Probe-Dependent Negative Allosteric Modulators of the Long-Chain Free Fatty Acid Receptor FFA4

Kenneth R Watterson, Steffen V F Hansen, Brian D Hudson, Elisa Alvarez-Curto, Sheikh Zahir Raihan, Carlos M. B. P. Goncalves de Azavedo, Gabriel Martin, Julia Dunlop, Stephen J Yarwood, Trond Ulven, Graeme Milligan

16 Citations (Scopus)
10 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

High-affinity and selective antagonists that are able to block the actions of both endogenous and synthetic agonists of G protein-coupled receptors are integral to analysis of receptor function and to support suggestions of therapeutic potential. Although there is great interest in the potential of free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFA4) as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of type II diabetes, the broad distribution pattern of this receptor suggests it may play a range of roles beyond glucose homeostasis in different cells and tissues. To date, a single molecule, 4-methyl-N-9H-xanthen-9-yl-benzenesulfonamide (AH-7614), has been described as an FFA4 antagonist; however, its mechanism of antagonism remains unknown. We synthesized AH-7614 and a chemical derivative and demonstrated these to be negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of FFA4. Although these NAMs did inhibit FFA4 signaling induced by a range of endogenous and synthetic agonists, clear agonist probe dependence in the nature of allosteric modulation was apparent. Although AH-7614 did not antagonize the second long-chain free fatty acid receptor, free fatty acid receptor 1, the simple chemical structure of AH-7614 containing features found in many anticancer drugs suggests that a novel close chemical analog of AH-7614 devoid of FFA4 activity, 4-methyl-N-(9H-xanthen-9-yl)benzamide (TUG-1387), will also provide a useful control compound for future studies assessing FFA4 function. Using TUG-1387 alongside AH-7614, we show that endogenous activation of FFA4 expressed by murine C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells is required for induced differentiation of these cells toward a more mature, adipocyte-like phenotype.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMolecular Pharmacology
Volume91
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)630-641
Number of pages12
ISSN0026-895X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Journal Article

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Probe-Dependent Negative Allosteric Modulators of the Long-Chain Free Fatty Acid Receptor FFA4'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this