Publications by authors named "Ingrid Fricks"

We previously synthesized a series of potent and selective A(3) adenosine receptor (AR) agonists (North-methanocarba nucleoside 5'-uronamides) containing dialkyne groups on extended adenine C2 substituents. We coupled the distal alkyne of a 2-octadiynyl nucleoside by Cu(I)-catalyzed "click" chemistry to azide-derivatized G4 (fourth-generation) PAMAM dendrimers to form triazoles. A(3)AR activation was preserved in these multivalent conjugates, which bound with apparent K(i) of 0.

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The P2Y14 receptor was initially identified as a G protein-coupled receptor activated by UDP-glucose and other nucleotide sugars. We have developed several cell lines that stably express the human P2Y14 receptor, allowing facile examination of its coupling to native Gi family G proteins and their associated downstream signaling pathways (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 330:162-168, 2009). In the current study, we examined P2Y14 receptor-dependent inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293, C6 glioma, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing this receptor.

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The P2Y(14) receptor, a nucleotide signaling protein, is activated by uridine-5'-diphosphoglucose 1 and other uracil nucleotides. We have determined that the glucose moiety of 1 is the most structurally permissive region for designing analogues of this P2Y(14) agonist. For example, the carboxylate group of uridine-5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid proved to be suitable for flexible substitution by chain extension through an amide linkage.

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Eight G protein-coupled receptors comprise the P2Y receptor family of cell signaling proteins. The goal of the current study was to define native cell signaling pathways regulated by the uridine nucleotide sugar-activated P2Y(14) receptor (P2Y(14)-R). The P2Y(14)-R was stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 and C6 rat glioma cells by retroviral infection.

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Normal airways homeostatically regulate the volume of airway surface liquid (ASL) through both cAMP- and Ca2+-dependent regulation of ion and water transport. In cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic defect causes a lack of cAMP-regulated CFTR activity, leading to diminished Cl- and water secretion from airway epithelial cells and subsequent mucus plugging, which serves as the focus for infections. Females with CF exhibit reduced survival compared with males with CF, although the mechanisms underlying this sex-related disadvantage are unknown.

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G protein-coupled P2Y receptors (P2Y-R) are activated by adenine and uracil nucleotides. The P2Y(14) receptor (P2Y(14)-R) is activated by at least four naturally occurring UDP sugars, with UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc) being the most potent agonist. With the goal of identifying a competitive antagonist for the P2Y(14)-R, UDP was examined for antagonist activity in COS-7 cells transiently expressing the human P2Y(14)-R and a chimeric Galpha protein that couples Gi-coupled receptors to stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

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UDP-glucose (UDPG) and derivatives are naturally occurring agonists of the Gi protein-coupled P2Y14 receptor, which occurs in the immune system. We synthesized and characterized pharmacologically novel analogues of UDPG modified on the nucleobase, ribose, and glucose moieties, as the basis for designing novel ligands in conjunction with modeling. The recombinant human P2Y14 receptor expressed in COS-7 cells was coupled to phospholipase C through an engineered Galpha-q/i protein.

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A rhodopsin-based homology model of the nucleotide-activated human P2Y2 receptor, including loops, termini, and phospholipids, was optimized with the Monte Carlo multiple minimum conformational search routine. Docked uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) formed a nucleobase pi-pi complex with conserved Phe3.32.

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A rhodopsin-based homology model of the P2Y14 receptor was inserted into a phospholipid bilayer and refined by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The binding modes of several known agonists, namely UDP-glucose and its analogues, were proposed using automatic molecular docking combined with Monte Carlo Multiple Minimum calculations. Compared to other P2Y receptors, the P2Y14 receptor has an atypical binding mode of the nucleobase, ribose, and phosphate moieties.

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