@article{MateraKaukCirilloetal.2023, author = {Matera, Carlo and Kauk, Michael and Cirillo, Davide and Maspero, Marco and Papotto, Claudio and Volpato, Daniela and Holzgrabe, Ulrike and De Amici, Marco and Hoffmann, Carsten and Dallanoce, Clelia}, title = {Novel Xanomeline-containing bitopic ligands of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors: design, synthesis and FRET investigation}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {28}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {5}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules28052407}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-311249}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In the last few years, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) receptor sensors have contributed to the understanding of GPCR ligand binding and functional activation. FRET sensors based on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) have been employed to study dual-steric ligands, allowing for the detection of different kinetics and distinguishing between partial, full, and super agonism. Herein, we report the synthesis of the two series of bitopic ligands, 12-Cn and 13-Cn, and their pharmacological investigation at the M\(_1\), M\(_2\), M\(_4\), and M\(_5\) FRET-based receptor sensors. The hybrids were prepared by merging the pharmacophoric moieties of the M\(_1\)/M\(_4\)-preferring orthosteric agonist Xanomeline 10 and the M\(_1\)-selective positive allosteric modulator 77-LH-28-1 (1-[3-(4-butyl-1-piperidinyl)propyl]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone) 11. The two pharmacophores were connected through alkylene chains of different lengths (C3, C5, C7, and C9). Analyzing the FRET responses, the tertiary amine compounds 12-C5, 12-C7, and 12-C9 evidenced a selective activation of M\(_1\) mAChRs, while the methyl tetrahydropyridinium salts 13-C5, 13-C7, and 13-C9 showed a degree of selectivity for M\(_1\) and M\(_4\) mAChRs. Moreover, whereas hybrids 12-Cn showed an almost linear response at the M\(_1\) subtype, hybrids 13-Cn evidenced a bell-shaped activation response. This different activation pattern suggests that the positive charge anchoring the compound 13-Cn to the orthosteric site ensues a degree of receptor activation depending on the linker length, which induces a graded conformational interference with the binding pocket closure. These bitopic derivatives represent novel pharmacological tools for a better understanding of ligand-receptor interactions at a molecular level.}, language = {en} } @article{SteinmetzgerBaeuerleinHoebartner2020, author = {Steinmetzger, Christian and B{\"a}uerlein, Carmen and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {Supramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer in nucleobase-modified fluorogenic RNA aptamers}, series = {Angewandte Chemie, International Edition}, volume = {59}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie, International Edition}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201916707}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-203084}, pages = {6760-6764}, year = {2020}, abstract = {RNA aptamers form compact tertiary structures and bind their ligands in specific binding sites. Fluorescence-based strategies reveal information on structure and dynamics of RNA aptamers. Here we report the incorporation of the universal emissive nucleobase analog 4-cyanoindole into the fluorogenic RNA aptamer Chili, and its application as a donor for supramolecular FRET to bound ligands DMHBI+ or DMHBO+. The photophysical properties of the new nucleobase-ligand-FRET pair revealed structural restraints for the overall RNA aptamer organization and identified nucleotide positions suitable for FRET-based readout of ligand binding. This strategy is generally suitable for binding site mapping and may also be applied for responsive aptamer devices.}, language = {en} } @article{LohseBockMaiellaroetal.2017, author = {Lohse, Christian and Bock, Andreas and Maiellaro, Isabella and Hannawacker, Annette and Schad, Lothar R. and Lohse, Martin J. and Bauer, Wolfgang R.}, title = {Experimental and mathematical analysis of cAMP nanodomains}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0174856}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170972}, pages = {e0174856}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In their role as second messengers, cyclic nucleotides such as cAMP have a variety of intracellular effects. These complex tasks demand a highly organized orchestration of spatially and temporally confined cAMP action which should be best achieved by compartmentalization of the latter. A great body of evidence suggests that cAMP compartments may be established and maintained by cAMP degrading enzymes, e.g. phosphodiesterases (PDEs). However, the molecular and biophysical details of how PDEs can orchestrate cAMP gradients are entirely unclear. In this paper, using fusion proteins of cAMP FRET-sensors and PDEs in living cells, we provide direct experimental evidence that the cAMP concentration in the vicinity of an individual PDE molecule is below the detection limit of our FRET sensors (<100nM). This cAMP gradient persists in crude cytosol preparations. We developed mathematical models based on diffusion-reaction equations which describe the creation of nanocompartments around a single PDE molecule and more complex spatial PDE arrangements. The analytically solvable equations derived here explicitly determine how the capability of a single PDE, or PDE complexes, to create a nanocompartment depend on the cAMP degradation rate, the diffusive mobility of cAMP, and geometrical and topological parameters. We apply these generic models to our experimental data and determine the diffusive mobility and degradation rate of cAMP. The results obtained for these parameters differ by far from data in literature for free soluble cAMP interacting with PDE. Hence, restricted cAMP diffusion in the vincinity of PDE is necessary to create cAMP nanocompartments in cells.}, language = {en} } @article{CalebiroMaiellaro2014, author = {Calebiro, Davide and Maiellaro, Isabella}, title = {cAMP signaling microdomains and their observation by optical methods}, series = {Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience}, issn = {1662-5102}, doi = {10.3389/fncel.2014.00350}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-118252}, pages = {350}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a major intracellular mediator of many hormones and neurotransmitters and regulates a myriad of cell functions, including synaptic plasticity in neurons. Whereas cAMP can freely diffuse in the cytosol, a growing body of evidence suggests the formation of cAMP gradients and microdomains near the sites of cAMP production, where cAMP signals remain apparently confined. The mechanisms responsible for the formation of such microdomains are subject of intensive investigation. The development of optical methods based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), which allow a direct observation of cAMP signaling with high temporal and spatial resolution, is playing a fundamental role in elucidating the nature of such microdomains. Here, we will review the optical methods used for monitoring cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling in living cells, providing some examples of their application in neurons, and will discuss the major hypotheses on the formation of cAMP/PKA microdomains.}, language = {en} }