N-Terminal Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 2 (LEAP2) Region Exhibits Inverse Agonist Activity toward the Ghrelin Receptor

J Med Chem. 2019 Jan 24;62(2):965-973. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01644. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Abstract

The ghrelin receptor or growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that controls growth hormone and insulin secretion, food intake, and reward-seeking behaviors. Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) was recently described as an endogenous antagonist of GHSR. Here, we present a study aimed at delineating the structural determinants required for LEAP2 activity toward GHSR. We demonstrate that the entire sequence of LEAP2 is not necessary for its actions. Indeed, the N-terminal part alone confers receptor binding and activity to LEAP2. We found that both LEAP2 and its N-terminal part behave as inverse agonists of GHSR and as competitive antagonists of ghrelin-induced inositol phosphate production and calcium mobilization. Accordingly, the N-terminal region of LEAP2 is able to inhibit ghrelin-induced food intake in mice. These data demonstrate an unexpected pharmacological activity for LEAP2 that is likely to have an important role in the control of ghrelin response under normal and pathological conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / chemistry*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Drug Inverse Agonism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inositol Phosphates / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans / cytology
  • Islets of Langerhans / drug effects
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / agonists*
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / metabolism

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Inositol Phosphates
  • Receptors, Ghrelin