Clostridial neurotoxin light chains: devices for SNARE cleavage mediated blockade of neurotransmission.

Seven serologically distinct botulinum neurotoxins and tetanus neurotoxin which cause the diseases botulism and tetanus constitute the clostridial neurotoxin family. Like many other bacterial protein toxins they exhibit a modular structure. One domain mediates highly specific binding to target cells and endocytosis, while the second translocates the third, a catalytic domain across the endosomal membrane to the target cell cytosol. In case of Clostridial neurotoxins (CNT), the latter acts as extremely specific Zn(2+)-dependent metalloproteinase. The various serotypes proteolyze each one particular peptide bond in one of the three SNARE proteins, which are the core of the membrane fusion apparatus for synaptic vesicles. SNARE cleavage causes the blockade of neurotransmitter release. This chapter details the molecular basis for the highly selective substrate recognition and cleavage mechanism of CNT.

Monoamine reuptake inhibition and mood-enhancing potential of a specified oregano extract.

A healthy, balanced diet is essential for both physical and mental well-being. Such a diet must include an adequate intake of micronutrients, essential fatty acids, amino acids and antioxidants. The monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, are derived from dietary amino acids and are involved in the modulation of mood, anxiety, cognition, sleep regulation and appetite. The capacity of nutritional interventions to elevate brain monoamine concentrations and, as a consequence, with the potential for mood enhancement, has not been extensively evaluated. The present study investigated an extract from oregano leaves, with a specified range of active constituents, identified via an unbiased, high-throughput screening programme. The oregano extract was demonstrated to inhibit the reuptake and degradation of the monoamine neurotransmitters in a dose-dependent manner, and microdialysis experiments in rats revealed an elevation of extracellular serotonin levels in the brain. Furthermore, following administration of oregano extract, behavioural responses were observed in mice that parallel the beneficial effects exhibited by monoamine-enhancing compounds when used in human subjects. In conclusion, these data show that an extract prepared from leaves of oregano, a major constituent of the Mediterranean diet, is brain-active, with moderate triple reuptake inhibitory activity, and exhibits positive behavioural effects in animal models. We postulate that such an extract may be effective in enhancing mental well-being in humans.

Reverse glial glutamate uptake triggers neuronal cell death through extrasynaptic NMDA receptor activation.

Evidence have accumulated that reverse glutamate uptake plays a key role in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. Here, we investigated the effects of glial glutamate transporter dysfunction on neuronal survival using the substrate inhibitor of glutamate transporters, L-trans-pyrrolidine,2-4,dicarboxylate (PDC), that partly mimics reverse glutamate uptake. On mice primary cortical co-cultures of neurons and astrocytes, PDC treatment triggered an elevation of extracellular glutamate concentration, induced neuronal calcium influx and a massive NMDA receptor (NMDAR) mediated-neuronal death without having any direct agonist activity on NMDARs. We investigated the NMDAR subpopulation activated by PDC-induced glutamate release. PDC application led to the activation of both subtypes of NMDARs but the presence of astrocytes was required to activate NMDARs located extra-synaptically. Extrasynaptic NMDAR activation was also confirmed by the loss of neuronal mitochondrial membrane potential and the inhibition of pro-survival p-ERK signalling pathway. These data suggest that reverse glial glutamate uptake may trigger neuronal death through preferential activation of extrasynaptic NMDAR-related pathways.

Dual acting norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists: Identification, synthesis and activity of novel 4-aminoethyl-3-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indoles.

The discovery of a series of 4-aminoethyl-3-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indoles, dual acting norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) and 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists, is described. The synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of this novel series of compounds is also presented.

Neurochemical binding profiles of novel indole and benzofuran MDMA analogues.

3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in numerous clinical trials. In the present study, we have characterized the neurochemical binding profiles of three MDMA-benzofuran analogues (1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-propan-2-amine, 5-APB; 1-(benzofuran-6-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, 6-MAPB; 1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, 5-MAPB) and one MDMA-indole analogue (1-(1H-indol-5-yl)-2-methylamino-propan-1-ol, 5-IT). These compounds were screened as potential second-generation anti-PTSD drugs, against a battery of human and non-human receptors, transporters, and enzymes, and their potencies as 5-HT2 receptor agonist and monoamine uptake inhibitors determined. All MDMA analogues displayed high binding affinities for 5-HT2a,b,c and NEα2 receptors, as well as significant 5-HT, DA, and NE uptake inhibition. 5-APB revealed significant agonist activity at the 5-HT2a,b,c receptors, while 6-MAPB, 5-MAPB, and 5-IT exhibited significant agonist activity at the 5-HT2c receptor. There was a lack of correlation between the results of functional uptake and the monoamine transporter binding assay. MDMA analogues emerged as potent and selective monoamine oxidase A inhibitors. Based on 6-MAPB favorable pharmacological profile, it was further subjected to IC50 determination for monoamine transporters. Overall, all MDMA analogues displayed higher monoamine receptor/transporter binding affinities and agonist activity at the 5-HT2a,c receptors as compared to MDMA.

Lasting effects of developmental dexamethasone treatment on neural cell number and size, synaptic activity, and cell signaling: critical periods of vulnerability, dose-effect relationships, regional targets, and sex selectivity.

Glucocorticoids administered to prevent respiratory distress in preterm infants are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. To evaluate the long-term effects on forebrain development, we treated developing rats with dexamethasone (Dex) at 0.05, 0.2, or 0.8 mg/kg, doses below or spanning the range in clinical use, testing the effects of administration during three different stages: gestational days 17-19, postnatal days 1-3, or postnatal days 7-9. In adulthood, we assessed biomarkers of neural cell number and size, cholinergic presynaptic activity, neurotransmitter receptor expression, and synaptic signaling mediated through adenylyl cyclase (AC), in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Even at doses that were devoid of lasting effects on somatic growth, Dex elicited deficits in the number and size of neural cells, with the largest effect in the cerebral cortex. Indices of cholinergic synaptic function (choline acetyltransferase, hemicholinium-3 binding) indicated substantial hyperactivity in males, especially in the hippocampus, effectively eliminating the normal sex differences for these parameters. However, the largest effects were seen for cerebrocortical cell signaling mediated by AC, where Dex treatment markedly elevated overall activity while obtunding the function of G-protein-coupled catecholaminergic or cholinergic receptors that stimulate or inhibit AC; uncoupling was noted despite receptor upregulation. Again, the effects on signaling were larger in males and offset the normal sex differences in AC. These results indicate that, during critical developmental periods, Dex administration evokes lasting alterations in neural cell numbers and synaptic function in forebrain regions, even at doses below those used in preterm infants.

Hyperforin.

Hyperforin is a polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivative from Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort). It exhibits antidepressant activity by a novel mechanism of action, antibiotic activity against gram-positive bacteria, and antitumoral activity in vivo. However, it also produces drug-drug interactions by activation of the pregnan X receptor. No total synthesis has been described. Some natural and semisynthetic analogues are available to study structure-activity relationships. Enzymatically, the skeleton of hyperforin is formed by isobutyrophenone synthase from isobutyryl-CoA and three molecules of malonyl-CoA. The first prenylation step is catalyzed by a soluble and ion-dependent dimethylallyltransferase. Hyperforin mainly accumulates in pistils and fruits where it probably serves as defensive compound.

Exploring the Inhibitory Mechanism of Approved Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors and Reboxetine Enantiomers by Molecular Dynamics Study.

Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (sNRIs) provide an effective class of approved antipsychotics, whose inhibitory mechanism could facilitate the discovery of privileged scaffolds with enhanced drug efficacy. However, the crystal structure of human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) has not been determined yet and the inhibitory mechanism of sNRIs remains elusive. In this work, multiple computational methods were integrated to explore the inhibitory mechanism of approved sNRIs (atomoxetine, maprotiline, reboxetine and viloxazine), and 3 lines of evidences were provided to verify the calculation results. Consequently, a binding mode defined by interactions between three chemical moieties in sNRIs and eleven residues in hNET was identified as shared by approved sNRIs. In the meantime, binding modes of reboxetine's enantiomers with hNET were compared. 6 key residues favoring the binding of (S, S)-reboxetine over that of (R, R)-reboxetine were discovered. This is the first study reporting that those 11 residues are the common determinants for the binding of approved sNRIs. The identified binding mode shed light on the inhibitory mechanism of approved sNRIs, which could help identify novel scaffolds with improved drug efficacy.

Stimulated release of exogenous GABA and glutamate from cerebral cortical synaptosomes and brain slices by bis(acetato)tetrakis(imidazole) copper(II) complex.

In these experiments we have tested the effect of bis(acetato)tetrakis (imidazole) copper(II) on the release and uptake of 14C-GABA and 3H-glutamate from brain slices and brain cortical synaptosomes. Cu(OAc)2(Im)4 in concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 microM has increased the release of GABA and glutamate from brain slices and synaptosomal preparations in a dose-related manner when the effect on GABA release is two-fold greater than glutamate and 10-fold greater than alanine. Pretreatment with a GABA uptake inhibitor such as 1-2 mM nipecotic acid has no effect on 14C-GABA release, whereas hydroxy aspartate, the glutamate uptake inhibitor, has elevated the stimulated release of glutamate. Copper(II) chloride, the inorganic form of copper, had no significant effect either on GABA release or on glutamate release. The stimulated release of exogenous GABA and glutamate was Ca2+-dependent, because it was inhibited by EGTA, and neuronal, because it was blocked by tetrodotoxin. The recent results can explain the anticonvulsant activity of Cu(OAc)2(Im)4 against strychnine-induced seizures by increasing the net release of GABA from cortical neurons.

MS Binding Assays for the Three Monoamine Transporters Using the Triple Reuptake Inhibitor (1R,3S)-Indatraline as Native Marker.

We herein present label-free, mass-spectrometry-based binding assays (MS Binding Assays) for the human dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters (hDAT, hNET, and hSERT). Using this approach both enantiomers of the triple reuptake inhibitor indatraline as well as its cis-configured diastereomer were investigated toward hDAT, hNET, and hSERT in saturation experiments. The dissociation rate constants for (1R,3S)-indatraline binding at hDAT, hNET, and hSERT were determined in kinetic studies. These experiments revealed an allosteric effect of clomipramine on the dissociation of (1R,3S)-indatraline from hSERT. Finally, a comprehensive set of known monoamine transport inhibitors and substrates was studied in competition experiments at hDAT, hNET, and hSERT, using (1R,3S)-indatraline as nonlabeled marker. The results are in excellent agreement with those reported for radioligand binding assays. Therefore, the established MS Binding Assays are a promising alternative to the latter for the characterization of new monoamine reuptake inhibitors at DAT, NET, and SERT.

Abundance of cyclo (His-Pro)-like immunoreactivity in the brain of TRH-deficient mice.

Cyclo(His-Pro) or CHP was initially discovered as a metabolite of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) resulting from the action of the enzyme Pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase. Physiologic and pharmacologic studies that followed this initial discovery provided indirect evidence that all CHP may not be derived from TRH. However, the recent availability of a TRH-deficient mouse has made it possible to reinvestigate whether CHP is derived from TRH. In the present study, we examined distribution of CHP and TRH in TRH-deficient mice. Northern blot analysis confirmed the absence of preproTRH mRNA in both the hypothalamus and the cortex of TRH-deficient mice. Brains from the wild-type and TRH-deficient mice were dissected into 7 regions, and TRH and CHP concentrations were determined by specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) in each region. Whereas TRH was identified in all regions of the wild-type brain, with the highest concentration in the hypothalamus, no detectable TRH was observed in any region in the TRH-deficient mice. While CHP-like immunoreactivity (CHP-LI) was present in all regions in the wild-type brain, its concentration was reduced by approximately 50% in the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex of TRH-deficient mice, with no change in other brain regions. Furthermore, the CHP-LI present in the brain of TRH-deficient mice was immunologically and chromatographically identical to synthetic CHP. These findings strongly suggest that a portion of the CHP in the brain is derived from sources other than TRH.

GABA agonists and uptake inhibitors. Synthesis, absolute stereochemistry, and enantioselectivity of (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-homo-beta-proline.

The cyclic analogue of 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 3-pyrrolidineacetic acid (homo-beta-proline), is a potent agonist at GABAA receptors, it interacts effectively with GABA-uptake mechanisms, and it is a moderately potent inhibitor of GABAB receptor binding. (R)-(-)- (10) and (S)-(+)-homo-beta-proline (15) were synthesized via methyl (3S)-1-[(R)-1-phenylethyl]-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylate (5) and its 3R diastereomer (4), respectively. The mixture 3 consisting of 4 and 5 was synthesized via addition-cyclization reactions between (R)-1-phenylethylamine and itaconic acid (1). The diastereomers 5 and 4, which were separated chromatographically, were converted into (R)- (10) and (S)-homo-beta-proline (15), respectively. The absolute stereochemistry of 10 and 15 was established on the basis of an X-ray analysis of compound 5. The enantiomers 10 and 15 were shown to bind to GABAA and GABAB receptor sites with opposite stereoselectivity. Thus, (R)-homo-beta-proline (10) proved to be more than 1 order of magnitude more potent than the S enantiomer (15) as an inhibitor of GABAA receptor binding, whereas the GABAB receptor affinity of homo-beta-proline was shown to reside exclusively in (S)-homo-beta-proline (15). In contrast to the stereoselective receptor affinities of 10 and 15, these enantiomers were approximately equieffective as inhibitors of synaptosomal GABA uptake.

Design, synthesis, and monoamine transporter binding site affinities of methoxy derivatives of indatraline.

A series of methoxy-containing derivatives of indatraline 13a-f and 17 were synthesized, and their binding affinities for the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporter binding sites were determined. Introduction of a methoxy group to indatraline affected its affinity and selectivity greatly. Except for the 4-methoxy derivative 13a,which had the same high affinity at the dopamine transporter binding site as indatraline, the other methoxy-containing analogues (13b-f and 17) exhibited lower affinity than indatraline for the three transporter binding sites. However, some of the analogues were more selective than indatraline, and the 6-methoxy derivative 13c displayed the highest affinity for both the serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. This compound retained reasonable affinity for the dopamine transporter and is a promising template for the development of a long-acting inhibitor of monoamine transporters. Such inhibitors have potential as medications for treatment, as a substitution medication, or for prevention of the abuse of methamphetamine-like stimulants.

Slow-onset, long-duration 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1-indanamine monoamine reuptake blockers as potential medications to treat cocaine abuse.

A series of 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1-indanamine monoamine reuptake blockers have been synthesized in an effort to develop a compound that could be used as a maintenance therapy to treat cocaine abuse. Since the effects of cocaine on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) transporters are important components of its pharmacological activity, the focus was on nonselective inhibitors of monoamine transport. To reduce or eliminate the abuse potential of a DA reuptake blocker, the compounds were designed to be slow-onset, long-duration prodrugs whose N-demethylated metabolites would have increased activity over the parent compound with the ideal being a parent compound that has little or no activity. To achieve this, pairs of compounds with different groups on the amine nitrogen and with and without an additional N-methyl group were synthesized. All of the synthesized compounds were screened for binding and reuptake at the cloned human DA, 5HT, and norepinephrine (NE) transporters. As previously found, trans isomers are nonselective blockers of DA, 5HT, and NE reuptake, cis isomers with small N-alkyl groups are selective blockers of 5HT reuptake, and tertiary amines of the trans compounds are less potent than the corresponding N-demethylated secondary amines as blockers of DA reuptake. Larger N-alkyl groups in both the trans and cis series were found to reduce activity for the 5HT and NE transporters with less effect at DA transporters. Selected trans compounds were also screened for locomotor activity in mice and generalization to a cocaine-like profile in rats. With intraperitoneal administration, all of the trans isomers showed a slow onset of at least 20 min and an extremely long duration of action in the locomotor assays. Several of the trans compounds also fully generalized to a cocaine-like pharmacological profile. An initial lead compound, the N,N-dimethyl analogue trans-1b, was resolved into chirally pure enantiomers. Surprisingly, both enantiomers were found to have significant affinity for the DA transporter and to cause locomotor activation. This is in contrast to the N-methyl compound in which only the (+)-enantiomer had significant activity. The absolute configuration of the more active enantiomer was determined by X-ray crystallography to be 3R,1S.

Evidence for the existence of at least two different binding sites for 5HT-reuptake inhibitors within the 5HT-reuptake system from human platelets.

Chemical modification procedures have been used to study the interaction of tricyclic and non-tricyclic 5HT-reuptake inhibitors with the [3H]imipramine binding site (IBS). N-Ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) induced a pronounced loss in [3H]imipramine binding due to a reduction in Bmax. Preincubation with reuptake inhibitors and subsequent inactivation by EEDQ revealed that imipramine and 5HT prevented the EEDQ-induced inhibition, but citalopram and fluoxetine did not. Thiol modification studies demonstrated that reduction by dithiothreitol (DTT) enhanced the binding of [3H]imipramine by increasing the Bmax. The thioselective reagents 1,1-diazobis- (N,N-dimethylformamide) (diamide), phenyl-arsineoxide (PAO) and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) attenuated the binding capacity by lowering the Bmax. PAO, a reversible thiol reagent, prevented NEM alkylation indicating that dithiols are involved in the NEM-induced inactivation. Binding of tricyclics or non-tricyclics prior to PAO inactivation revealed that tricyclics provide complete protection against thiol modification, while the non-tricyclics do not. The results support the hypothesis that the 5HT-reuptake system of human platelets possesses at least two distinguishable binding sites.

Binding characteristics of the dopamine uptake inhibitor [3H]nomifensine to striatal membranes.

Binding of the radiolabeled antidepressant [3H]nomifensine to rat and rabbit striatal membranes has been characterized. The specific binding of [3H]nomifensine to striatal membranes was stable, reversible and saturable. Saturation experiments indicated that [3H]nomifensine labeled a single site with an affinity (Kd) of 80 nM and a total number of binding sites (Bmax) of 6.5 pmoles/mg protein both in rat and rabbit striatal membranes. The affinity constants obtained from kinetic analyses and competition experiments were in fairly good agreement with those obtained in saturation experiments. Compounds known to inhibit [3H]dopamine uptake in vitro, such as nomifensine, 4-hydroxy-nomifensine, mazindol, amfonelic acid and benztropine, were the most potent competitors of nomifensine binding. Additionally, the absolute potencies of various drugs in competing for [3H]nomifensine binding to rat and rabbit striatal membranes correlated closely with their potencies in inhibiting [3H]dopamine uptake into striatal synaptosomes. Specific [3H]nomifensine binding was dependent on the presence of NaCl which is also consistent with its association with the dopamine uptake pump. The number, but not the affinity, of striatal [3H]nomifensine binding sites was reduced significantly following in vivo lesions with 6-hydroxydopamine. The number of [3H]nomifensine binding sites was found to be highest in areas rich in dopamine nerve terminals such as the striatum and olfactory tubercle. These results suggest that [3H]nomifensine binds to a site on dopaminergic nerve terminals associated with the dopamine uptake pump.

Diastereoselective protonation of lactam enolates derived from (R)-phenylglycinol. A novel asymmetric route to 4-phenyl-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinolines.

Highly diastereoselective protonation of chiral lactam enolates of 4-substituted-1,4-dihydroisoquinolin-3-ones is reported. Protonation and alkylation processes of these lactam enolates derived from phenylglycinol occur with opposite diastereofacial selectivity. This diastereoselective protonation has been applied to the asymmetric synthesis of (4S)-N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 9 obtained in up to 97% ee.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibition does not impair visual or spatial discrimination learning.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a candidate retrograde messenger involved in synaptic plasticity, and is linked to the cholinergic system in the brain. We examined the role of NO in the acquisition of visual and spatial discriminations by daily administration of either saline or 1-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor. Brains were assayed for NO synthase activity and two presynaptic cholinergic markers: hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) binding, which determines the number of sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake sites, and activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which is the synthetic enzyme for acetylcholine. In both behavioral tasks, the acquisition rate was not different between groups. L-NAME reduced NO synthase activity by 85% in all brain areas assayed and HC-3 binding by 38% in hippocampus and 48% in posterior cortex. ChAT activity was not different between groups in any region assayed. These data suggest that NO does not play a role in visual or spatial discrimination learning. However, NO synthase inhibition may play a role in the regulation of cholinergic activity.

[3H]tiagabine binding to GABA uptake sites in human brain.

The binding of [3H]tiagabine ((RS-1-(4,4-(3-methyl-2-thienyl)-3-butenyl)-3-piperidine carboxylic acid) to homogenates of frozen post-mortem human brain has been characterized. Inhibition experiments with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), GABA uptake inhibitors, ligands active at postsynaptic GABA receptors and receptors for other neurotransmitters, suggest that [3H]tiagabine binds with high affinity to GABA uptake sites. Inhibition and kinetic experiments suggests that 70%-80% of the binding is to a high affinity site. Saturation experiments showed that the binding was saturable. Bmax was 3.4 pmol/mg protein and Kd 16 nM in frontal cortex. The dissociation constants (Kd) measured in kinetic and equilibrium experiments were in the same range (16-56 nM). The regional distribution was studied in nine brain regions and the binding was heterogenous, with the highest binding in frontal cortex and parietal cortex and the lowest binding in nucleus caudatus and putamen. This is, to our knowledge, the first study on [3H]tiagabine binding in human tissue. It is concluded that [3H]tiagabine binding can be used as a specific marker for the GABA transporter GAT-1 in homogenates of human brain.

Developmental cholinotoxicity of lead: loss of septal cholinergic neurons and long-term changes in cholinergic innervation of the hippocampus in perinatally lead-exposed rats.

The effects of perinatal lead exposure on choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive (ChAT-IR) cell counts in the medial septum and AChE-positive fiber counts in the hippocampus were examined in relation to changes in cholinergic markers in the septohippocampal pathway of the rat. Maternal exposure to 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water from gestational day 16 through weaning at post-natal day 21 (P21) induced in the offspring a 30% reduction in septal ChAT activity and a 20% reduction in ChAT-IR cell profile counts in the medial septum/vertical diagonal band (MS/vDB). These changes were seen as early as P7, persisted through 2 months post-exposure (P81), and were followed by recovery of ChAT activity but not the ChAT-IR cell numbers, at 3 months post-exposure (P112). The loss of ChAT activity and ChAT-IR neurons in the septum was temporally associated with a reduction of ChAT activity (30%), hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) binding (40%), and AChE-positive fiber counts (13-15%) in the hippocampus. The hippocampal ChAT activity and AChE-positive fiber counts returned to control levels by P112 whereas HC-3 binding was restored to normal levels by P200. These results indicate that perinatal, low-level lead exposure induces loss of septohippocampal cholinergic projection neurons in neonate animals, resulting in a deficit in hippocampal cholinergic innervation that persists into young adulthood. The disruption of cholinergic septohippocampal system may be an important factor in lasting cognitive impairments associated with early Pb exposure.