stroke, coronary heart disease, and peripheral
vascular disease. Inappropriate control of blood glucose level is
also a characteristic of diseases other than diabetes such as
obesity, aging and Syndrome X. For example, one of the
characteristics of Syndrome X is insulin resistance or glucose
intolerance. In addition, obesity is characterized by
hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, a feature shared with
NIDDM, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Further, obesity is a
major risk factor for NIDDM. The risk of developing NIDDM is
tripled in subjects 30% or more overweight, and three-quarters of
NIDDM patients are overweight.
[0007] Obesity, which is the result of an imbalance between caloric
intake and energy expenditure, is highly correlated with insulin
resistance and diabetes in experimental animals and humans.
However, the molecular mechanisms that are involved in
obesity-diabetes syndromes still under investigation. During early
development of obesity, increased insulin secretion balances
insulin resistance and protects patients from hyperglycemia (Le
Stunff, et al., Diabetes 43:696-702 (1989)). However, over time,
.beta. cell function deteriorates and non-insulin-dependent
diabetes develops in about 20% of obese individuals (Pederson, P.,
Diab. Metab. Rev. 5:505-509 (1989), and Brancati, F. L., et al.,
Arch. Intern. Med. 159:957-963 (1999)). Given its high prevalence
in modern societies, obesity has thus become the leading risk
factor for NIDDM (Hill, J. O., et al., Science 280:1371-1374
(1998)). However, the factors which predispose some patients to
alteration of insulin secretion in response to fat accumulation
remain unknown. Unfortunately, effective long-term therapies to
treat obesity are still not available.
[0008] Diabetes afflicts several million people worldwide. In the
United States alone, there are more than 18 million diabetics, with
600,000 new cases diagnosed each year. People with diabetes are at
higher risk for heart disease, blindness, kidney failure,
infection, extremity amputations, and other chronic conditions. It
is estimated that the direct medical expenditures and indirect
expenditures attributable to diabetes in the United States were
$132 billion in 2002. Taken together, diabetes complications are
one of the nation's leading causes of death.
[0009] Therapies do exist to treat diabetes, such as
.alpha.-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, thiazolidinediones,
meglitinides, sulfonylureas and exogenous insulin. However, these
therapies have limited effectiveness and are associated with
significant safety and tolerability issues such as risk for
hypoglycemic episodes, weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbances
and anemia. In addition, many of the treatment options require
injection or multiple daily dosings which present compliance
challenges.
[0010] Dyslipidemia is a general term for abnormal concentrations
of blood lipids such as cholesterol, triglycerides and
lipoproteins. Elevated levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol or low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol are, independently, risk factors for atherosclerosis
and associated cardiovascular pathologies. In addition, high levels
of plasma free fatty acids are associated with insulin resistance
and type 2 diabetes. One strategy for decreasing LDL-cholesterol,
increasing HDL-cholesterol, and decreasing plasma free fatty acids
is to inhibit lipolysis in adipose tissue. This approach involves
regulation of hormone sensitive lipase, which is the rate-limiting
enzyme in lipolysis. Lipolytic agents increase cellular levels of
cAMP, which leads to activation of hormone sensitive lipase within
adipocytes. Agents that lower intracellular cAMP levels, by
contrast, would be antilipolytic.
[0011] Nicotinic acid (niacin, pyridine-3-carboxylic acid) is a
water-soluble vitamin required by the human body for health, growth
and reproduction; a part of the Vitamin B complex. Nicotinic acid
is also one of the oldest used drugs for the treatment of
dyslipidemia. It is a valuable drug in that it favorably affects
virtually all of the lipid parameters listed above [Goodman and
Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, editors Harmon J G
and Limbird L E, Chapter 36, Mahley R W and Bersot T P (2001):
971-1002]. The benefits of nicotinic acid in the treatment or
prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease have been
documented in six major clinical trials [Guyton J R (1998) Am J
Cardiol 82:18U-23U]. Structure and synthesis of analogs or
derivatives of nicotinic acid are discussed throughout the Merck
Index, An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals, Tenth
Edition (1983).
[0012] Nicotinic acid and currently existing analogs thereof
inhibit the production and release of free fatty acids from adipose
tissue, likely via an inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, a decrease in
intracellular cAMP levels, and a concomitant decrease in hormone
sensitive lipase activity. Agonists that down-regulate hormone
sensitive lipase activity leading to a decrease in plasma free
fatty acid levels are likely to have therapeutic value. The
consequence of decreasing plasma free fatty acids is two-fold.
First, it will ultimately lower LDL-cholesterol and raise
HDL-cholesterol levels, independent risk factors, thereby reducing
the risk of mortality due to cardiovascular incidence subsequent to
atheroma formation. Second, it will provide an increase in insulin
sensitivity in individuals with insulin resistance or type 2
diabetes. Unfortunately, the use of nicotinic acid as a therapeutic
is partially limited by a number of associated, adverse
side-effects. These include flushing, free fatty acid rebound, and
liver toxicity.
[0013] Agonists of antilipolytic GPCRs having limited tissue
distribution beyond adipose may be especially valuable in view of
the diminished opportunity for potentially undesirable
side-effects.
[0014] Thus, there exists a need for the identification of an agent
which safely and effectively controls blood glucose levels and/or
free fatty acid levels for the treatment of metabolic-related
disorders such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and
obesity. The present invention satisfies this need and provides
related advantages as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Applicants have determined the G-protein coupling of the
orphan GPCR GPR35. In addition, Applicants have determined the
tissue distribution pattern of GPR35 in humans, wild-type mice and
mice with metabolic dysregulations.
[0016] In a first aspect, the invention features a method for
identifying a metabolic stabilizing compound, comprising: a)
contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b) determining
whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an increase in
GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate compound being a
metabolic stabilizing compound. In some embodiments, said GPR35 is
human. In some embodiments, said determining comprises a second
messenger assay.
[0017] In a second aspect, the invention features a metabolic
stabilizing compound identified according to a method of the first
aspect. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is
a GPR35 agonist.
[0018] In a third aspect, the invention features a method for
increasing GPR35 function in a cell, comprising contacting a cell
expressing GPR35 with an effective amount of the metabolic
stabilizing compound of the second aspect.
[0019] In a fourth aspect, the invention features a method for
preparing a composition which comprises identifying a metabolic
stabilizing compound and then admixing said compound with a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said compound is
identified by a method of the first aspect.
[0020] In a fifth aspect, the invention features a pharmaceutical
composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of
a compound of the second aspect and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier.
[0021] In a sixth aspect, the invention features a method for
treating or preventing a metabolic-related disorder in an
individual in need thereof, comprising administering to said
individual an effective amount of a compound of the second aspect
or a pharmaceutical composition of the fifth aspect. In some
embodiments, said metabolic-related disorder is diabetes, Type I
diabetes, Type II diabetes, inadequate glucose tolerance, insulin
resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia,
hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, obesity,
aging, Syndrome X, atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke,
hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease. In some embodiments,
said metabolic-related disorder is Type II diabetes. In some
embodiments, said metabolic-related disorder is dyslipidemia. In
some embodiments, a method of the sixth aspect comprises
administering to said individual an effective amount of an agent
used for the treatment of diabetes, blood lipid disorders, or
obesity in combination with an effective amount of a compound of
the second aspect or a pharmaceutical composition of the fifth
aspect. In some embodiments, the individual is a mammal and in some
embodiments the individual is a human.
[0022] In a seventh aspect, the invention features a method for
decreasing blood glucose levels in an individual in need thereof,
comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of
a compound of the second aspect or a pharmaceutical composition of
the fifth aspect. In some embodiments, a method of the seventh
aspect comprises administering to said individual an effective
amount of an agent used for the treatment of diabetes, blood lipid
disorders, or obesity in combination with an effective amount of a
compound of the second aspect or a pharmaceutical composition of
the fifth aspect. In some embodiments, the individual is a mammal
and in some embodiments the individual is a human.
[0023] In an eighth aspect, the invention features a method for
decreasing free fatty acid levels in an individual in need thereof,
comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of
a compound of the second aspect or a pharmaceutical composition of
the fifth aspect. In some embodiments, a method of the eighth
aspect comprises administering to said individual an effective
amount of an agent used for the treatment of diabetes, blood lipid
disorders, or obesity in combination with a compound of the second
aspect or a pharmaceutical composition of the fifth aspect. In some
embodiments, the individual is a mammal and in some embodiments the
individual is a human.
[0024] In a ninth aspect, the invention features a method for
treating or preventing a metabolic-related disorder, comprising
administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount
of a GPR35 modulator. In some embodiments said modulator is an
agonist. In some embodiments, said metabolic-related disorder is
diabetes, Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, inadequate glucose
tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia,
hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia,
dyslipidemia, obesity, aging, Syndrome X, atherosclerosis, heart
disease, stroke, hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease. In
some embodiments, said metabolic-related disorder is Type II
diabetes. In some embodiments, said metabolic-related disorder is
dyslipidemia. In some embodiments, a method of the ninth aspect
comprises administering to said individual an effective amount of
an agent used for the treatment of diabetes, blood lipid disorders,
or obesity in combination with an effective amount of the compound
of the invention. In some embodiments, the individual is a mammal
and in some embodiments the individual is a human.
[0025] In a tenth aspect, the invention features a method for
decreasing blood glucose levels in an individual in need thereof,
comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a
GPR35 modulator. In some embodiments, said modulator is an agonist.
In some embodiments the individual is a mammal. In some embodiments
the mammal is a human.
[0026] In an eleventh aspect, the invention features a method for
decreasing free fatty acid levels in an individual in need thereof,
comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a
GPR35 modulator. In some embodiments, said modulator is an agonist.
In some embodiments the individual is a mammal. In some embodiments
the mammal is a human.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 shows Affymetrix gene chip analysis of human GPR35
expression in human cell types and tissues. The cell or tissues
from left to right are: Jurkat; monocytes (adherent); SHSH5Y; U87;
SHSH5Y (+BDNF); THP-1; MCF7; HL-60 (+DMSO); THP-1 activated;
T-cells CD8+ resting; T-cells CD8+ activated; CD34+ progenitor
cells; T-cells CD4+ activated T-cells CD4+ resting; spleen; bone
marrow; B-cells CD19+; thymus; lymph node; neutrophils BM (n=1);
eosinophils; AC133+; neutrophils; natural killer cells; monocytes
CD14+; erythroid progenitors; CD34+ MPB; myeloid prog. MPB; myeloid
prog. BM; dendritic precursors; CD34+ CB; ventricle, left;
cartilage; adipocyte, cultured; preadipocyte, cultured; visceral
fat; adipocyte, primary; adipose; aortic smooth muscle cells, c,
aortic valve, HUVEC, aorta, heart, aortic smooth muscle cells, p;
aortic endothelial cells; pericardium; small intestine, colon;
rectum; stomach; fetal liver; liver; fibroblast, dermal;
keratinocyte; kidney; pancreas; esophagus; adrenal gland; gall
bladder; mesenchymal stem cell; duodenum; skin; melanocytes;
trachea; skeletal muscle; bone; bladder; salivary gland; smooth
muscle; lung; pancreatic islets; breast; ovary.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows RNase protection assay analysis of mouse GPR35
expression in mouse cell types and tissues.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows coupling of GPR35 to G-proteins G-alpha i and
G-alpha 12/13.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows RNase protection assay analysis of mouse GPR35
expression in selected cell types and tissues of wild-type C57Bl/6,
ob/ob, and db/db mice.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows RT-PCR analysis of mouse GPR35 expression in
selected tissues of db/db mice compared to wild-type C57Bl/6
mice.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows TaqMan quantitative PCR analysis of mouse GPR35
in the pancreata of db/db and ob/ob mice.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows staining of HEK293 cells expressing a control
CMV vector or a GPR35 containing vector. PI indicates pre-immune
sera staining and AP is affinity purified antisera staining. The
column labeled cells shows what the cells looked like under the
microscope, the column labeled DAPI shows nuclei staining of the
cells, the column labeled HA shows detection of the HA tag, and the
column labeled GPR35 shows detection of the GPR35 polypeptide.
[0034] FIG. 8 shows TaqMan analysis of the level of mouse GPR35
expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes after various treatments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Applicants have disclosed herein that human GPR35 is
expressed prominently in pancreatic islet cells, monocytes, and
bowel/stomach (see FIG. 1) and mouse GPR35 is expressed at highest
levels in colon, adipocytes and spleen (see FIG. 2). In addition,
Applicants have disclosed herein the G-protein coupling of the
orphan GPCR GPR35 to G-alpha i and G-alpha 12/13 (see FIG. 3).
Further, Applicants disclose herein that GPR35 is induced in the
liver, adipose and pancreas of db/db mutant mice (see FIGS. 4 and
5). In addition, Applicants disclose differential expression of
GPR35 in the pancreata of db/db mice compared to ob/ob mice (see
FIG. 6). Applicants have generated cells which express human GPR35
and a polyclonal antibody to human GPR35 (see FIG. 7). In addition,
Applicants disclose herein that mouse GPR35 is induced after
linoleic acid treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes (see FIG. 8).
[0036] Although a number of receptor classes exist in humans, by
far the most abundant and therapeutically relevant is represented
by the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) class. It is estimated
that there are some 30,000-40,000 genes within the human genome,
and of these, approximately 2% are estimated to code for GPCRs.
GPCRs represent an important area for the development of
pharmaceutical products: from approximately 20 of the 100 known
GPCRs, approximately 60% of all prescription pharmaceuticals have
been developed.
[0037] GPCRs share a common structural motif, having seven
sequences of between 22 to 24 hydrophobic amino acids that form
seven alpha helices, each of which spans the membrane (each span is
identified by number, i.e., transmembrane-1 (TM-1), transmembrane-2
(TM-2), etc.). The transmembrane helices are joined by strands of
amino acids between transmembrane-2 and transmembrane-3,
transmembrane-4 and transmembrane-5, and transmembrane-6 and
transmembrane-7 on the exterior, or "extracellular" side, of the
cell membrane (these are referred to as "extracellular" regions 1,
2 and 3 (EC-1, EC-2 and EC-3), respectively). The transmembrane
helices are also joined by strands of amino acids between
transmembrane-1 and transmembrane-2, transmembrane-3 and
transmembrane-4, and transmembrane-5 and transmembrane-6 on the
interior, or "intracellular" side, of the cell membrane (these are
referred to as "intracellular" regions 1, 2 and 3 (IC-1, IC-2 and
IC-3), respectively). The "carboxy" ("C") terminus of the receptor
lies in the intracellular space within the cell, and the "amino"
("N") terminus of the receptor lies in the extracellular space
outside of the cell.
[0038] Generally, when a ligand binds with the receptor (often
referred to as "activation" of the receptor); there is a change in
the conformation of the receptor that facilitates coupling between
the intracellular region and an intracellular "G-protein." It has
been reported that GPCRs are "promiscuous" with respect to G
proteins, i.e., that a GPCR can interact with more than one G
protein. See, Kenakin, T., 43 Life Sciences 1095 (1988). Although
other G proteins exist, currently, Gq, Gs, Gi, Gz and Go are G
proteins that have been identified. Ligand-activated GPCR coupling
with the G-protein initiates a signaling cascade process (referred
to as "signal transduction"). Under normal conditions, signal
transduction ultimately results in cellular activation or cellular
inhibition. Although not wishing to be bound to theory, it is
thought that the IC-3 loop as well as the carboxy terminus of the
receptor interact with the G protein.
[0039] There are also promiscuous G proteins, which appear to
couple several classes of GPCRs to the phospholipase C pathway,
such as G.alpha.15 or G.alpha.16 (Offermanns & Simon, J Biol
Chem 270:15175-80 (1995)), or chimeric G proteins designed to
couple a large number of different GPCRs to the same pathway, e.g.
phospholipase C & Rees, Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences
20:118-24 (1999)).
[0040] Gi-coupled GPCRs lower intracellular cAMP levels. The
melanophore technology (see infra) is useful for identifying
Gi-coupled GPCRs and also for identifying modulators of said
Gi-coupled GPCRs.
[0041] Under physiological conditions, GPCRs exist in the cell
membrane in equilibrium between two different conformations: an
"inactive" state and an "active" state. A receptor in an inactive
state is unable to link to the intracellular signaling transduction
pathway to initiate signal transduction leading to a biological
response. Changing the receptor conformation to the active state
allows linkage to the transduction pathway (via the G-protein) and
produces a biological response.
[0042] A receptor can be stabilized in an active state by a ligand
or a compound such as a drug. Recent discoveries, including but not
exclusively limited to modifications to the amino acid sequence of
the receptor, provide means other than ligands or drugs to promote
and stabilize the receptor in the active state conformation. These
means effectively stabilize the receptor in an active state by
simulating the effect of a ligand binding to the receptor.
Stabilization by such ligand-independent means is termed
"constitutive receptor activation."
[0043] GPR35 was first cloned by O'Dowd et al. (O'Dowd, B. F. et
al., Genomics 47:310-313 (1998)). O'Dowd et al. searched for genes
related to GPR1 using PCR of genomic DNA with degenerate primers
based on conserved transmembrane regions of GPR1. Among other
genes, they identified the GPR35 gene, which contained a single
exon that encodes a predicted 309-amino acid protein. In addition,
O'Dowd et al. mapped the GPR35 gene to 2q37.3 by fluorescence in
situ hybridization.
[0044] Horikawa et al. (Horikawa, Y. et al., Nature Genet.
26:163-175 (2000)) identified the GPR35 gene in a 66-kb interval on
chromosome 2 that showed linkage to noninsulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus. However, they showed single-nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs) in GPR35 did not show association with or linkage to type 2
diabetes. Instead, they disclose that SNPs in the calpain gene are
associated with diabetes. In addition, they detected GPR35
expression in all fetal and adult human tissues examined, with
relatively higher levels in adult lung, small intestine, colon, and
stomach.
[0045] Recently, Okumura et al. found GPR35, and an alternatively
spliced faint of GPR35 which contains 31 amino acids at the
N-terminus of GPR35, expressed in gastric cancers (Okumura et al.,
Cancer Sci. 95:131-135 (2004)). The alternatively spliced form of
GPR35 has been designated GPR35b.
DEFINITIONS
[0046] The scientific literature that has evolved around receptors
has adopted a number of terms to refer to ligands having various
effects on receptors. For clarity and consistency, the following
definitions will be used throughout this patent document.
[0047] AGONIST shall mean material, for example, a ligand or
candidate compound, that activates an intracellular response when
it binds to the receptor. An intracellular response can be, for
example, enhancement of GTP binding to membranes or modulation of
the level of a second messenger such as cAMP or IP3. In some
embodiments, an AGONIST is material not previously known to
activate the intracellular response when it binds to the receptor
(for example, to enhance GTP.gamma.S binding to membranes or to
lower intracellular cAMP level). In some embodiments, an AGONIST is
material not previously known to decrease blood glucose level when
it binds to the receptor. The term AGONIST also includes PARTIAL
AGONISTS which are materials, for example, ligands or candidate
compounds, which activate the intracellular response when they bind
to the receptor to a lesser degree or extent than do full
agonists.
[0048] ANTAGONIST shall mean material, for example, ligands or
candidate compounds that competitively bind to the receptor at the
same site as an agonist but which does not activate an
intracellular response, and can thereby inhibit an intracellular
response elicited by the agonist. An ANTAGONIST does not diminish
the baseline intracellular response in the absence of an agonist.
In some embodiments, an ANTAGONIST is material not previously known
to compete with an agonist to inhibit a cellular response when it
binds to the receptor (for example, wherein the cellular response
is GTP.gamma.S binding to membranes or to the lowering of
intracellular cAMP level).
[0049] ANTIBODY is intended herein to encompass monoclonal
antibodies and polyclonal antibodies. The term ANTIBODY is further
intended to encompass IgG, IgA, IgD, IgE, and IgM. Antibodies
include whole antibodies, including single-chain whole antibodies,
and antigen binding fragments thereof, including Fab, Fab', F(ab)2
and F(ab')2. Antibodies can be from any natural or synthetic
origin, for example, from human, murine, rabbit, goat, guinea pig,
hamster, camel, donkey, sheep, horse or chicken. Antibodies can
have binding affinities with a dissociation constant or Kd value,
for example, less than 5.times.10-6 M, 10-6 M, 5.times.10-7 M, 10-7
M, 5.times.10-8 M, 10-8 M, 5.times.10-9 M, 10-9 M, 5.times.10-10 M
10-10 M, 5.times.10-11 M, 10-11 M, 5.times.10-12 M, 10-12 M,
5.times.10-13 M, 10-13 M, 5.times.10-14 M 10-14 M, 5.times.10-15 M
and 10-15 M. Antibodies of the present invention can be prepared by
any suitable method known in the art.
[0050] CANDIDATE COMPOUND shall mean a molecule (for example, a
chemical compound) that is amenable to a screening technique.
Applicants are not aware of any compound being publicly known to
bind to or interact with GPR35, however if any such compound is
known, the phrase "candidate compound" would specifically exclude
such a compound.
[0051] COMPOSITION shall mean a material comprising at least two
compounds or two components; for example, a "Pharmaceutical
Composition" is a Composition.
[0052] COMPOUND EFFICACY shall mean a measurement of the ability of
a compound to inhibit or stimulate receptor functionality, as
opposed to receptor binding affinity.
[0053] CONSTITUTIVELY ACTIVATED RECEPTOR shall mean a receptor
subject to constitutive receptor activation.
[0054] CONSTITUTIVE RECEPTOR ACTIVATION shall mean stabilization of
a receptor in the active state by means other than binding of the
receptor with its endogenous ligand or a chemical equivalent
thereof.
[0055] CONTACT or CONTACTING shall mean bringing at least two
moieties together, whether in an in vitro system or an in vivo
system.
[0056] DIABETES as used herein is intended to encompass the usual
diagnosis of diabetes made from any method including, for example,
the following list: symptoms of diabetes (e.g., polyuria,
polydipsia, polyphagia) plus casual blood glucose levels of greater
than or equal to 200 mg/dl, wherein casual blood glucose is defined
any time of the day regardless of the timing of meal or drink
consumption; or 8 hour fasting blood glucose levels of greater than
or equal to 126 mg/dl; or blood glucose levels of greater than or
equal to 200 mg/dl two hours following oral administration of 75 g
anhydrous glucose dissolved in water. In addition, the term
diabetes as used herein also includes the "pre-diabetic" state as
defined by the American Diabetes Association to be a fasting blood
glucose level of 100-125 mg/dl or blood glucose levels of 140-199
mg/di two hours following oral administration of glucose.
[0057] DYSLIPIDEMIA as used herein is a general term for abnormal
concentrations of blood lipids such as cholesterol, triglycerides
and lipoproteins. For example, an individual with dyslipidemia can
have a high level of total cholesterol compared with the optimum
level (hypercholesterolemia). In addition, for example, an
individual with dyslipidemia can have a high level of a blood lipid
such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or triglycerides
(hypertriglyceridemia). Further, for example, an individual with
dyslipidema can have a low level of a blood lipid such as
high-density lipoprotein (HDL). An individual with dyslipidemia can
have alterations in the level of one or more serum lipids such as,
for example, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, or HDL.
Dyslipidemia is a blood lipid disorder.
[0058] ENDOGENOUS shall mean a material that a mammal naturally
produces. ENDOGENOUS in reference to, for example and not
limitation, the term "receptor" shall mean that which is naturally
produced by a mammal (for example, and not limitation, a human) or
a virus. In contrast, the term NON-ENDOGENOUS in this context shall
mean that which is not naturally produced by a mammal (for example,
and not limitation, a human) or a virus. For example, and not
limitation, a receptor which is not constitutively active in its
endogenous form, but when manipulated becomes constitutively
active, is most preferably referred to herein as a "non-endogenous,
constitutively activated receptor." Both terms can be utilized to
describe both "in vivo" and "in vitro" systems. For example, and
not a limitation, in a screening approach, the endogenous or
non-endogenous receptor can be in reference to an in vitro
screening system.
[0059] EFFECTIVE AMOUNT means an amount of active compound or
pharmaceutical composition that elicits the desired biological or
medicinal response in a tissue, system, or individual that is being
sought by the researcher or medical doctor or other clinician. For
example, an effective dose can be an amount that can treat a
metabolic-related disorder. Also, for example, an effective dose
can be an amount that can prevent a metabolic-related disorder.
[0060] INHIBIT or INHIBITING, in relationship to the term
"response" shall mean that a response is decreased or prevented in
the presence of a compound as opposed to in the absence of the
compound.
[0061] IN NEED OF PREVENTION OR TREATMENT as used herein refers to
a judgment made by a caregiver (e.g. physician, nurse, nurse
practitioner, etc. in the case of humans; veterinarian in the case
of animals, including non-human mammals) that an individual or
animal requires or will benefit from treatment. This judgment is
made based on a variety of factors that are in the realm of a
caregiver's expertise, but include the knowledge that the
individual or animal is ill, or will be ill, as the result of a
condition that is treatable or preventable by a compound of the
invention.
[0062] INDIVIDUAL as used herein refers to any animal, including
mammals, preferably mice, rats, other rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats,
swine, cattle, sheep, horses, or primates, and most preferably
humans.
[0063] INSULIN RESISTANCE as used herein is intended to encompass
the usual diagnosis of insulin resistance made by any of a number
of methods, including but not restricted to: the intravenous
glucose tolerance test or measurement of the fasting insulin level.
It is well known that there is a good correlation between the
height of the fasting insulin level and the degree of insulin
resistance. Therefore, one could use elevated fasting insulin
levels as a surrogate marker for insulin resistance for the purpose
of identifying which normal glucose tolerance (NGT) individuals
have insulin resistance. A diagnosis of insulin resistance can also
be made using the euglycemic glucose clamp test.
[0064] LIGAND shall mean an endogenous, naturally occurring
molecule specific for an endogenous, naturally occurring
receptor.
[0065] As used herein, the terms MODULATE or MODULATING shall mean
to refer to an increase or decrease in the amount, quality,
response or effect of a particular activity, function or molecule.
A GPR35 MODULATOR is an agent that modulates the GPR35
receptor.
[0066] METABOLIC-RELATED DISORDER means a disorder of metabolism.
As used herein a metabolic-related disorder is intended herein to
include, for example, diabetes including Type I diabetes and Type
II diabetes, inadequate glucose tolerance, insulin resistance,
hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia,
hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, obesity,
aging and Syndrome X. In addition, the term metabolic-related
disorder is intended to include diseases that can result from
diseases such as hyperglycemia or dyslipidemia, for example,
atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and peripheral
vascular disease.
[0067] METABOLIC-STABILIZING COMPOUND is intended to mean a
compound that stabilizes a metabolic parameter. Metabolic
parameters include any measure of metabolism such as the level of
lipids, sugars, enzymes or other proteins in response to metabolic
processes. For example, a metabolic-stabilizing compound can
decrease (stabilize) blood glucose levels in an individual or a
metabolic-stabilizing compound can decrease (stabilize) free fatty
acid levels in an individual. In addition, for example, a
metabolic-stabilizing compound can decrease blood glucose levels
and decrease free fatty acid levels in an individual.
[0068] PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION shall mean a composition
comprising at least one compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier. For example, a pharmaceutical composition can comprise at
least one active ingredient, whereby the composition is amenable to
investigation for a specified, efficacious outcome in an animal
(for example, a mammal such as a human). Those of ordinary skill in
the art will understand and appreciate the techniques appropriate
for determining whether an active ingredient has a desired
efficacious outcome based upon the needs of the artisan.
[0069] RECEPTOR FUNCTIONALITY shall refer to the normal operation
of a receptor to receive a stimulus and moderate an effect in the
cell, including, but not limited to regulating gene transcription,
regulating the influx or efflux of ions, effecting a catalytic
reaction, and/or modulating activity through G-proteins. A GPR35
functionality can be, for example, binding a G-protein such as Gi
or G12/13, signaling through a second messenger such as cAMP or IP3
(when using a chimeric G-protein), binding to a GPR35 antibody, or
lowering blood glucose levels in vivo.
[0070] SECOND MESSENGER shall mean an intracellular response
produced as a result of receptor activation. A second messenger can
include, for example, inositol triphosphate (IP3), diacylglycerol
(DAG), cyclic AMP (cAMP), cyclic GMP (cGMP), and Ca2+. Second
messenger response can be measured for a determination of receptor
activation. In addition, second messenger response can be measured
for the direct identification of candidate compounds, including for
example, inverse agonists, partial agonists, agonists, and
antagonists.
[0071] The sequence of human GPR35 as published by O'Dowd et al.
(supra, 1998) was deposited in GenBank as Accession No. AF027957
(SEQ ID NO:1). The O'Dowd sequence encodes an arginine at position
174 and an arginine at position 294 (see SEQ ID NO:2). Another
human GPR35 sequence is the genomic sequence for GPR35 which is
GenBank Accession No. AF158748. The genomic sequence (nucleotides
60183-61112) (SEQ ID NO:3) encodes an alanine at position 174 and a
serine at position 294 (see SEQ ID NO:4). Different sequences for
GPR35 can be the result of allelic variations in the population.
Thus, the definition of the term GPR35 as used herein includes both
of these sequences as well as allelic variants.
[0072] The invention provides an antibody, or antigen binding
fragment thereof, which specifically binds to a GPR35 polypeptide,
for example, comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by GenBank
as Accession No. AF027957 (SEQ ID NO:2) or GenBank Accession No.
AF158748 (nucleotides 60183-61112) (SEQ ID NO:4). The term
"specifically binds" is intended to mean the polypeptide will have
an affinity for a target polypeptide that is measurably higher than
its affinity for an unrelated polypeptide. An antibody can
specifically bind to GPR35 with low or high affinity so long as the
binding is sufficient to be detectable. For example, an antibody
can bind GPR35 with a binding affinity (Kd) of at least 10.sup.-4,
10.sup.-5, 10.sup.-6, 10.sup.-7, 10.sup.-8, 10.sup.-9 or
10.sup.-10. Several methods for detecting or measuring antibody
binding to an antigen are well known in the art, for example,
enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). An antibody which
specifically binds to a GPR35 polypeptide is disclosed herein in
Example 7 and FIG. 7.
[0073] An antibody as used herein includes naturally occurring
antibodies as well as non-naturally occurring antibodies,
including, for example, single chain antibodies, chimeric,
bifunctional and humanized antibodies, as well as antigen-binding
fragments thereof. Such non-naturally occurring antibodies can be
constructed using solid phase peptide synthesis, can be produced
recombinantly or can be obtained, for example, by screening
combinatorial libraries consisting of variable heavy chains and
variable light chains as described by Huse et al. (Science
246:1275-1281 (1989)). These and other methods of making, for
example, chimeric, humanized, CDR-grafted, single chain, and
bifunctional antibodies are well known to those skilled in the art
(Winter and Harris, Immunol. Today 14:243-246 (1993); Ward et al.,
Nature 341:544-546 (1989); Harlow and Lane, (1988); Hilyard et al.,
Protein Engineering: A practical approach (IRL Press 1992);
Borrabeck, Antibody Engineering, 2d ed. (Oxford University Press
1995)).
[0074] An antibody of the invention can be labeled, for example,
with a fluorescent, radioactive or enzyme label. Procedures for
conjugating an antibody or antibody fragment to a label are well
known in the art. Such labeled antibodies can be used a diagnostics
to identify GPR35 expression in a biologic sample such as a cell,
blood, tissue slice, or in an individual in vivo. In addition to
being conjugated to a diagnostic label, antibodies can also be
conjugated to therapeutic labels, for example, in order to deliver
a compound to a cell expressing the antigen. Antibody therapeutics
are well known in the art, for example, antibodies conjugated to
cytotoxic agents have been used to target the cytotoxic agent to
cancer cells.
[0075] The invention relates to a method for identifying a
metabolic stabilizing compound, comprising: a) contacting a
candidate compound with GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35
functionality is modulated, wherein a modulation in GPR35
functionality is indicative of the candidate compound being a
metabolic stabilizing compound. For example, the invention provides
a method for identifying a metabolic stabilizing compound,
comprising: a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an
increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound.
[0076] As used herein, "GPR35" refers to a polypeptide with the
amino acid sequence as encoded by GenBank Accession No. AF027957
(SEQ ID NO:2), or the analogous sequence in GenBank Accession No.
AF158748 (nucleotides 60183-61112) (SEQ ID NO:4), or a variant or
ortholog of these sequences that retains at least one function of a
polypeptide with the amino acid sequence as referenced in SEQ ID
NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4.
[0077] It is understood that limited variations or modifications to
GPR35 can be made without destroying its function. For example,
GPR35 is intended to include other GPR35 polypeptides, for example,
mammalian species orthologs of the human GPR35 polypeptide. The
sequences of species orthologs of human GPR35 are present in the
database, for example, a mouse ortholog of GPR35 can be found in
GenBank at Accession No. BC027429 (see SEQ ID NOS:5,6). In
addition, GPR35 includes variants such as allelic variants, splice
variants and conservative amino acid substitution variants of
GPR35. For example, GPR35 includes variants that retain
substantially a GPR35 function of the entire GPR35 polypeptide such
as, for example, the ability to signal through G-alpha i or G-alpha
12/13, the ability to specifically bind to a GPR35 antibody, or the
ability to regulate blood glucose or free fatty acid levels.
[0078] Conservative and non-conservative amino acid changes, gaps,
and insertions to an amino acid sequence can be compared to a
reference sequence using available algorithms and programs such as
the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool ("BLAST") using default
settings [See, e.g., Karlin and Altschul, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
(1990) 87:2264-8; Altschul et al., J Mol Biol (1990) 215:403-410;
Altschul et al., Nature Genetics (1993) 3:266-72; and Altschul et
al., Nucleic Acids Res (1997) 25:3389-3402].
[0079] A splice variant of GPR35 has been reported which contains
additional amino-terminal sequence (Okumura et al., Cancer Sci.
95:131-135 (2004)). This splice variant has been designated GPR35b
(see SEQ ID NOS:7,8).
[0080] It is understood that a fragment of GPR35 which retains
substantially a function of the entire polypeptide is included in
the definition. For example, a signal generating domain of GPR35 or
a compound binding domain of GPR35 can be used in lieu of the
entire polypeptide. In addition, GPR35 can contain heterologous
sequences such as an epitiope tag or other fused polypeptide.
Further, GPR35 can contain a label, for example, a radiolabel,
fluorescent label or enzymatic label.
[0081] In one embodiment, the methods of the invention can be
applied using a polypeptide comprising 99%, 98%, 95%, 92%, 90%,
85%, 80%, 75%, or 70% sequence identity to one of the following
sequences: SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, or SEQ ID
NO:8.
[0082] In some embodiments, said variant of GPR35 is a
non-endogenous, constitutively activated mutant of GPR35. In one
embodiment, said GPR35 is derived from a mammal. In another
embodiment, said GPR35 is human.
[0083] In certain embodiments, said GPR35 is recombinant. In
certain embodiments, said contacting comprises contacting with a
host cell or with membrane of a host cell that expresses the GPCR,
wherein the host cell comprises an expression vector comprising a
polynucleotide encoding the receptor.
[0084] The invention also relates to a method of identifying a
candidate compound as a modulator of blood glucose concentration,
comprising a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is modulated, wherein a
modulation in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a modulator of blood glucose concentration. For
example, a compound that increases GPR35 functionality, such as a
GPR35 agonist, can result in a decrease in blood glucose
concentration. A decrease in blood glucose can be desired, for
example, in individuals with hyperglycemia. A compound that
decreases GPR35 functionality, such as a GPR35 antagonist or
inverse agonist, can result in an increase in blood glucose
concentration. An increase in blood glucose can be desired, for
example, in individuals with hypoglycemia.
[0085] The invention also relates to a method of identifying a
candidate compound as a modulator of free fatty acid concentration,
comprising a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is modulated, wherein a
modulation in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a modulator of free fatty acid concentration. For
example, a compound that increases GPR35 functionality, such as a
GPR35 agonist, can result in a decrease in free fatty acid
concentration. A decrease in free fatty acid concentration can be
desired, for example, in individuals with dyslipidemia.
[0086] In certain embodiments, said GPR35 is recombinant. In
certain embodiments, said contacting comprises contacting with a
host cell or with membrane of a host cell that expresses the GPCR,
wherein the host cell comprises an expression vector comprising a
polynucleotide encoding the receptor.
[0087] In the methods of the invention, control reactions can be
performed to show specificity of the response. For example,
mock-transfected cells can be compared to GPR35 transfected cells
to show specificity of a response to the GPR35 receptor.
[0088] In the methods of the invention, in certain embodiments,
said candidate compound is not an antibody or antigen-binding
derivative thereof. In certain embodiments, said candidate compound
is not a peptide. In certain embodiments, said candidate compound
is not a polypeptide.
[0089] As stated above, receptor functionality refers to the normal
operation of a receptor to receive a stimulus and moderate an
effect in the cell, including, but not limited to regulating gene
transcription, regulating the influx or efflux of ions, effecting a
catalytic reaction, and/or modulating activity through G-proteins.
A GPR35 functionality can be, for example, binding a G-protein such
as Gi or G12/13, signaling through a second messenger such as cAMP
or IP3 (when using a chimeric G-protein), specifically binding to a
GPR35 antibody, or lowering blood glucose or free fatty acid levels
in vivo.
[0090] In one embodiment, said determining comprises a second
messenger assay. The initiation of an intracellular signal can be
determined, for example, through the measurement of the level of a
second messenger such as cyclic AMP (cAMP), cyclic GMP (cGMP),
inositol triphosphate (IP3), diacylglycerol (DAG), MAP kinase, or
calcium. Several assays are well known in the art for measuring
these second messengers, for example, cAMP assays, IP3 assays, the
FLIPR assay, the melanophore assay, or CRE-reporter assay. In
addition, examples of second messenger assays are disclosed herein
in Examples 14-19. In certain embodiments, said second messenger is
cAMP. In other embodiments, said second messenger is IP3. In
further embodiments said second messenger is calcium.
[0091] In one embodiment, said determining is through the
measurement of GTP.gamma.S binding to membrane comprising said
GPCR. Such assays are well known in the art and exemplified herein
in Examples 14 and 16. In certain embodiments, said GTP.gamma.S is
labeled with [.sup.35S].
[0092] The invention also relates to a metabolic stabilizing
compound identifiable according to the method of: a) contacting a
candidate compound with GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35
functionality is increased, wherein an increase in GPR35
functionality is indicative of the candidate compound being a
metabolic stabilizing compound.
[0093] For example, the invention provides a metabolic stabilizing
compound identified according to the method of: a) contacting a
candidate compound with GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35
functionality is increased, wherein an increase in GPR35
functionality is indicative of the candidate compound being a
metabolic stabilizing compound.
[0094] In one embodiment, said metabolic stabilizing compound is a
GPR35 agonist. As described above, an agonist can also include, for
example, a partial agonist. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 10
.mu.M, of less than 1 .mu.M, of less than 100 nM, or of less than
10 nM. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is
an agonist with an EC50 of a value selected from the interval of 1
nM to 10 .mu.M. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing
compound is an agonist with an EC50 of a value selected from the
interval of 1 nM to 1 .mu.M. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of a value selected
from the interval of 1 nM to 100 nM. In some embodiments, said
metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of a
value selected from the interval of 1 nM to 10 nM.
[0095] In certain embodiments, said EC50 is determined using an
assay selected from the group consisting of: IP3 assay carried out
using transfected HEK293 cells expressing recombinant GPR35
polypeptide; and melanophore assay carried out using transfected
melanophores expressing recombinant GPCR35 polypeptide. In some
embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with
an EC50 of less than 10 .mu.M, of less than 1 .mu.M, of less than
100 nM, or of less than 10 nM in said assay. In some embodiments,
said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of
less than 10 .mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said
metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less
than 9 .mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an inverse agonist or antagonist with an
EC50 of less than 8 .mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said
metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less
than 7 .mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 6
.mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 5
.mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 4
.mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 3
.mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 2
.mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 1
.mu.M in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 900 nM
in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing
compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 800 nM in said
assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is
an agonist with an EC50 of less than 700 nM in said assay. In some
embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with
an EC50 of less than 600 nM in said assay. In some embodiments,
said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of
less than 500 nM in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 400 nM
in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing
compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 300 nM in said
assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is
an agonist with an EC50 of less than 200 nM in said assay. In some
embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with
an EC50 of less than 100 nM in said assay. In some embodiments,
said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of
less than 90 nM in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 80 nM
in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing
compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 70 nM in said
assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is
an agonist with an EC50 of less than 60 nM in said assay. In some
embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with
an EC50 of less than 50 nM in said assay. In some embodiments, said
metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less
than 40 nM in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 30 nM
in said assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing
compound is an agonist with an EC50 of less than 20 nM in said
assay. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is
an agonist with an EC50 of less than 10 nM in said assay. In some
embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with
an EC50 in said assay of a value selected from the interval of 1 nM
to 10 .mu.M. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing
compound is an agonist with an EC50 in said assay of a value
selected from the interval of 1 nM to 1 .mu.M. In some embodiments,
said metabolic stabilizing compound is an agonist with an EC50 in
said assay of a value selected from the interval of 1 nM to 100 nM.
In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is an
agonist with an EC50 in said assay of a value selected from the
interval of 1 nM to 10 nM. In some embodiments, said metabolic
stabilizing compound is selective for the GPCR.
[0096] In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing compound is
orally bioavailable. In some embodiments, said oral bioavailability
is at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least
20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, or at
least 45% relative to intraperitoneal administration. In some
embodiments, said oral bioavailability is at least 20%, at least
25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, or at least 45%
relative to intraperitoneal administration. In some embodiments,
said orally bioavailable metabolic stabilizing compound is further
able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
[0097] In one embodiment, said metabolic stabilizing compound is
not an antibody. In some embodiments, said metabolic stabilizing
compound is not a peptide or polypeptide.
[0098] The invention also relates to a method for increasing GPR35
function in a cell, comprising contacting a cell expressing GPR35
with an effective amount of a metabolic stabilizing compound
identifiable according to the method of: a) contacting a candidate
compound with GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35 functionality
is increased, wherein an increase in GPR35 functionality is
indicative of the candidate compound being a metabolic stabilizing
compound. For example, the invention provides a method for
increasing GPR35 function in a cell, comprising contacting a cell
expressing GPR35 with an effective amount of a metabolic
stabilizing compound identified according to the method of: a)
contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b) determining
whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an increase in
GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate compound being a
metabolic stabilizing compound.
[0099] In addition, the invention relates to a method for preparing
a composition which comprises identifying a metabolic stabilizing
compound and then admixing said compound with a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier, wherein said compound is identifiable by the
method of: a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an
increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound. For example, the
invention provides a method for preparing a composition which
comprises identifying a metabolic stabilizing compound and then
admixing said compound with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
wherein said compound is identified by the method of: a) contacting
a candidate compound with GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35
functionality is increased, wherein an increase in GPR35
functionality is indicative of the candidate compound being a
metabolic stabilizing compound.
[0100] The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition
comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of the
metabolic stabilizing compound identified according to the method
of: a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an
increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound, and a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0101] Some embodiments of the present invention include a method
of producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising admixing at
least one compound according to any of the compound embodiments
disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0102] A compound of the present invention can be formulated into
pharmaceutical compositions using techniques well known to those in
the art. Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, outside
those mentioned herein, are available to those in the art; for
example, see Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16.sup.th
Edition, 1980, Mack Publishing Co., (Oslo et al., eds.).
[0103] While it is possible that, for use in the prophylaxis or
treatment, a compound of the invention can in an alternative use be
administered as a raw or pure chemical, it can be useful to present
the compound or active ingredient as a pharmaceutical formulation
or composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier.
[0104] The invention thus further provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising a compound of the invention or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof together
with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers thereof
and/or prophylactic ingredients. The carrier(s) must be
"acceptable" in the sense of being compatible with the other
ingredients of the formulation and not overly deleterious to the
recipient thereof.
[0105] Pharmaceutical formulations include those suitable for oral,
rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sub-lingual), vaginal
or parenteral (including intramuscular, sub-cutaneous and
intravenous) administration or in a form suitable for
administration by inhalation or insufflation.
[0106] The compounds of the invention, together with a conventional
adjuvant, carrier, or diluent, can thus be placed into the form of
pharmaceutical formulations and unit dosages thereof, and in such
form can be employed as solids, such as tablets or filled capsules,
or liquids such as solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs, gels
or capsules filled with the same, all for oral use, in the form of
suppositories for rectal administration; or in the form of sterile
injectable solutions for parenteral (including subcutaneous) use.
Such pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms thereof can
comprise conventional ingredients in conventional proportions, with
or without additional active compounds or principles, and such unit
dosage forms can contain any suitable effective amount of the
active ingredient commensurate with the intended daily dosage range
to be employed.
[0107] For oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition can
be in the form of, for example, a tablet, capsule, suspension or
liquid. The pharmaceutical composition can be made in the form of a
dosage unit containing a particular amount of the active
ingredient. Examples of such dosage units are capsules, tablets,
powders, granules or a suspension, with conventional additives such
as lactose, mannitol, corn starch or potato starch; with binders
such as crystalline cellulose, cellulose derivatives, acacia, corn
starch or gelatins; with disintegrators such as corn starch, potato
starch or sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose; and with lubricants such
as talc or magnesium stearate. The active ingredient can also be
administered by injection as a composition wherein, for example,
saline, dextrose or water can be used as a suitable
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0108] The invention provides a method for treating or preventing a
metabolic-related disorder in an individual in need thereof,
comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of
the pharmaceutical composition comprising, consisting essentially
of or consisting of a GPR35 agonist. For example, the invention
provides a method for treating or preventing a metabolic-related
disorder in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering
to said individual an effective amount of the pharmaceutical
composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of
the metabolic stabilizing compound identified according to the
method of: a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an
increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound. In one embodiment,
said metabolic-related disorder is diabetes, Type I diabetes, Type
II diabetes, inadequate glucose tolerance, insulin resistance,
hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia,
hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, obesity,
aging, Syndrome X, atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke,
hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease. In another embodiment
said metabolic-related disorder is diabetes. In a further
embodiment, said metabolic-related disorder is Type II diabetes. In
another embodiment, said metabolic-related disorder is
dyslipidemia. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering
to said individual an effective amount of an agent used for the
treatment of diabetes, blood lipid disorders, or obesity in
combination with an effective amount of the pharmaceutical
composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of
the metabolic stabilizing compound identified according to the
method of: a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an
increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound. In one embodiment,
the individual is a mammal and in another embodiment the individual
is a human.
[0109] For example, the invention provides a method of treating or
preventing type II diabetes in an individual in need thereof,
comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of
a GPR35 agonist.
[0110] Also, for example, the invention provides a method of
treating or preventing dyslipidemia in an individual in need
thereof, comprising administering to said individual an effective
amount of a GPR35 agonist.
[0111] In addition, for example, the invention provides a method of
treating or preventing type II diabetes and dyslipidemia in an
individual in need thereof, comprising administering to said
individual an effective amount of a GPR35 agonist.
[0112] As used herein the term "treating" in reference to a
disorder means a reduction in severity of one or more symptoms
associated with a particular disorder. Therefore, treating a
disorder does not necessarily mean a reduction in severity of all
symptoms associated with a disorder and does not necessarily mean a
complete reduction in the severity of one or more symptoms
associated with a disorder. Similarly, the term "preventing" means
prevention of the occurrence or onset of one or more symptoms
associated with a particular disorder and does not necessarily mean
the complete prevention of a disorder. The methods of the invention
can be used to treat a metabolic-related disorder including, for
example, diabetes or dyslipidemia.
[0113] The dose when using the compounds can vary within wide
limits, and as is customary and is known to the physician, it is to
be tailored to the individual conditions in each individual case.
It depends, for example, on the nature and severity of the illness
to be treated, on the condition of the patient, on the compound
employed or on whether an acute or chronic disease state is treated
or prophylaxis is conducted or on whether further active compounds
are administered in addition to the compounds. Representative doses
of the present invention include, about 0.01 mg to about 1000 mg,
about 0.01 to about 750 mg, about 0.01 to about 500 mg, 0.01 to
about 250 mg, 0.01 mg to about 200 mg, about 0.01 mg to 150 mg,
about 0.01 mg to about 100 mg, and about 0.01 mg to about 75 mg.
Multiple doses can be administered during the day, especially when
relatively large amounts are deemed to be needed, for example 2, 3
or 4, doses. If appropriate, depending on individual behavior and
as appropriate from the patients physician or care-giver it can be
necessary to deviate upward or downward from the daily dose.
[0114] The amount of active ingredient, or an active salt or
derivative thereof, required for use in treatment will vary not
only with the particular salt selected but also with the route of
administration, the nature of the condition being treated and the
age and condition of the patient and will ultimately be at the
discretion of the attendant physician or clinician. In general, one
skilled in the art understands how to extrapolate in vivo data
obtained in a model system, typically an animal model, to another,
such as a human. Typically, animal models include, but are not
limited to, the rodent diabetes models as described in Example 21,
infra (other animal models have been reported by Reed and Scribner
in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 1:75-86 (1999)). In some
circumstances, these extrapolations can merely be based on the
weight of the animal model in comparison to another, such as a
mammal, for example, a human, however, more often, these
extrapolations are not simply based on weights, but rather
incorporate a variety of factors. Representative factors include
the type, age, weight, sex, diet and medical condition of the
patient, the severity of the disease, the route of administration,
pharmacological considerations such as the activity, efficacy,
pharmacokinetic and toxicology profiles of the particular compound
employed, whether a drug delivery system is utilized, on whether an
acute or chronic disease state is being treated or prophylaxis is
conducted or on whether further active compounds are administered
in addition to the compounds and as part of a drug combination. The
dosage regimen for treating a disease condition with the compounds
and/or compositions of this invention is selected in accordance
with a variety factors as cited above. Thus, the actual dosage
regimen employed can vary widely and therefore can deviate from a
preferred dosage regimen and one skilled in the art will recognize
that dosage and dosage regimen outside these typical ranges can be
tested and, where appropriate, can be used in the methods of this
invention.
[0115] The desired dose can conveniently be presented in a single
dose or as divided doses administered at appropriate intervals, for
example, as two, three, four or more sub-doses per day. The
sub-dose itself can be further divided, e.g., into a number of
discrete loosely spaced administrations. The daily dose can be
divided, especially when relatively large amounts are administered
as deemed appropriate, into several, for example 2, 3 or 4, part
administrations. If appropriate, depending on individual behavior,
it can be necessary to deviate upward or downward from the daily
dose indicated.
[0116] The compounds of the present invention can be administrated
in a wide variety of oral and parenteral dosage forms. It will be
obvious to those skilled in the art that the following dosage forms
can comprise, as the active component, either a compound of the
invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of
the invention.
[0117] For preparing pharmaceutical compositions from the compounds
of the present invention, the selection of a suitable
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can be either solid, liquid or
a mixture of both. Solid form preparations include powders,
tablets, pills, capsules, cachets, suppositories, and dispersible
granules. A solid carrier can be one or more substances which can
also act as diluents, flavouring agents, solubilizers, lubricants,
suspending agents, binders, preservatives, tablet disintegrating
agents, or an encapsulating material.
[0118] In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid which is
in a mixture with the finely divided active component. In tablets,
the active component is mixed with the carrier having the necessary
binding capacity in suitable proportions and compacted to the
desire shape and size.
[0119] The powders and tablets can contain varying percentage
amounts of the active compound. A representative amount in a powder
or tablet can contain from 0.5 to about 90 percent of the active
compound; however, an artisan would know when amounts outside of
this range are necessary. Suitable carriers for powders and tablets
are magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar, lactose,
pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose,
sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a low melting wax, cocoa butter, and
the like. The term "preparation" is intended to include the
formulation of the active compound with encapsulating material as
carrier providing a capsule in which the active component, with or
without carriers, is surrounded by a carrier, which is thus in
association with it. Similarly, cachets and lozenges are included.
Tablets, powders, capsules, pills, cachets, and lozenges can be
used as solid forms suitable for oral administration.
[0120] For preparing suppositories, a low melting wax, such as an
admixture of fatty acid glycerides or cocoa butter, is first melted
and the active component is dispersed homogeneously therein, as by
stirring. The molten homogenous mixture is then poured into
convenient sized molds, allowed to cool, and thereby to
solidify.
[0121] Formulations suitable for vaginal administration can be
presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or
sprays containing in addition to the active ingredient such
carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.
[0122] Liquid form preparations include solutions, suspensions, and
emulsions, for example, water or water-propylene glycol solutions.
For example, parenteral injection liquid preparations can be
formulated as solutions in aqueous polyethylene glycol solution.
Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or
oleaginous suspensions can be formulated according to the known art
using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents.
The sterile injectable preparation can also be a sterile injectable
solution or suspension in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable
diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol.
Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that can be employed are
water, Ringer's solution, and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In
addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a
solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil
can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In
addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the
preparation of injectables.
[0123] The compounds according to the present invention can thus be
formulated for parenteral administration (e.g. by injection, for
example bolus injection or continuous infusion) and can be
presented in unit dose form in ampoules, pre-filled syringes, small
volume infusion or in multi-dose containers with an added
preservative. The pharmaceutical compositions can take such fauns
as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous
vehicles, and can contain formulatory agents such as suspending,
stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active
ingredient can be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolation of
sterile solid or by lyophilization from solution, for constitution
with a suitable vehicle, e.g. sterile, pyrogen-free water, before
use.
[0124] Aqueous solutions suitable for oral use can be prepared by
dissolving the active component in water and adding suitable
colorants, flavors, stabilizing and thickening agents, as
desired.
[0125] Aqueous suspensions suitable for oral use can be made by
dispersing the finely divided active component in water with
viscous material, such as natural or synthetic gums, resins,
methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, or other well known
suspending agents.
[0126] Also included are solid form preparations which are intended
to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid faun preparations
for oral administration. Such liquid forms include solutions,
suspensions, and emulsions. These preparations can contain, in
addition to the active component, colorants, flavors, stabilizers,
buffers, artificial and natural sweeteners, dispersants,
thickeners, solubilizing agents, and the like.
[0127] For topical administration to the epidermis the compounds
according to the invention can be formulated as ointments, creams
or lotions, or as a transdermal patch.
[0128] Ointments and creams can, for example, be formulated with an
aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickening
and/or gelling agents. Lotions can be formulated with an aqueous or
oily base and will in general also contain one or more emulsifying
agents, stabilizing agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents,
thickening agents, or coloring agents.
[0129] Formulations suitable for topical administration in the
mouth include lozenges comprising active agent in a flavored base,
usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the
active ingredient in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerin or
sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active
ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier.
[0130] Solutions or suspensions are applied directly to the nasal
cavity by conventional means, for example with a dropper, pipette
or spray. The formulations can be provided in single or multi-dose
form. In the latter case of a dropper or pipette, this can be
achieved by the patient administering an appropriate, predetermined
volume of the solution or suspension. In the case of a spray, this
can be achieved for example by means of a metering atomizing spray
pump.
[0131] Administration to the respiratory tract can also be achieved
by means of an aerosol formulation in which the active ingredient
is provided in a pressurized pack with a suitable propellant. If
the compounds of the invention or pharmaceutical compositions
comprising them are administered as aerosols, for example as nasal
aerosols or by inhalation, this can be carried out, for example,
using a spray, a nebulizer, a pump nebulizer, an inhalation
apparatus, a metered inhaler or a dry powder inhaler.
Pharmaceutical forms for administration of the compounds of the
invention as an aerosol can be prepared by processes well-known to
the person skilled in the art. For their preparation, for example,
solutions or dispersions of the compounds of the invention in
water, water/alcohol mixtures or suitable saline solutions can be
employed using customary additives, for example benzyl alcohol or
other suitable preservatives, absorption enhancers for increasing
the bioavailability, solubilizers, dispersants and others, and, if
appropriate, customary propellants, for example include carbon
dioxide, CFC's, such as, dichlorodifluoromethane,
trichlorofluoromethane, or dichlorotetrafluoro ethane; and the
like. The aerosol can conveniently also contain a surfactant such
as lecithin. The dose of drug can be controlled by provision of a
metered valve.
[0132] In formulations intended for administration to the
respiratory tract, including intranasal formulations, the compound
will generally have a small particle size for example of the order
of 10 microns or less. Such a particle size can be obtained by
means known in the art, for example by micronization. When desired,
formulations adapted to give sustained release of the active
ingredient can be employed.
[0133] Alternatively the active ingredients can be provided in the
form of a dry powder, for example, a powder mix of the compound in
a suitable powder base such as lactose, starch, starch derivatives
such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone
(PVP). Conveniently the powder carrier will form a gel in the nasal
cavity. The powder composition can be presented in unit dose form
for example in capsules or cartridges of, e.g., gelatin, or blister
packs from which the powder can be administered by means of an
inhaler.
[0134] The pharmaceutical preparations can be in unit dosage forms.
In such form, the preparation is subdivided into unit doses
containing appropriate quantities of the active component. The unit
dosage form can be a packaged preparation, the package containing
discrete quantities of preparation, such as packeted tablets,
capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules. Also, the unit dosage
form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet, or lozenge itself, or it can
be the appropriate number of any of these in packaged form.
[0135] Tablets or capsules for oral administration and liquids for
intravenous administration are particularly useful
compositions.
[0136] Metabolic-related disorders include, for example, diabetes,
Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, inadequate glucose tolerance,
insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia,
hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia,
dyslipidemia, obesity, aging, Syndrome X, atherosclerosis, heart
disease, stroke, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease.
Diabetes and related conditions such as insulin resistance have
been described above herein.
[0137] Dyslipidemia is a general term for abnormal concentrations
of blood lipids such as cholesterol, triglycerides and
lipoproteins. For example, dyslipidemia includes terms such as
hyperlipidemia which is a term for elevated concentrations of any
or all of the lipids in the plasma such as cholesterol,
triglycerides and lipoproteins. Hyperlipidemia can be acquired or
can be congenital. Specific forms of hyperlipidemia can include,
for example, hypercholesteremia, familial dysbetalipoproteinemia,
diabetic dyslipidemia, nephrotic dyslipidemia and familial combined
hyperlipidemia. Hypercholesteremia is characterized by an elevation
in serum low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and serum total
cholesterol. Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia, also known as Type
III hyperlipidemia, is characterized by an accumulation of very low
density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-cholesterol) particles called
beta-VLDLs in the serum. Also associated with this condition, is a
replacement of normal apolipoprotein E3 with abnormal isoform
apolipoprotein E2. Diabetic dyslipidemia is characterized by
multiple lipoprotein abnormalities, such as an overproduction of
VLDL-cholesterol, abnormal VLDL triglyceride lipolysis, reduced
LDL-cholesterol receptor activity and, on occasion, Type III
hyperlipidemia. Nephrotic dyslipidemia is difficult to treat and
frequently includes hypercholesteremia and hypertriglyceridemia.
Familial combined hyperlipidemia is characterized by multiple
phenotypes of hyperlipidemia, i.e., Type IIa, IIb, IV, V or
hyperapobetalipoproteinemia.
[0138] Atherosclerosis is a process where deposits of fatty
substances, cholesterol and other substances build up in the inner
lining of an artery. This buildup is called plaque. Plaques that
rupture cause blood clots to form that can block blood flow to the
heart (heart attack) or the brain (stroke). Heart attack is the
number one cause of death for both men and women in the United
States and stroke is the number three cause of death [see, for
example, Nature Medicine, Special Focus on Atherosclerosis, (2002)
8:1209-1262]. Abnormally high levels of circulating lipids are a
major predisposing factor in development of atherosclerosis.
Elevated levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol,
elevated levels of triglycerides, or low levels of high density
lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are, independently, risk factors for
atherosclerosis and associated pathologies.
[0139] Heart disease includes, but is not limited to, cardiac
insufficiency, coronary insufficiency, coronary artery disease, and
high blood pressure. Peripheral vascular disease refers to diseases
of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. Organic peripheral
vascular diseases are caused by structural changes in the blood
vessels, such as inflammation and tissue damage. Peripheral artery
disease is an example. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a
condition similar to coronary artery disease and carotid artery
disease. In PAD, fatty deposits build up along artery walls and
affect blood circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the legs
and feet. In its early stages a common symptom is cramping or
fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity. Such cramping
subsides when the person stands still. This is called "intermittent
claudication." People with PAD have a higher risk of death from
stroke and heart attack, due to the risk of blood clots.
[0140] Syndrome X, also called metabolic syndrome, is characterized
by a group of metabolic risk factors in one person. They include:
central obesity (excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen),
atherogenic dyslipidemia (blood fat disorders--mainly high
triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol), raised blood pressure
(130/85 mmHg or higher), insulin resistance or glucose intolerance,
prothrombotic state (e.g., high fibrinogen or plasminogen activator
inhibitor [-1] in the blood), and proinflammatory state (e.g.,
elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the blood).
[0141] While the compounds of the invention can be administered as
the sole active pharmaceutical agent as described herein above,
they can also be used in combination with one or more agents
including, for example, agents that are used for the treatment of
diabetes, blood lipid disorders, or obesity. For example, they can
be used in combination with one or more agents belonging to the
class of drugs known as .alpha.-glucosidase inhibitors, aldose
reductase inhibitors, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides,
sulfonylureas, insulin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, squalene
synthesis inhibitors, fibrate compounds, LDL catabolism enhancers,
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, lipase inhibitors,
serotonin and/or noradrenaline releasers or reuptake
inhibitors.
[0142] .alpha.-Glucosidase inhibitors belong to the class of drugs
which competitively inhibit digestive enzymes such as
.alpha.-amylase, maltase, .alpha.-dextrinase, sucrase, etc. in the
pancreas and or small intestine. The reversible inhibition by
.alpha.-glucosidase inhibitors retard, diminish or otherwise reduce
blood glucose levels by delaying the digestion of starch and
sugars. Some representative examples of .alpha.-glucosidase
inhibitors include acarbose, N-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propyl)valiolamine
(generic name; voglibose), miglitol, and .alpha.-glucosidase
inhibitors known in the art.
[0143] The class of aldose reductase inhibitors are drugs which
inhibit the first-stage rate-limiting enzyme in the polyol pathway
and thereby prevent or arrest diabetic complications. In the
hyperglycemic state of diabetes, the utilization of glucose in the
polyol pathway is increased and the excess sorbitol accumulated
intracellularly as a consequence acts as a tissue toxin and hence
evokes the onset of complications such as diabetic neuropathy,
retinopathy, and nephropathy. Examples of the aldose reductase
inhibitors include tolurestat; epalrestat;
3,4-dihydro-2,8-diisopropyl-3-thioxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-4-acetic
acid; 2,7-difluorospiro(9H-fluorene-9,4'-imidazolidine)-2',5'-dione
(generic name: imirestat);
3-[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-7-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2,4-dioxo-1(2H)-q-
uinazoline acetic acid (generic name: zenarestat);
6-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-2',5'-dioxo-spiro[4H-1-benzopyran-4,4'-imidazolidine-
]-2-carboxamide (SNK-860); zopolrestat; sorbinil; and
1-[(3-bromo-2-benzofuranyl)sulfonyl]-2,4-imidazolidinedione
(M-16209), and aldose reductase inhibitors known in the art.
[0144] The biguanides are a class of drugs that stimulate anaerobic
glycolysis, increase the sensitivity to insulin in the peripheral
tissues, inhibit glucose absorption from the intestine, suppress of
hepatic gluconeogenesis, and inhibit fatty acid oxidation. Examples
of biguanides include phenformin, metformin, buformin, and
biguanides known in the art.
[0145] Insulin secretion enhancers belong to the class of drugs
having the property to promote secretion of insulin from pancreatic
.beta. cells. Examples of the insulin secretion enhancers include
sulfonylureas (SU). The sulfonylureas (SU) are drugs which promote
secretion of insulin from pancreatic .beta. cells by transmitting
signals of insulin secretion via SU receptors in the cell
membranes. Examples of the sulfonylureas include tolbutamide;
chlorpropamide; tolazamide; acetohexamide;
4-chloro-N-[(1-pyrrolidinylamino) carbonyl]-benzenesulfonamide
(generic name: glycopyramide) or its ammonium salt; glibenclamide
(glyburide); gliclazide; 1-butyl-3-metanilylurea; carbutamide;
glibonuride; glipizide; gliquidone; glisoxepid; glybuthiazole;
glibuzole; glyhexamide; glymidine; glypinamide; phenbutamide;
tolcyclamide, glimepiride, and other insulin secretion enhancers
known in the art. Other insulin secretion enhancers include
N-[[4-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl)carbonyl]-D-phenylalanine
(Nateglinide); calcium
(2S)-2-benzyl-3-(cis-hexahydro-2-isoindolinylcarbonyl)propionate
dihydrate (Mitiglinide, KAD-1229); and other insulin secretion
enhancers known in the art.
[0146] Thiazolidinediones belong to the class of drags more
commonly known as TZDs. Thiazolidinediones are a class of drugs for
type 2 diabetes that lower the blood sugar by increasing the
sensitivity of cells to insulin. Insulin can then move glucose from
the blood into cells for energy. These drugs can also increase
HDL.
[0147] Examples of thiazolidinediones include rosiglitazone,
pioglitazone, and thiazolidinediones known in the art. Rezulin
(troglitazone) was the first drug in this class in the U.S., but
was taken off the market because of liver toxicity. Sister
compounds now available with a better safety profile include Actos
(pioglitazone) and Avandia (rosiglitazone). The main
contraindications to the use of these medications include liver
disease and heart failure. These drugs can also cause a significant
increase in fluid retention and thereby increase the risk of heart
failure.
[0148] Meglitinides are used to stop the rapid rise in blood sugar
that can occur immediately after a person with type 2 diabetes eats
a meal. These compounds, which include, for example, repaglinide
(Prandin) and nateglinide (Starlix), work by increasing the amount
of insulin produced by the pancreas similar to the way sulfonyurea
medications work. Meglitinides are taken before eating a meal. Side
effects associated with this class of drugs includes low blood
sugar, upper respiratory infections including sinus conditions,
headache, joint and back pain, nausea, diarrhea and
constipation.
[0149] The different types of insulin are categorized according to
how fast they start to work (onset) and how long they continue to
work (duration). The types now available include rapid-, short-,
intermediate-, and long-acting insulin. There are premixed rapid-
and intermediate-acting insulins available, including: 70%
intermediate-acting (NPH) and 30% short-acting regular insulin,
called 70/30 insulin; 50% intermediate-acting (NPR) and 50%
short-acting regular insulin, called 50/50 insulin; 75%
intermediate-acting (NPH) and 25% rapid-acting Humalog (lispro),
called 75/25 insulin; 70% intermediate-acting (NPH); and 30%
rapid-acting NovoLog (insulin aspart), called NovoLog Mix 70/30.
Insulin usually is given as an injection into the tissues under the
skin (subcutaneous). It can also be given through an insulin pump
or jet injector, a device that sprays the medication into the
skin.
[0150] Insulin lets sugar (glucose) enter cells, where it is used
for energy. Without insulin, the blood sugar level rises above what
is safe for the body. Usually, a rapid- or short-acting and an
intermediate- or long-acting insulin is taken to provide the
constant and variable levels of insulin that the body needs. The
short-acting insulin reduces blood sugar levels quickly and then
wears off. Some long-acting insulins start taking effect when
rapid- or short-acting insulins begin to wear off. The new
long-acting insulin, Lantus, starts to work within a few minutes
after it is given and continues to work at the same rate for about
24 hours.
[0151] The combination of a rapid- or short-acting and
intermediate- or long-acting insulin helps keep blood sugar levels
within a range that is safe for the body throughout the day. Thus
insulin can be used to treat people with type 1 diabetes, people
with type 2 diabetes whose pancreas produces little or no insulin
or whose oral medications do not control their blood sugar. These
people may take insulin either alone or along with oral medication,
people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels are high
because of a severe illness or major surgery, women with type 2
diabetes who are pregnant or breast-feeding who cannot keep their
blood sugar levels within a safe range with diet and exercise. Only
one oral diabetes medication (glyburide) has been studied for use
during pregnancy.
[0152] The major side effect of insulin can be a dangerously low
blood sugar level (severe hypoglycemia). A very low blood sugar
level can develop within 10 to 15 minutes. Insulin can contribute
to weight gain, especially in people with type 2 who already are
overweight. Other possible side effects of long-term insulin use
include the loss of fatty tissue (lipodystrophy) where the insulin
is injected and, rarely, allergic reactions that include swelling
(edema).
[0153] Statin compounds belong to a class of drugs that lower blood
cholesterol levels by inhibiting hydroxymethylglutalyl CoA
(HMG-CoA) reductase. HMG-CoA reductase is the rate-limiting enzyme
in cholesterol biosynthesis. A statin that inhibits this reductase
lowers serum LDL concentrations by upregulating the activity of LDL
receptors and responsible for clearing LDL from the blood. Examples
of the statin compounds include rosuvastatin, pravastatin and its
sodium salt, simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin,
cerivastatin, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors known in the
art.
[0154] Squalene synthesis inhibitors belong to a class of drugs
that lower blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting synthesis of
squalene. Examples of the squalene synthesis inhibitors include
(S)-.alpha.-[Bis[2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopropoxy)methoxy]phosphinyl]-3-phenoxyb-
enzenebutanesulfonic acid, mono potassium salt (BMS-188494) and
squalene synthesis inhibitors known in the art.
[0155] Fibrate compounds belong to a class of drugs that lower
blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting synthesis and secretion of
triglycerides in the liver and activating a lipoprotein lipase.
Fibrates have been known to activate peroxisome
proliferators-activated receptors and induce lipoprotein lipase
expression. Examples of fibrate compounds include bezafibrate,
beclobrate, binifibrate, ciplofibrate, clinofibrate, clofibrate,
clofibric acid, etofibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, nicofibrate,
pirifibrate, ronifibrate, simfibrate, theofibrate, and fibrates
known in the art.
[0156] LDL (low-density lipoprotein) catabolism enhancers belong to
a class of drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels by increasing
the number of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptors, examples
include LDL catabolism enhancers known in the art.
[0157] Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors belong to the
class of drugs that partially lower blood glucose levels as well as
lowering blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin converting
enzymes. Examples of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
include captopril, enalapril, alacepril, delapril; ramipril,
lisinopril, imidapril, benazepril, ceronapril, cilazapril,
enalaprilat, fosinopril, moveltopril, perindopril, quinapril,
spirapril, temocapril, trandolapril, and angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitors known in the art.
[0158] Lipase inhibitors include, for example, anti-obesity
compounds such as Orlistat (XENICAL.TM.). Orlistat inhibits fat
absorption directly but also tends to produce a high incidence of
unpleasant gastric side-effects such as diarrhea and
flatulence.
[0159] Another class of anti-obesity drugs includes serotonin
and/or noradrenaline releasers or reuptake inhibitors. For example,
sibutramine (Meridia.TM.) is a mixed 5-HT/noradrenaline reuptake
inhibitor. The main side effect of sibutramine can be an increase
in blood pressure and heart rate in some patients. The serotonin
releaser/reuptake inhibitors fenfluramine (Pondimin.TM.) and
dexfenfluramine (Redux.TM.) have been reported to decrease food
intake and body weight over a prolonged period (greater than 6
months). However, both products were withdrawn from use after
reports of preliminary evidence of heart valve abnormalities
associated with their use.
[0160] Some embodiments of the invention include, a pharmaceutical
composition comprising a compound of the invention or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with at
least one member selected from the group consisting of an
.alpha.-glucosidase inhibitor, an aldose reductase inhibitor, a
biguanide, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, a squalene synthesis
inhibitor, a fibrate compound, a LDL catabolism enhancer and an
angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. In another embodiment, the
pharmaceutical composition is a compound of the invention or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with a
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. In still another embodiment, the
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting
of prevastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin
and lipitor.
[0161] In accordance with the present invention, the combination
can be used by mixing the respective active components either all
together or independently with a physiologically acceptable
carrier, excipient, binder, diluent, etc., as described herein
above, and administering the mixture or mixtures either orally or
non-orally as a pharmaceutical composition. When a compound or a
mixture of compounds of the invention are administered as a
combination therapy or prophylaxis with another active compound the
therapeutic agents can be formulated as a separate pharmaceutical
compositions given at the same time or at different times, or the
therapeutic agents can be given as a single composition.
[0162] The invention also provides a method for decreasing blood
glucose levels in an individual in need thereof, comprising
administering to said individual an effective amount of the
pharmaceutical composition comprising, consisting essentially of,
or consisting of the metabolic stabilizing compound identified
according to the method of: a) contacting a candidate compound with
GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased,
wherein an increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the
candidate compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound. In one
embodiment, the method comprises administering to said individual
an effective amount of an agent used for the treatment of diabetes,
blood lipid disorders, or obesity in combination with an effective
amount of the pharmaceutical composition comprising, consisting
essentially of, or consisting of the metabolic stabilizing compound
identified according to the method of: a) contacting a candidate
compound with GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35 functionality
is increased, wherein an increase in GPR35 functionality is
indicative of the candidate compound being a metabolic stabilizing
compound. In one embodiment, the individual is a mammal and in
another embodiment the individual is a human.
[0163] The invention also provides a method for decreasing free
fatty acid levels in an individual in need thereof, comprising
administering to said individual an effective amount of the
pharmaceutical composition comprising, consisting essentially of,
or consisting of the metabolic stabilizing compound identified
according to the method of: a) contacting a candidate compound with
GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased,
wherein an increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the
candidate compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound. In one
embodiment, the method comprises administering to said individual
an effective amount of an agent used for the treatment of diabetes,
blood lipid disorders, or obesity in combination with an effective
amount of the pharmaceutical composition comprising, consisting
essentially of, or consisting of the metabolic stabilizing compound
identified according to the method of: a) contacting a candidate
compound with GPR35, and b) determining whether GPR35 functionality
is increased, wherein an increase in GPR35 functionality is
indicative of the candidate compound being a metabolic stabilizing
compound. In one embodiment, the individual is a mammal and in
another embodiment the individual is a human.
[0164] The invention also provides a method for increasing GPR35
function, comprising contacting GPR35 with an effective amount of a
metabolic stabilizing compound identified according to the method
of: a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and b)
determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an
increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound. In addition, the
invention provides a method for increasing GPR35 function in a
human host, comprising administering a compound that selectively
activates GPR35 in a human host in need of such treatment. The
methods of the invention can be used to treat a metabolic-related
disorder, for example, diabetes and/or dyslipidemia. The invention
also provides a method for increasing GPR35 function in a cell,
comprising contacting a cell expressing GPR35 with an effective
amount of a metabolic stabilizing compound identified according to
the method of: a) contacting a candidate compound with GPR35, and
b) determining whether GPR35 functionality is increased, wherein an
increase in GPR35 functionality is indicative of the candidate
compound being a metabolic stabilizing compound. The cell can be,
for example, in an individual or the cell can be an isolated
cell.
[0165] The invention provides a method for treating or preventing a
metabolic-related disorder, comprising administering to an
individual in need thereof an effective amount of a GPR35
modulator. In one embodiment, said modulator is an agonist. In one
embodiment, said metabolic-related disorder is diabetes, Type I
diabetes, Type II diabetes, inadequate glucose tolerance, insulin
resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia,
hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, obesity,
aging, Syndrome X, atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke,
hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease. In another
embodiment, said metabolic-related disorder is diabetes. In a
further embodiment, said metabolic-related disorder is Type II
diabetes. In another embodiment, said metabolic-related disorder is
dyslipidemia.
[0166] In one embodiment said method further comprises
administering to said individual an effective amount of an agent
used for the treatment of diabetes, blood lipid disorders, or
obesity in combination with an effective amount of a GPR35
modulator. In one embodiment, the individual is a mammal and in
another embodiment the individual is a human.
[0167] The invention also provides a method for decreasing blood
glucose levels in an individual in need thereof, comprising
administering to the individual an effective amount of a GPR35
modulator. In one embodiment, said GPR35 modulator is an agonist.
In one embodiment, the individual is a mammal and in another
embodiment the individual is a human.
[0168] The invention also relates to a method for increasing
glucose tolerance in an individual in need thereof, comprising
administering to the individual an effective amount of a GPR35
modulator. In one embodiment, said GPR35 modulator is an agonist.
In one embodiment, the individual is a mammal and in another
embodiment the individual is a human.
[0169] The invention also relates to a method for potentiating
glucose uptake in adipose tissue in an individual in need thereof,
comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a
compound of formula (I). The invention further relates to a method
for regulating intestinal glucose absorption in an individual in
need thereof, comprising administering to the individual an
effective amount of a compound of formula (I).
[0170] The invention also provides a method for decreasing free
fatty acid levels in an individual in need thereof, comprising
administering to the individual an effective amount of a GPR35
modulator. In one embodiment, said GPR35 modulator is an agonist.
In one embodiment, the individual is a mammal and in another
embodiment the individual is a human.
[0171] The invention also relates to a method for increasing HDL
levels in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering
to the individual an effective amount of a GPR35 modulator. In one
embodiment, said GPR35 modulator is an agonist. In one embodiment,
the individual is a mammal and in another embodiment the individual
is a human.
[0172] One object of the invention relates to a method of a)
performing a method of the invention to identify a metabolic
stabilizing compound and (b) optionally, determining the structure
of the compound, and (c) providing the compound or the name or
structure of the compound. In addition, the invention relates to a
method of a) performing a method of the invention to identify a
metabolic stabilizing compound and (b) optionally, determining the
structure of the compound, (c) optionally, providing the name or
structure of the compound, and (d) producing or synthesizing the
compound. The invention further relates to a process for modulating
the functionality of a GPCR comprising performing a method of the
invention to identify a metabolic stabilizing compound and then
contacting the GPCR with the metabolic stabilizing compound or
administering the metabolic stabilizing compound to an individual
under conditions sufficient to modulate the functionality of the
GPCR.
[0173] One object of the invention relates to a method of
identifying whether a candidate compound binds to a GPR35 receptor
comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the receptor with a
detectably labeled known ligand of the receptor in the presence or
absence of the candidate compound; and (b) determining whether the
binding of said labeled known ligand to the receptor is inhibited
in the presence of the candidate compound; wherein said inhibition
is indicative of the candidate compound binding to the GPR35
receptor. In one embodiment, said contacting comprises contacting
with a host cell or with membrane of a host cell that expresses the
GPCR, wherein said host cell comprises an expression vector
comprising a polynucleotide encoding the receptor.
[0174] Another object of the invention relates to a method for
detecting a ligand that binds to a GPR35 receptor, comprising the
steps of (a) contacting a test ligand with a host cell or with
membrane of a host cell that expresses said receptor, under
conditions which permit interaction between said receptor and said
test ligand; and (b) detecting a ligand bound to said receptor. In
one embodiment, said contacting comprises contacting with a host
cell or with membrane of a host cell that expresses the GPCR,
wherein said host cell comprises an expression vector comprising a
polynucleotide encoding the receptor.
[0175] Applicants reserve the right to exclude any one or more
modulators from any of the embodiments of the invention. Applicants
further reserve the right to exclude any polynucleotide or
polypeptide from any of the embodiments of the invention.
Applicants additionally reserve the right to exclude any
metabolic-related disorder, or any complication of elevated blood
glucose concentration from any of the embodiments of the
invention.
[0176] Other uses of the disclosed receptors and methods will
become apparent to those in the art based upon, inter cilia, a
review of this patent document.
[0177] The following examples are given to illustrate the invention
and are not intended to be inclusive in any manner:
EXAMPLES
[0178] The compounds of the present invention and their syntheses
are further illustrated by the following examples. The examples are
provided to further define the invention without, however, limiting
the invention to the specifics of these examples.
Example 1
Affymetrix Chip Expression of Human GPR35
[0179] In this example, the expression level of human GPR35 was
determined in several human cell types and tissues using an
Affymetrix GeneChip.RTM..
1. Affymetrix GeneChip.RTM. Technology
[0180] Nucleotide sequences corresponding to several G
protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) were submitted to Affymetrix.
Affymetrix designed and manufactured an oligonucleotide microarray
for the purpose of measuring mRNA expression levels of these
receptors in various tissues via its GeneChip.RTM. Technology. RNA
samples from a large number of tissue and cell types, including
human brain sub-regions (Harvard Brain Bank), human cell lines
(Axiom) and peripheral tissues, were amplified, labeled, hybridized
to the microarray, and data analyzed according to manufacturer's
instructions.
[0181] GPCRs were determined to be expressed if the expression
index was greater than 50 (based upon and according to
manufacturer's instructions). The data was analyzed and had
indicated that classification of GPCRs with an expression index
greater than 50 was reasonable because a number of known GPCRs had
previously been reported to be expressed in neuronal tissues with
an expression index greater than 50.
[0182] Using the GeneChip.RTM., Applicant has discovered GPR35 has
high levels of expression in monocytes (adherent and CD14+),
eosinophils, bowel (small intestine, colon, rectum, duodenum),
stomach, and pancreatic islet cells (see FIG. 1).
Example 2
Mouse GPR35 RNase Protection Assay
[0183] In this example, the expression level of mouse GPR35 was
determined in several mouse cell types and tissues using an RNase
protection assay. As shown in FIG. 2, the highest level expression
of mouse GPR35 was observed in spleen, 3T3-adipocytes and
colon.
[0184] RNAs were commercially obtained (Clontech) or isolated from
3T3 preadipocyte or adipocyte cells (as indicated in the figures)
originally obtained as undifferentiated cells from ATCC. RNAs were
isolated with the Invitrogen Trizol kit according to manufacturer's
instructions.
[0185] A 236 bp segment of mouse GPR35 (from mouse GPR35
ORF515-750) was cloned into pCRII TOPO cloning vector (Invitrogen).
The plasmid was linearized with HindIII. After gel purification of
the fragment, a 362 bp segment of mouse GPR35 RPA probe was
generated by in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase (Ambion
MAXIscript kit). The probe was purified by acrylamide gel
electrophoresis and hybridized with 20 .mu.g of each RNA sample at
55.degree. C. overnight. The hybrids were digested with RNase on
the next day and run on an acrylamide gel to detect the results
(Ambion RPAIII kit). All the procedures for in vitro transcription
and RPA reactions were following the manufacturer's
instructions.
TABLE-US-00001 mouse GPR35 sequence for RPA probe: (SEQ ID NO: 9)
5'- CTGCCTTCTCACTGCTGGGATTCTACCTGCCGCTGGCCATCGTGGTCTTC
TGCTCTTTGCAGGTAGTGACTGTGCTATCGAGAAGGCCAGCCGCTGATGT
GGGGCAGGCAGAGGCCACCCAAAAGGCCACCCACATGGTCTGGGCCAACT
TGGCTGTGTTTGTCATCTGCTTCCTGCCCTTGCATGTGGTCCTGACCGTG
CAGGTCTCCCTGAACCTCAATACCTG TGCTGCCCGA-3' Primers for PCR mouse
GPR35 probe: RPAf1: (SEQ ID NO: 10) 5'-CTGCCTTCTCACTGCTGGGATTCT-3'
RPAr1: (SEQ ID NO: 11) 5'-TCGGGCAGCACAGGTATTGAGGTT-3'
Example 3
G-Alpha i and G Alpha 12/13 Coupling of GPR35
[0186] In this example, the coupling of GPR35 to G-alpha i
(G.alpha.i) was determined using a GqGi chimera and the coupling of
GPR35 to G-alpha 12/13 (G.alpha.12/13) was shown using a
CRE-Luc/GsG12/13 chimera.
[0187] FIG. 3, left panel, illustrates the inositol tri-phosphate
(IP3) accumulation in HEK 293 cells co-expressing human GPR35
(sequence used was the coding sequence nucleotides 60183-61112 of
GenBank Accession No. AF158748, (SEQ ID NO:4) without the initiator
methionine), or alternatively, an A216K mutant (mt) of GPR35 known
to harbor increased constitutive activity, and the chimeric
G.alpha.q-subunit in which the last five amino acids have been
replaced with the corresponding amino acids of G.alpha.i (GqGi).
This construct has been shown to convert the signaling of a
Gi-coupled receptor to the Gq pathway (i.e. accumulation of
inositol phosphates) in response to receptor activation.
[0188] For these experiments, full length human GPR35 was cloned
into the HA/V5 pCMV vector with HA tag at 5' of the gene and V5 tag
at 3' end of the gene. Note when the HA tag was added, the
initiator methionine of GPR35 was deleted. The GPR35 mutant A216K
was generated by mutating an alanine at position 216 to a
lysine.
[0189] HEK 293 cells were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates
at 3.times.10.sup.6 cells/plate in regular growth medium (DMEM/10%
FBS). On the next day, various plasmid DNAs (as described in the
figure) were transfected into cells with lipofectamine
(Invitrogen). For every 6 wells, 80 ng of CMV or GPCRs, 80 ng of
Gq/i and 40 ng of EGFP (a green fluorescent protein), plus 4 .mu.l
of lipofectamine and 100 .mu.l of Opti-MEM were mixed to faun DNA
precipitates. After 30 minutes of incubation at RT, 200 .mu.l of
Opti-MEM were added to the precipitates. Well resuspended
precipitates were aliquoted at 50 .mu.l/well onto the cells after
aspirating off the growth medium from the plate. Cells were
incubated with DNA precipitates overnight.
[0190] After 24-hour post transfection, cells were changed to
inositol-free medium with [.sup.3H]-myoinositol and incubated for
overnight. On the next morning, cells were changed to IP3 assay
medium. For controls, cells were transfected with .alpha.2K, which
is a constitutively active version of an .alpha.2 adrenergic
receptor where a residue in the IC3 loop of the receptor at a
position 16 residues from a conserved praline residue is changed to
a lysine (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,339). Cells
transfected with .alpha.2K were treated with the ligand of the
receptor (1 .mu.M UK 14,304 ligand) for 3-4 hours. The 5HT2Ak
construct is a serotonin receptor 2A constitutively active mutant
made in the same manner. IP3 medium was then removed and 200
.mu.l/well 0.1M formic acid was added. Cell lysates were made by
freezing the plate at -80.degree. C. for 30 minutes and thawing at
37.degree. C. While the plate was being thawed, a total 400
.mu.l/well of formate resin slurry was added to the multiscreen
plate. After the plate was drained completely, the cell lysate was
added onto the plate and incubated for 5 minutes. The plate was
drained and then washed with water 5 times. Finally, 200 .mu.l/well
of 1M ammonium formate/0.1 M formic acid was added to elute the
plate. The eluates were transferred to scintillation vials to count
the IP3 production.
[0191] FIG. 3, right panel, illustrates the cAMP responsive
transcriptional activity in 293 cells transfected with a
CRE-luciferase plasmid, a CMV-GPR35 expression plasmid and a
CMV-GsG12 or CMV-GsG13 plasmid. In this experiment, the G12 or G13
coupling of GPR35 is redirected toward activation of adenylyl
cyclase, resulting in elevated cAMP. This is detected by the
CRE-Luciferase "reporter."
[0192] For the CRE-LUC experiments, GsG12 or GsG13 chimera were
made by replacing the last 11 amino acids of Gas with the
corresponding amino acids of G.alpha.12 or G.alpha.13. The chimeras
were cloned into myc/pcDNA3 vector with myc tag at 5' end of the
gene.
[0193] HEK 293 cells were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates
at 2.times.10.sup.6 cells/plate in regular growth medium (DMEM/10%
FBS). On the next day, various plasmid DNAs (as described in the
figure) were transfected into cells with lipofectamine
(Invitrogen). For every 6 wells, 400 ng of CRE-Luc, 20 ng of CMV or
GPCRs, 20 ng of GsG12 or GsG13 and 10 ng of SEAP-Luc (a control
luciferase plasmid from Clonetech), plus 2.5 .mu.l of lipofectamine
and 50 .mu.l of Opti-MEM were mixed to form DNA precipitates. After
30 minutes of incubation at room temperature, 300 .mu.l of Opti-MEM
were added to the precipitates. Well resuspended precipitates were
aliquoted at 50 .mu.l/well onto the cells after aspirating off the
growth medium from the plate. Cells were incubated with DNA
precipitates overnight and the luciferase activities were measured
at 24-hours post-transfection with LUCLITE Kit (Packard) according
to manufacturer's protocol.
[0194] G alpha i signaling has been shown to be involved in energy
homeostasis. In muscle, G alpha i signaling can result in enhanced
insulin sensitivity; in adipocytes, G alpha i signaling can result
in enhanced HDL levels and decreased lipolysis; in pancreatic alpha
cells, G alpha i signaling can result in decreased glucagon
release; and in liver, G alpha i signaling can result in decreased
glucagon action.
Example 4
Mouse GPR35 RNase Protection Assay in Selected Cell Types and
Tissues of Wild-Type ob/ob and db/db Mice
[0195] In this example, the expression of GPR35 was determined in
selected cell types and tissues in wild-type C57/bl6 mice, ob/ob
mutant mice, and db/db mutant mice. As seen in FIG. 4, mouse GPR35
is expressed at a higher level in adipose and liver in ob/ob mice
compared to wild-type mice and is expressed at a higher level in
adipose, liver, and pancreas in db/db mice compared to wild-type
mice indicating that GPR35 can function as a regulator of energy
homeostasis.
[0196] RNAs were isolated from tissues of about 17 week old C57,
ob/ob, or db/db mice. RNAs were isolated using RNA-BEE isolation
kit according to manufacturer's instructions. 3T3 adipocyte RNA was
isolated as described in Example 2 above.
[0197] A 236 bp segment of mouse GPR35 (from mouse GPR35
ORF515-750) was cloned into TOPO pCRII cloning vector (Invitrogen).
The plasmid was linearized with HindIII. After gel purification of
the fragment, a 362 bp segment of mouse GPR35 RPA probe was
generated by in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase (Ambion
MAXIscript kit). The probe was purified by acrylamide gel
electrophoresis and hybridized with 20 .mu.g of each RNA sample at
55.degree. C. overnight. The hybrids were digested with RNase on
the next day and run on an acrylamide gel to detect the results
(Ambion RPAIII kit). All the procedures for in vitro transcription
and RPA reactions were following the manufacturer's
instructions.
TABLE-US-00002 mouse GPR35 sequence for RPA probe: (SEQ ID NO: 9)
5'- CTGCCTTCTCACTGCTGGGATTCTACCTGCCGCTGGCCATCGTGGTCTTC
TGCTCTTTGCAGGTAGTGACTGTGCTATCGAGAAGGCCAGCCGCTGATGT
GGGGCAGGCAGAGGCCACCCAAAAGGCCACCCACATGGTCTGGGCCAACT
TGGCTGTGTTTGTCATCTGCTTCCTGCCCTTGCATGTGGTCCTGACCGTG
CAGGTCTCCCTGAACCTCAATACCTGTGCTGCCCGA-3' Primers for PCR mouse GPR35
probe: RPAf1: (SEQ ID NO: 10) 5'-CTGCCTTCTCACTGCTGGGATTCT-3' RPAr1:
(SEQ ID NO: 11) 5'-TCGGGCAGCACAGGTATTGAGGTT-3'
Example 5
Induction of GPR35 Expression in Liver and Pancreas of db/db
Mice
[0198] In this example, the expression of GPR35 in selected tissues
of db/db mice was determined using RT-PCR. As seen in FIG. 5, GPR35
expression is induced in the liver, pancreas and adipose tissue of
db/db mice compared to wild-type C57 Bl/6 mice.
[0199] For these experiments, RNAs were isolated from tissues (as
indicated in the figure) of about 17-week old C57 or db/db mice as
described in Example 4. Subsequently, cDNAs were synthesized with
AccuQuant cDNA Synthesis Kit (Quamta Biosciences) according to the
manufacturer's protocol. For the reaction, 2 .mu.g of RNA, 4 .mu.l
of 5xcDNA Ready Mix and 1 .mu.l of AccuScript RT along with water
were assembled into a total volume of 20 .mu.l. The reactions were
run in PCR machine at 22.degree. C., 5 min; 42.degree. C., 30 min;
85.degree. C., 5 min.
[0200] PCR reactions were performed with Invitrogen's PLANTINUM PCR
Supermix. For each reaction, 1 .mu.l of cDNA, 45 .mu.l Supermix, 1
.mu.l of each primer (25 .mu.M stock) were assembled in a volume of
50 .mu.l total. The reactions were performed in the PCR machine at
94.degree. C., 2 min denature, followed by 36 cycles of 94.degree.
C., 30 sec; 59.degree. C., 30 sec; 72.degree. C., 1 min, finally
ended with extension at 72.degree. C. for 7 minutes. GAPDH was run
for all the samples as an internal control. The annealing
temperature used for GAPDH was 63.degree. C. and PCR was cycled for
25 times.
TABLE-US-00003 Mouse GPR35 RT-PCR primer pairs: (SEQ ID NO: 12)
EST724f: 5'-CACGGGGTTCCACAGAGGTATG-3' (SEQ ID NO: 13) EST724r:
5'-CAATGGCAAGGAGCAGAGCAG-3' (SEQ ID NO: 14) GAPDH 5' Primer:
5'-ggggTgAggCCggTgCTgAgTAT-3' (SEQ ID NO: 15) GAPDH 3' Primer:
5'-CATTgggggTAggAACACggAAgg-3'
Example 6
Differential Expression of GPR35 in the Pancreata of db/db and
ob/ob Mice
[0201] In this example, the expression of GPR35 in pancreas from
db/db and ob/ob mice was determined using TaqMan PCR. Samples A1-A8
are derived from the pancreas of eight different db/db mice and
A9-A16 samples are derived from the pancreas of eight different
ob/ob mice. As seen in FIG. 6, GPR35 is readily detected in the
pancreata of db/db mice but not ob/ob mice.
[0202] For these experiments, RNAs were isolated from the pancreas
from ob/ob and db/db mice with various ages and fasting treatments.
Cells (as indicated in the figure) used for RNA isolation were
pancreatic cell lines obtained from ATCC. Tissue RNAs were isolated
using RNA-BEE RNA isolation kit and cell RNAs were isolated using
the Invitrogen Trizol reagent kit. cDNAs were synthesized with
AccuQuant cDNA Synthesis Kit (Quanta Biosciences) according to the
manufacturer's protocol. The reactions, containing 2 .mu.g of RNA,
4 .mu.l of 5xcDNA Ready Mix and 1 .mu.l of AccuScript RT along with
water were assembled into a total volume of 20 .mu.l. The reactions
were run in a PCR machine at 22.degree. C., 5 minutes; 42.degree.
C., 30 minutes; 85.degree. C., 5 minutes.
[0203] AccuQuant qPCR MasterMix (Quanta BioSciences) was used for
TaqMan PCR. The reactions were assembled according to the
manufacturer's protocol. In each reaction, 0.4 .mu.l of cDNA was
used for each sample. The final concentration for each mouse GPR35
primer was 300 nM. The final TaqMan Probe concentration was 250 nM.
A .beta.-actin primer and probe was included in the multiplex
TaqMan PCR for amplifying .beta.-actin as an internal control. The
final concentration for each .beta.-actin primer was 50 nM and the
final .beta.-actin probe concentration was 200 nM. TaqMan PCR was
performed in ABI7900 TaqMan PCR machine using the default thermal
cycler condition: 50.degree. C. for 2 min, 95.degree. C. for 10
min, then repeat 40 cycles of 95.degree. C. 15 seconds and
60.degree. C. 1 min.
TABLE-US-00004 TaqMan PCR primer and probe sets for mouse GPR35:
(TF): (SEQ ID NO: 16) 5'-ATGCAGGAGGGTGGCTTCT-3' (TR): (SEQ ID NO:
17) 5'-AGAAGGCAGTGGTGCTGAAATT-3' M-GPR35TaqMan Probe: (SEQ ID NO:
18) 6FAM-CCTTCAGCAGCCAAACCCGGCG-TAMRA .beta.-actin 5' Primer: (SEQ
ID NO: 19) 5'-TCCTGGCCTCACTGTCCAC-3' .beta.-actin 3' Primer: (SEQ
ID NO: 20) 5'-GGGCCGGACTCATCGTACT-3' .beta.-actin TaqMan Probe:
(SEQ ID NO: 21) VIC-CTGCTTGCTGATCCACATCTGCTGGA-TAMERA
Example 7
Staining of Cells with Human GPR35 Antisera
[0204] In this example, HEK 293 cells expressing an empty CMV
vector or hemagglutin (HA) tagged human GPR35 were stained with
antibodies directed against HA and GPR35.
[0205] The GPR35 antibody was generated using a peptide with the
amino acid sequence NH.sub.2-RPPTDVGQAEATRKAARC-COOH (SEQ ID
NO:22). The peptide was conjugated to BSA and injected into
chickens for antibody production. Anti-hGPR35 antibody (Y-antibody)
was obtained from egg and affinity purified. Affinity purification
was performed using a column containing the antigenic peptide SEQ
ID NO:22 conjugated to agarose beads.
[0206] For the antibody staining, HEK 293 cells were plated at a
density of 12.times.10.sup.6 cells per 15 cm.sup.2 dish. The
following day, the cells were transiently transfected using
Lipofectamine (Invitrogen) with either a control CMV vector or the
GPR35 containing vector. Both the CMV containing vector and the
GPR35 containing vector additionally contain HA and V5 epitope
tags. After four hours of incubation in the transfection mix, the
cells were returned to their growth media. The next day, the cells
were detached from the dish using trypsin-EDTA, then replated at
3.times.10.sup.5 cells per well in a four well chamber slide. They
were allowed to adhere overnight. The cells were then fixed onto
the slide using 4% formaldehyde, followed by permeabilization of
the cells. Cells were permeabilized using 0.1% Triton X-100 in
PBSCM (PBS with 1 mM calcium and 2 mM magnesium). After blocking in
a solution containing 2% BSA in PBSCM with 0.1% Triton X-100 (to
get rid of the background), the primary antibody was allowed to
adhere for one hour in blocking buffer (pre-immune antibody or
AP-anti-GPR35 antibody, and HA antibody). After three washes, the
secondary antibody (rabbit anti-chicken Alexa 555 for the GPR35
pre-immune and AP antibodies, goat anti-mouse Alexa 488 for the HA
antibody and DAFT) was allowed to adhere for thirty minutes. After
three washes, FluoroSave (Calbiochem-Novabiochem, San Diego,
Calif.), was added to fix the coverslip onto the slide.
Visualization was then done under the microscope using fluorescence
filters.
[0207] As seen in FIG. 7, the column marked cells shows what the
cells looked like under the microscope, the column marked DAPI
shows the nuclei of the cells, the column marked HA shows detection
of the HA tag (i.e. that GPR35 was successfully transfected into
the cells since it was HA tagged), and the column marked GPR35
shows that the antibody recognizes GPR35. The rows marked PI
indicate that pre-immune sera was used and so any signal is due to
background. The rows marked AP indicate that affinity-purified
antibody was used and so the signal is from the antibody binding.
The first two rows were transfected with the CMV control vector and
the last two rows were transfected with the GPR35 containing
vector.
Example 8
Finding A Selective GPR35 Agonist
[0208] In this example, a compound is identified from a library and
tested whether it is a selective agonist of mouse GPR35 in a
melanophore assay. In addition, the compound can be tested as to
whether it is a selective agonist of human GPR35 in an IP3 assay in
G-alpha 16 transfected COS-7 cells.
1. Melanophore Technology
[0209] Melanophores are skin cells found in lower vertebrates. They
contain pigmented organelles termed melanosomes. Melanophores are
able to redistribute these melanosomes along a microtubule network
upon G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activation. The result of
this pigment movement is an apparent lightening or darkening of the
cells. In melanophores, the decreased levels of intracellular cAMP
that result from activation of a Gi-coupled receptor cause
melanosomes to migrate to the center of the cell, resulting in a
dramatic lightening in color. If cAMP levels are then raised,
following activation of a Gs-coupled receptor, the melanosomes are
re-dispersed and the cells appear dark again. The increased levels
of diacylglycerol that result from activation of Gq-coupled
receptors can also induce this re-dispersion. In addition, the
technology is also suited to the study of certain receptor tyrosine
kinases. The response of the melanophores takes place within
minutes of receptor activation and results in a simple, robust
color change. The response can be easily detected using a
conventional absorbance microplate reader or a modest video imaging
system. Unlike other skin cells, the melanophores derive from the
neural crest and appear to express a full complement of signaling
proteins. In particular, the cells express an extremely wide range
of G-proteins and so are able to functionally express almost all
GPCRs.
[0210] Melanophores can be utilized to identify compounds,
including natural ligands, which bind to and/or activate GPCRs.
This method can be conducted by introducing test cells of a pigment
cell line capable of dispersing or aggregating their pigment in
response to a specific stimulus and expressing an exogenous clone
coding for the GPCR. An initial state of pigment disposition can be
set using, for example, using melatonin, MSH or light. The test
cells are then contacted with chemical compounds, and it is
determined whether the pigment disposition in the cells changed
from the initial state of pigment disposition. Dispersion of
pigments cells due to the candidate compound, including but not
limited to a ligand, coupling to the GPCR will appear dark on a
petri dish, while aggregation of pigments cells, will appear
light.
[0211] Materials and methods followed are according to the
disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,856 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,386.
These patent disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
[0212] Melanophores are transfected by electroporation with a
plasmid which contains the coding sequence of mouse GPR35. The
cells are plated in 96-well plates. 48 hours post-transfection,
half of the cells on each plate are treated with 10 nM melatonin.
Melatonin activates an endogenous Gi-coupled receptor in the
melanophores and causes them to aggregate their pigment. The
remaining half of the cells are transferred to serum-free medium
0.7.times. L-15 (Gibco). After one hour, the cells in serum-free
media remain in a pigment-dispersed state while the
melatonin-treated cells are in a pigment-aggregated state. At this
point, the cells are treated with different compounds from a
proprietary compound library containing 140,000-150,000 organic
small molecule compounds. If GPR35 binds to the compound, the
melanophores would be expected to undergo a color change in
response to the compound. Since the receptor can couple to Gi, the
pigment-dispersed cells would be expected to undergo a
dose-dependent pigment aggregation.
2. IP3 Assay of GPR35 Expressed in G16 Transfected COS-7 Cells
[0213] Intracellular IP3 accumulation assays are performed using
either COS7 cells transiently transfected with expression plasmids
for both GPR35 and promiscuous G protein Galpha16, or alternatively
HEK293 cells stably expressing Galpha16 and transiently transfected
with GPR35 expression plasmid. DNAs used in the transfections for
this assay can be GPR35 and GPR35b cDNAs cloned into mammalian
expression vector pCMV (designated pCMV-GPR35) and Galpha16 cDNA
cloned into an expression vector pcDNA3.1(+) (Invitrogen)
(designated pcDNA-G16). The sequence of Galpha16 can be found in
Amatruda et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 13:5587-5591
(1991)). Human Galpha16 cDNA is amplified with Taq polymerase and
ligated into expression vector pcDNA3.1/V5-His-TOPO. Orientation of
the insert is checked by restriction digest.
[0214] Transfections are performed using Lipofectamine transfection
reagent (Invitrogen) and following manufacturer's recommendations.
Briefly, on day 1, cells are plated on 15 cm diameter cell culture
plates at densities 5.times.10.sup.6 cells/plate for COS7 cells or
15.times.10.sup.6 cells/plate for HEK293 cells. On the following
day a DNA/Lipofectamine mixture is prepared for each plate as
follows: 12 .mu.l of DNA (6 .mu.g of pCMV-GPR35 combined with 6
.mu.g of pcDNA-G16 for COS7 cells, or 12 .mu.g of pCMV-GPR35 for
HEK293 cells) in 300 .mu.l of OPTI-MEM (Gibco) is gently mixed with
60 .mu.l of Lipofectamine reagent in 300 .mu.l of OPTI-MEM and the
resulting solution is incubated for 15-30 minutes at room
temperature. Cells are washed once with 15 ml of PBS, and 13 ml of
OPTI-MEM is added to the plates. DNA-Lipofectamine mixture is then
gently added to the plate and mixed with OPTI-MEM. The cells are
then incubated for 4 hours at 37.degree. C. in a humidified
atmosphere containing 5% CO.sub.2. Transfection reagent is then
removed and replaced with regular cell media and cells are
incubated at 37.degree. C./5% CO.sub.2 overnight. On day 3, cells
are harvested from the plate by incubation with 0.25% trypsin and
replated in regular cell media into 96 well plates coated with
poly-D-lysine (4.times.10.sup.4 cells per well for COS7 cells or
5.5.times.10.sup.4 cells per well for HEK293 cells in 100 .mu.l of
regular growth media).
[0215] After incubation for 5-6 hours at 37.degree. C./5% CO.sub.2,
regular growth media is carefully removed from wells and replaced
with 100 .mu.l of inositol-free/serum-free DMEM (ICN Biomedicals)
containing 0.4 .mu.Ci of [.sup.3H]-myo-inositol (Perkin-Elmer).
Cells are incubated overnight at 37.degree. C. with 5% CO.sub.2. On
day 4, [.sup.3H]-myo-inositol-containing labeling media is removed
and replaced with 100 .mu.l of inositol-free/serum-free DMEM
containing 10 .mu.M parglyline (Sigma), 10 mM lithium chloride
(Sigma) and various concentrations of the compound(s) selected from
the library or other tested compounds. Cells are incubated for 2-3
hours at 37.degree. C./5% CO.sub.2. Compound containing solution is
then carefully removed and 160 .mu.l per well of ice cold 0.1 M
formic acid is added to the cells. The cells are lysed by
incubating plates at -80.degree. C. for at least 1 hour. Separation
of IP.sub.3 from cell lysates is performed using chromatography on
AG1-X8 formate resin (Bio-Rad). 400 .mu.l of formate resin slurry
(0.1 g of resin in 1 ml of water) is added per each well of
Multiscreen filter plate (Millipore). Water is drained from the
wells and resin is then washed with 200 .mu.l of water using
Millipore filtration unit. Plates with lysed cells are thawed and
lysates are transferred into Multiscreen filter plate, containing
formate resin. Plates are incubated for 10 minutes at room
temperature and lysates are then drained from filter plates with
filtration unit. Plates are washed four times with water (200
.mu.l/well) and thoroughly drained. Elution buffer is then added to
the resin (180 .mu.l/well) and plates are incubated for 5 minutes
at room temperature. Eluents are drained into 96 well collection
plates using vacuum manifold, transferred into scintillation vials
containing 5 ml of Optiphase HiSafe3 scintillation cocktail (Perkin
Elmer) and counted on Wallac Scintillation Counter. Alternatively,
50-60 .mu.l of eluents are transferred into Unifilter plates
(Whatman) with the sealed bottoms, which are then dried for 24-48
hours at 45.degree. C. 50 .mu.l per well of Optiphase HiSafe3
scintillation cocktail is added to the dried filter plates and
plates are then counted on Wallac Microbeta Counter.
Example 9
Use of a GPR35 Agonist in the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
[0216] In this example, the effect of a GPR35 agonist on plasma
glucose after oral glucose administration is tested.
[0217] Male C57bl/6 mice at age 67 days are fasted for 18 hours and
randomly grouped (n=6) to receive a GPR35 agonist at various doses,
or vehicle (PET which contains 80% PEG, 10% Tween80, and 10%
Ethanol). The GPR35 agonist is delivered orally via a gavage needle
(p.o. volume at 100 .mu.l). Thirty minutes after administration of
candidate compound or vehicle, mice are administered orally with
dextrose at 3 g/kg dose. Levels of blood glucose are determined at
various time points using Glucometer Elite XL (Bayer).
[0218] Glucose tolerance is also tested using i.p. delivery of
glucose. In this experiment 68 day old male C57Bl/6 mice are
treated with the GPR35 agonist at 100 mg/kg or with PET vehicle
after an 18 hour fasting. Thirty minutes after administration of
candidate compound or vehicle, mice are administered i.p. with
dextrose at 2 g/kg dose. Levels of blood glucose are determined at
various time points using Glucometer Elite XL (Bayer).
[0219] Correlation between in vitro potency at the GPR35 receptor
and in vivo improvement in oral glucose tolerance seen with GPR35
agonists tested in this assay indicate that the improved glucose
tolerance seen with these compounds is due to activation of
GPR35.
Example 10
Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Uptake in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
[0220] In this example, the effect of the GPR35 agonist on
insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes is tested using a
.sup.3H-2-deoxyglucose uptake assay.
Experiment 1:
[0221] Briefly, 3T3-L1 cells are first differentiated into
adipoctyes using a standard protocol (Patel and Lane, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96:1279-1284 (1999). Cells are then stimulated
for three hours with serum-free medium containing either vehicle or
5 .mu.M of the GPR35 agonist. Cells are then washed twice in
Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer and incubated in Krebs-Ringer
phosphate buffer for 20 minutes in the presence or absence of 10 nM
insulin. 2-deoxyglucose transport is measured by adding 0.05 mM
(0.5 .mu.Ci/mol) .sup.3H-2-deoxyglucose and 0.05 mM cold
2-deoxyglucose to the cells for 5 minutes at 37.degree. C. To
terminate the transport reaction, the cells are washed three times
with ice-cold PBS and solubilized in 1% Triton-X. The level of
radioactivity in the lysates is determined by scintillation
counting.
Experiment 2:
[0222] As described above, mouse 3T3-L-1 cells are differentiated
using the standard protocol. Cells are grown for 2 days until
confluent and then a cocktail containing insulin, IBMX and
dexmethosone are added to induce the cells. After 3 to 4 days of
induction, the cells are grown in insulin only medium for 2 days,
and then shifted to regular medium for 2 days.
[0223] For the glucose uptake assay, the differentiated 3T3-L-1
cells are treated with vehicle or 3 .mu.M of the GPR35 agonist for
3 hours in serum free medium. After drug treatment, the medium is
removed and the cells are washed with fresh Krebs-Ringer phosphate
buffer twice and treated with insulin for 20 minutes at various
concentrations. After 20 minutes, the glucose uptake assay is
performed as described above. Briefly, 2-deoxyglucose transport is
measured by adding 0.05 mM (0.5 .mu.Ci/mol).sup.3H-2-deoxyglucose
and 0.05 mM cold 2-deoxyglucose to the cells for 5 minutes at
37.degree. C. To terminate the transport reaction, the cells are
washed three times with ice-cold PBS and solubilized in 1%
Triton-X. The level of radioactivity in the lysates is determined
by scintillation counting.
Example 11
GPR35 Agonist May Decrease Free Fatty Acid Levels in Mice
[0224] In this example, the effect a GPR35 agonist on free fatty
acid (FFA) levels in C57 or DB/DB diabetic mice is tested.
Experiment 1 in C57 Mice:
[0225] The effect of a GPR35 agonist on FFA levels in C57 mice is
tested using the following assay.
[0226] Male C57/Bl6 mice (8-10 weeks old; .about.23 g) are dosed
with vehicle (40% Hydroxypropyl-.beta.-cyclodextrin; HPBCD) or drug
via perenteral (PO) injection at the desired concentration in a
volume of 10 mL/kg. At the desired time (for example, 30 minutes)
the mice are euthanized via CO.sub.2 asphyxiation and .about.300
.mu.l of blood is immediately collected by cardiac puncture. The
blood is transferred to a Culex vial and capped on ice. The blood
is centrifuged on a table top centrifuge (4000 rpm at 4.degree. C.
for 10 minutes). Serum is collected in a new microfuge tube and
re-centrifuged (4000 rpm at 4.degree. C. for 10 minutes). Next 5
.mu.l of this sample is transferred to a well of a 96-well plate
for the non-esterified fatty-acid (NEFA) assay. The NEFA assay is
done as per manufacturer suggested protocol (NEFA-C kit from Waco
Chemicals USA, Richmond, Va.). Statistical analysis include one way
ANOVA analysis and Dunnett's test.
Experiment 2 in DB/DB Mice (Dose Response 1)
[0227] In this example, the effect of a GPR35 agonist on free fatty
acid (FFA) levels in DB/DB diabetic mice is tested using the
following assay.
[0228] Male DB/DB mice (12 weeks old; .about.50 g) are dosed with
vehicle (PEG400) or drug via perenteral (PO) injection at the
desired concentration in a volume of 101 mL/kg, the treatments are
3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg respectively. As a control, niacin
30 mg/kg is included in the first experiment. At the desired time
(for example, 4 hours) the mice are euthanized via CO.sub.2
asphyxiation and .about.300 .mu.l of blood is immediately collected
by cardiac puncture. The blood is transferred to a Culex vial and
capped on ice. The blood is centrifuged on a table top centrifuge
(4000 rpm at 4.degree. C. for 10 minutes). Serum is collected in a
new microfuge tube and re-centrifuged (4000 rpm at 4.degree. C. for
10 minutes). Next 5 .mu.l of this sample is transferred to a well
of a 96-well plate for the non-esterified fatty-acid (NEFA) assay.
The NEFA assay is done as per manufacturer suggested protocol
(NEFA-C kit from Waco Chemicals USA, Richmond, Va.). Statistical
analysis include one way ANOVA analysis and Dunnett's test.
Experiment 3 in DB/DB Mice (Dose Response II)
[0229] In this example, the effect of a GPR35 agonist on free fatty
acid (FFA) levels in DB/DB mice is tested using the following
assay.
[0230] Male DB/DB mice (12 weeks old; .about.50 g) are dosed with
vehicle (PEG400) or drug via perenteral (PO) injection at the
desired concentration in a volume of 10 mL/kg, the treatments are
0.03 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg respectively. At the
desired time (for example, 4 hours) the mice are euthanized via
CO.sub.2 asphyxiation and .about.300 .mu.l of blood is immediately
collected by cardiac puncture. The blood is transferred to a Culex
vial and capped on ice. The blood is centrifuged on a table top
centrifuge (4000 rpm at 4.degree. C. for 10 minutes). Serum is
collected in a new microfuge tube and re-centrifuged (4000 rpm at
4.degree. C. for 10 minutes). Next 5 .mu.l of this sample is
transferred to a well of a 96-well plate for the non-esterified
fatty-acid (NEFA) assay. The NEFA assay is done as per manufacturer
suggested protocol (NEFA-C kit from Waco Chemicals USA, Richmond,
Va.). Statistical analysis include one way ANOVA analysis and
Dunnett's test.
Experiment 4 in DB/DB Mice (Time Course)
[0231] In this example, the effect of a GPR35 agonist on free fatty
acid (FFA) levels in DB/DB mice is tested using the following
assay.
[0232] Male DB/DB mice (12 weeks old; .about.50 g) are dosed with
vehicle (PEG400) or drug via perenteral (PO) injection at the
desired concentration in a volume of 10 mL/kg (the treatments are 3
mg/kg). At the desired time (time 0, 30 min, 60 min, 2 hours, 4
hours, and 8 hours respectively) the mice are euthanized via
CO.sub.2 asphyxiation and .about.300 .mu.l of blood is immediately
collected by cardiac puncture. The blood is transferred to a Culex
vial and capped on ice. The blood is centrifuged on a table top
centrifuge (4000 rpm at 4.degree. C. for 10 minutes). Serum is
collected in a new microfuge tube and re-centrifuged (4000 rpm at
4.degree. C. for 10 minutes). Next 5 .mu.l of this sample is
transferred to a well of a 96-well plate for the non-esterified
fatty-acid (NEFA) assay. The NEFA assay is done as per manufacturer
suggested protocol (NEFA-C kit from Waco Chemicals USA, Richmond,
Va.).
Example 12
TaqMan Analysis of Mouse GPR35 Expression in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
[0233] This example showed an increase in GPR35 expression in
3T3-L1 adipocytes after certain treatments, such as treatment with
linoleic acid (see FIG. 8). In an initial experiment by the
Applicants, the expression of GPR35 was analyzed daily in 3T3-L1
adipocytes which had undergone differentiation for 1 to 11 days. A
significant increase in GPR35 expression was seen late in the time
course (days 9-11) coinciding with the induction of known
terminally differentiated fat cell genes (e.g. resistin) (data not
shown).
[0234] GPR35 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was then analyzed
after certain treatments, such as treatment with linoleic acid.
Briefly, 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated into adipocytes using a
standardized protocol found in Patel Y M, Lane M D. (Role of
calpain in adipocyte differentiation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
96:1279-1284, 1999). Cells were then treated for 1 and 24 hours in
serum free media containing either 50 nM insulin (Sigma Cat #
I-1882), 10 .mu.M Linoleic Acid (Calbiochem Cat #436305 lot
#B52793), 50 pg/ml IL-1Beta (R&D Systems Cat .andgate.401-ML
lot #BN034012), 0.5 ng/mL TNF-alpha (R&D Systems Cat #410-MT
lot # CS083051). Control was untreated 3T3-L1 adipocytes at time 0.
RNA was then isolated using Trizol method (Invitrogen Cat
#15596-018). cDNA was made using Biorad iScript cDNA Synthesis
Kit.
[0235] A 1.times. TaqMan supermix was made in a 5 mL polypropylene
tube. Forward and Reverse primers were added to give a 300 nM final
concentration; appropriate amount of probe was added to give a
final concentration of 200 nM. Total volume per well was 20 .mu.L.
2 .mu.L was cDNA, while the other 18 .mu.L was TaqMan supermix and
nuclease-free water. The sequence for primers and the probe
were:
TABLE-US-00005 (SEQ ID NO: 23) 5'Primer: ATGCAGGAGGGTGGCTTCT (SEQ
ID NO: 24) 3'Primer: AGAAGGCAGTGGTGCTGAAATT (SEQ ID NO: 25) Probe:
6FAM-CTTCAGCAGCCAAACCCGGCG-TAMRA
Primers were ordered from Proligo and probe was synthesized by
ABI.
[0236] The thereto cycler conditions used were: (1) initial steps:
hold for 2 minutes at 50.degree. C., then hold for 10 minutes at
95.degree. C. (2) cycling: 40 cycles, each with melting for 15
seconds at 95.degree. C. and anneal/extending for 1 minute at
60.degree. C.
[0237] As shown in FIG. 8, GPR35 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
was significantly increased by linoleic acid treatment.
Example 13
GPR35 Agonist Inhibition of cAMP in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
[0238] This experiment determines inhibition of cAMP in 3T3-L1
adipocytes after treatment with increasing amounts of a GPR35
agonist Inhibition of cAMP indicates an anti-lipolytic role for
GPR35. Briefly, a Flash Plate.TM. Adenylyl Cyclase kit (New England
Nuclear; Cat. No. SMP004C without IBMX) designed for cell-based
assays can be modified for use with crude plasma membranes. The
Flash Plate wells contain a scintillant coating which also contains
a specific antibody recognizing cAMP. The cAMP generated in the
wells can be quantitated by a direct competition for binding of
radioactive cAMP tracer to the cAMP antibody. The following serves
as a brief protocol for the measurement of changes in cAMP levels
in whole cells that express a receptor.
[0239] 3T3-L1 Adipocytes (ATCC Cat #CL-173) are differentiated
according to a standard protocol (Patel Y M, Lane M D., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 96:1279-1284, 1999) and cells are harvested
approximately 8 days post differentiation. Media is carefully
aspirated off and discarded. 10 ml of PBS is gently added to each
dish of cells followed by careful aspiration. 1 ml of Sigma cell
dissociation buffer and 3 ml of PBS are added to each plate. Cells
are pipetted off the plate and the cell suspension is collected
into a 50 ml conical centrifuge tube. Cells are then centrifuged at
room temperature at 1,100 rpm for 5 minutes. The cell pellet is
carefully re-suspended into an appropriate volume of PBS (about 3
ml/plate). The cells are then counted using a hemocytometer and
additional PBS is added to give the appropriate number of cells
(with a final volume of about 50 .mu.l/well).
[0240] cAMP standards and Detection Buffer (comprising 2 .mu.Ci of
tracer [.sup.125I] cAMP (100 .mu.l) to 10 ml Detection Buffer) is
prepared and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions. Assay Buffer (50% PBS:50% Stimulation buffer with 1
.mu.M Isoperteranol (ISO)) is prepared fresh for screening and
contained 200 .mu.l of PBS:Stimulation Buffer, 1 .mu.l of candidate
compound (50 .mu.M final assay concentration) done in dose
dependent mariner and DMSO is added. Assay buffer is stored on ice
until utilized. Basal level and DMSO (vehicle) treatments are
comprised of Assay Buffer without Isoperteranol. The assay, carried
out in a 96-well plate, is initiated by addition of 50 .mu.l of
cAMP standards to appropriate wells followed by addition of 50
.mu.l of PBSA to wells H11 and H12. 50 .mu.l of PBS:Stimulation
Buffer and compound is added to appropriate wells. The cells (50
.mu.l) are then added to the wells and incubated for 60 minutes at
room temperature. 100 .mu.l of Detection Mix containing tracer cAMP
is then added to the wells. Plates are then incubated an additional
2 hours followed by counting in a Wallac MicroBeta scintillation
counter. Values of cAMP/well are then extrapolated from a standard
cAMP curve which is contained within each assay plate.
Example 14
Assays for Determination of GPCR Activation
[0241] A variety of approaches are available for assessment of
activation of human GPCRs. The following are illustrative; those of
ordinary skill in the art are credited with the ability to
determine those techniques that are preferentially beneficial for
the needs of the artisan.
[0242] 1. Membrane Binding Assays: [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S Assay
[0243] When a G protein-coupled receptor is in its active state,
either as a result of ligand binding or constitutive activation,
the receptor couples to a G protein and stimulates the release of
GDP and subsequent binding of GTP to the G protein. The alpha
subunit of the G protein-receptor complex acts as a GTPase and
slowly hydrolyzes the GTP to GDP, at which point the receptor
normally is deactivated. Activated receptors continue to exchange
GDP for GTP. The non-hydrolyzable GTP analog,
[.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S, can be utilized to demonstrate enhanced
binding of [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S to membranes expressing activated
receptors. The advantage of using [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S binding to
measure activation is that: (a) it is generically applicable to all
G protein-coupled receptors; (b) it is proximal at the membrane
surface making it less likely to pick-up molecules which affect the
intracellular cascade.
[0244] The assay utilizes the ability of G protein coupled
receptors to stimulate [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S binding to membranes
expressing the relevant receptors. The assay can, therefore, be
used in the direct identification method to screen candidate
compounds to endogenous GPCRs and non-endogenous, constitutively
activated GPCRs. The assay is generic and has application to drug
discovery at all G protein-coupled receptors.
[0245] The [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S assay is incubated in 20 mM HEPES
and between 1 and about 20 mM MgCl.sub.2 (this amount can be
adjusted for optimization of results, although 20 mM is preferred)
pH 7.4, binding buffer with between about 0.3 and about 1.2 nM
[.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S (this amount can be adjusted for optimization
of results, although 1.2 is preferred) and 12.5 to 75 .mu.g
membrane protein (e.g, 293 cells expressing the GPR35; this amount
can be adjusted for optimization) and 10 .mu.M GDP (this amount can
be changed for optimization) for 1 hour. Wheatgerm agglutinin beads
(25 .mu.l; Amersham) are then added and the mixture incubated for
another 30 minutes at room temperature. The tubes are then
centrifuged at 1500.times.g for 5 minutes at room temperature and
then counted in a scintillation counter.
[0246] 2. Adenylyl Cyclase
[0247] A Flash Plate.TM. Adenylyl Cyclase kit (New England Nuclear;
Cat. No. SMP004A) designed for cell-based assays can be modified
for use with crude plasma membranes. The Flash Plate wells can
contain a scintillant coating which also contains a specific
antibody recognizing cAMP. The cAMP generated in the wells can be
quantitated by a direct competition for binding of radioactive cAMP
tracer to the cAMP antibody. The following serves as a brief
protocol for the measurement of changes in cAMP levels in whole
cells that express a receptor.
[0248] Transfected cells are harvested approximately twenty four
hours after transient transfection. Media is carefully aspirated
off and discarded. 10 ml of PBS is gently added to each dish of
cells followed by careful aspiration. 1 ml of Sigma cell
dissociation buffer and 3 ml of PBS are added to each plate. Cells
are pipetted off the plate and the cell suspension is collected
into a 50 ml conical centrifuge tube. Cells are then centrifuged at
room temperature at 1,100 rpm for 5 minutes. The cell pellet is
carefully re-suspended into an appropriate volume of PBS (about 3
ml/plate). The cells are then counted using a hemocytometer and
additional PBS is added to give the appropriate number of cells
(with a final volume of about 50 .mu.l/well).
[0249] cAMP standards and Detection Buffer (comprising 1 .mu.Ci of
tracer [.sup.125I] cAMP (50 .mu.l) to 11 ml Detection Buffer) is
prepared and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions. Assay Buffer is prepared fresh for screening and
contains 50 .mu.l of Stimulation Buffer, 3 .mu.l of candidate
compound (12 .mu.M final assay concentration) and 50 .mu.l cells.
Assay Buffer is stored on ice until utilized. The assay, preferably
carried out, for example, in a 96-well plate, is initiated by
addition of 50 .mu.l of cAMP standards to appropriate wells
followed by addition of 50 .mu.l of PBSA to wells H11 and H12. 50
.mu.l of Stimulation Buffer is added to all wells. DMSO (or
selected candidate compounds) is added to appropriate wells using a
pin tool capable of dispensing 3 .mu.l of compound solution, with a
final assay concentration of 12 .mu.M candidate compound and 100
.mu.l total assay volume. The cells are then added to the wells and
incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature. 100 .mu.l of
Detection Mix containing tracer cAMP is then added to the wells.
Plates are then incubated additional 2 hours followed by counting
in a Wallac MicroBeta scintillation counter. Values of cAMP/well
are then extrapolated from a standard cAMP curve which is contained
within each assay plate.
[0250] 3. Cell-Based cAMP for Gi Coupled Target GPCRs
[0251] TSHR is a Gs coupled GPCR that causes the accumulation of
cAMP upon activation. TSHR can be constitutively activated by
mutating amino acid residue 623 (i.e., changing an alanine residue
to an isoleucine residue). A Gi coupled receptor is expected to
inhibit adenylyl cyclase, and, therefore, decrease the level of
cAMP production, which can make assessment of cAMP levels
challenging. An effective technique for measuring the decrease in
production of cAMP as an indication of activation of a Gi coupled
receptor can be accomplished by co-transfecting, non-endogenous,
constitutively activated TSHR (TSHR-A623I) (or an endogenous,
constitutively active Gs coupled receptor) as a "signal enhancer"
with a Gi linked target GPCR to establish a baseline level of cAMP.
Upon creating an endogenous or non-endogenous version of the Gi
coupled receptor, the target GPCR is then co-transfected with the
signal enhancer, and it is this material that can be used for
screening. In some embodiments, this approach is preferably used in
the direct identification of candidate compounds against Gi coupled
receptors. It is noted that for a Gi coupled GPCR, when this
approach is used, an inverse agonist of the target GPCR will
increase the cAMP signal and an agonist will decrease the cAMP
signal.
[0252] On day one, 2.times.10.sup.4 293 cells/well are plated out.
On day two, two reaction tubes are prepared (the proportions to
follow for each tube are per plate): tube A is prepared by mixing 2
.mu.g DNA of each receptor transfected into the mammalian cells,
for a total of 4 .mu.g DNA (e.g., pCMV vector; pCMV vector with
mutated THSR (TSHR-A623I); TSHR-A623I and GPCR, etc.) in 1.2 ml
serum free DMEM (Irvine Scientific, Irvine, Calif.); tube B is
prepared by mixing 120 .mu.l lipofectamine (Gibco BRL) in 1.2 ml
serum free DMEM. Tubes A and B are then admixed by inversions
(several times), followed by incubation at room temperature for
30-45 minutes. The admixture is referred to as the "transfection
mixture". Plated 293 cells are washed with 1.times.PBS, followed by
addition of 10 ml serum free DMEM. 2.4 ml of the transfection
mixture is then added to the cells, followed by incubation for 4
hours at 37.degree. C./5% CO.sub.2. The transfection mixture is
then removed by aspiration, followed by the addition of 25 ml of
DMEM/10% Fetal Bovine Serum. Cells are then incubated at 37.degree.
C./5% CO.sub.2. After 24 hours incubation, cells are harvested and
utilized for analysis.
[0253] A Flash Plate.TM. Adenylyl Cyclase kit (New England Nuclear;
Cat. No. SMP004A) is designed for cell-based assays, but can be
modified for use with crude plasma membranes depending on the need
of the skilled artisan. The Flash Plate wells contain a scintillant
coating which also contains a specific antibody recognizing cAMP.
The cAMP generated in the wells can be quantitated by a direct
competition for binding of radioactive cAMP tracer to the cAMP
antibody. The following serves as a brief protocol for the
measurement of changes in cAMP levels in whole cells that express a
receptor of interest.
[0254] Transfected cells are harvested approximately twenty four
hours after transient transfection. Media is carefully aspirated
off and discarded. 10 ml of PBS is gently added to each dish of
cells followed by careful aspiration. 1 ml of Sigma cell
dissociation buffer and 3 ml of PBS is added to each plate. Cells
are pipetted off the plate and the cell suspension is collected
into a 50 ml conical centrifuge tube. Cells are then centrifuged at
room temperature at 1,100 rpm for 5 minutes. The cell pellet is
carefully re-suspended into an appropriate volume of PBS (about 3
ml/plate). The cells are then counted using a hemocytometer and
additional PBS is added to give the appropriate number of cells
(with a final volume of about 50 .mu.l/well).
[0255] cAMP standards and Detection Buffer (comprising 1 .mu.Ci of
tracer [.sup.125I] cAMP (50 .mu.l) to 11 ml Detection Buffer) is
prepared and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions. Assay Buffer should be prepared fresh for screening
and contain 50 .mu.l of Stimulation Buffer, 3 .mu.l of candidate
compound (12 .mu.M final assay concentration) and 50 .mu.l cells.
Assay Buffer can be stored on ice until utilized. The assay can be
initiated by addition of 50 .mu.l of cAMP standards to appropriate
wells followed by addition of 50 .mu.l of PBSA to wells H-11 and
H12. Fifty .mu.l of Stimulation Buffer is added to all wells.
Selected compounds (e.g., TSH) are added to appropriate wells using
a pin tool capable of dispensing 3 .mu.l of compound solution, with
a final assay concentration of 12 .mu.M candidate compound and 100
.mu.l total assay volume. The cells are then added to the wells and
incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature. 100 .mu.l of
Detection Mix containing tracer cAMP is then added to the wells.
Plates are then incubated additional 2 hours followed by counting
in a Wallac MicroBeta scintillation counter. Values of cAMP/well
are extrapolated from a standard cAMP curve which is contained
within each assay plate.
[0256] 4. Reporter-Based Assays
[0257] a. CRE-LUC Reporter Assay (Gs-associated Receptors)
[0258] 293 or 293T cells are plated-out on 96 well plates at a
density of 2.times.10.sup.4 cells per well and are transfected
using Lipofectamine Reagent (BRL) the following day according to
manufacturer instructions. A DNA/lipid mixture is prepared for each
6-well transfection as follows: 260 ng of plasmid DNA in 100 .mu.l
of DMEM is gently mixed with 2 .mu.l of lipid in 100 .mu.l of DMEM
(the 260 ng of plasmid DNA consists of 200 ng of a 8xCRE-Luc
reporter plasmid, 50 ng of pCMV comprising endogenous receptor or
non-endogenous receptor or pCMV alone, and 10 ng of a GPRS
expression plasmid (GPRS in pcDNA3 (Invitrogen)). The 8XCRE-Luc
reporter plasmid is prepared as follows: vector SRIF-.beta.-gal is
obtained by cloning the rat somatostatin promoter (-71/+51) at
BglV-HindIII site in the p.beta.gal-Basic Vector (Clontech). Eight
(8) copies of cAMP response element are obtained by PCR from an
adenovirus template AdpCF126CCRE8 (see, Suzuki et al., Hum Gene
Ther 7:1883-1893 (1996); the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety) and cloned into the
SRIF-.beta.-gal vector at the Kpn-BglV site, resulting in the
8xCRE-.beta.-gal reporter vector. The 8xCRE-Luc reporter plasmid is
generated by replacing the beta-galactosidase gene in the
8xCRE-.beta.-gal reporter vector with the luciferase gene obtained
from the pGL3-basic vector (Promega) at the HindIII-BamHI site.
Following 30 minutes incubation at room temperature, the DNA/lipid
mixture is diluted with 400 .mu.l of DMEM and 100 .mu.l of the
diluted mixture is added to each well. 100 .mu.l of DMEM with 10%
FCS are added to each well after a four hour incubation in a cell
culture incubator. The following day the transfected cells are
changed with 200 .mu.l/well of DMEM with 10% FCS. Eight (8) hours
later, the wells are changed to 100 .mu.l/well of DMEM without
phenol red, after one wash with PBS. Luciferase activity is
measured the next day using the LucLite.TM. reporter gene assay kit
(Packard) following manufacturer instructions and read on a 1450
MicroBeta.TM. scintillation and luminescence counter (Wallac).
[0259] b. AP1 Reporter Assay (Gq-Associated Receptors)
[0260] A method to detect Gq stimulation depends on the known
property of Gq-dependent phospholipase C to cause the activation of
genes containing AP1 elements in their promoter. A Pathdetect.TM.
AP-1 cis-Reporting System (Stratagene, Catalogue No. 219073) can be
utilized following the protocol set forth above with respect to the
CREB reporter assay, except that the components of the calcium
phosphate precipitate are 410 ng pAP1-Luc, 80 ng pCMV-receptor
expression plasmid, and 20 ng CMV-SEAP.
[0261] c. SRF-LUC Reporter Assay (Gq-Associated Receptors)
[0262] One method to detect Gq stimulation depends on the known
property of Gq-dependent phospholipase C to cause the activation of
genes containing serum response factors in their promoter. A
Pathdetect.TM. SRF-Luc-Reporting System (Stratagene) can be
utilized to assay for Gq coupled activity in, for example, COS7
cells. Cells are transfected with the plasmid components of the
system and the indicated expression plasmid encoding endogenous or
non-endogenous GPCR using a Mammalian Transfection.TM. Kit
(Stratagene, Catalogue #200285) according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Briefly, 410 ng SRF-Luc, 80 ng pCMV-receptor
expression plasmid and 20 ng CMV-SEAP (secreted alkaline
phosphatase expression plasmid; alkaline phosphatase activity is
measured in the media of transfected cells to control for
variations in transfection efficiency between samples) are combined
in a calcium phosphate precipitate as per the manufacturer's
instructions. Half of the precipitate is equally distributed over 3
wells in a 96-well plate and kept on the cells in a serum free
media for 24 hours. The last 5 hours the cells are incubated with,
for example, 1 .mu.M, candidate compound. Cells are then lysed and
assayed for luciferase activity using a Luclite.TM. Kit (Packard,
Cat. No. 6016911) and "Trilux 1450 Microbeta" liquid scintillation
and luminescence counter (Wallac) as per the manufacturer's
instructions. The data can be analyzed using GraphPad Prism.TM.
2.0a (GraphPad Software Inc.).
[0263] d. Intracellular IP3 Accumulation Assay (Gq-Associated
Receptors)
[0264] On day 1, cells comprising the receptor of interest
(endogenous or non-endogenous) can be plated onto 24 well plates,
usually 1.times.10.sup.5 cells/well (although his number can be
optimized). On day 2 cells can be transfected by first mixing 0.25
.mu.g DNA in 50 .mu.l serum free DMEM/well and 2 .mu.l
lipofectamine in 50 .mu.l serum free DMEM/well. The solutions are
gently mixed and incubated for 15-30 minutes at room temperature.
Cells are washed with 0.5 ml PBS and 400 .mu.l of serum free media
is mixed with the transfection media and added to the cells. The
cells are then incubated for 3-4 hours at 37.degree. C./5% CO.sub.2
and then the transfection media is removed and replaced with 1
ml/well of regular growth media. On day 3 the cells are labeled
with .sup.3H-myo-inositol. Briefly, the media is removed and the
cells are washed with 0.5 ml PBS. Then 0.5 ml inositol-free/serum
free media (GIBCO BRL) is added/well with 0.25 .mu.Ci of
.sup.3H-myo-inositol/well and the cells are incubated for 16-18
hours overnight at 37.degree. C./5% CO.sub.2. On Day 4 the cells
are washed with 0.5 ml PBS and 0.45 ml of assay medium is added
containing inositol-free/serum free media, 10 .mu.M pargyline, 10
mM lithium chloride or 0.4 ml of assay medium and 50 .mu.l of
10.times. ketanserin (ket) to final concentration of 10 .mu.M, if
using a control construct containing a serotonin receptor. The
cells are then incubated for 30 minutes at 37.degree. C. The cells
are then washed with 0.5 ml PBS and 200 .mu.l of fresh/ice cold
stop solution (1M KOH; 18 mM Na-borate; 3.8 mM EDTA) is added/well.
The solution is kept on ice for 5-10 minutes or until cells were
lysed and then neutralized by 200 .mu.l of fresh/ice cold
neutralization sol. (7.5% HCL). The lysate is then transferred into
1.5 ml eppendorf tubes and 1 ml of chloroform/methanol (1:2) is
added/tube. The solution is vortexed for 15 seconds and the upper
phase is applied to a Biorad AG1-X8.TM. anion exchange resin
(100-200 mesh). Firstly, the resin is washed with water at 1:1.25
W/V and 0.9 ml of upper phase is loaded onto the column. The column
is washed with 10 mls of 5 mM myo-inositol and 10 ml of 5 mM
Na-borate/60 mM Na-formate. The inositol tris phosphates are eluted
into scintillation vials containing 10 ml of scintillation cocktail
with 2 ml of 0.1 M formic acid/1 M ammonium formate. The columns
are regenerated by washing with 10 ml of 0.1 M formic acid/3M
ammonium formate and rinsed twice with dd H.sub.2O and stored at
4.degree. C. in water.
Example 15
Fusion Protein Preparation
[0265] a. GPCR:Gs Fusion Construct
[0266] The design of the GPCR-G protein fusion construct can be
accomplished as follows: both the 5' and 3' ends of the rat G
protein Gs.alpha. (long form; Itoh, H. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. 83:3776 (1986)) are engineered to include a HindIII sequence
thereon. Following confirmation of the correct sequence (including
the flanking HindIII sequences), the entire sequence is shuttled
into pcDNA3.1(-) (Invitrogen, cat. no. V795-20) by subcloning using
the HindIII restriction site of that vector. The correct
orientation for the Gs.alpha. sequence is determined after
subcloning into pcDNA3.1(-). The modified pcDNA3.1(-) containing
the rat Gs.alpha. gene at HindIII sequence is then verified; this
vector is now available as a "universal" Gs.alpha. protein vector.
The pcDNA3.1(-) vector contains a variety of well-known restriction
sites upstream of the HindIII site, thus beneficially providing the
ability to insert, upstream of the Gs protein, the coding sequence
of a receptor of interest. This same approach can be utilized to
create other "universal" G protein vectors, and, of course, other
commercially available or proprietary vectors known to the artisan
can be utilized--the important criteria is that the sequence for
the GPCR be upstream and in-frame with that of the G protein.
[0267] b. Gq(6 Amino Acid Deletion)/Gi Fusion Construct
[0268] The design of a Gq(del)/Gi fusion construct can be
accomplished as follows: the N-terminal six (6) amino acids (amino
acids 2 through 7, having the sequence of TLESIM (SEQ ID NO:26)) of
G.alpha.q-subunit is deleted and the C-terminal five (5) amino
acids having the sequence EYNLV (SEQ ID NO:27) is replaced with the
corresponding amino acids of the G.alpha.i Protein, having the
sequence DCGLF (SEQ ID NO:28). This fusion construct can be
obtained by PCR using the following primers:
TABLE-US-00006 (SEQ ID NO: 29)
5'-gatcAAGCTTCCATGGCGTGCTGCCTGAGCGAGGAG-3' and (SEQ ID NO: 30) 5'-
gatcGGATCCTTAGAACAGGCCGCAGTCCTTCAGGTTCAGCTGCAGGATG GTG-3'
[0269] and Plasmid 63313 which contains the mouse G.alpha.q-wild
type version with a hemagglutinin tag as template. Nucleotides in
lower caps are included as spacers.
[0270] TaqPlus Precision DNA polymerase (Stratagene) can be
utilized for the amplification by the following cycles, with steps
2 through 4 repeated 35 times: 95.degree. C. for 2 min; 95.degree.
C. for 20 sec; 56.degree. C. for 20 sec; 72.degree. C. for 2 min;
and 72.degree. C. for 7 min. The PCR product can be cloned into a
pCRII-TOPO vector (Invitrogen) and sequenced using the ABI Big Dye
Terminator kit (P.E. Biosystems). Inserts from a TOPO clone
containing the sequence of the fusion construct can be shuttled
into the expression vector pcDNA3.1(+) at the HindIII/BamHI site by
a 2 step cloning process. Also see, PCT Application Number
PCT/US02/05625 published as WO02068600 on 6 Sep. 2002, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
Example 16
[.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S Assay
[0271] A. Membrane Preparation
[0272] In some embodiments membranes comprising the Target GPCR of
interest for use in the identification of candidate compounds as,
e.g., agonists, inverse agonists or antagonists, are prepared as
follows:
[0273] a. Materials
[0274] "Membrane Scrape Buffer" is comprised of 20 mM HEPES and 10
mM EDTA, pH 7.4; "Membrane Wash Buffer" is comprised of 20 mM HEPES
and 0.1 mM EDTA, pH 7.4; "Binding Buffer" is comprised of 20 mM
HEPES, 100 mM NaCl, and 10 mM MgCl.sub.2, pH 7.4.
[0275] b. Procedure
[0276] All materials are kept on ice throughout the procedure.
Firstly, the media is aspirated from a confluent monolayer of
cells, followed by rinsing with 10 ml cold PBS, followed by
aspiration. Thereafter, 5 ml of Membrane Scrape Buffer is added to
scrape cells; this is followed by transfer of cellular extract into
50 ml centrifuge tubes (centrifuged at 20,000 rpm for 17 minutes at
4.degree. C.). Thereafter, the supernatant is aspirated and the
pellet is resuspended in 30 ml Membrane Wash Buffer followed by
centrifuge at 20,000 rpm for 17 minutes at 4.degree. C. The
supernatant is then aspirated and the pellet resuspended in Binding
Buffer. This is then homogenized using a Brinkman Polytron.TM.
homogenizer (15-20 second bursts until the all material is in
suspension). This is referred to herein as "Membrane Protein".
[0277] Bradford Protein Assay
[0278] Following the homogenization, protein concentration of the
membranes is determined using the Bradford Protein Assay (protein
can be diluted to about 1.5 mg/ml, aliquoted and frozen
(-80.degree. C.) for later use; when frozen, protocol for use will
be as follows: on the day of the assay, frozen Membrane Protein is
thawed at room temperature, followed by vortex and then homogenized
with a Polytron at about 12.times.1,000 rpm for about 5-10 seconds;
it is noted that for multiple preparations, the homogenizer should
be thoroughly cleaned between homogenization of different
preparations).
[0279] a. Materials
[0280] Binding Buffer (as per above); Bradford Dye Reagent;
Bradford Protein Standard is utilized, following manufacturer
instructions (Biorad, cat. no. 500-0006).
[0281] b. Procedure
[0282] Duplicate tubes are prepared, one including the membrane,
and one as a control "blank". Each tube contains 800 .mu.l Binding
Buffer. Thereafter, 10 .mu.l of Bradford Protein Standard (1 mg/ml)
is added to each tube, and 10 .mu.l of membrane Protein is then
added to just one tube (not the blank). Thereafter, 200 .mu.l of
Bradford Dye Reagent is added to each tube, followed by vortexing
of each tube. After five (5) minutes, the tubes are re-vortexed and
the material therein is transferred to cuvettes. The cuvettes are
read using a CECIL 3041 spectrophotometer, at wavelength 595.
[0283] Identification Assay
[0284] a. Materials
[0285] GDP Buffer consists of 37.5 ml Binding Buffer and 2 mg GDP
(Sigma, cat. no. G-7127), followed by a series of dilutions in
Binding Buffer to obtain 0.2 .mu.M GDP (final concentration of GDP
in each well is 0.1 .mu.M GDP); each well comprising a candidate
compound has a final volume of 200 .mu.l consisting of 100 .mu.l
GDP Buffer (final concentration, 0.1 .mu.M GDP), 50 .mu.l Membrane
Protein in Binding Buffer, and 50 .mu.l [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S (0.6
nM) in Binding Buffer (2.5 .mu.l [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S per 10 ml
Binding Buffer).
[0286] b. Procedure
[0287] Candidate compounds can be screened using a 96-well plate
format (these can be frozen at -80.degree. C.). Membrane Protein
(or membranes with expression vector excluding the Target GPCR, as
control), are homogenized briefly until in suspension. Protein
concentration is be determined using the Bradford Protein Assay set
forth above. Membrane Protein (and control) is diluted to 0.25
mg/ml in Binding Buffer (final assay concentration, 12.5
.mu.g/well). Thereafter, 100 .mu.l GDP Buffer is added to each well
of a Wallac Scintistrip.TM. (Wallac). A 50 .mu.l-tool is used to
transfer 5 .mu.l of a candidate compound into such well (i.e., 50
.mu.l in total assay volume of 200 .mu.l is a 1:40 ratio such that
the final screening concentration of the candidate compound is 10
.mu.M). Again, to avoid contamination, after each transfer step the
pin tool should be rinsed in three reservoirs comprising water
(1.times.), ethanol (1.times.) and water (2.times.)--excess liquid
should be shaken from the tool after each rinse and dried with
paper and kimwipes. Thereafter, 50 .mu.l of Membrane Protein is
added to each well (a control well comprising membranes without the
Target GPCR is also utilized), and pre-incubated for 5-10 minutes
at room temperature. Thereafter, 50 .mu.l of [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S
(0.6 nM) in Binding Buffer is added to each well, followed by
incubation on a shaker for 60 minutes at room temperature (plates
are covered with foil). The assay is then stopped by spinning of
the plates at 4000 RPM for 15 minutes at 22.degree. C. The plates
are aspirated with an 8 channel manifold and sealed with plate
covers. The plates are read on a Wallac 1450 using setting "Prot.
#37" (as per manufacturer's instructions).
Example 17
Cyclic AMP Assay
[0288] Another assay approach for identifying candidate compounds
as, e.g., agonists, inverse agonist, or antagonists, can
accomplished by utilizing a cyclase-based assay. In addition to
direct identification, this assay approach can be utilized as an
independent approach to provide confirmation of the results from
the [.sup.35S]GTP.gamma.S approach as set forth in the above
example.
[0289] A modified Flash Plate.TM. Adenylyl Cyclase kit (New England
Nuclear; Cat. No. SMP004A) can be utilized for direct
identification of candidate compounds as inverse agonists and
agonists to a receptor of interest in accordance with the following
protocol.
[0290] Transfected cells are harvested approximately three days
after transfection. Membranes are prepared by homogenization of
suspended cells in buffer containing 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4 and 10 mM
MgCl.sub.2. Homogenization is performed on ice using a Brinkman
Polytron.TM. for approximately 10 seconds. The resulting homogenate
is centrifuged at 49,000.times.g for 15 minutes at 4.degree. C. The
resulting pellet is then resuspended in buffer containing 20 mM
HEPES, pH 7.4 and 0.1 mM EDTA, homogenized for 10 seconds, followed
by centrifugation at 49,000.times.g for 15 minutes at 4.degree. C.
The resulting pellet is then stored at -80.degree. C. until
utilized. On the day of direct identification screening, the
membrane pellet is slowly thawed at room temperature, resuspended
in buffer containing 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4 and 10 mM MgCl.sub.2, to
yield a final protein concentration of 0.60 mg/ml (the resuspended
membranes are placed on ice until use).
[0291] cAMP standards and Detection Buffer (comprising 2 .mu.Ci of
tracer [.sup.125I] cAMP (100 .mu.l) to 11 ml Detection Buffer] are
prepared and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions. Assay Buffer is prepared fresh for screening and
contains 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 10 mM MgCl.sub.2, 20 mM
phosphocreatine (Sigma), 0.1 units/ml creatine phosphokinase
(Sigma), 50 .mu.M GTP (Sigma), and 0.2 mM ATP (Sigma); Assay Buffer
is then stored on ice until utilized.
[0292] Candidate compounds are added to, for example, 96-well plate
wells (3 .mu.l/well; 12 .mu.M final assay concentration), together
with 40 .mu.l Membrane Protein (30 .mu.g/well) and 50 .mu.l of
Assay Buffer. This admixture is then incubated for 30 minutes at
room temperature, with gentle shaking.
[0293] Following the incubation, 100 .mu.l of Detection Buffer is
added to each well, followed by incubation for 2-24 hours. Plates
are then counted in a Wallac MicroBeta.TM. plate reader using
"Prot. #31" (as per manufacturer's instructions).
Example 18
Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR) Assay for the Measurement
of Intracellular Calcium Concentration
[0294] Target Receptor (experimental) and pCMV (negative control)
stably transfected cells from respective clonal lines are seeded
into poly-D-lysine pretreated 96-well plates (Becton-Dickinson,
#356640) at 5.5.times.10.sup.4 cells/well with complete culture
medium (DMEM with 10% FBS, 2 mM L-glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate)
for assay the next day. Because GPR35 is Gi coupled, the cells
comprising GPR35 can further comprise G.alpha.15, G.alpha.16, or
the chimeric Gq/Gi alpha subunit. However, since GPR35 is also
coupled to Go/12/13 (see Example 3 and FIG. 3), a promiscuous G
protein such as G.alpha.15, G.alpha.16, or the chimeric Gq/Gi alpha
subunit may not be required in order to cause a detectable calcium
flux. To prepare Fluo4-AM (Molecular Probe, #F14202) incubation
buffer stock, 1 mg Fluo4-AM is dissolved in 467 .mu.l DMSO and 467
.mu.l Pluoronic acid (Molecular Probe, #P3000) to give a 1 mM stock
solution that can be stored at -20.degree. C. for a month. Fluo4-AM
is a fluorescent calcium indicator dye.
[0295] Candidate compounds are prepared in wash buffer
(1.times.HBSS/2.5 mM Probenicid/20 mM HEPES at pH 7.4).
[0296] At the time of assay, culture medium is removed from the
wells and the cells are loaded with 100 .mu.l of 4 .mu.M
Fluo4-AM/2.5 mM Probenicid (Sigma, #P8761)/20 mM HEPES/complete
medium at pH 7.4. Incubation at 37.degree. C./5% CO.sub.2 is
allowed to proceed for 60 minutes.
[0297] After the 1 hour incubation, the Fluo4-AM incubation buffer
is removed and the cells are washed 2.times. with 100 .mu.l wash
buffer. In each well is left 100 .mu.l wash buffer. The plate is
returned to the incubator at 37.degree. C./5% CO.sub.2 for 60
minutes.
[0298] FLIPR (Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader; Molecular Device)
is programmed to add 50 .mu.l candidate compound on the 30th second
and to record transient changes in intracellular calcium
concentration ([Ca2+]) evoked by the candidate compound for another
150 seconds. Total fluorescence change counts are used to determine
agonist activity using the FLIPR software. The instrument software
normalizes the fluorescent reading to give equivalent initial
readings at zero.
[0299] Although the foregoing provides a FLIPR assay for agonist
activity using stably transfected cells, a person of ordinary skill
in the art would readily be able to modify the assay in order to
characterize antagonist activity. Said person of ordinary skill in
the art would also readily appreciate that, alternatively,
transiently transfected cells could be used.
Example 19
MAP Kinase Assay
[0300] MAP kinase (mitogen activated kinase) can be monitored to
evaluate receptor activation. MAP kinase can be detected by several
approaches. One approach is based on an evaluation of the
phosphorylation state, either unphosphorylated (inactive) or
phosphorylated (active). The phosphorylated protein has a slower
mobility in SDS-PAGE and can therefore be compared with the
unstimulated protein using Western blotting. Alternatively,
antibodies specific for the phosphorylated protein are available
(New England Biolabs) which can be used to detect an increase in
the phosphorylated kinase. In either method, cells are stimulated
with the candidate compound and then extracted with Laemmli buffer.
The soluble fraction is applied to an SDS-PAGE gel and proteins are
transferred electrophoretically to nitrocellulose or Immobilin.
Immunoreactive bands are detected by standard Western blotting
technique. Visible or chemiluminescent signals are recorded on film
and can be quantified by densitometry.
[0301] Another approach is based on evaluation of the MAP kinase
activity via a phosphorylation assay. Cells are stimulated with the
candidate compound and a soluble extract is prepared. The extract
is incubated at 30.degree. C. for 10 minutes with
gamma-.sup.32P-ATP, an ATP regenerating system, and a specific
substrate for MAP kinase such as phosphorylated heat and acid
stable protein regulated by insulin, or PHAS-I. The reaction is
terminated by the addition of H.sub.3PO.sub.4 and samples are
transferred to ice. An aliquot is spotted onto Whatman P81
chromatography paper, which retains the phosphorylated protein. The
chromatography paper is washed and counted for .sup.32P is a liquid
scintillation counter. Alternatively, the cell extract is incubated
with gamma-.sup.32P-ATP, an ATP regenerating system, and
biotinylated myelin basic protein bound by streptavidin to a filter
support. The myelin basic protein is a substrate for activated MAP
kinase. The phosphorylation reaction is carried out for 10 minutes
at 30.degree. C. The extract can then be aspirated through the
filter, which retains, the phosphorylated myelin basic protein. The
filter is washed and counted for .sup.32P by liquid scintillation
counting.
Example 20
Receptor Binding Assay
[0302] In addition to the methods described herein, another means
for evaluating a candidate compound is by determining binding
affinities to the GPR35 receptor. This type of assay generally
requires a radiolabelled ligand to the GPR35 receptor. Absent the
use of known ligands for the GPR35 receptor and radiolabels
thereof, compounds identified using the methods disclosed herein
can be labelled with a radioisotope and used in an assay for
evaluating the affinity of a candidate compound to the GPR35
receptor. Alternatively, one could try kynurenic acid which was
recently reported to be a ligand for GPR35 (Wang et al., J. Biol.
Chem. 281:22021-22028 (2006)).
[0303] A radiolabelled GPR35 compound such as a compound identified
using the methods disclosed herein (called Compound X hereafter)
can be used in a screening assay to identify/evaluate compounds. In
general terms, a newly synthesized or identified compound (i.e.,
candidate compound) can be evaluated for its ability to reduce
binding of the radiolabelled Compound X to the GPR35 receptor.
Accordingly, the ability to compete with the radiolabelled Compound
X for the binding to the GPR35 receptor directly correlates to the
binding affinity of the candidate compound to the GPR35
receptor.
Assay Protocol for Determining Receptor Binding for GPR35:
[0304] A. GPR35 Receptor Preparation
[0305] For example, HEK293 cells (human kidney, ATCC) can be
transiently or stably transfected with GPR35 as described herein.
For example, 293 cells can be transiently transfected with 10 .mu.g
human GPR35 receptor and 60 .mu.l Lipofectamine (per 15-cm dish),
and grown in the dish for 24 hours (75% confluency) with a media
change. Cells are removed with 10 ml/dish of Hepes-EDTA buffer (20
mM Hepes+10 mM EDTA, pH 7.4). The cells are then centrifuged in a
Beckman Coulter centrifuge for 20 minutes, 17,000 rpm (JA-25.50
rotor). Subsequently, the pellet is resuspended in 20 mM Hepes+1 mM
EDTA, pH 7.4 and homogenized with a 50-ml Dounce homogenizer and
again centrifuged. After removing the supernatant, the pellets are
stored at -80.degree. C., until used in binding assay. When used in
the assay, membranes are thawed on ice for 20 minutes and then 10
mL of incubation buffer (20 mM Hepes, 1 mM MgCl.sub.2,100 mM NaCl,
pH 7.4) is added. The membranes are then vortexed to resuspend the
crude membrane pellet and homogenized with a Brinkmann PT-3100
Polytron homogenizer for 15 seconds at setting 6. The concentration
of membrane protein is determined using the BRL Bradford protein
assay.
[0306] B. Binding Assay
[0307] For total binding, a total volume of 50 .mu.l of
appropriately diluted membranes (diluted in assay buffer containing
50 mM Tris HCl (pH 7.4), 10 mM MgCl.sub.2, and 1 mM EDTA; 5-50
.mu.g protein) is added to 96-well polyproylene microtiter plates
followed by addition of 100 .mu.l of assay buffer and 50 .mu.l of
radiolabelled Compound X. For nonspecific binding, 50 .mu.l of
assay buffer is added instead of 100 .mu.l and an additional 50
.mu.l of 10 .mu.M cold GPR35 is added before 50 .mu.l of
radiolabelled Compound X is added. Plates are then incubated at
room temperature for 60-120 minutes. The binding reaction is
terminated by filtering assay plates through a Microplate Devices
GF/C Unifilter filtration plate with a Brandell 96-well plate
harvestor followed by washing with cold 50 mM Tris HCl, pH 7.4
containing 0.9% NaCl. Then, the bottom of the filtration plates are
sealed, 50 .mu.l of Optiphase Supermix is added to each well, the
top of the plates are sealed, and plates are counted in a Trilux
MicroBeta scintillation counter. For compound competition studies,
instead of adding 100 .mu.l of assay buffer, 100 .mu.l of
appropriately diluted candidate compound is added to appropriate
wells followed by addition of 50 .mu.l of radiolabelled Compound
X.
[0308] C. Calculations
[0309] The candidate compounds are initially assayed at 1 and 0.1
.mu.M and then at a range of concentrations chosen such that the
middle dose would cause about 50% inhibition of a radiolabelled
Compound X binding (i.e., IC.sub.50). Specific binding in the
absence of candidate compound (B.sub.O) is the difference of total
binding (B.sub.T) minus non-specific binding (NSB) and similarly
specific binding (in the presence of candidate compound) (B) is the
difference of displacement binding (B.sub.D) minus non-specific
binding (NSB). IC.sub.50 is determined from an inhibition response
curve, logit-log plot of % B/B.sub.O vs concentration of candidate
compound.
[0310] K.sub.i is calculated by the Cheng and Prustoff
transformation:
K.sub.i=IC.sub.50/(1+[L]/K.sub.D)
[0311] where [L] is the concentration of a radiolabelled Compound X
used in the assay and K.sub.D is the dissociation constant of a
radiolabelled Compound X determined independently under the same
binding conditions.
Example 21
Rodent Diabetes Model
[0312] Rodent models of type 2 diabetes associated with obesity and
insulin resistance have been developed. Genetic models such as
db/db and ob/ob [see Diabetes (1982) 31:1-6] in mice and fa/fa in
zucker rats have been developed for understanding the
pathophysiology of disease and for testing candidate therapeutic
compounds [Diabetes (1983) 32:830-838; Annu Rep Sankyo Res Lab
(1994) 46:1-57]. The homozygous animals, C57 BL/KsJ-db/db mice
developed by Jackson Laboratory are obese, hyperglycemic,
hyperinsulinemic and insulin resistant [J Clin Invest (1990)
85:962-967], whereas heterozygotes are lean and normoglycemic. In
the db/db model, mice progressively develop insulinopenia with age,
a feature commonly observed in late stages of human type 2 diabetes
when sugar levels are insufficiently controlled. Since this model
resembles that of human type 2 diabetes, the compounds of the
present invention are tested for activities including, but not
limited to, lowering of plasma glucose and triglycerides. Zucker
(fa/fa) rats are severely obese, hyperinsulinemic, and insulin
resistant {Coleman, Diabetes (1982) 31:1; E Shafrir in Diabetes
Mellitus, H Rifkin and D Porte, Jr, Eds [Elsevier Science
Publishing Co, New York, ed. 4, (1990), pp. 299-340]}, and the
fa/fa mutation may be the rat equivalent of the murine db mutation
[Friedman et al, Cell (1992) 69:217-220; Truett et al, Proc Natl
Acad Sci USA (1991) 88:7806]. Tubby (tub/tub) mice are
characterized by obesity, moderate insulin resistance and
hyperinsulinemia without significant hyperglycemia [Coleman et al,
Heredity (1990) 81:424].
[0313] The present invention encompasses the use of compounds of
the invention for reducing the insulin resistance and hyperglycemia
in any or all of the above rodent diabetes models, in humans with
type 2 diabetes or other preferred metabolic-related disorders or
disorders of lipid metabolism described previously, or in models
based on other mammals. Plasma glucose and insulin levels can be
tested, as well as other factors including, but not limited to,
plasma free fatty acids and triglycerides.
In Vivo Assay for Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity of Compounds of the
Invention
[0314] Genetically altered obese diabetic mice (db/db) (male, 7-9
weeks old) are housed (7-9 mice/cage) under standard laboratory
conditions at 22.degree. C. and 50% relative humidity, and
maintained on a diet of Purina rodent chow and water ad libitum.
Prior to treatment, blood is collected from the tail vein of each
animal and blood glucose concentrations are determined using One
Touch Basic Glucose Monitor System (Lifescan). Mice that have
plasma glucose levels between 250 to 500 mg/dl are used. Each
treatment group consists of seven mice that are distributed so that
the mean glucose levels are equivalent in each group at the start
of the study. db/db mice are dosed by micro-osmotic pumps, inserted
using isoflurane anesthesia, to provide compounds of the invention,
saline, or an irrelevant compound to the mice subcutaneously
(s.c.). Blood is sampled from the tail vein at intervals thereafter
and analyzed for blood glucose concentrations. Significant
differences between groups (comparing compounds of the invention to
saline-treated) are evaluated using Student t-test.
[0315] The foregoing is provided by way of illustration and not
limitation. Other illustrative rodent models for type 2 diabetes
have been described [Moller D E, Nature (2001) 414:821-7 and
references therein; and Reed M J et al., Diabetes, Obesity and
Metabolism (1999) 1:75-86 and reference therein; the disclosure of
each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety].
Example 22
Mouse Atherosclerosis Model
[0316] Adiponectin-deficient mice generated through knocking out
the adiponectin gene have been shown to be predisposed to
atherosclerosis and to be insulin resistant. The mice are also a
suitable model for ischemic heart disease [Matsuda, M et al. J Biol
Chem (2002) July, and references cited therein, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety].
[0317] Adiponectin knockout mice are housed (7-9 mice/cage) under
standard laboratory conditions at 22.degree. C. and 50% relative
humidity. The mice are dosed by micro-osmotic pumps, inserted using
isoflurane anesthesia, to provide compounds of the invention,
saline, or an irrelevant compound to the mice subcutaneously
(s.c.). Neointimal thickening and ischemic heart disease are
determined for different groups of mice sacrificed at different
time intervals. Significant differences between groups (comparing
compounds of the invention to saline-treated) are evaluated using
Student t-test.
[0318] The foregoing mouse model of atherosclerosis is provided by
way of illustration and not limitation. By way of further example,
Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice have also been shown to be
predisposed to atherosclerosis [Plump A S et al., Cell (1992)
71:343-353; the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety].
[0319] Another model that can be used is that of diet-induced
atherosclerosis in C57BL/6J mice, an inbred strain known to be
susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerotic lesion formation. This
model is well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art [Kamada
N et al., J Atheroscler Thromb (2001) 8:1-6; Garber D W et al., J
Lipid Res (2001) 42:545-52; Smith J D et al., J Intern Med (1997)
242:99-109; the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety].
Example 23
In Vivo Pig Model of HDL-Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis
[0320] The utility of a compound of the present invention as a
medical agent in the prevention or treatment of a high total
cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and conditions relating thereto
is demonstrated, for example, by the activity of the compound in
lowering the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol, in
elevating HDL-cholesterol, or in protection from atherosclerosis in
an in vivo pig model. Pigs are used as an animal model because they
reflect human physiology, especially lipid metabolism, more closely
than most other animal models. An illustrative in vivo pig model
not intended to be limiting is presented here.
[0321] Yorkshire albino pigs (body weight 25.5.+-.4 kg) are fed a
saturated fatty acid rich and cholesterol rich (SPA-CHO) diet
during 50 days (1 kg chow 35 kg-1 pig weight), composed of standard
chow supplemented with 2% cholesterol and 20% beef tallow [Royo T
et al., European Journal of Clinical Investigation (2000)
30:843-52]. Saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratio is modified
from 0.6 in normal pig chow to 1.12 in the SFA-CHO diet. Animals
are divided into two groups, one group (n=8) fed with the SFA-CHO
diet and treated with placebo and one group (n=8) fed with the
SFA-CHO diet and treated with the modulator (3.0 mg kg-1). Control
animals are fed a standard chow for a period of 50 days. Blood
samples are collected at baseline (2 days after the reception of
the animals), and 50 days after the initiation of the diet. Blood
lipids are analyzed. The animals are sacrificed and necropsied.
[0322] Alternatively, the foregoing analysis comprises a plurality
of groups each treated with a different dose of the compound of
interest. Doses include, for example: 0.1 mg kg-1, 0.3 mg kg-1, 1.0
mg kg-1, 3.0 mg kg-1, 10 mg kg-1, 30 mg kg-1 and 100 mg kg-1.
Alternatively, the foregoing analysis is carried out at a plurality
of timepoints, for example, 10 weeks, 20 weeks, 30 weeks, 40 weeks,
and 50 weeks.
HDL-Cholesterol:
[0323] Blood is collected in trisodium citrate (3.8%, 1:10). Plasma
is obtained after centrifugation (1200 g 15 min) and immediately
processed. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol
are measured using the automatic analyzer Kodak Ektachem DT System
(Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., USA). Samples with value
parameters above the range are diluted with the solution supplied
by the manufacturer and then re-analyzed. The total
cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio is determined. Comparison is made
of the level of HDL-cholesterol between groups. Comparison is made
of the total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio between groups.
[0324] Elevation of HDL-cholesterol or reduction of the total
cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio on administration of the compound
of interest is taken as indicative of the compound having the
aforesaid utility.
Atherosclerosis:
[0325] The thoracic and abdominal aortas are removed intact, opened
longitudinally along the ventral surface, and fixed in
neutral-buffered formalin after excision of samples from standard
sites in the thoracic and abdominal aorta for histological
examination and lipid composition and synthesis studies. After
fixation, the whole aortas are stained with Sudan IV and pinned out
flat, and digital images are obtained with a TV camera connected to
a computerized image analysis system (Image Pro Plus; Media
Cybernetics, Silver Spring, Md.) to determine the percentage of
aortic surface involved with atherosclerotic lesions [Gerrity R G
et al, Diabetes (2001) 50:1654-65; Cornhill J F et al,
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (1985) 5:415-26;
which disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety]. Comparison is made between groups of the percentage of
aortic surface involved with atherosclerotic lesions.
[0326] Reduction of the percentage of aortic surface involved with
atherosclerotic lesions on administration of the compound of
interest is taken as indicative of the compound having the
aforesaid utility.
Plasma Free Fatty Acids:
[0327] It would be readily apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in
the art that the foregoing in vivo pig model is easily modified in
order to address, without limitation, the activity of the compound
in lowering plasma free fatty acids.
[0328] Those skilled in the art will recognize that various
modifications, additions, substitutions, and variations to the
illustrative examples set forth herein can be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention and are, therefore,
considered within the scope of the invention. All journal research
publications listed herein are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
Sequence CWU 1
1
301930DNAHomo sapien 1atgaatggca cctacaacac ctgtggctcc agcgacctca
cctggccccc agcgatcaag 60ctgggcttct acgcctactt gggcgtcctg ctggtgctag
gcctgctgct caacagcctg 120gcgctctggg tgttctgctg ccgcatgcag
cagtggacgg agacccgcat ctacatgacc 180aacctggcgg tggccgacct
ctgcctgctg tgcaccttgc ccttcgtgct gcactccctg 240cgagacacct
cagacacgcc gctgtgccag ctctcccagg gcatctacct gaccaacagg
300tacatgagca tcagcctggt cacggccatc gccgtggacc gctatgtggc
cgtgcggcac 360ccgctgcgtg cccgcgggct gcggtccccc aggcaggctg
cggccgtgtg cgcggtcctc 420tgggtgctgg tcatcggctc cctggtggct
cgctggctcc tggggattca ggagggcggc 480ttctgcttca ggagcacccg
gcacaatttc aactccatgc ggttcccgct gctgggattc 540tacctgcccc
tggccgtggt ggtcttctgc tccctgaagg tggtgactgc cctggcccag
600aggccaccca ccgacgtggg gcaggcagag gccacccgca aggctgcccg
catggtctgg 660gccaacctcc tggtgttcgt ggtctgcttc ctgcccctgc
acgtggggct gacagtgcgc 720ctcgcagtgg gctggaacgc ctgtgccctc
ctggagacga tccgtcgcgc cctgtacata 780accagcaagc tctcagatgc
caactgctgc ctggacgcca tctgctacta ctacatggcc 840aaggagttcc
aggaggcgtc tgcactggcc gtggctcccc gtgctaaggc ccacaaaagc
900caggactctc tgtgcgtgac cctcgcctaa 9302309PRTHomo sapien 2Met Asn
Gly Thr Tyr Asn Thr Cys Gly Ser Ser Asp Leu Thr Trp Pro1 5 10 15Pro
Ala Ile Lys Leu Gly Phe Tyr Ala Tyr Leu Gly Val Leu Leu Val 20 25
30Leu Gly Leu Leu Leu Asn Ser Leu Ala Leu Trp Val Phe Cys Cys Arg
35 40 45Met Gln Gln Trp Thr Glu Thr Arg Ile Tyr Met Thr Asn Leu Ala
Val 50 55 60Ala Asp Leu Cys Leu Leu Cys Thr Leu Pro Phe Val Leu His
Ser Leu65 70 75 80Arg Asp Thr Ser Asp Thr Pro Leu Cys Gln Leu Ser
Gln Gly Ile Tyr 85 90 95Leu Thr Asn Arg Tyr Met Ser Ile Ser Leu Val
Thr Ala Ile Ala Val 100 105 110Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Val Arg His Pro
Leu Arg Ala Arg Gly Leu Arg 115 120 125Ser Pro Arg Gln Ala Ala Ala
Val Cys Ala Val Leu Trp Val Leu Val 130 135 140Ile Gly Ser Leu Val
Ala Arg Trp Leu Leu Gly Ile Gln Glu Gly Gly145 150 155 160Phe Cys
Phe Arg Ser Thr Arg His Asn Phe Asn Ser Met Arg Phe Pro 165 170
175Leu Leu Gly Phe Tyr Leu Pro Leu Ala Val Val Val Phe Cys Ser Leu
180 185 190Lys Val Val Thr Ala Leu Ala Gln Arg Pro Pro Thr Asp Val
Gly Gln 195 200 205Ala Glu Ala Thr Arg Lys Ala Ala Arg Met Val Trp
Ala Asn Leu Leu 210 215 220Val Phe Val Val Cys Phe Leu Pro Leu His
Val Gly Leu Thr Val Arg225 230 235 240Leu Ala Val Gly Trp Asn Ala
Cys Ala Leu Leu Glu Thr Ile Arg Arg 245 250 255Ala Leu Tyr Ile Thr
Ser Lys Leu Ser Asp Ala Asn Cys Cys Leu Asp 260 265 270Ala Ile Cys
Tyr Tyr Tyr Met Ala Lys Glu Phe Gln Glu Ala Ser Ala 275 280 285Leu
Ala Val Ala Pro Arg Ala Lys Ala His Lys Ser Gln Asp Ser Leu 290 295
300Cys Val Thr Leu Ala3053930DNAHomo sapien 3atgaatggca cctacaacac
ctgtggctcc agcgacctca cctggccccc agcgatcaag 60ctgggcttct acgcctactt
gggcgtcctg ctggtgctag gcctgctgct caacagcctg 120gcgctctggg
tgttctgctg ccgcatgcag cagtggacgg agacccgcat ctacatgacc
180aacctggcgg tggccgacct ctgcctgctg tgcaccttgc ccttcgtgct
gcactccctg 240cgagacacct cagacacgcc gctgtgccag ctctcccagg
gcatctacct gaccaacagg 300tacatgagca tcagcctggt cacggccatc
gccgtggacc gctatgtggc cgtgcggcac 360ccgctgcgtg cccgcgggct
gcggtccccc aggcaggctg cggccgtgtg cgcggtcctc 420tgggtgctgg
tcatcggctc cctggtggct cgctggctcc tggggattca ggagggcggc
480ttctgcttca ggagcacccg gcacaatttc aactccatgg cgttcccgct
gctgggattc 540tacctgcccc tggccgtggt ggtcttctgc tccctgaagg
tggtgactgc cctggcccag 600aggccaccca ccgacgtggg gcaggcagag
gccacccgca aggctgcccg catggtctgg 660gccaacctcc tggtgttcgt
ggtctgcttc ctgcccctgc acgtggggct gacagtgcgc 720ctcgcagtgg
gctggaacgc ctgtgccctc ctggagacga tccgtcgcgc cctgtacata
780accagcaagc tctcagatgc caactgctgc ctggacgcca tctgctacta
ctacatggcc 840aaggagttcc aggaggcgtc tgcactggcc gtggctccca
gtgctaaggc ccacaaaagc 900caggactctc tgtgcgtgac cctcgcctaa
9304309PRTHomo sapien 4Met Asn Gly Thr Tyr Asn Thr Cys Gly Ser Ser
Asp Leu Thr Trp Pro1 5 10 15Pro Ala Ile Lys Leu Gly Phe Tyr Ala Tyr
Leu Gly Val Leu Leu Val 20 25 30Leu Gly Leu Leu Leu Asn Ser Leu Ala
Leu Trp Val Phe Cys Cys Arg 35 40 45Met Gln Gln Trp Thr Glu Thr Arg
Ile Tyr Met Thr Asn Leu Ala Val 50 55 60Ala Asp Leu Cys Leu Leu Cys
Thr Leu Pro Phe Val Leu His Ser Leu65 70 75 80Arg Asp Thr Ser Asp
Thr Pro Leu Cys Gln Leu Ser Gln Gly Ile Tyr 85 90 95Leu Thr Asn Arg
Tyr Met Ser Ile Ser Leu Val Thr Ala Ile Ala Val 100 105 110Asp Arg
Tyr Val Ala Val Arg His Pro Leu Arg Ala Arg Gly Leu Arg 115 120
125Ser Pro Arg Gln Ala Ala Ala Val Cys Ala Val Leu Trp Val Leu Val
130 135 140Ile Gly Ser Leu Val Ala Arg Trp Leu Leu Gly Ile Gln Glu
Gly Gly145 150 155 160Phe Cys Phe Arg Ser Thr Arg His Asn Phe Asn
Ser Met Ala Phe Pro 165 170 175Leu Leu Gly Phe Tyr Leu Pro Leu Ala
Val Val Val Phe Cys Ser Leu 180 185 190Lys Val Val Thr Ala Leu Ala
Gln Arg Pro Pro Thr Asp Val Gly Gln 195 200 205Ala Glu Ala Thr Arg
Lys Ala Ala Arg Met Val Trp Ala Asn Leu Leu 210 215 220Val Phe Val
Val Cys Phe Leu Pro Leu His Val Gly Leu Thr Val Arg225 230 235
240Leu Ala Val Gly Trp Asn Ala Cys Ala Leu Leu Glu Thr Ile Arg Arg
245 250 255Ala Leu Tyr Ile Thr Ser Lys Leu Ser Asp Ala Asn Cys Cys
Leu Asp 260 265 270Ala Ile Cys Tyr Tyr Tyr Met Ala Lys Glu Phe Gln
Glu Ala Ser Ala 275 280 285Leu Ala Val Ala Pro Ser Ala Lys Ala His
Lys Ser Gln Asp Ser Leu 290 295 300Cys Val Thr Leu Ala3055924DNAMus
musculus 5atgaatagta caacctgtaa cagcaccctc acgtggcctg cttccgtcaa
caacttcttc 60atcatctact cagccttgct gctggtgctg ggcctgctgc tcaacagcgt
ggcactctgg 120gtattctgct atcgcatgca ccagtggaca gagacccgca
tctatatgac caacctggct 180gtggccgacc tctgcctgct ctgctccttg
ccatttgtgc tgtactccct gaaatatagt 240tcttcagaca cacccgtctg
ccagctctca cagggcatct acctggccaa cagatacatg 300agcataagcc
tggtcactgc cattgctgtg gaccgctatg tggcagtgcg gcatcccctg
360cgtgcgcgtg agctgcggtc cccgagacag gctgcagcag tgtgtgtggc
cctttgggtg 420atagtggtca cctccctggt agtgcgctgg cgcctgggga
tgcaggaggg tggcttctgc 480ttcagcagcc aaacccggcg caatttcagc
accactgcct tctcactgct gggattctac 540ctgccgctgg ccatcgtggt
cttctgctct ttgcaggtag tgactgtgct atcgagaagg 600ccagccgctg
atgtggggca ggcagaggcc acccaaaagg ccacccacat ggtctgggcc
660aacttggctg tgtttgtcat ctgcttcctg cccttgcatg tggtcctgac
cgtgcaggtc 720tccctgaacc tcaatacctg tgctgcccga gacaccttca
gccgtgccct gtccatcaca 780ggtaaactct cagacaccaa ctgctgcctg
gatgccatct gttactacta catggccaga 840gagttccagg aagcgtccaa
gccagccacg tcttccaaca caccccacaa gagccaagat 900tcccagatcc
tgagcctcac ctag 9246307PRTMus musculus 6Met Asn Ser Thr Thr Cys Asn
Ser Thr Leu Thr Trp Pro Ala Ser Val1 5 10 15Asn Asn Phe Phe Ile Ile
Tyr Ser Ala Leu Leu Leu Val Leu Gly Leu 20 25 30Leu Leu Asn Ser Val
Ala Leu Trp Val Phe Cys Tyr Arg Met His Gln 35 40 45Trp Thr Glu Thr
Arg Ile Tyr Met Thr Asn Leu Ala Val Ala Asp Leu 50 55 60Cys Leu Leu
Cys Ser Leu Pro Phe Val Leu Tyr Ser Leu Lys Tyr Ser65 70 75 80Ser
Ser Asp Thr Pro Val Cys Gln Leu Ser Gln Gly Ile Tyr Leu Ala 85 90
95Asn Arg Tyr Met Ser Ile Ser Leu Val Thr Ala Ile Ala Val Asp Arg
100 105 110Tyr Val Ala Val Arg His Pro Leu Arg Ala Arg Glu Leu Arg
Ser Pro 115 120 125Arg Gln Ala Ala Ala Val Cys Val Ala Leu Trp Val
Ile Val Val Thr 130 135 140Ser Leu Val Val Arg Trp Arg Leu Gly Met
Gln Glu Gly Gly Phe Cys145 150 155 160Phe Ser Ser Gln Thr Arg Arg
Asn Phe Ser Thr Thr Ala Phe Ser Leu 165 170 175Leu Gly Phe Tyr Leu
Pro Leu Ala Ile Val Val Phe Cys Ser Leu Gln 180 185 190Val Val Thr
Val Leu Ser Arg Arg Pro Ala Ala Asp Val Gly Gln Ala 195 200 205Glu
Ala Thr Gln Lys Ala Thr His Met Val Trp Ala Asn Leu Ala Val 210 215
220Phe Val Ile Cys Phe Leu Pro Leu His Val Val Leu Thr Val Gln
Val225 230 235 240Ser Leu Asn Leu Asn Thr Cys Ala Ala Arg Asp Thr
Phe Ser Arg Ala 245 250 255Leu Ser Ile Thr Gly Lys Leu Ser Asp Thr
Asn Cys Cys Leu Asp Ala 260 265 270Ile Cys Tyr Tyr Tyr Met Ala Arg
Glu Phe Gln Glu Ala Ser Lys Pro 275 280 285Ala Thr Ser Ser Asn Thr
Pro His Lys Ser Gln Asp Ser Gln Ile Leu 290 295 300Ser Leu
Thr30571023DNAHomo sapien 7atgctgagtg gttcccgggc tgtccccact
ccacaccgtg gcagtgaaga gctgctgaag 60tacatgcttc atagtccttg cgtctctctg
accatgaatg gcacctacaa cacctgtggc 120tccagcgacc tcacctggcc
cccagcgatc aagctgggct tctacgccta cttgggcgtc 180ctgctggtgc
taggcctgct gctcaacagc ctggcgctct gggtgttctg ctgccgcatg
240cagcagtgga cggagacccg catctacatg accaacctgg cggtggccga
cctctgcctg 300ctgtgcacct tgcccttcgt gctgcactcc ctgcgagaca
cctcagacac gccgctgtgc 360cagctctccc agggcatcta cctgaccaac
aggtacatga gcatcagcct ggtcacggcc 420atcgccgtgg accgctatgt
ggccgtgcgg cacccgctgc gtgcccgcgg gctgcggtcc 480cccaggcagg
ctgcggccgt gtgcgcggtc ctctgggtgc tggtcatcgg ctccctggtg
540gctcgctggc tcctggggat tcaggagggc ggcttctgct tcaggagcac
ccggcacaat 600ttcaactcca tggcgttccc gctgctggga ttctacctgc
ccctggccgt ggtggtcttc 660tgctccctga aggtggtgac tgccctggcc
cagaggccac ccaccgacgt ggggcaggca 720gaggccaccc gcaaggctgc
ccgcatggtc tgggccaacc tcctggtgtt cgtggtctgc 780ttcctgcccc
tgcacgtggg gctgacagtg cgcctcgcag tgggctggaa cgcctgtgcc
840ctcctggaga cgatccgtcg cgccctgtac ataaccagca agctctcaga
tgccaactgc 900tgcctggacg ccatctgcta ctactacatg gccaaggagt
tccaggaggc gtctgcactg 960gccgtggctc ccagtgctaa ggcccacaaa
agccaggact ctctgtgcgt gaccctcgcc 1020taa 10238340PRTHomo sapien
8Met Leu Ser Gly Ser Arg Ala Val Pro Thr Pro His Arg Gly Ser Glu1 5
10 15Glu Leu Leu Lys Tyr Met Leu His Ser Pro Cys Val Ser Leu Thr
Met 20 25 30Asn Gly Thr Tyr Asn Thr Cys Gly Ser Ser Asp Leu Thr Trp
Pro Pro 35 40 45Ala Ile Lys Leu Gly Phe Tyr Ala Tyr Leu Gly Val Leu
Leu Val Leu 50 55 60Gly Leu Leu Leu Asn Ser Leu Ala Leu Trp Val Phe
Cys Cys Arg Met65 70 75 80Gln Gln Trp Thr Glu Thr Arg Ile Tyr Met
Thr Asn Leu Ala Val Ala 85 90 95Asp Leu Cys Leu Leu Cys Thr Leu Pro
Phe Val Leu His Ser Leu Arg 100 105 110Asp Thr Ser Asp Thr Pro Leu
Cys Gln Leu Ser Gln Gly Ile Tyr Leu 115 120 125Thr Asn Arg Tyr Met
Ser Ile Ser Leu Val Thr Ala Ile Ala Val Asp 130 135 140Arg Tyr Val
Ala Val Arg His Pro Leu Arg Ala Arg Gly Leu Arg Ser145 150 155
160Pro Arg Gln Ala Ala Ala Val Cys Ala Val Leu Trp Val Leu Val Ile
165 170 175Gly Ser Leu Val Ala Arg Trp Leu Leu Gly Ile Gln Glu Gly
Gly Phe 180 185 190Cys Phe Arg Ser Thr Arg His Asn Phe Asn Ser Met
Ala Phe Pro Leu 195 200 205Leu Gly Phe Tyr Leu Pro Leu Ala Val Val
Val Phe Cys Ser Leu Lys 210 215 220Val Val Thr Ala Leu Ala Gln Arg
Pro Pro Thr Asp Val Gly Gln Ala225 230 235 240Glu Ala Thr Arg Lys
Ala Ala Arg Met Val Trp Ala Asn Leu Leu Val 245 250 255Phe Val Val
Cys Phe Leu Pro Leu His Val Gly Leu Thr Val Arg Leu 260 265 270Ala
Val Gly Trp Asn Ala Cys Ala Leu Leu Glu Thr Ile Arg Arg Ala 275 280
285Leu Tyr Ile Thr Ser Lys Leu Ser Asp Ala Asn Cys Cys Leu Asp Ala
290 295 300Ile Cys Tyr Tyr Tyr Met Ala Lys Glu Phe Gln Glu Ala Ser
Ala Leu305 310 315 320Ala Val Ala Pro Ser Ala Lys Ala His Lys Ser
Gln Asp Ser Leu Cys 325 330 335Val Thr Leu Ala 3409236DNAMus
musculus 9ctgccttctc actgctggga ttctacctgc cgctggccat cgtggtcttc
tgctctttgc 60aggtagtgac tgtgctatcg agaaggccag ccgctgatgt ggggcaggca
gaggccaccc 120aaaaggccac ccacatggtc tgggccaact tggctgtgtt
tgtcatctgc ttcctgccct 180tgcatgtggt cctgaccgtg caggtctccc
tgaacctcaa tacctgtgct gcccga 2361024DNAArtificialprimer
10ctgccttctc actgctggga ttct 241124DNAArtificialprimer 11tcgggcagca
caggtattga ggtt 241222DNAArtificialprimer 12cacggggttc cacagaggta
tg 221321DNAArtificialprimer 13caatggcaag gagcagagca g
211423DNAArtificialprimer 14ggggtgaggc cggtgctgag tat
231524DNAArtificialprimer 15cattgggggt aggaacacgg aagg
241619DNAArtificialprimer 16atgcaggagg gtggcttct
191722DNAArtificialprimer 17agaaggcagt ggtgctgaaa tt
221822DNAArtificialprimer 18ccttcagcag ccaaacccgg cg
221919DNAArtificialprimer 19tcctggcctc actgtccac
192019DNAArtificialprimer 20gggccggact catcgtact
192126DNAArtificialprimer 21ctgcttgctg atccacatct gctgga
262218PRTArtificialpeptide 22Arg Pro Pro Thr Asp Val Gly Gln Ala
Glu Ala Thr Arg Lys Ala Ala1 5 10 15Arg Cys2319DNAArtificialprimer
23atgcaggagg gtggcttct 192422DNAArtificialprimer 24agaaggcagt
ggtgctgaaa tt 222521DNAArtificialprimer 25cttcagcagc caaacccggc g
21266PRTArtificialpeptide 26Thr Leu Glu Ser Ile Met1
5275PRTArtificialpeptide 27Glu Tyr Asn Leu Val1
5285PRTArtificialpeptide 28Asp Cys Gly Leu Phe1
52936DNAArtificialprimer 29gatcaagctt ccatggcgtg ctgcctgagc gaggag
363053DNAArtificialprimer 30gatcggatcc ttagaacagg ccgcagtcct
tcaggttcag ctgcaggatg gtg 53
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