INVESTIGATING THE STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AN hMC4R SELECTIVE AGONIST
Author
Rios-Monterrosa, JoseIssue Date
2018Advisor
Hruby, Victor J.Miesfeld, Roger
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The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
The melanocortin receptors are a family of five G-protein coupled receptors, MC1R-MC5R. Recently, it was discovered that inhibition of MC4R impairs cognitive function in Alzheimer’s mice models. Furthermore, activation of MC4R in these mice rescues cognitive function. As a result, MC4R may be a potential drug target to treat Alzheimer’s disease. One of the main obstacles that presents itself is that MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R are activated by one of three melanocortin stimulating hormones (MSH); α-MSH, β-MSH, and γ-MSH. Because of this, designing selective, potent agonists has been difficult. To better understand the structural characteristics that lead to MC4R selectivity, nine novel peptides were created, AIM 1-AIM 9. These peptides were made by modifying the sequence of MT-II, a synthetic agonist of all receptors except MC2R. The modifications made were chosen because of their ability to increase MC4R selectivity or decrease selectivity at other receptors. To test their selectivity, cAMP activity assays was performed on each receptor, and the EC50 values were compared to MT-II. Careful pharmacological analysis demonstrated that the compound AIM 9 has high selectivity for the MC4R with an EC50 of 4nM.Type
textElectronic Thesis
Degree Name
B.S.Degree Level
bachelorsDegree Program
Honors CollegeBiochemistry
Molecular & Cellular Biology