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Review
. 2021 Mar 7;14(3):225.
doi: 10.3390/ph14030225.

Hemorphins Targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors

Mohammed Akli Ayoub  1   2 , Ranjit Vijayan  1
Affiliations
Review

Hemorphins Targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors

Mohammed Akli Ayoub et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). .

Abstract

Hemorphins are short peptides produced by the proteolysis of the beta subunit of hemoglobin. These peptides have diverse physiological effects especially in the nervous and the renin-angiotensin systems. Such effects occur through the modulation of a diverse range of proteins including enzymes and receptors. In this review, we focus on pharmacological and functional targeting of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) by hemorphins and their implication in physiology and pathophysiology. Among GPCRs, the opioid receptors constitute the first set of targets of hemorphins with implication in analgesia. Subsequently, several other GPCRs have been reported to be directly or indirectly involved in hemorphins' action. This includes the receptors for angiotensin II, oxytocin, bombesin, and bradykinin, as well as the human MAS-related G protein-coupled receptor X1. Interestingly, both orthosteric activation and allosteric modulation of GPCRs by hemorphins have been reported. This review links hemorphins with GPCR pharmacology and signaling, supporting the implication of GPCRs in hemorphins' effects. Thus, this aids a better understanding of the molecular basis of the action of hemorphins and further demonstrates that hemorphin-GPCR axis constitutes a valid target for therapeutic intervention in different systems.

Keywords: ACE; AT1R; AngII; GPCR; RAS; hemoglobin; hemorphins; opioid receptors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hemorphin peptides and their amino acid sequence.
Figure 2
Figure 2
GPCRs targeted by the hemorphins along with their mode of binding, signaling and plausible implication in physiology and pathophysiology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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