Design of Negative and Positive Allosteric Modulators of the Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Derived from the Natural Product Cannabidiol

J Med Chem. 2021 Jul 8;64(13):9354-9364. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00561. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD), the second most abundant of the active compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant, is of increasing interest because it is approved for human use and is neither euphorizing nor addictive. Here, we design and synthesize novel compounds taking into account that CBD is both a partial agonist, when it binds to the orthosteric site, and a negative allosteric modulator, when it binds to the allosteric site of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor. Molecular dynamic simulations and site-directed mutagenesis studies have identified the allosteric site near the receptor entrance. This knowledge has permitted to perform structure-guided design of negative and positive allosteric modulators of the CB2 receptor with potential therapeutic utility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Site / drug effects
  • Biological Products / chemical synthesis
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Cannabidiol / chemical synthesis
  • Cannabidiol / chemistry
  • Cannabidiol / pharmacology*
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / chemical synthesis
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / chemistry
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Cannabis / chemistry
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / agonists*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Cannabidiol