The pathway-independent positive allosteric modulator C1 allows for the identification of active Y4 receptor relevant positions

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Corinna Schüß - , Leipzig University (Author)
  • Oanh Vu - , Vanderbilt University (Author)
  • Tim Pelczyk - , Leipzig University (Author)
  • Mario Schubert - , Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Leipzig University (Author)
  • Yu Du - , Vanderbilt University (Author)
  • Jan Stichel - , Leipzig University (Author)
  • C. David Weaver - , Vanderbilt University (Author)
  • Jens Meiler - , Vanderbilt University, Leipzig University (Author)
  • Annette G. Beck-Sickinger - , Leipzig University (Author)

Abstract

The neuropeptide Y 4 receptor (Y 4 R) and its endogenous ligand pancreatic polypeptide (PP) are primarily involved in the regulation of satiety and energy balance and present relevant pharmacological targets. We characterized the novel Y 4 R positive allosteric modulator C1 that enhances Y 4 R G-protein signaling, ligand binding, and arrestin-3 recruitment to Y 4 R. Comparison with a close analog revealed the structural importance of an ethyl acetate moiety for Y 4 R affinity and PAM activity at the G-protein pathway. C1 shows a high selectivity for the Y 4 R, while signaling of the related subtypes Y 1 R, Y 2 R, and Y 5 R is not affected. Y 4 R G-protein signaling is even potentiated by the low-affinity agonists neuropeptide Y and peptide YY. Binding affinity of the endogenous ligands to Y 4 R is enhanced by C1, indicating a stabilization of the ligand-bound Y 4 R conformation. Using Y 4 R/Y 1 R chimera, important Y 4 R domains for C1 activity were identified. Single point mutagenesis and computational docking pinpointed hot-spot residues at Y 4 R important for stabilizing the active ligand-bound conformation.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number74
JournalCellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Volume83
Issue number1
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 13 Jan 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Mendeley 0a49b7d5-4913-309e-b609-8a94a748b132
unpaywall 10.1007/s00018-025-06019-7
PubMed 41528432
Scopus 105028993576

Keywords

Keywords

  • Allosteric Regulation/drug effects, Animals, HEK293 Cells, Humans, Ligands, Molecular Docking Simulation, Pancreatic Polypeptide/metabolism, Peptide YY/metabolism, Protein Binding, Receptors, Neuropeptide Y/metabolism, Signal Transduction/drug effects, Receptor pharmacology, Allostery, Neuropeptide Y receptor, GPCR modulation, Pancreatic polypeptide, Mutagenesis