Optimization of on-resin palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction for peptides and its use in a structure–activity relationship study of a class B GPCR ligand

• Optimization of the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction for on-resin peptide modifications.
• Conception of novel PACAP-derived compounds with potent neuroprotective action.
• Modulation of PACAP selectivity through modification of N-capping motif.

Class B G protein-coupled receptors are activated by their cognate ligands following a two-step binding model involving a specific network of ligand-receptor intermolecular interactions. In particular, a N-capping structure present in the ligand would contribute significantly to position the N-terminal segment of the ligand once bound to its receptor. The aim of the current study was to implement the use of Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling for the investigation of this structural motif. First, we have developed and evaluated various Sonogashira-based procedures for on-resin post-synthesis modification using a Leu-enkephalin derivative as a model peptide. Next, we have prepared a small library of PACAP-based analogs and evaluated the pharmacological profile of a few of them using a competitive binding assay, as well as functional and survival assays. Notably, our results suggest that the modification of the N-capping region could alter the binding specificity of PACAP without altering its biological activity, thereby opening the way for the design of more selective compounds. Finally, the possibility to achieve sequential multiple point substitutions via the Sonogashira cross-coupling method, during solid phase peptide synthesis, was also evaluated. Altogether, we demonstrated the versatility of such a procedure for the incorporation of various mono- and multiple alkyne-derived modifications during solid phase peptide synthesis and confirmed its usefulness for the structure-activity study of a class B GPCR ligand.

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