Journal News

Partial agonist drug design for cannabinoid receptors

Justin  Lovett
Sept. 13, 2022

G protein–coupled receptors, or GPCRs, are essential to signal transduction. The human genome encodes hundreds of GPCRs, which have been associated with diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular abnormalities. Consequently, many GPCRs are drug targets.

Cannabinoid receptors are GPCRs expressed in our central and peripheral nervous systems as well as our immune system. Drugs targeting cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, known as CB1 and CB2, initially showed great promise for the treatment of pain, obesity and inflammation but were removed from the market after they were shown to have adverse effects on patients. Researchers found that full agonists, which maximally activate the receptors when bound, were especially harmful. Therefore, many have turned their attention to the potential of partial agonists, which produce a smaller effect.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or Δ9-THC, is the euphoric psychoactive compound in marijuana. Researchers have found that it acts as a partial agonist of CB1 and has positive effects in the treatment of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. However, the Food and Drug Administration still bans the sale of most THC products.

Soumajit Dutta, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, uses molecular dynamic, or MD, simulations to study ligand interactions with CB1 in hopes of understanding how full and partial agonists interact with the receptor. This could enable selective drug development targeting cannabinoid receptors. Combining his interests in computation and in mechanisms of allosteric modulation, Dutta and his team used computational analysis to understand why THC only partly activates CB1.  They recently published this research in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Using ligand and protein structures from the literature, Dutta performed unbiased molecular dynamics simulation with analysis by Markov state modeling to simulate the binding of THC to CB1 in two poses, one that resembles agonist binding and one that resembles antagonist binding.

Full agonists of CB1 “overstimulate the receptor, leading to negative side effects such as seizures or loss of motor function,” Dutta said, because a full agonist fills the large binding pocket, overexciting the receptor. On the other hand, THC is small and does not occupy much space in the binding pocket, allowing mobility within the pocket in order to activate the receptor without overstimulating.

An essential component in the activation of the CB1 receptor is called the toggle switch, a tryptophan residue located in the binding pocket. Dutta made the novel finding that Δ9-THC had less interaction with the toggle switch residue within the active site pocket than a full agonist, which could explain why it works as only a partial agonist.

This research provided essential information about the mechanism of Δ9-THC binding to CB1 and CB2 so that drug developers can begin to design scaffolds to target CB1 specifically. They hope such molecules will alleviate the negative side effects seen in early agonist cannabinoid receptor drugs. Meanwhile, Dutta plans to build on his research by looking at additional ligands in the database that also act as partial agonists on cannabinoid receptors.

The opioid and cannabinoid receptors are involved in pain sensation, mood, appetite and memory. Agonists are potent analgesics: endorphin (red) and tetrahydrocannabinol (green).
The opioid and cannabinoid receptors are involved in pain sensation, mood, appetite and memory. Agonists are potent analgesics: endorphin (red) and tetrahydrocannabinol (green).

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition monthly and the digital edition weekly.

Learn more
Justin  Lovett

Justin Lovett is a graduate student at Stephen F. Austin State University in Bidisha Sengupta’s laboratory focusing on research in biophysical chemistry.

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in Science

Science highlights or most popular articles

Study uncovers a unique, efficient method of copper delivery in cells
News

Study uncovers a unique, efficient method of copper delivery in cells

May 28, 2023

Discovery will help in treating Menkes disease, other copper deficiency disorders.

As microbiome science forges ahead, will some be left behind?
Essay

As microbiome science forges ahead, will some be left behind?

May 27, 2023

The FDA’s approval of the first fecal microbiota treatment was a watershed moment — and also a wakeup call.

Cystic fibrosis: current understanding and prospects
Health Observance

Cystic fibrosis: current understanding and prospects

May 26, 2023

In observance of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, we talked with researcher Neil Bradbury.

A great escape — how SARS-CoV-2 evades our defenses
Journal News

A great escape — how SARS-CoV-2 evades our defenses

May 25, 2023

Preliminary evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 uses molecular mimicry, in which one of its proteins acts like a protein in our immune system.

John H. Exton: A cell signaling pioneer
Retrospective

John H. Exton: A cell signaling pioneer

May 24, 2023

Colleagues recall a distinguished member of the Vanderbilt University faculty for six decades who had been an ASBMB member since 1970.

How 'master regulators' of cells make DNA accessible for gene expression
News

How 'master regulators' of cells make DNA accessible for gene expression

May 20, 2023

New study out of Penn State clarifies how specialized proteins open up dense complexes of genetic material for use.