Optimization of co-agonism at GLP-1 and glucagon receptors to safely maximize weight reduction in DIO-rodents.

Abstract

The ratio of GLP-1/glucagon receptor (GLP1R/GCGR) co-agonism that achieves maximal weight loss without evidence of hyperglycemia was determined in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice chronically treated with GLP1R/GCGR co-agonist peptides differing in their relative receptor agonism. Using glucagon-based peptides, a spectrum of receptor selectivity was achieved by a combination of selective incorporation of GLP-1 sequences, C-terminal modification, backbone lactam stapling to stabilize helical structure, and unnatural amino acid substitutions at the N-terminal dipeptide. In addition to α-amino-isobutyric acid (Aib) substitution at position two, we show that α,α'-dimethyl imidazole acetic acid (Dmia) can serve as a potent replacement for the highly conserved histidine at position one. Selective site-specific pegylation was used to further minimize enzymatic degradation and provide uniform, extended in vivo duration of action. Maximal weight loss devoid of any sign of hyperglycemia was achieved with a co-agonist comparably balanced for in vitro potency at murine GLP1R and GCGR. This peptide exhibited superior weight loss and glucose lowering compared to a structurally matched pure GLP1R agonist, and to co-agonists of relatively reduced GCGR tone. Any further enhancement of the relative GCGR agonist potency yielded increased weight loss but at the expense of elevated blood glucose. We conclude that GCGR agonism concomitant with GLP1R agonism constitutes a promising approach to treatment of the metabolic syndrome. However, the relative ratio of GLP1R/GCGR co-agonism needs to be carefully chosen for each species to maximize weight loss efficacy and minimize hyperglycemia.

• Authors: Jonathan W Day, Vasily Gelfanov, David Smiley, Paul E Carrington, George Eiermann, Gary Chicchi, Mark D Erion, Jas Gidda, Nancy A Thornberry, Matthias H Tschöp, Donald J Marsh, Ranabir SinhaRoy, Richard DiMarchi, Alessandro Pocai
• Journal: Biopolymers (Biopolymers) Vol. 98 Issue 5 Pg. 443-50 ( 2012) ISSN: 0006-3525 [Print] United States
• PMID: 23203689 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Aminoisobutyric Acids
• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Blood Glucose
• GLP1R protein, human
• Glp1r protein, mouse
• Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
• Receptors, Glucagon
• 2-aminoisobutyric acid
• Histidine
• Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
• Cyclic AMP
• Glucose

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Amino Acid Substitution
• Aminoisobutyric Acids (chemistry)
• Animals
• Anti-Obesity Agents (chemical synthesis, pharmacokinetics, standards)
• Blood Glucose (chemistry, drug effects)
• CHO Cells
• Cricetinae
• Cricetulus
• Cyclic AMP (chemistry)
• Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (agonists, chemical synthesis, pharmacokinetics)
• Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
• Glucose (adverse effects, chemistry, pharmacology)
• Glycogenolysis
• Histidine (chemistry)
• Humans
• Hyperglycemia (drug therapy)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Obese
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Proteolysis
• Receptors, Glucagon (agonists, chemistry)
• Structure-Activity Relationship
• Transfection
• Weight Loss