N-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium Scaffold-Containing Lipophilic Compounds Are Potent Complex I Inhibitors and Selective Dopaminergic Toxins.

Although the exact cause or causes of Parkinson's disease (PD) are not fully understood, it is believed that environmental factors play a major role. The discovery that a synthetic chemical, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-derived N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), recapitulates major pathophysiological characteristics of PD in humans has provided the strongest support for this possibility. While the mechanism of the selective dopaminergic toxicity of MPP+ has been extensively studied and is, in most respects, well accepted, several key aspects of the mechanism are still debatable. In the present study, we use a series of structurally related, novel, and lipophilic MPP+ derivatives [ N-(2-phenyl-1-propene)-4-phenylpyridinium] to probe the mechanism of action of MPP+ using dopaminergic MN9D and non-neuronal HepG2 cells in vitro. Here we show that effective mitochondrial complex I inhibition is necessary and that the specific uptake through plasma membrane dopamine transporter is not essential for dopaminergic toxicity of MPP+ and related toxins. We also provide strong evidence to support our previous proposal that the selective vulnerability of dopaminergic cells to MPP+ and similar toxins is likely due to the high inherent propensity of these cells to produce excessive reactive oxygen species as a downstream effect of complex I inhibition. Based on the current and previous findings, we propose that MPP+ is the simplest of a larger group of unidentified environmental dopaminergic toxins, a possibility that may have major public health implications.

Vesicular monoamine transporter substrate/inhibitor activity of MPTP/MPP+ derivatives: a structure-activity study.

The active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), selectively destroys the dopaminergic neurons and induces the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of mitochondrial complex I and/or the perturbation of dopamine metabolism through cellular and granular accumulation have been proposed as some of the major causes of neurotoxicity. In the present study we have synthesized and characterized a number of MPTP and MPP(+) derivatives that are suitable for the comparative neurotoxicity and complex I inhibition versus dopamine metabolism perturbation studies. Structure-activity studies with bovine chromaffin granule ghosts show that 3'-hydroxy-MPP(+) is one of the best known substrates for the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT). A series of compounds that combine the structural features of MPP(+) and a previously characterized VMAT inhibitor, 3-amino-2-phenyl-propene, have been identified as the most effective VMAT inhibitors. These derivatives have been used to define the structural requirements of the VMAT substrate and inhibitor activities.

Interaction of tetrahydrostilbazoles with monoamine oxidase A and B.

1-Methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrostilbazole (MTHS) and its analogs are oxidized by monoamine oxidase (MAO) A at slow rates comparable to that for the structurally similar neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, but the rates of oxidation by MAO B vary over a wide range depending on the structure of the analog. MAO A oxidation of all of the analogs yielded nonhyperbolic kinetic patterns, with little difference between the cis and trans isomers. In contrast MAO B showed hyperbolic kinetics and distinct stereoselectivity for the cis isomers. The corresponding pyridinium forms of trans-MTHS and its analogs were more potent inhibitors of MAO A (Ki values between 0.3 and 5 microM) than of MAO B, for which the Ki values varied greatly. The data suggest that the stringency of the MAO A active site for the geometry of the substrate molecule is less strict than that of MAO B. With MAO B, any substitution on the phenyl ring can lead to dramatic changes in the substrate properties which may be explained by the different orientation of substrate at the active site of the enzyme. Molecular geometry but not the effects of the substituents was shown to be an important factor in determining the effectiveness of substrate oxidation by MAO B.

In vivo intracerebral microdialysis studies in rats of MPP+ analogues and related charged species.

The in vivo dopaminergic neurotoxic properties of 45 MPTP and MPP+ analogues and related compounds were examined by an intrastriatal microdialysis assay in conscious rats. MPP(+)-like toxicity, as evidenced by the irreversible effects on DA release and enhancement of lactate formation, was observed with a variety of structural types although no compound was more toxic than MPP+. The following global structure-toxicity relationships could be derived: (1) only permanently charged compounds showed neurotoxic effects; (2) with the exception of amino groups, hydrophilic substituents abolished toxicity; (3) activity was enhanced by lipophilic groups although increased steric bulk around the nitrogen atom tended to decrease activity; (4) nonaromatic, quaternary systems (methiodide of MPTP, guanidinium derivatives) were only weakly toxic; and (5) certain bi- and tricyclic systems, including putative metabolites of potential endogenous MPTP-like compounds, were weakly toxic. The lack of toxic effects following perfusions with DA itself confirmed that MPTP dopaminergic neurotoxicity is not likely to be mediated by the MPP(+)-induced release of DA. With some interesting exceptions, these in vivo data correlate reasonably well with in vitro data on the nerve terminal uptake properties and the inhibitory effects on mitochondrial respiration of these compounds.

Methyl-beta-carbolinium analogs of MPP+ cause nigrostriatal toxicity after substantia nigra injections in rats.

Eleven beta-carbolinium compounds (beta C+s) and MPP+ were stereotaxically injected (40-200 nmol in 5 microliter of vehicle) unilaterally into the substantia nigra of anesthetized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were sacrificed after three weeks. The ipsilateral striatum was analyzed for dopamine and DOPAC levels with HPLC. The brainstem injection site was fixed and cut coronally. The largest lesion area in each animal was measured using NIH IMAGE. Three beta C+s produced lesions whose mean areas were nearly as large as that produced by MPP+ (defined as 100%): 2,9-Me2-harman (94%), 2-Me-harmol (74%), and 2,9-Me2-norharman (57%). Three other compounds produced somewhat smaller lesions: 2-Me-harmaline (34%), 6-MeO-2-Me-harman (29%), and 2-Me-harmine (25%). The remaining compounds were ineffective (< or = 12%): norharman, 2-Me-norharman, 2-Me-harman, harmine, and 2-Me-6-MeO-harmalan. A 40 nmol dose of MPP+ reduced ipsilateral striatal dopamine to 0.6% of control. None of the beta C+s approached this, although several did significantly reduce striatal dopamine at doses of either 40 nmol (2,9-Me2-harman (37%), 2,9-Me2-norharman (42%), and 2-Me-harman (63%)) or 200 nmol (2-Me-harmaline (23%), norharman (63%), and 2-Me-norharman (64%)). There was a moderate negative correlation between lesion size and dopamine level (r = -0.65). There were also moderately strong correlation between lesion size and dopamine level (r = -0.65). There were also moderately strong correlations (r = 0.39-0.78) between the beta C+ nigral lesion area or striatal dopamine level potencies and their previously described IC50 values for inhibiting mitochondrial respiration or their toxicity to PC12 cells in culture. Interestingly, our correlation analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation between beta C+ Ki MAO-A values and their toxicity to PC12 LDH release (r = -0.84) or PC12 protein loss (r = 0.79). Although beta C+s appear to be less specific toxins than MPP+, their levels in human substantia nigra are 8-20-fold higher than in cortex, making their role as relatively selective nigral toxins in Parkinson's disease plausible.

Interactions of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium and other compounds with P-glycoprotein: relevance to toxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) has sequence homology with bacterial multidrug transporters which in turn share homology with mammalian P-glycoprotein (P-GP). Both VMAT2 and P-GP can detoxify cells. 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), the toxic metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), is a substrate for VMAT2 that has several structural features in common with P-GP substrates and inhibitors. The present studies investigated whether P-GP is responsible for the elimination of MPP(+) from the brain. Additionally, VMAT2 and P-GP are inhibited by many of the same compounds. Thus we also investigated whether VMAT2 inhibitors could block P-GP in vitro and vice versa whether P-GP inhibitors could block VMAT2 mediated transport of [3H]-DA into synaptic vesicles. In mice treated with MPTP and a P-GP inhibitor (quinidine, trans-flupentixol or cyclosporine A), the elimination of MPP(+) from the striatum was significantly delayed. However, in experiments using various cell lines expressing either mouse or human P-GP, MPP(+) did not reverse the P-GP mediated resistance to vincristine, suggesting that MPP(+) is a poor substrate for P-GP. Additional experiments were performed using mdr1a/b double knockout mice which lack functional P-GP encoded by these two genes. Data from mdr1a/b knockout mice treated with MPTP also suggest that MPP(+) is not extruded from the brain by P-GP. In other studies, we demonstrated that the VMAT2 inhibitors tetrabenazine and Ro 4-1284 inhibit P-GP and that the P-GP inhibitors trans-flupentixol and quinidine inhibit VMAT2. Thus, several new drugs can be added to the list of compounds that are able to inhibit both VMAT2 and P-GP, providing further evidence of the similarity between these two transporters.

N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium and an endogenously formed analog, N-methylated beta-carbolinium, inhibit striatal tyrosine hydroxylation in freely moving rats.

The effects of N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and its endogenous analog, 2,9-di-methyl-norharmanium (2,9-Me2NH+), on in vivo tyrosine hydroxylation were evaluated in freely moving rats. MPP+ gradually but almost completely reduced tyrosine hydroxylation, even at a dose as low as 0.05 mM. This effect was considered to be caused by the inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activation. On the contrary, 1 mM 2,9-Me2NH+ rapidly reduced 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine production to 10% of the basal level only during its perfusion, indicating direct inhibition of TH activity. The present study revealed that MPP+ and 2,9-Me2NH+ were taken up into dopaminergic neurons and then inhibited in vivo dopamine synthesis prior to cell death possibly in different manners.

Striatal dopaminergic toxicity following intranigral injection in rats of 2-methyl-norharman, a beta-carbolinium analog of N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+).

Methylated beta-carboline compounds are mammalian indole metabolites that we have proposed to be endogenous neurotoxins due to their structural similarity to MPP+, the active oxidized product of the dopaminergic toxin, N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Several laboratories have demonstrated that MPP+ administration into the substantia nigra or median forebrain bundle of rats results in extensive depletion of striatal dopamine and its metabolites. We now report that three weeks after intranigral injection of the beta-carboline, 2-methyl-norharman, striatal dopamine, DOPAC, and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations ipsilateral to the injection are reduced 41-64% compared to vehicle-injected controls; in individual animals dopamine depletions of 96% were achieved. In addition, at the 2-methyl-norharman injection site in the substantia nigra, large lesions and gliosis were apparent under light microscopic examination. This is the first direct demonstration that a 2-methyl-beta-carbolinium ion is neurotoxic. It lends further validity to the hypothesis that MPP+-like beta-carbolines may be endogenous causative agents in Parkinson's disease.

Stylbasole analogues of MPTP as monoamine oxidase (MAO) substrates.

Stylbasole analogs of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were studied as monoamine oxidase (MAO) substrates. Dehydrogenation of these compounds was shown to be catalyzed by both serotonine specifical and benzylamine specifical MAO activities. Markedly high affinity of stylbasoles to B type of MAO was found. Influence of substrate structure on its biotransformation effectiveness is realized by the principle--"better binding-worse catalysis". MAO inactivation during the reaction is appeared to be realized as result of product inhibition and perhaps of substrate inhibition.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium increases S-adenosyl-L-methionine dependent phospholipid methylation.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP(+)) and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) cause Parkinson's disease (PD)-like changes. SAM and MPP(+) require their charged S-methyl and N-methyl groups, so the PD-like symptoms may be related to their ability to modulate the methylation process. The SAM-dependent methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PTE) to produce phosphatidylcholine (PTC), via phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PEMT), and the hydrolysis of PTC to form lyso-PTC, a cytotoxic agent, are potential loci for the action of MPP(+). In this study, the effects of MPP(+) on the methylation of PTE to PTC and the production of lyso-PTC were determined. The results showed that SAM increased PTC and lyso-PTC. The rat striatum showed the highest PEMT activity and lyso-PTC formation, which substantiate with the fact that the striatum is the major structure that is affected in PD. MPP(+) significantly enhanced PEMT activity and the formation of lyso-PTC in the rat liver and brain. MPP(+) increased the affinity and the V(max) of PEMT for SAM. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) effect was lesser and inhibited by deprenyl (MAO-B inhibitor). The nor-methyl analogs of MPP(+) were inactive, but some of the charged analogs of MPP(+) showed comparable effects to those of MPP(+). Lyso-PTC that can be increased by SAM and MPP(+) caused severe impairments of locomotor activities in rats. These results indicate that SAM and MPP(+) have complementary effects on phospholipid methylation. Thus, SAM-induced hypermethylation could be involved in the etiology of PD and an increase of phospholipid methylation could be one of the mechanisms by which MPP(+) causes parkinsonism.

1-amino-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and 1-amino-4-phenylpyridinium salt, the 1-amino analogues of neurotoxins, MPTP and MPP+, induce apoptosis in PC12 cells: detection of apoptotic cells by Comet assay and flow cytometric analysis.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is known to induce parkinsonism in humans when it is oxidized to the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium salt (MPP+). We previously reported the syntheses of 1-amino-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (APTP) and 1-amino-4-phenyl-pyridinium salt (APP+), the 1-amino analogues of the dopaminergic neurotoxins, MPTP and MPP+, respectively, and demonstrated that both APTP and APP+ are cytotoxic to PC12 cells. In this study, we found that both APTP and APP+ induce apoptotic cell death in PC12 cells. Apoptosis was determined by the Comet assay and flow cytometric analysis. Prior to using the Comet assay for detection of apoptotic PC12 cells, Comet images of apoptotic and necrotic cells were first distinguished by using several standards. Comet images were classified into four groups (A to D) according to their shapes. Class D consisted of the apoptotic cells and was easily distinguished. We also demonstrated that apoptotic and necrotic PC12 cells can be easily differentiated and quantified using the convenient Comet assay.

APP+, a fluorescent analogue of the neurotoxin MPP+, is a marker of catecholamine neurons in brain tissue, but not a fluorescent false neurotransmitter.

We have previously introduced fluorescent false neurotransmitters (FFNs) as optical reporters that enable visualization of individual dopaminergic presynaptic terminals and their activity in the brain. In this context, we examined the fluorescent pyridinium dye 4-(4-dimethylamino)phenyl-1-methylpyridinium (APP+), a fluorescent analogue of the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPP+, in acute mouse brain tissue. APP+ is a substrate for the dopamine transporter (DAT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), and serotonin transporter (SERT), and as such represented a candidate for the development of new FFN probes. Here we report that APP+ labels cell bodies of catecholaminergic neurons in the midbrain in a DAT- and NET-dependent manner, as well as fine dopaminergic axonal processes in the dorsal striatum. APP+ destaining from presynaptic terminals in the dorsal striatum was also examined under the conditions inducing depolarization and exocytotic neurotransmitter release. Application of KCl led to a small but significant degree of destaining (approximately 15% compared to control), which stands in contrast to a nearly complete destaining of the new generation FFN agent, FFN102. Electrical stimulation of brain slices at 10 Hz afforded no significant change in the APP+ signal. These results indicate that the majority of the APP+ signal in axonal processes originates from labeled organelles including mitochondria, whereas only a minor component of the APP+ signal represents the releasable synaptic vesicular pool. These results also show that APP+ may serve as a useful probe for identifying catecholaminergic innervations in the brain, although it is a poor candidate for the development of FFNs.

Substrate binding stoichiometry and kinetics of the norepinephrine transporter.

The human norepinephrine (NE) transporter (hNET) attenuates neuronal signaling by rapid NE clearance from the synaptic cleft, and NET is a target for cocaine and amphetamines as well as therapeutics for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In spite of its central importance in the nervous system, little is known about how NET substrates, such as NE, 1-methyl-4-tetrahydropyridinium (MPP+), or amphetamine, interact with NET at the molecular level. Nor do we understand the mechanisms behind the transport rate. Previously we introduced a fluorescent substrate similar to MPP+, which allowed separate and simultaneous binding and transport measurement (Schwartz, J. W., Blakely, R. D., and DeFelice, L. J. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 9768-9777). Here we use this substrate, 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styrl)-N-methyl-pyridinium (ASP+), in combination with green fluorescent protein-tagged hNETs to measure substrate-transporter stoichiometry and substrate binding kinetics. Calibrated confocal microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy reveal that hNETs, which are homomultimers, bind one substrate molecule per transporter subunit. Substrate residence at the transporter, obtained from rapid on-off kinetics revealed in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, is 526 micros. Substrate residence obtained by infinite dilution is 1000 times slower. This novel examination of substrate-transporter kinetics indicates that a single ASP+ molecule binds and unbinds thousands of times before being transported or ultimately dissociated from hNET. Calibrated fluorescent images combined with mass spectroscopy give a transport rate of 0.06 ASP+/hNET-protein/s, thus 36,000 on-off binding events (and 36 actual departures) occur for one transport event. Therefore binding has a low probability of resulting in transport. We interpret these data to mean that inefficient binding could contribute to slow transport rates.

Differences in substrate specificities of monoamine oxidase A from human liver and placenta.

The substrate specificities of monoamine oxidase (MAO) A isolated from human placenta and of human liver expressed in yeast have been compared in homogeneous preparations with respect to Vmax and Km values for natural and synthetic substrates and Ki values for competitive inhibitors. MAO A from these two sources is known to differ in at least 5 amino acid residues. While the Km and Ki values were found to be nearly identical in the enzymes from these two sources, the Vmax differed significantly on bulky synthetic substrates.

A new class of powerful inhibitors of monamine oxidase A.

It is well established that 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP), the neurotoxic bioactivation product of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and most of its analogs are good competitive inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A, with Ki values in the micromolar range, but they inhibit monoamine oxidase B only at much higher concentrations. We report here the finding that alkyl derivatives of MPP+ substituted at the 4' position of the aromatic ring are considerably more effective reversible inhibitors of the A type enzyme, with Ki values in the nanomolar range (0.075-1.6 microM). They inhibit the B type enzyme only at 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher concentrations (32-374 microM).

Interaction of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) and its analogs with the rotenone/piericidin binding site of NADH dehydrogenase.

Nigrostriatal cell death in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease results from the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). MPP+ blocks electron flow from NADH dehydrogenase to coenzyme Q at or near the same site as do rotenone and piericidin and protects against binding of and loss of activity due to these inhibitors. The 4'-analogs of MPP+ showed increasing affinity for the site with increasing length of alkyl chain, with the lowest Ki, for 4'-heptyl-MPP+, being 6 microM. The 4'-analogs compete with rotenone for the binding site in a concentration-dependent manner. They protect the activity of the enzyme from inhibition by piericidin in parallel to preventing its binding, indicating that the analogs and piericidin bind at the same inhibitory site(s). The optimum protection, however, was afforded by 4'-propyl-MPP+. The lesser protection by the more lipophilic MPP+ analogs with longer alkyl chains may involve a different orientation in the hydrophobic cleft, allowing rotenone and piericidin to still bind even when the pyridinium cation is in a position to interrupt electron flow from NADH to coenzyme Q.

Reactivation of NADH dehydrogenase (complex I) inhibited by 1-methyl-4-(4'-alkylphenyl)pyridinium analogues: a clue to the nature of the inhibition site.

Expression of the neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, following oxidation to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), is believed to involve inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport from NADH dehydrogenase (complex I) to ubiquinone. MPP+ and its analogues have been shown to block electron transport at or near the same site as two powerful inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration, rotenone and piericidin A. All three types of inhibitors combine at two sites on NADH dehydrogenase, a hydrophilic and hydrophobic one, and occupancy of both sites is required for complete inhibition. Tetraphenylboron anion (TPB-) in catalytic amounts is known to increase the effectiveness of positively charged MPP+ analogues in blocking mitochondrial respiration. A part of this effect involves facilitation of the entry of MPP+ congeners into the hydrophobic site by ion pairing, as has been demonstrated in studies with submitochondrial particles (electron transport particles). This communication documents the fact that TPB-, when present in molar excess over the MPP+ analogues, reverses the inhibition. This seems to involve again strong ion pairing, removal of the inhibitory analogue from one to the two binding sites, and concentration of the inhibitor in the membrane, so that only the hydrophobic binding site remains occupied, resulting in lowering of the inhibition to 30-40%.

Inhibition of complex I by hydrophobic analogues of N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and the use of an ion-selective electrode to measure their accumulation by mitochondria and electron-transport particles.

N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the neurotoxic metabolite of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, kills dopaminergic neurons after its accumulation in mitochondria where it inhibits Complex I of the respiratory chain. MPP+ inhibits respiration by binding to both a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic site on Complex I and this inhibition is increased by the lipophilic tetraphenylboron anion (TPB-) which facilitates movement of MPP+ through membranes and its penetration to the hydrophobic binding site on Complex I. To investigate the inhibition of respiration by MPP(+)-like compounds, we have measured simultaneously NADH-linked mitochondrial respiration and the uptake and accumulation of the N-benzyl-4-styrylpyridinium and N-ethyl-4-styrylpyridinium cations in mitochondria using ion-selective electrodes. The data provide direct evidence that TPB- increases the inhibition not by increasing matrix concentration but by facilitating access to the inhibitory sites on Complex I. We have also compared the rates of uptake of MPP+ analogues of varied lipophilicity by the inner membrane and the development of inhibition of NADH oxidation, using an inverted mitochondrial inner membrane preparation and appropriate ion-selective electrodes. These experiments demonstrated that the amount of MPP+ analogue bound to the inner membrane greatly exceeded the quantity required for complete inhibition of NADH oxidation. Moreover, binding to the membrane occurred much more rapidly than the development of inhibition with all MPP+ analogues tested. This suggests that the attainment of a correct orientation of these compounds within the membrane and the binding site may be a rate-limiting step in the development of inhibition.