
Discovery of a functionally selective ghrelin receptor (GHSR1a) ligand for modulating brain dopamine.
SignificanceThe modulation of growth hormone secretagogue receptor-1a (GHSR1a) signaling is a promising strategy for treating brain conditions of metabolism, aging, and addiction. GHSR1a activation results in pleiotropic physiological outcomes through distinct and pharmacologically separable G protein- and β-arrestin (βarr)-dependent signaling pathways. Thus, pathway-selective modulation can enable improved pharmacotherapeutics that can promote therapeutic efficacy while mitigating side effects. Here, we describe the discovery of a brain-penetrant small molecule, N8279 (NCATS-SM8864), that biases GHSR1a conformations toward Gαq activation and reduces aberrant dopaminergic behavior in mice. N8279 represents a promising chemical scaffold to advance the development of better treatments for GHSR1a-related brain disorders involving the pathological dysregulation of dopamine.
Duke Scholars
Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats
Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Receptors, Ghrelin
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice
- Male
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
- Dopamine
- Brain
- Animals
Citation

Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Receptors, Ghrelin
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice
- Male
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
- Dopamine
- Brain
- Animals