Stereoselective Activity of 1-Propargyl-4-styrylpiperidine-like Analogues That Can Discriminate between Monoamine Oxidase Isoforms A and B.

The resurgence of interest in monoamine oxidases (MAOs) has been fueled by recent correlations of this enzymatic activity with cardiovascular, neurological, and oncological disorders. This has promoted increased research into selective MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors. Here, we shed light on how selective inhibition of MAO-A and MAO-B can be achieved by geometric isomers of cis- and trans-1-propargyl-4-styrylpiperidines. While the cis isomers are potent human MAO-A inhibitors, the trans analogues selectively target only the MAO-B isoform. The inhibition was studied by kinetic analysis, UV-vis spectrum measurements, and X-ray crystallography. The selective inhibition of the MAO-A and MAO-B isoforms was confirmed ex vivo in mouse brain homogenates, and additional in vivo studies in mice show the therapeutic potential of 1-propargyl-4-styrylpiperidines for central nervous system disorders. This study represents a unique case of stereoselective activity of cis/trans isomers that can discriminate between structurally related enzyme isoforms.

The biological functions of polyamine oxidation products by amine oxidases: perspectives of clinical applications.

The polyamines spermine, spermidine and putrescine are ubiquitous cell components. If they accumulate excessively within the cells, due either to very high extracellular concentrations or to deregulation of the systems which control polyamine homeostasis, they can induce toxic effects. These molecules are substrates of a class of enzymes that includes monoamine oxidases, diamine oxidases, polyamine oxidases and copper containing amine oxidases. Polyamine concentrations are high in growing tissues such as tumors. Amine oxidases are important because they contribute to regulate levels of mono- and polyamines. These enzymes catalyze the oxidative deamination of biogenic amines and polyamines to generate the reaction products H2O2 and aldehyde(s) that are able to induce cell death in several cultured human tumor cell lines. H2O2 generated by the oxidation reaction is able to cross the inner membrane of mitochondria and directly interact with endogenous molecules and structures, inducing an intense oxidative stress. Since amine oxidases are involved in many crucial physiopathological processes, investigations on their involvement in human diseases offer great opportunities to enter novel classes of therapeutic agents.

Acute hydrocephalus upregulates monoamine oxidase mRNA in neonatal rat brain.

Metabolic derangement of the dopamine system in hydrocephalic brain has been observed, but the change of monoamine oxidase (MAO), the major enzyme to metabolize dopamine, is not known. The metabolic changes of dopamine and MAO mRNA in the striatum were examined in acute hydrocephalic rats whose ventricular size and intracranial pressure were controlled to a similar degree. The tissue levels of dopamine and its metabolites as well as MAO-A and MAO-B mRNA elevated significantly in hydrocephalus. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion reversed these changes and induced an initial decline, followed by an elevation of these substances in extracellular fluid. In summary, the metabolism of dopamine system in the striatum was up-regulated in acute hydrocephalus and CSF diversion reversed this metabolic derangement.

Molecular cloning of canine monoamine oxidase subtypes A (MAOA) and B (MAOB) cDNAs and their expression in the brain.

The role of monoamine oxidase has been shown to be related to some behavioral changes including aggression and cognitive dysfunction. In order to demonstrate the basic expression patterns of monoamine oxidase in the canine brain, we determined the full-length nucleotide sequences of cDNA for canine monoamine oxidase type A (MAOA) and type B (MAOB) genes that were isolated from the canine brain cDNA library. Oligonucleotide primers for PCR were constructed based on the conserved sequences reported thus far for other mammalian species. The nucleotide sequences had open reading frames of 1584 and 1563 bp for MAOA and MAOB, respectively. Both of these genes showed relatively high homology with other species in both nucleotide (> 81%) and deduced amino acid (> 85%) sequences. In Northern blot analyses MAOA mRNA was expressed broadly in various parts of the canine brain, whereas MAOB mRNA was found only in specific brain regions, such as the hypothalamus, hippocampus, brain stem and olfactory bulb. These results suggest that MAOA and MAOB mRNAs have subtype-specific expression patterns in the canine brain.

Cell surface monoamine oxidases: enzymes in search of a function.

Ectoenzymes with a catalytically active domain outside the cell surface have the potential to regulate multiple biological processes. A distinct class of copper-containing semicarbazide-sensitive monoamine oxidases, expressed on the cell surface and in soluble forms, oxidatively deaminate primary amines. Via transient covalent enzyme-substrate intermediates, this reaction results in production of aldehydes, hydrogen peroxide and ammonium, which are all biologically active substances. The physiological functions of these enzymes have remained unknown, although they have been suggested to be involved in the metabolism of biogenic amines. Recently, new roles have been proposed for these enzymes in regulation of glucose uptake and, even more surprisingly, in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. The emerging functions of ectoenzymes in signalling and cell-cell adhesion suggest a novel mode of molecular control of these complex processes.

FA-70, a novel selective and irreversible monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor: effect on monoamine metabolism in mouse cerebral cortex.

A series of indolealkylamine derivatives has been previously designed and evaluated with the aim of finding the most potent and selective novel monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors to be used in the therapy of neurological and affective disorders. Among them, FA70, a 5-hydroxy-indolealkylamine derivative, has been characterized in vitro as a potent, irreversible, and mechanism-based inhibitor of the MAO-A isoform. The comparison with clorgyline, analyzed under the same experimental conditions, confirmed FA70 as the most potent MAO-A inhibitor. The ex vivo effect of FA70 on MAO activity in mouse cerebral cortex was similar to that observed in vitro, showing more efficacy than in peripheral tissues. The ex vivo effect of FA70 on amine metabolism also was evaluated after acute and chronic treatment, and the results showed that between both MAO isoforms, MAO-A is the only one responsible for monoamine metabolism in this region of the brain. The ex vivo effect of FA70 on dopamine content was correlated with the activation effect on tyrosine hydroxylase activity, the enzyme responsible for the regulation of the limiting step in catecholamine synthesis.

Species-dependent differences in monoamine oxidase A and B-catalyzed oxidation of various C4 substituted 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridinyl derivatives.

In an attempt to provide a better understanding of the scope and limitations of animal models used in some drug development programs and to further our understanding of potential metabolic bioactivation reactions, we have undertaken studies to profile the monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO-A and -B, respectively) activities in liver and brain mitochondrial preparations obtained from a variety of species using a series of 1-methyl-4-aryl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridinyl substrates. Mitochondrial preparations were incubated with substrates at 37 degrees C in the presence or absence of clorgyline, (R)-deprenyl, or a mixture of these two propargylamines to inhibit MAO-A, MAO-B, or both enzymes. The rates of formation of the corresponding dihydropyridinium metabolites were estimated spectrophotometrically. MAO-B was found to be the principal enzyme present in all tissues. Human liver displayed more MAO-A activity than the liver of any other species studied; subhuman primates displayed little or no detectable MAO-A activity. The properties of the preparations from rat liver were most similar to those from human liver with respect to the MAO-A/MAO-B ratios and the kinetic parameters of the four substrates used to profile enzymatic activity. The kinetic properties of mitochondrial preparations from bovine liver, a commonly used source of purified MAO-B preparations, were consistently different from all of the other species studied. The mitochondrial preparations from rabbit brain and liver also were unusual in that they displayed relatively low MAO activities. Additionally, these enzyme activities were considerably less susceptible to inhibition by clorgyline and (R)-deprenyl. Finally, an exceptionally low MAO-B liver/brain V(max)/K(m) ratio was observed with the mitochondria obtained from the C57BL/6 mouse, an effect that may contribute to the susceptibility of this strain to the toxic effects of the parkinsonian-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine.

[Brain monoamine oxidases in rats selected for their predisposition to pendular-like movements of the head and shoulder girdle]. / Monoaminoksidazy mozga krys, selektsionirovannykh na predraspolozhenie k maiatnikoobraznym dvizheniiam golovy i plechevogo poiasa.

Brain MAO activity was studied in male rats from the strains bred from Wistar stock for predisposition to pendulum movements (PM+) and for the absence of such predisposition (PM-). By 16.00 o'clock, in PM+ rats MAO A activity significantly increased in the brain hemispheres and decreased in the brainstem. By this time, MAO B/MAO A ratio decreased in the hemispheres and increased in the brainstem. Emotional (immobilization) stress induced an increase in activity both of MAO A and MAO B in the brainstem of PM+ rats and increase only in MAO A activity in the hemispheres of PM- rats. Actinomycin D abolished the effect of stress on MAO A and MAO B in PM+ rats but increased MAO A activity in the hemispheres of PM- rats. Possible molecular modifications are discussed in regulation of MAO activity in PM+ rats.

[123I/125I]-Ro 43-0463, a site specific tracer for MAO-B mapping with autoradiography as well as with SPET.

The compound Ro 43-0463 [N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-iodo-2-pyridinecarboxamide)] is the iodo-analogue of Lazabemid (Ro 19-6327). The latter is well known to bind site specifically with KD = 15.7 nmol/l to the enzyme monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) which it inhibits (IC50 = 2 *10(-8) mol/l) time dependently and reversibly. Ro 43-0463 having an IC50 of 3*10(-8) mol/l was labelled with 123I as well as with 125I to get a tool for measuring the MAO-B distribution autoradiographically and in the human brain with SPET (Single Photon Emission Tomography). The halogen exchange reaction of the bromo-precursor (Ro 18-4950) in the presence of CuSO4 and ascorbic acid was applied. The reaction conditions were optimized, varying the parameters time (30 to 105 min), precursor concentration (1 to 3.5 mg) and temperature (130 to 200 degrees C). The purification of [123I/125I]-Ro 43-0463 was performed on HPLC (Lichrosorb RP-18, 5 mu m, 250 x 8 mm) with 0.36 M H3PO4/EtOH 97/3 and 0.01 M (NH4)2HPO4 (1.5 ml/min) as eluent. The labelling yield was found to range between 60 and 70%. The activity concentration ranged between 18.5 and 37 MBq/ml. Autoradiography with rat brain slices was performed using 5 nM [125I]-Ro 43-0463 in TRIS-buffer (pH 7.4) for 90 min at 20 degrees C. It showed a radioactivity pattern corresponding to the known distribution of MAO-B in the rat brain and proved, after displacement with L-Deprenyl (1 mu M), the high specificity of binding Ro 43-0463.

Whole blood monoamine oxidase activity in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy patients.

Monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B), which catalyses the breakdown of dopamine (DA) in human brain, is said to be involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Activity of MAO-B in PD has been measured in platelets isolated from blood samples in different studies, with contradictory results, possibly due to the differences in substrate used or to differences in platelet isolation. Therefore we measured MAO activity in whole blood, which is almost identical to MAO-B activity in platelets, in 25 drug-naive PD patients, 25 treated PD patients, 9 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients and 20 controls, using a spectrofluorimetric method with kynuramin as a substrate. No statistically significant differences between groups were found, nor any correlation with the severity or duration of the disease.

Dopamine metabolism and neurotransmission in primate brain in relationship to monoamine oxidase A and B inhibition.

The "cheese effect", potentiation of sympathomimetic action of indirectly acting amines such as tyramine, the main side effect of irreversible non-selective and selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) A inhibitors, has largely been eliminated in the new generation of reversible selective MAO-A and B and irreversible MAO-B inhibitors. These selective inhibitors are demonstrating unique pharmacology and initial controlled clinical studies are providing evidence to support their action as anti-depressants and anti-Parkinson's disease drugs and possibly as neuroprotectors. Thirty years of experience with non-selective MAO inhibitors has resulted in a better understanding and management of the new generation of MAO inhibitors. Because of their selective action on the specific forms of MAO, which results in selective elevation of brain noradrenaline and serotonin on the one hand and dopamine and phenylethylamine on the other, it is hoped that these drugs will be able to elucidate the functional roles of MAO-A and B subtypes with regards to dopamine metabolism in the human brain.

Effect of selective monoamine oxidase A and B inhibitors on footshock induced aggression in paired rats.

Effects of a selective monoamine oxidase (MAO)--A inhibitor, clorgyline, a selective MAO-B inhibitor, deprenyl, and a non-selective MAO inhibitor, nialamide, were investigated on footshock-induced aggression (FIA) in paired rats. The doses and pretreatment times of the inhibitors used were based on an earlier reported in vivo dose-response and time-course study. In addition, apomorphine, a dopaminergic receptor agonist, and beta-phenylethylamine, a preferred substrate for MAO-B, were also used to garner corroborative evidence. The results of the study indicate that selective MAO-A inhibitors are likely to attenuate FIA by augmenting central serotonergic activity, while selective MAO-B inhibitors accentuate the behaviour by facilitating dopaminergic activity. A permissive role for noradrenaline could not be delineated by the available data.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A but not MAO-B inhibitors potentiate tyramine-induced catecholamine release from PC12 cells.

The previous report that PC12 (pheochromocytoma) cells have a K(+)-induced, as well as a tyramine-induced, catecholamine release mechanism has been confirmed. Selective monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A (clorgyline and moclobemide) and not MAO-B inhibitors (l-deprenyl, AGN 1135, and Ro 16-6491) potentiate the catecholamine-releasing action of tyramine significantly more than that of K+. The potentiation of tyramine-induced [3H]noradrenaline release from PC12 cells by MAO-A inhibitors has been linked to the presence of MAO-A in these cells, for which tyramine and noradrenaline are substrates. In the above respects, it is the PC12 cell that resembles more closely the peripheral adrenergic neuron, rather than the chromaffin cell, which is endowed with MAO-B and lacks the tyramine-releasable pool of catecholamines.

Different roles for type A and type B monoamine oxidase in regulating synaptic dopamine at D-1 and D-2 receptors associated with adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) formation.

The roles of multiple forms of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in regulating the synaptic concentration of dopamine, in the vicinity of dopamine receptors associated with cyclic AMP formation, was examined in striatal slices of the rat. d-Amphetamine (0.1 mumol/l to 20 mumol/l) caused a concentration-related increase in cyclic AMP formation, which correlated (in superfusion experiments) with the release of endogenously-formed dopamine. In the presence of (-)sulpiride (50 mumol/l), cyclic AMP formation was significantly increased at every concentration of d-amphetamine tested. At the same time, this concentration of (-)sulpiride had no effect on DA release. Inhibition of type A MAO with clorgyline (0.1 mumol/l) significantly enhanced the increase in cyclic AMP formation seen after d-amphetamine. By contrast, inhibition of type B MAO with deprenyl (0.1 mumol/l) was without effect on this action of d-amphetamine. At high concentrations of d-amphetamine (20 mumol/l), however, deprenyl + clorgyline treatment enhanced cyclic AMP formation to a greater extent than with clorgyline alone. Similar results could be obtained at lower concentrations of d-amphetamine (5 mumol/l), but only after inhibition of the dopamine neuronal reuptake system with nomifensine (30 mumol/l). Furthermore, in the presence of nomifensine, deprenyl alone was also able to significantly increase the cyclic AMP formation seen after d-amphetamine (5 mumol/l). In the presence of (-)sulpiride, relatively similar results were obtained following all MAO inhibitor treatments. These findings support the notion that type A MAO plays the primary role in regulating dopamine concentrations at D-1 and D-2 receptors within synapses of rat striatal tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence for existence of A and B form monoamine oxidase in mitochondria from dog platelets.

It is known that platelet MAO appears to behave more like the B-form enzyme than the A-form enzyme based on inhibitor sensitivity and substrate specificity. However, dog platelets showed a different substrate specificity such as high activity with 5-HT and beta-PEA as substrates. Moreover, dog platelet MAO was sensitive to the drugs clorgyline and harmaline with 5-HT as the substrate, while it was sensitive to the drug deprenyl with beta-PEA as the substrate. These results also indicate the existence of two forms of MAO in dog platelets unlike in other platelets such as those from humans. A-form MAO from dog platelets was more stable against heat treatment at 55 degrees C than A-form MAO from dog liver and brain. On the other hand, there was no difference in the heat resistance of the three enzymes with beta-PEA as the substrate. After digestion with trypsin at 37 degrees C for 30 min, it was found that MAO from dog platelets, brain and liver were mostly inhibited with 5-HT as the substrate. In contrast, MAO in brain and liver were inhibited about 10%, but platelet MAO was inhibited about 50% with beta-PEA as the substrate. From these results, it is considered that dog platelet MAO exists as the two forms of the enzyme and has different enzymic properties in comparison with those of MAO from dog liver and brain mitochondria.

The current status of monoamine oxidase and its inhibitors.

The enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) plays an important role in the inactivation of both dietary amines and also of neurotransmitter amines. A study of the properties of irreversible inhibitors of this enzyme suggests that the enzyme exists in two broad types--MAO-A and MAO-B. Although irreversible inhibitors of MAO were once widely used as antidepressant agents, they fell from favour because of adverse reactions after the ingestion of amine-containing foodstuffs ("the cheese reaction"). However, these inhibitors (phenelzine and tranylcypromine) are probably best for the treatment of atypical depression providing the patient is aware of dietary reactions. A new series of reversible, MAO-A selective inhibitors are being developed which do not exhibit serious dietary interactions. These reversible inhibitors show promise as rapidly acting antidepressant agents. An atypical irreversible MAO-B selective inhibitor, selegiline (deprenyl) does not exhibit an adverse reaction on the ingestion of amine-containing foods. This drug has been used as an adjuvant in the treatment of Parkinson's disease since it allows the dose of L-dopa to be reduced by approximately 25%. More important, selegiline may slow the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons that is characteristic of Parkinson's disease.

R-(-)-deprenyl (Selegiline, Movergan) facilitates the activity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron.

(-)Deprenyl, when administered continuously in small doses (0.25 mg/kg/day), facilitates the activity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron because of its highly characteristic complex spectrum of pharmacologic activity: it is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of B-type MAO; it inhibits the reuptake of dopamine; it inhibits dopamine autoreceptors; it enhances scavenger function. 1) (-)Deprenyl treatment decreased significantly the activity of the cholinergic interneurons. In a series of experiments the acetylcholine (ACh) content was found to be 0.69 nmole/mg protein in the striatum of untreated rats, whereas a significantly higher amount of ACh (0.86 nmol/mg protein) was found in the rat striatum after two week pretreatment with (-)deprenyl, and the fractional rate constant (kb) of ACh efflux from the cholinergic interneurons of the striatum decreased significantly in the (-)deprenyl-treated group from 9.1 +/- 0.8 to 6.2 +/- 0.55. 2) The (-)deprenyl-induced increase of the dopaminergic tone in the striatum was proved by measurements of the activity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron. Whereas the striatum of untreated rats contained 52.7 +/- 1.6 nmole/g dopamine (DA) and the turnover rate (TRDA) was found to be 13.7 +/- 1.3 nmole/g/hr, the striatum of rats pretreated with 0.25 mg/kg (-)deprenyl daily for 28 days contained significantly higher amount of DA (81.77 +/- 5.7 nmole) and the turnover rate increased significantly to 24.44 +/- 1.1. Using the Glowinski-Iversen preparation we found that from the striata of untreated rats 200.0 +/- 25.8 pmole/g/min DA was released to KCl stimulation, whereas the amount of DA released to stimulation from the striata of rats pretreated with (-)deprenyl for 3 weeks increased significantly to 1452.2 +/- 183.1 pmole/g/min. 3) (-)Deprenyl inhibits the uptake of dopamine into the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron. In a new series of experiments we found that 420 +/- 21 pmole/g protein 3H-DA was taken up within 5 minutes in the striatum slices of untreated rats. Pretreatment of the rats with 0.25 mg/kg (-)deprenyl daily for two weeks decreased significantly the uptake of DA to 284 +/- 28 pmole/mg. 4) In a new series of experiments we found that the striata of untreated rats emitted 404.2 +/- 36.2 pmole/g/min ACh to ouabain stimulation but the striata dissected from rats pretreated with 6-hydroxy-dopamine (6-OHDA) released 811.4 +/- 49.2 pmol/g/min (p less than or equal to 0.001).

Cellular action of MAO inhibitors.

Sites of action of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in the human brain were analyzed by studying the distribution of the respective MAO subtype, MAO-A or -B. Blood brain barrier (BBB), glial cells and neurons of several brain areas were examined with biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Whereas MAO-A was localized in microvessels and neurons of locus ceruleus, MAO-B was present predominantly in neuronal cells of dorsal raphe nucleus. The neurons of substantia nigra revealed no immunohistochemically detectable MAO. Astrocytes expressed both subtypes and were observed in all cortical areas examined and all over the brain stem including medulla reticular formation, pontine reticular formation, reticular formation of mesencephalon, midbrain reticular formation, red nucleus, substantia nigra, caudate nucleus and putamen (sections according to DeArmond et al., 1976). MAO activity in several brain areas seems mostly to be due to astrocytes rather than to neuronal cells. As MAO inhibitors have beneficial effects in the treatment of malfunctions of aminergic transmitter systems (Johnstone and Marsh, 1973; Robinson et al., 1973; Birkmayer et al., 1977; Knoll, 1981; Zarifian, 1984; Riederer and Youdim, 1986) and a large amount of MAO activity seems to be localized in brain astrocytes, the function of glial cells especially with regard to their neuromodulating capacity should be focused in more detailed research in future.

Monoamine oxidase B inhibition and the "cheese effect".

The absence of initiation of "cheese effect" (potentiation of sympathomimetic action of tyramine) by 1-deprenyl (selective monoamine oxidase, MAO-B inhibitor) was regarded to be an intrinsic property of this inhibitor. However, availability of other selective MAO-B inhibitors have clearly shown that this is not the case, since the "cheese effect" is associated with the selective inhibition of MAO-A, the enzyme responsible for intraneuronal oxidation of noradrenaline. Following inhibition of neuronal MAO-A, noradrenaline in the cytoplasmic intraneuronal pool can increase to high levels. Since tyramine releases noradrenaline into the cytoplasm and not by exocytosis, its action is potentiated by inhibition of neuronal MAO-A.

Selegiline and the prophylaxis of Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration causes a Parkinson's disease like syndrome in man and primates, with selective degeneration of the substantia nigra. This discovery has raised the possibility that some environmental or endogenous toxin causes idiopathic Parkinson's disease. MPTP is oxidised to its neurotoxic metabolite, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) by monoamine oxidase B (MAO B). MPTP toxicity is prevented by pretreatment with the MAO B inhibitor selegiline ((-)-deprenyl). We have screened a range of structural analogues of MPTP as possible alternative substrates for the enzyme. All compounds which were found to be substrates for MAO B were tetrahydropyridines, some with substituents on the phenyl ring. The most interesting substrate, ethyl-MTP-carboxylate, did not have a phenyl ring. The precise histochemical localisation of MAO B within the rat and marmoset brain has been established. There was substantial activity within the nigrostriatal pathway of the marmoset; in comparison, the rat had only a low background MAO B level. These results may partially explain why the marmoset is more susceptible to the action of MPTP than the rat.