Effect of mGluR2 and mGluR2/3 activators on parkinsonism in the MPTP-lesioned non-human primate.

We have previously discovered that the selective activation of metabotropic glutamate type 2 receptors (mGluR2) and concurrent stimulation of metabotropic glutamate types 2 and 3 receptors (mGluR2/3) enhance the anti-parkinsonian action of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). Here, we sought to determine the effects of the mGluR2/3 orthosteric agonists LY-354,740 and LY-404,039, as well as the effects of the mGluR2 positive allosteric modulators LY-487,379 and CBiPES on the range of movement, bradykinesia, posture and alertness as adjuncts to L-DOPA. Ten 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned marmosets entered 4 experimental streams: L-DOPA + LY-354,740 (vehicle, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg), L-DOPA + LY-404,039 (vehicle, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg), L-DOPA + LY-487,379 (vehicle, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg), L-DOPA + CBiPES (vehicle, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg). For each molecule, treatments were randomised, and the range of movement, bradykinesia, posture and alertness were assessed by a blinded rater. None of the tested compounds significantly altered the global range of movement. LY-404,039 and CBiPES both reduced global bradykinesia, by up to 46% (both P < 0.05). LY-354,740, LY-404,039 and CBiPES each improved global posture by 35%, 44% and 39% (each P < 0.05), respectively. LY-404,039 and CBiPES both enhanced alertness by 54% (P < 0.05) and 79% (P < 0.01), respectively. LY-487,379 did not improve any of the parameters. Our results suggest that selective mGluR2 positive allosteric modulation and combined mGluR2/3 orthosteric stimulation might benefit bradykinesia, posture and alertness in PD when added to L-DOPA, which potentially represent novel therapeutic indications for molecules acting via these mechanisms.

The mGluR2/3 orthosteric agonist LY-404,039 reduces dyskinesia, psychosis-like behaviours and parkinsonism in the MPTP-lesioned marmoset.

LY-404,039 is an orthosteric agonist of metabotropic glutamate 2 and 3 receptors (mGluR2/3) that may harbour additional agonist effect at dopamine D2 receptors. LY-404,039 and its pro-drug, LY-2140023, have previously entered clinical trials as treatment options for schizophrenia. They could therefore be repurposed, if proven efficacious, for other conditions, notably Parkinson's disease (PD). We have previously shown that the mGluR2/3 orthosteric agonist LY-354,740 alleviated L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced dyskinesia and psychosis-like behaviours (PLBs) in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned marmoset. Unlike LY-404,039, LY-354,740 does not stimulate dopamine D2 receptors, suggesting that LY-404,039 may elicit broader therapeutic effects in PD. Here, we sought to investigate the effect of this possible additional dopamine D2-agonist action of LY-404,039 by assessing its efficacy on dyskinesia, PLBs and parkinsonism in the MPTP-lesioned marmoset. We first determined the pharmacokinetic profile of LY-404,039 in the marmoset, in order to select doses resulting in plasma concentrations known to be well tolerated in the clinic. Marmosets were then injected L-DOPA with either vehicle or LY-404,039 (0.1, 0.3, 1 and 10 mg/kg). The addition of LY-404,039 10 mg/kg to L-DOPA resulted in a significant reduction of global dyskinesia (by 55%, P < 0.01) and PLBs (by 50%, P < 0.05), as well as reduction of global parkinsonism (by 47%, P < 0.05). Our results provide additional support of the efficacy of mGluR2/3 orthosteric stimulation at alleviating dyskinesia, PLBs and parkinsonism. Because LY-404,039 has already been tested in clinical trials, it could be repurposed for indications related to PD.

Quantitative determination of LY-404,039, a metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptor agonist, in rat plasma using chemical derivatization and HPLC-MRM/MS.

A rapid, selective and sensitive method was developed and validated for the determination of LY-404,039 concentration in rat plasma using a butylation derivatization step to improve chromatographic characteristics and enhance signal intensity. The method consisted of a protein precipitation extraction followed by derivatization with butanol/HCl and analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The separation was achieved using a 100 × 2.1 mm (2.6 µm) Thermo Scientific Accucore RP-MS column combined with an isocratic mobile phase composed of 40:60 acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in water. An analytical range of 2.0-1,000 ng/ml was validated and used to quantify LY-404,039 in rat plasma. The novel method met all of the requirements of specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and stability. A pharmacokinetic study was performed in rats and the novel analytical method was used as a routine analysis method to provide enhanced measurements of plasma concentrations of LY-404,039. The plasma pharmacokinetic results indicate very short terminal half-life (0.27 h ± 0.8) and high clearance (0.97 L/h/kg ± 0.12), suggesting that LY-404,039 is rapidly eliminated in the rat. Dose-dependent pharmacokinetics were observed following subcutaneous administration of LY-404,039 at doses of 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg.

Analysis of the Glutamate Agonist LY404,039 Binding to Nonstatic Dopamine Receptor D2 Dimer Structures and Consensus Docking.

Dopamine receptor D2 (D2R) plays an important role in the human central nervous system and is a focal target of antipsychotic agents. The D2HighR and D2LowR dimeric models previously developed by our group are used to investigate the prediction of binding affinity of the LY404,039 ligand and its binding mechanism within the catalytic domain. The computational data obtained using molecular dynamics simulations fit well with the experimental results. The calculated binding affinities of LY404,039 using MM/PBSA for the D2HighR and D2LowR targets were -12.04 and -9.11 kcal/mol, respectively. The experimental results suggest that LY404,039 binds to D2HighR and D2LowR with binding affinities (Ki) of 8.2 and 1640 nM, respectively. The high binding affinity of LY404,039 in terms of binding to [3H]domperidone was inhibited by the presence of a guanine nucleotide, indicating an agonist action of the drug at D2HighR. The interaction analysis demonstrated that while Asp114 was among the most critical amino acids for D2HighR binding, residues Ser193 and Ser197 were significantly more important within the binding cavity of D2LowR. Molecular modeling analyses are extended to ensemble docking as well as structure-based pharmacophore model (E-pharmacophore) development using the bioactive conformation of LY404,039 at the binding pocket as a template and screening of small-molecule databases with derived pharmacophore models.