Optogluram-2: a subtype-selective photoswitchable positive allosteric
modulator for metabotropic glutamate receptor 4
Abstract
Background and Purpose Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors (mGlu) regulate
multiple functions in the nervous systems and are involved in multiple
disorders. However, selectively targeting individual mGlu subtypes with
spatiotemporal precision is still an unmet need. Photopharmacology can
address this concern by means of photoswitchable compounds such as
Optogluram, which is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of mGlu4 that
enables to optically control physiological responses with a high
precision. However, Optogluram is not fully selective and finding mGlu4
PAMs with subtype selectivity may be complicated. Experimental Approach
New photoswitchable analogues of Optogluram were synthesised with the
aim of obtaining photoswitchable PAMs selective for mGlu4 receptor and
with improved photoisomerization properties. The photopharmacological
profiles of these new compounds were assessed using spectroscopy,
functional IP and cAMP assays and computational modelling. Key Results
Optogluram-2 emerged as a new photoswitchable PAM for mGlu4 receptor and
offered improved photoswitching properties and was selective for mGlu4.
Optogluram-2 had activity as both PAM and allosteric agonist. The π-π
stacking of the thiazole ring in the allosteric pocket of mGlu6 is
hypothesised to be responsible of the mGlu4 selectivity. Conclusion and
Implications. The enhanced photoswitching behaviour and improved
selectivity of Optogluram-2 makes it an excellent candidate to study the
role of mGlu4 with a high spatiotemporal precision that only
photopharmacology can offer. Indeed, the use of Optogluram-2 in tissues
where mGlu4 can be co-expressed with other mGlu receptors will help to
unravel the complexity of mGlu receptors in neural transmission,
pinpointing the role of mGlu4 in such systems.