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Chemokine receptor CXCR3: Allosteric binding site mapping by photoaffinity labeling and site-directed mutagenesis

Applicant Professor Dr. Dieter Braun, since 1/2016
Subject Area Pharmacy
Term from 2012 to 2016
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 218725515
 
Final Report Year 2017

Final Report Abstract

The grant deals with a very attractive pharmacological target, for which the receptor-ligand interactions responsible for the high affinity and noncompetitive (allosteric) antagonism are not yet satisfactorily structurally and functionally characterized. Within the research funded we combined de novo synthesis with homology modelling and docking, site-directed mutagenesis and detailed pharmacological characterisation. With the aid of novel ligands, which were synthesized in my research group, the validation of obtained homology model and identified binding pocket was performed. From this series we have identified the first functionally selective and probe-dependent negative allosteric modulators of CXCR3, i.e. ligands that can selectively direct intracellular signalling conducted by the receptor to one of two possible pathways. Also, we developed the probes for photoaffinity labelling and developed a protocol for recombinant expression of CXCR3. Unfortunately, the preparation of probes for the microscale thermophoresis experiments proved more difficult than anticipated. Overall, the information gathered within this project provides a powerful platform for further development and rational design of strongly biased allosteric modulators of CXCR3 and is supported by ground-breaking publications.

Publications

 
 

Additional Information

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