A new class of pentapeptide KISS1 receptor agonists with hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis activation. Issue 4 (15th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nishizawa, Naoki; Asami, Taiji; Nishibori, Kimiko; Takatsu, Yoshihiro; Suzuki, Atsuko; Ushio, Kazutaka; Matsumoto, Shin-ichi; Shimizu, Yuji; Yamaguchi, Masashi; Kusaka, Masami; Matsui, Hisanori; Ohtaki, Tetsuya; Kitada, Chieko
• Is Part Of: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters. Volume 29:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 654
• Page End: 658
• Publication Date: 2019-02-15
• Subjects: Kisspeptin -- KISS1R agonist -- Metastin -- Serum stability -- Testosterone -- Luteinizing hormone; Bioorganic chemistry -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.12.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-894X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: The kisspeptin (Kp, Kp-54, metastin)/KISS1R system plays crucial roles in regulating the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Continuous administration of nonapeptide Kp analogs caused plasma testosterone depletion, whereas bolus administration caused strong plasma testosterone elevation in male rats. To develop a new class of small peptide drugs, we focused on stepwise N-terminal truncation of Kp analogs and discovered potent pentapeptide analogs. Benzoyl-Phe-azaGly-Leu-Arg(Me)-Trp-NH2 (16 ) exhibited high agonist activity for KISS1R and excellent metabolic stability in rat serum. A single injection of a 4-pyridyl analog (19 ) at the N-terminus of16 into male Sprague Dawley rats caused a robust increase in plasma luteinizing hormone levels, but unlike continuous administration of nonapeptide Kp analogs, continuous administration of19 maintained moderate testosterone levels in rats. These results indicated that small peptide drugs can be successfully developed for treating sex hormone deficiency.