Development and Characterization of a Fluorescent Tracer for the Free Fatty Acid Receptor 2 (FFA2/GPR43)

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The free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2/GPR43) is considered a potential target for treatment of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Here we describe the development of the first fluorescent tracer for FFA2 intended as a tool for assessment of thermodynamic and kinetic binding parameters of unlabeled ligands. Starting with a known azetidine FFA2 antagonist, we used a carboxylic acid moiety known not to be critical for receptor interaction as attachment point for a nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) fluorophore. This led to the development of 4 (TUG-1609), a fluorescent tracer for FFA2 with favorable spectroscopic properties and high affinity, as determined by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based saturation and kinetic binding experiments, as well as a high specific to nonspecific BRET binding signal. A BRET-based competition binding assay with 4 was also established and used to determine binding constants and kinetics of unlabeled ligands.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry
Volume60
Issue number13
Pages (from-to)5638-5645
Number of pages8
ISSN0022-2623
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

ID: 189161714