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ID: ALA4699534
Journal: J Med Chem
Title: Optimizing PEG-Extended Apelin Analogues as Cardioprotective Drug Leads: Importance of the KFRR Motif and Aromatic Head Group for Improved Physiological Activity.
Authors: Fischer C,Lamer T,Fernandez K,Gheblawi M,Wang W,Pascoe C,Lambkin G,Iturrioz X,Llorens-Cortes C,Oudit GY,Vederas JC
Abstract: Apelin is an important contributor to the renin-angiotensin axis, regulating cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological functions. Apelin-17 has especially potent cardio-physiological effects but is rapidly degraded in human blood (t ∼ 4 min). Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), neprilysin (NEP), and plasma kallikrein (KLKB1) cleave and inactivate it, with the latter cutting within the arginine-arginine site. Here, we show that analogues with an N-terminal polyethylene glycol (PEG) extension as well as peptide bond isosteres resist KLKB1 cleavage but that only the PEG-extended analogues significantly improve physiologically activity. The PEGylated analogues feature comparatively high log D values and high plasma protein binding, adding to their stability. An alanine scan of apelin-17 reveals that the integrity and conformational flexibility of the KFRR motif are necessary for cardio-physiological activity. An optimized Cbz-PEG analogue is presented that is stable in blood (t ∼ 18 h), has significant blood-pressure lowering effect, and shows fast recovery of heart function in Langendorff assay.
CiteXplore: 33001648