2-ABT-S-oxide detoxification by glutathione S-transferases A1-1, M1-1 and P1-1: implications for toxicity associated with zileuton.

Zileuton, an agent which targets the leukotriene pathway through inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), was approved for the treatment of asthma in 1997. Shortly after its release, its use was restricted due to the observation of hepatotoxicity in patients. Previous research from the authors' laboratory demonstrated the formation of the reactive metabolite, 2-ABT-S-oxide (M1) from zileuton, and has identified a mercapturate of 2-ABT, C1, in the urine of rats dosed with zileuton. The reaction between M1 and glutathione (GSH) has been established in vitro; however, the potential for catalysis by glutathione transferases (GSTs) was not addressed. The work presented here outlines a role for GSTs in the detoxification of M1. Non-enzymatic conjugation studies with M1 and GSH in control experiments led to a t(1/2) of 6.4 +/- 0.4 h at pH 6.5. This rate was accelerated in the presence of GSTA1-1, GSTM1-1 and GSTP1-1 providing t(1/2) values of 2.6 +/- 0.1, 0.53 +/- 0.02, and 0.3 +/- 0.04 h, respectively, at pH 6.5. The inhibition of various GST enzymes was also studied. Results show that M1 inhibits GSTM1-1 and GSTP1-1 to a greater extent as compared with GSTA1-1. In the case of GSTA1-1, the inhibition was observed to be reversible, whereas M1 inhibition of GSTM1-1 and GSTP1-1 was found to be irreversible under identical conditions. GSTM1-1 is present in liver and thus the finding of the alkylation and potential irreversible inactivation of this isoform in vivo could contribute to an understanding of the hepatotoxicity associated with zileuton.

Characterization of the human and mouse sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor, S1P5 (Edg-8): structure-activity relationship of sphingosine1-phosphate receptors.

Five G protein-coupled receptors (S1P(1)/Edg-1, S1P(3)/Edg-3, S1P(2)/Edg-5, S1P(4)/Edg-6, and S1P(5)/Edg-8) for the intercellular lipid mediator sphingosine 1-phosphate have been cloned and characterized. We found human and mouse sequences closely related to rat S1P(5) (97% identical amino acids) and report now the characterization of the human and mouse S1P(5) gene products as encoding sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors. When HEK293T cells were cotransfected with S1P(5) and G protein DNAs, prepared membranes showed sphingosine 1-phosphate concentration-dependent increases in [gamma-(35)S]GTP binding (EC(50) = 12.7 nM). The lipid mediator inhibited forskolin-driven rises in cAMP by greater than 80% after introduction of the mouse or human S1P(5) DNAs into rat hepatoma RH7777 cells (IC(50) = 0.22 nM). This response is blocked fully by prior treatment of cultures with pertussis toxin, thus implicating signaling through G(i/o)alpha proteins. Northern blot analysis showed high expression of human S1P(5) mRNA in spleen, corpus collosum, peripheral blood leukocytes, placenta, lung, aorta, and fetal tissues. Mouse S1P(5) mRNA is also expressed in spleen and brain. Finally, we found that one enantiomer of a sphingosine 1-phosphate analogue wherein the 3-hydroxyl and 4,5-olefin are replaced by an amide functionality shows some selectivity as an agonist S1P(1) and S1P(3) vs S1P(2) and S1P(5).

Activity of 2-substituted lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) analogs at LPA receptors: discovery of a LPA1/LPA3 receptor antagonist.

The physiological implications of lysophosphatidic acid occupancy of individual receptors are largely unknown because selective agonists/antagonists are unavailable currently. The molecular cloning of three high-affinity lysophosphatidic acid receptors, LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3, provides a platform for developing receptor type-selective ligands. Starting with an N-acyl ethanolamide phosphate LPA analog, we made a series of substitutions at the second carbon to generate compounds with varying spatial, stereochemical, and electronic characteristics. Analysis of this series at each recombinant LPA receptor using a guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate (GTP[gamma35S]) binding assay revealed sharp differences in activity. Our results suggest that these receptors have one spatially restrictive binding pocket that interacts with the 2-substituted moieties and prefers small hydrophobic groups and hydrogen bonding functionalities. The agonist activity predicted by the GTP[gamma35S] binding assay was reflected in the activity of a subset of compounds in increasing arterial pressure in anesthetized rats. One compound with a bulky hydrophobic group (VPC12249) was a dual LPA1/LPA3 competitive antagonist. Several compounds that had smaller side chains were found to be LPA1-selective agonists.

Pharmacological stress myocardial perfusion imaging with the potent and selective A(2A) adenosine receptor agonists ATL193 and ATL146e administered by either intravenous infusion or bolus injection.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine (Ado) and dipyridamole are alternatives to exercise stress for myocardial perfusion imaging. Though generally safe, side effects frequently occur that cause patient discomfort and sometimes lead to premature termination of the study or require aminophylline administration. Recently, a new class of A(2A) Ado receptor agonists was synthesized. ATL193 and ATL146e are 2-propynylcyclohexyl-5'-N-ethylcarboxamido derivatives of Ado. The study goals were to evaluate the potency and selectivity of these new compounds on recombinant canine Ado receptors and to evaluate their hemodynamic properties in dogs to assess their usefulness as vasodilators for myocardial perfusion imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: In assays of recombinant canine Ado receptors, ATL-193 and ATL-146e were highly selective for the A(2A) over the A(1) and A(3) receptors and were more potent than MRE-0470 and CGS-21680. In 16 anesthetized dogs, the agonists were administered by infusion (ATL-193; n=7 normal) or bolus injection (ATL-146e; n=9 critical left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis), and hemodynamic responses were compared with those of Ado. Both agonists produced dose-dependent coronary flow (CF) elevation without provoking the hypotension observed with Ado. After an ATL-146e bolus, the CF increase was sustained for several minutes, providing ample time for injection and myocardial uptake of (99m)Tc-sestamibi, and CF returned to baseline within 20 minutes. The CF increase was completely blocked by the selective A(2A) antagonist ZM241385 (3 microgram. kg(-1). min(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: ATL-193 and ATL-146e are highly potent and selective Ado A(2A) receptor agonists with excellent potential for use as vasodilators for myocardial perfusion imaging. An important advantage of ATL-146e is the ability to administer it by bolus injection.

Accelerated s-nitrosothiol breakdown by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mutant copper,zinc-superoxide dismutase.

Mutations in copper,zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD) have been implicated in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). We have investigated the breakdown of S-nitrosothiols by wild-type (WT) SOD and two common FALS mutants, alanine-4 valine (A4V) SOD and glycine-37 arginine (G37R) SOD. In the presence of glutathione, A4V SOD and G37R SOD catalyzed S-nitrosoglutathione breakdown three times more efficiently than WT SOD. Indeed, A4V SOD catabolized GSNO more efficiently than WT SOD throughout the physiological range of GSH concentrations. Moreover, a variety of additional S-nitrosothiols were catabolized more readily by A4V SOD than by WT SOD. Initial rate data for fully reduced WT SOD and A4V SOD, and data using ascorbic acid as the reductant, suggest that FALS mutations in SOD may influence the efficiency of reduction of the copper center by glutathione. We have identified a potentially toxic gain of function of two common FALS mutations that may contribute to neurodegeneration in FALS.

The chemistry, toxicology, and identification in rat and human urine of 4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one: a reactive metabolite in felbamate bioactivation.

4-Hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one has been proposed to be a reactive metabolite of the anti-epileptic drug felbamate [Thompson et al. (1996) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 9, 1225-1229]. 4-Hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one exists in equilibrium with 3-oxo-2-phenylpropyl aminooate, which is known to eliminate to generate 2-phenylpropenal. Thus, this species is postulated to be a latent form of the ultimate reactive metabolite, 2-phenylpropenal. The chemistry of 4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one is proposed to parallel that of 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide, the bioactivated form of cyclophosphamide that undergoes ring-opening to aldophosphamide and subsequent elimination to afford 2-propenal (acrolein). The work presented here reports the chemical synthesis of 4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one and demonstrates that under buffered conditions it exists in equilibrium with 3-oxo-2-phenylpropyl aminooate. The rate-limiting step in the decomposition of 4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one is the irreversible beta-elimination from 3-oxo-2-phenylpropyl aminooate to 2-phenylpropenal. We have found the half-life of 4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one to be 4.6 +/- 0.4 h under in vitro conditions that mimic the physiological setting. As a consequence of the relatively long half-life of 4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one, we have sought evidence for the significance of this pathway in experimental and clinical conditions. We report here the observation of this metabolite in the urine of rats being treated with 3-hydroxy-2-phenylpropyl aminooate, the esterase-mediated metabolite of felbamate, and in the urine of patients undergoing felbamate therapy. In addition, we have shown that 4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one is toxic to cultured cells in a time-dependent manner, most likely as a result of its decomposition to 2-phenylpropenal. Taken together, the data support the hypothesis that 4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazaperhydroin-2-one represents a "time-release" form of 2-phenylpropenal capable of traveling to distal sites from its locus of bioactivation and thereby mediates felbamate associated toxicities.

The synthesis of amino-acid functionalized beta-carbolines as topoisomerase II inhibitors.

The synthesis and biological activity of amino acid functionalized beta-carboline derivatives, which are structurally related to azatoxin and the tryprostatins, are reported. These compounds were assayed for their growth inhibition properties in H520 and PC3 cell lines and were examined for their abilities to inhibit topoisomerase II-mediated DNA relaxation.

Selective A(2A) adenosine receptor activation reduces skin pressure ulcer formation and inflammation.

Activation of A(2A) adenosine receptors (A(2A)-AR) by ATL-146e (formerly DWH-146e) prevents inflammatory cell activation and adhesion. Recurrent ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) of the skin results in pressure ulcer formation, a major clinical problem. ATL-146e was evaluated in a novel reproducible rat model of pressure ulcer. A 9-cm(2) region of dorsal rat skin was cyclically compressed at 50 mmHg using a surgically implanted metal plate and an overlying magnet to generate reproducible tissue necrosis. Osmotic minipumps were implanted into 24 rats divided into four equal groups to infuse vehicle (control), ATL-146e (0.004 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)), ATL-146e plus an equimolar concentration of A(2A) antagonist, ZM-241385, or ZM-241385 alone. Each group received 10 I/R cycles. In non-I/R-treated skin, ATL-146e has no effect on blood flow. I/R-treated skin of the ATL-146e group compared with the vehicle group had 65% less necrotic area, 31% less inhibition of average skin blood flow, and fewer extravasated leukocytes (23 +/- 3 vs. 49 +/- 6 per 500 microm(2)). These data suggest that ATL-146e, acting via an A(2A)-AR, reduces leukocyte infiltration and is a potent prophylactic for I/R injury in skin.

Molecular pharmacology of T-type Ca2+ channels.

Over the past few years increasing attention has been focused on T-type calcium channels and their possible physiological and pathophysiological roles. Efforts toward elucidating the exact role(s) of these calcium channels have been hampered by the lack of T-type specific antagonists, resulting in the subsequent use of less selective calcium channel antagonists. In addition, the activity of these blockers often varies with cell or tissue type, as well as recording conditions. This review summarizes a variety of compounds that exhibit varying degrees of blocking activity towards T-type Ca2+ channels. It is designed as an aid for researchers in need of antagonists to study the biophysical and pathological nature of T-type channels, as well as a starting point for those attempting to develop potent and selective antagonists of the channel.

Role of glutathione S-transferases A1-1, M1-1, and P1-1 in the detoxification of 2-phenylpropenal, a reactive felbamate metabolite.

Felbamate has proven to be an effective therapy for treating refractory epilepsy. However, felbamate therapy has been limited due to the associated reports of hepatotoxicity and aplastic anemia. Previous research from our laboratory has proposed 2-phenylpropenal as the reactive metabolite in felbamate bioactivation and identified its mercapturates in the urine of rats and patients undergoing felbamate therapy. While the reaction between 2-phenylpropenal and GSH has been shown to occur spontaneously under physiological conditions, the potential catalysis by glutathione transferases (GST) has remained unknown. The work presented here demonstrates a role for GST in the detoxification of 2-phenylpropenal. The kinetic data show that 2-phenylpropenal is a substrate for all three isoforms tested, with a k(cat)/K(m) of 0.275 +/- 0.035 microM(-1) s(-1) for GSTM1-1, 0.164 +/- 0.005 microM(-1) s(-1) for GSTP1-1, and 0.042 +/- 0.005 microM(-1) s(-1) for GSTA1-1. Given that electrophilic substrates such as 2-propenal have been shown to inhibit GSTs, we also examined the inhibition of GSTM1-1, GSTP1-1 and GSTA1-1 by 2-phenylpropenal. The enzyme inhibition studies demonstrate that 2-phenylpropenal inhibits GSTP1-1 and GSTM1-1. The inhibition of GSTP1-1 was completely reversible upon filtration and reconstitution in buffer containing 10 mM GSH. However, 2-phenylpropenal inhibition of GSTM1-1 was irreversible under the same conditions. The irreversible inhibition of GSTM1-1 may be important in understanding the toxicities associated with felbamate. Given that 2-phenylpropenal is both a substrate and irreversible inhibitor for GSTM1-1, GSTM1-1 represents a potential target for 2-phenylpropenal haptenization in vivo, which may in turn mediate the observed idiosyncratic reactions.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel A2A adenosine receptor agonists.

We have been interested in the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel adenosine A2A agonists. Through the use of comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) we have generated a training model that includes 78 structurally diverse A2A agonists and correlated their affinity for isolated rat brain receptors with differences in their structural and electrostatic properties. We validated this model by predicting the activity of a test set that included 24 additional A2A agonists. Our CoMFA model, which incorporates the physiochemical property of dipole and selects against A1 receptor activity, generated a correlated final model (r2 = 0.891) that provides for enhanced A2A selectivity and predictability. Synthesis, pharmacological evaluation, and modeling of four novel ligands further validate the utility and predictive power (r2 = 0.626) of the CoMFA model.

Cyclic AMP-dependent inhibition of human neutrophil oxidative activity by substituted 2-propynylcyclohexyl adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists.

Novel 2-propynylcyclohexyl-5'-N:-ehtylcarboxamidoadenosines, trans-substituted in the 4-position of the cyclohexyl ring, were evaluated in binding assays to the four subtypes of adenosine receptors (ARs). Two esters, 4-(3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester (ATL146e) and acetic acid 4-(3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl] -prop-2-ynyl)-cyclohexylmethyl ester (ATL193) were >50 x more potent than 2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'-N:-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS21680) for human A(2A) AR binding. Human A(2A) AR affinity for substituted cyclohexyl-propynyladenosine analogues was inversely correlated with the polarity of the cyclohexyl side chain. There was a comparable order of potency for A(2A) AR agonist stimulation of human neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i), and inhibition of the neutrophil oxidative burst. ATL146e and CGS21680 were approximately equipotent agonists of human A(3) ARs. We measured the effects of selective AR antagonists on agonist stimulated neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i) and the effect of PKA inhibition on A(2A) AR agonist activity. ATL193-stimulated neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i) was blocked by antagonists with the potency order: ZM241385 (A(2A)-selective)>MRS1220 (A(3)-selective)>>N-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-2-[4-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-phenoxy]-acetamide (MRS1754; A(2B)-selective) approximately 8-(N-methylisopropyl)amino-N(6)-(5'-endohydroxy-endonorbornyl)-9-methyladenine (WRC0571; A(1)-selective). The type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram (100 nM) potentiated ATL193 inhibition of the oxidative burst, and inhibition by ATL193 was counteracted by the PKA inhibitor H-89. The data indicate that activation of A(2A)ARs inhibits neutrophil oxidative activity by activating [cyclic AMP](i)/PKA.

Lysophosphatidic acid-induced mitogenesis is regulated by lipid phosphate phosphatases and is Edg-receptor independent.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an extracellular signaling mediator with a broad range of cellular responses. Three G-protein-coupled receptors (Edg-2, -4, and -7) have been identified as receptors for LPA. In this study, the ectophosphatase lipid phosphate phosphatase 1 (LPP1) has been shown to down-regulate LPA-mediated mitogenesis. Furthermore, using degradation-resistant phosphonate analogs of LPA and stereoselective agonists of the Edg receptors we have demonstrated that the mitogenic and platelet aggregation responses to LPA are independent of Edg-2, -4, and -7. Specifically, we found that LPA degradation is insufficient to account for the decrease in LPA potency in mitogenic assays, and the stereoselectivity observed at the Edg receptors is not reflected in mitogenesis. Additionally, RH7777 cells, which are devoid of Edg-2, -4, and -7 receptor mRNA, have a mitogenic response to LPA and LPA analogs. Finally, we have determined that the ligand selectivity of the platelet aggregation response is consistent with that of mitogenesis, but not with Edg-2, -4, and -7.

A(2A) adenosine receptor-mediated inhibition of renal injury and neutrophil adhesion.

We sought to determine the mechanisms responsible for the reduced renal tissue injury by agonists of A(2A) adenosine receptors (A(2A)-ARs) in models of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. DWH-146e, a selective A(2A)-AR agonist, was administered subcutaneously to Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6 mice via osmotic minipumps, and animals were subjected to I/R. I/R led to an increase in plasma creatinine and kidney neutrophil infiltration. Infusion of DWH-146e at 10 ng. kg(-1). min(-1) produced a 70% reduction in plasma creatinine as well as a decrease in neutrophil density in outer medulla and cortex and myeloperoxidase activity in the reperfused kidney. Myeloperoxidase activity in kidney correlated with the degree of renal injury. P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) immunoreactivity were most prominent in endothelial cells of peritubular capillaries and interlobular arteries of cortex and outer and inner medulla of vehicle-treated mice whose kidneys were subjected to I/R. DWH-146e treatment led to a pronounced decrease in P-selectin- and ICAM-1-like immunoreactivity. These data are consistent with our hypothesis that A(2A)-AR agonists limit I/R injury due to an inhibitory effect on neutrophil adhesion.

5-HETE congeners as modulators of cell proliferation.

The synthesis and assessment of the mitogenic properties of 5-HETE congeners are reported. These studies represent an effort to develop a structure-activity profile for ligands of the 5-HETE/5-oxoETE G-protein coupled receptor(s). Many of these agents possess mitogenic activity that equals or exceeds that of racemic 5-HETE family constituents in prostate cancer cell lines.

Comparative molecular field analysis of colchicine inhibition and tubulin polymerization for combretastatins binding to the colchicine binding site on beta-tubulin.

A molecular modeling study using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) was undertaken to develop a predictive model for combretastatin binding to the colchicine binding site of tubulin. Furthermore, we examined the potential contribution of lipophilicity (log P) and molecular dipole moment and were unable to correlate these properties to the observed biological data. In this study we first confirmed that tubulin polymerization inhibition (IC50) correlated (R2 = 0.92) with [3H]colchicine displacement. Although these data correlated quite well, we developed two independent models for each set of data to quantify structural features that may contribute to each biological property independently. To develop our predictive model we first examined a series of molecular alignments for the training set and ultimately found that overlaying the respective trimethoxyphenyl rings (A ring) of the analogues generated the best correlated model. The CoMFA yielded a cross-validated R2 = 0.41 (optimum number of components equal to 5) for the tubulin polymerization model and an R2 = 0.38 (optimum number of components equal to 5) for [3H]colchicine inhibition. Final non-cross-validation generated models for tubulin polymerization (R2 of 0.93) and colchicine inhibition (R2 of 0.91). These models were validated by predicting both biological properties for compounds not used in the training set. These models accurately predicted the IC50 for tubulin polymerization with an R2 of 0.88 (n = 6) and those of [3H]colchicine displacement with an R2 of 0.80 (n = 7). This study represents the first predictive model for the colchicine binding site over a wide range of combretastatin analogues.

A mechanistic approach to understanding species differences in felbamate bioactivation: relevance to drug-induced idiosyncratic reactions.

In an attempt to understand the species-selective toxicity of felbamate (2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate, FBM), which is thought to result from bioactivation to 2-phenylpropenal, FBM metabolism was evaluated in rats and humans. The formation of 2-phenylpropenal was monitored by the amount of its mercapturates excreted in urine. The data show a relative 5-fold increase in mercapturate excretion in patient urine as a result of differences in metabolism through P450-, esterase-, and aldehyde dehydrogenase-mediated pathways. To compensate for the significant species differences in FBM metabolism, and to produce toxic levels of 2-phenylpropenal in rat comparable to humans levels, monocarbamate felbamate (2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol monocarbamate, MCF), was administered to rats in the hopes of eliciting a toxic response. The desired result, an increase in mercapturate excretion, was not observed in MCF-treated rats due to the identification of a new FBM metabolite, 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol monocarbamate-alpha-D-glucuronic acid (MCF-glucuronide). Formation of MCF-glucuronide is significant and represents about 80% of MCF metabolites in MCF-dosed rats, 3% of FBM metabolites in FBM-dosed rats, and about 11% of FBM metabolites in FBM patients. To overcome the protective effect of glucuronidation, uridine diphosphoglucuronosyltransferase (UGT)-deficient Gunn rats were treated with FBM and MCF, which surprisingly had no effect on the amount of MCF-glucuronide formed. Given the known UGT polymorphisms and the fact that MCF glucuronidation contributes to the elimination of a 2-phenylpropenal precursor, the correlation between poor UGT activity and an increase in mercapturates excretion was evaluated in patients. The result of the first 34 patients screened suggests that a patient with poor UGT activity is not necessarily at risk for FBM toxicity.

Inhibition of human prostate cancer proliferation in vitro and in a mouse model by a compound synthesized to block Ca2+ entry.

Accelerated Ca2+ entry may be one component of the pathway regulating the proliferative phenotype of some types of cancer. Thus, a pharmacological agent with the ability to retard Ca2+ influx in susceptible cancers might inhibit proliferation of them by a cytostatic mechanism rather than by inducing cytotoxicity. We have developed a chemical synthetic scheme that has produced a small library of novel compounds that block Ca2+ entry induced by occupancy of the P2 receptor in two prostate cancer cell lines and inhibit proliferation of these cells in vitro. One of the agents, named TH-1177, was used to treat severe combined immunodeficient mice inoculated with the human prostate cancer line PC-3. Although the doses used and treatment schedule were chosen arbitrarily, treatment extended the mean life span of mice bearing tumors by up to 38%. Treatment of mice without cancer at doses 18 times that used in mice with tumors was not associated with any obvious toxicity, either grossly or on histological examination. These results suggest that novel cytostatic agents with efficacy against human prostate cancer cells can be developed by chemical synthesis of agents directed at the Ca2+ entry pathway.