Potent synthetic and endogenous ligands for the adopted orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1

Exp Mol Med. 2021 Jan;53(1):19-29. doi: 10.1038/s12276-021-00555-5. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Abstract

Until recently, Nurr1 (NR4A2) was known as an orphan nuclear receptor without a canonical ligand-binding domain, featuring instead a narrow and tight cavity for small molecular ligands to bind. In-depth characterization of its ligand-binding pocket revealed that it is highly dynamic, with its structural conformation changing more than twice on the microsecond-to-millisecond timescale. This observation suggests the possibility that certain ligands are able to squeeze into this narrow space, inducing a conformational change to create an accessible cavity. The cocrystallographic structure of Nurr1 bound to endogenous ligands such as prostaglandin E1/A1 and 5,6-dihydroxyindole contributed to clarifying the crucial roles of Nurr1 and opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative and/or inflammatory diseases related to Nurr1. This review introduces novel endogenous and synthetic Nurr1 agonists and discusses their potential effects in Nurr1-related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 / agonists*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 / chemistry
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 / metabolism
  • Prostaglandins / chemistry
  • Prostaglandins / metabolism
  • Prostaglandins / pharmacology
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Indoles
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2
  • Prostaglandins
  • 5,6-dihydroxyindole