As reported by Hilary Overton, Christine Reynet, and colleagues of the biotechnology company (OSI)Prosidion, the team found that so-called oleoylethanolamide, a naturally occurring lipid-signaling agent earlier shown to reduce food intake and weight gain in rats, can exert its effects through the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR119. A large proportion of all drugs sold today target GPCRs, protein "switches" that recognize and translate signals into cellular responses. Found predominantly in the pancreas and digestive tract in humans and mice, as well as in the rodent brain, the function of GPR119 had previously remained mysterious.

After screening a proprietary library of small molecules including several hundred thousand compounds for their ability to activate GPR119, the researchers then identified one such chemical, known only as PSN632408. PSN632408 had no effect on the distantly related cannabinoid receptors, which are the targets of the candidate obesity drug rimonabant, the team reported.

PSN632408 led to a marked reduction in food intake in rats that took the compound orally, they reported. Total food intake over the first 24 hours was 10.4 percent lower in animals treated with 100 mg/kg PSN632408 than in control animals. Obese rats that were given PSN632408 everyday for two weeks also ate less and gained less weight and fat than those not taking the chemical.

"We think this might be quite a unique receptor for the treatment of obesity and other aspects of metabolic syndrome because of its localization in the gastrointestinal tract and its effect on fat mass," Reynet said. "We also have prelimin
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Contact: Heidi Hardman
hhardman@cell.com
617-397-2879
Cell Press
7-Mar-2006