Differential targeting of Gßγ-subunit signaling with small molecules

TM Bonacci, JL Mathews, C Yuan, DM Lehmann… - Science, 2006 - science.org
TM Bonacci, JL Mathews, C Yuan, DM Lehmann, S Malik, D Wu, JL Font, JM Bidlack
Science, 2006science.org
G protein βγ subunits have potential as a target for therapeutic treatment of a number of
diseases. We performed virtual docking of a small-molecule library to a site on Gβγ subunits
that mediates protein interactions. We hypothesized that differential targeting of this surface
could allow for selective modulation of Gβγ subunit functions. Several compounds bound to
Gβγ subunits with affinities from 0.1 to 60 μM and selectively modulated functional Gβγ-
protein-protein interactions in vitro, chemotactic peptide signaling pathways in HL-60 …
G protein βγ subunits have potential as a target for therapeutic treatment of a number of diseases. We performed virtual docking of a small-molecule library to a site on Gβγ subunits that mediates protein interactions. We hypothesized that differential targeting of this surface could allow for selective modulation of Gβγ subunit functions. Several compounds bound to Gβγ subunits with affinities from 0.1 to 60 μM and selectively modulated functional Gβγ-protein-protein interactions in vitro, chemotactic peptide signaling pathways in HL-60 leukocytes, and opioid receptor–dependent analgesia in vivo. These data demonstrate an approach for modulation of G protein–coupled receptor signaling that may represent an important therapeutic strategy.
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