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Herraiz T. Tetrahydro-beta-carbolines, potential neuroactive alkaloids, in chocolate and cocoa. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2000; 48:4900-4904. [PMID: 11052752 DOI: 10.1021/jf000508l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tetrahydro-beta-carbolines (THbetaCs), potential neuroactive alkaloids, were found in chocolate and cocoa. 6-Hydroxy-1-methyl-1,2, 3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (6OHMTHbetaC), 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (THCA), 1-methyl-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA) in both diastereoisomers (1S,3S and 1R,3S), and 1-methyl-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (MTHbetaC), besides serotonin and tryptamine biogenic amines, were identified and quantified in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa, and chocolate-containing cereals by RP-HPLC-fluorescence and HPLC-MS. For each THbetaC, the concentration ranges were determined: 6OHMTHbetaC (0.16-3.92 microg/g), THCA (0.01-0.85 microg/g), 1S,3S-MTCA (0.35-2 microg/g), 1R,3S-MTCA (0.14-0.88 microg/g), and MTHbetaC (nd-0.21 microg/g). The highest content was generally found in chocolates and cocoas, but cereals containing chocolate also showed an appreciable amount of THbetaCs. The possible biological implications of this novel group of alkaloids in chocolate are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Herraiz
- Instituto de Fermentaciones Industriales, Spanish National Research Council, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
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52
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Lee CS, Han ES, Jang YY, Han JH, Ha HW, Kim DE. Protective effect of harmalol and harmaline on MPTP neurotoxicity in the mouse and dopamine-induced damage of brain mitochondria and PC12 cells. J Neurochem 2000; 75:521-31. [PMID: 10899927 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2000.0750521.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study elucidated the protective effect of beta-carbolines (harmaline, harmalol, and harmine) on oxidative neuronal damage. MPTP treatment increased activities of total superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and levels of malondialdehyde and carbonyls in the basal ganglia, diencephalon plus midbrain of brain compared with control mouse brain. Coadministration of harmalol (48 mg/kg) attenuated the MPTP effect on the enzyme activities and formation of tissue peroxidation products. Harmaline, harmalol, and harmine attenuated both the 500 microM MPP(+)-induced inhibition of electron flow and membrane potential formation and the 100 microM dopamine-induced thiol oxidation and carbonyl formation in mitochondria. The scavenging action of beta-carbolines on hydroxyl radicals was represented by inhibition of 2-deoxy-D-ribose degradation. Harmaline and harmalol (100 microM) attenuated 200 microM dopamine-induced viability loss in PC12 cells. The beta-carbolines (50 microM) attenuated 50 microM dopamine-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. The compounds alone did not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects. The results indicate that beta-carbolines attenuate brain damage in mice treated with MPTP and MPP(+)-induced mitochondrial damage. The compounds may prevent dopamine-induced mitochondrial damage and PC12 cell death through a scavenging action on reactive oxygen species and inhibition of monoamine oxidase and thiol oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. Department of Neurology, Korean Veterans Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
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53
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Parrado J, Absi E, Ayala A, Castaño A, Cano J, Machado A. The endogenous amine 1-methyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinoline prevents the inhibition of complex I of the respiratory chain produced by MPP(+). J Neurochem 2000; 75:65-71. [PMID: 10854248 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2000.0750065.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous monoamine 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline has been shown to prevent the neurotoxic effect of MPP(+) and other endogenous neurotoxins, which produce a parkinsonian-like syndrome in humans. We have tested its potential protective effect in vivo by measuring the protection of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline in the neurotoxicity elicited by MPP(+) in rat striatum by tyrosine hydroxylase immunocytochemistry. Because we know that cellular damage caused by MPP(+) is primarily the result of mitochondrial respiratory inhibition at the complex I level, we have extended the study further to understand this protective mechanism. We found that the inhibitory effect on the mitochondrial respiration rate induced by MPP(+) in isolated rat liver mitochondria and striatal synaptosomes was prevented by addition of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. This compound has no antioxidant capacity; therefore, this property is not involved in its protective effect. Thus, we postulate that the preventive effect that 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline has on mitochondrial inhibition for MPP(+) could be due to a "shielding effect," protecting the energetic machinery, thus preventing energetic failure. These results suggest that this endogenous amine may protect against the effect of several parkinsonism-inducing compounds that are associated with progressive impairment of the mitochondrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Parrado
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Bromatologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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54
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Bringmann G, Feineis D, Brückner R, Blank M, Peters K, Peters EM, Reichmann H, Janetzky B, Grote C, Clement HW, Wesemann W. Bromal-derived tetrahydro-beta-carbolines as neurotoxic agents: chemistry, impairment of the dopamine metabolism, and inhibitory effects on mitochondrial respiration. Bioorg Med Chem 2000; 8:1467-78. [PMID: 10896123 DOI: 10.1016/s0968-0896(00)00073-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian alkaloids tryptoline (1) and eleagnine (2) as well as the highly halogenated (X = F, Cl, Br) tetrahydro-beta-carbolines (THbetaCs) 3-5, structurally similar to the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 6), were found to have a common feature of inducing a severe impairment of the nigrostriatal dopamine metabolism and inhibiting complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain highly selectively. Within the series of compounds tested, 1-tribromomethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline ('TaBro', 5), which was prepared in high yields from the biogenic amine tryptamine ('Ta', 7) and the unnatural aldehyde bromal ('Bro', 8) by a Pictet-Spengler cyclization reaction, turned out to be the most potent toxin in vitro and in vivo. As demonstrated by voltammetric measurements on rats, for all the THbetaCs 1-5 investigated, intranigral application of a single dose of 10 microg resulted in a significant reduction of the dopaminergic activity in the striatum, with the strongest effect being observed for TaBro (5). Using rat brain homogenates, again 5 (IC50 = 200 microM) as well as its dehydrohalogenation product 11 (IC50 = 150 microM) exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory potential on mitochondrial respiration. The halogen-free THbetaCs 1 and 2 as well as the MPTP metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), by contrast, showed only a moderate inhibition at concentrations in the millimolar range (e.g. for MPP+: IC50 = 3.5 mM). For an elucidation of the role of hydrophobic portion in the inhibitory action against complex I activity, several N-acyl derivatives (15-21) of 5 were synthesized and tested. An X-ray diffraction study on the 3-dimensional structure of trifluoroacetylated highly halogenated THbetaCs (12-14) revealed the tetrahydropyrido part to adopt a nearly planarized half-chair conformation. Because of the steric demand of the trihalogenmethyl moiety (CF3 < CCl3 < CBr3), the N-substituent is dramatically pushed out of that ring 'plane'.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bringmann
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Würzburg, Germany.
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55
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Gearhart DA, Collins MA, Lee JM, Neafsey EJ. Increased beta-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity in the frontal cortex in Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2000; 7:201-11. [PMID: 10860785 DOI: 10.1006/nbdi.2000.0287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic beta-carboline N-methyltransferase activities generate N-methylated beta-carbolinium cations that are analogs of the parkinsonian-producing neurotoxin MPP+. We measured beta-carboline-2N-methyltransferase and beta-carboline-9N-methyltransferase activities in the supernatant and particulate fractions from postmortem human brains. These N-methyltransferase activities were assessed in the substantia nigra, putamen, and frontal cortex from control and Parkinson's disease cases. No significant differences were measured in any brain region in particulate and supernatant fraction beta-carboline 2N-methyltransferase activity or particulate fraction beta-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity. Likewise, supernatant fraction beta-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity was similar in the putamen and substantia nigra from Parkinson's disease and control cases. Unexpectedly, supernatant fraction beta-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity was increased fourfold in Parkinson's disease frontal cortex (P < 0.05), suggesting that beta-carboline N-methylation may play a role in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Gearhart
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, 30912-2000, USA
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56
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Herraiz T. Ethyl 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylate: a novel β-carboline found in alcoholic beverages. Food Chem 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0308-8146(99)00066-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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57
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Janetzky B, Gille G, Abdel-mohsen M, God R, Rausch WD, Bringmann G, Reichmann H. Effect of highly halogenated ?-carbolines on dopaminergic cells in culture and on mitochondrial respiration. Drug Dev Res 1999. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2299(199901)46:1<51::aid-ddr8>3.0.co;2-b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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58
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Soto-Otero R, Méndez-Alvarez E, Riguera-Vega R, Quiñoá-Cabana E, Sánchez-Sellero I, López-Rivadulla Lamas M. Studies on the interaction between 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline and cigarette smoke: a potential mechanism of neuroprotection for Parkinson's disease. Brain Res 1998; 802:155-62. [PMID: 9748553 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(98)00538-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-beta-carboline (TH beta C) is an endogenous or environmental neurotoxic factor putatively involved in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). As part of our efforts to characterize the mechanism of the reported protection of smoking against PD, we have examined the interaction between TH beta C and cigarette smoke. We found that TH beta C reacts in vitro and under physiological conditions with some components of cigarette smoke to form N2-(cyanomethyl)-TH beta C (CM-TH beta C), N2-(gamma-cyanoethyl)-TH beta C (CE-TH beta C), N2-(1'-cyanopropyl)-TH beta C (CP-TH beta C), N2-(1'-cyanobutyl)-TH beta C (CB-TH beta C) and N2-formyl-TH beta C (F-TH beta C). Significant differences in the recovery of some of these TH beta C-derivatives were obtained for Burley and Bright tobacco. Several of the reported compounds showed reversible and competitive MAO-A inhibitory properties. The detection of some of these compounds in rat brain after chronic administration of TH beta C and a solution of cigarette smoke proved that the reported interactions also occur in vivo. These results are discussed as a potential mechanism of neuroprotection in the development of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Soto-Otero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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59
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Degli Esposti M. Inhibitors of NADH-ubiquinone reductase: an overview. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1998; 1364:222-35. [PMID: 9593904 DOI: 10.1016/s0005-2728(98)00029-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 378] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This article provides an updated overview of the plethora of complex I inhibitors. The inhibitors are presented within the broad categories of natural and commercial compounds and their potency is related to that of rotenone, the classical inhibitor of complex I. Among commercial products, particular attention is dedicated to inhibitors of pharmacological or toxicological relevance. The compounds that inhibit the NADH-ubiquinone reductase activity of complex I are classified according to three fundamental types of action on the basis of available evidence and recent insights: type A are antagonists of the ubiquinone substrate, type B displace the ubisemiquinone intermediate, and type C are antagonists of the ubiquinol product.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Degli Esposti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, 3168 Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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60
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Goto K, Mochizuki H, Hattori T, Nakamura N, Mizuno Y. Neurotoxic effects of papaverine, tetrahydropapaverine and dimethoxyphenylethylamine on dopaminergic neurons in ventral mesencephalic-striatal co-culture. Brain Res 1997; 754:260-8. [PMID: 9134983 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(97)00093-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We report neurotoxic effects of papaverine, tetrahydropapaverine, dimethoxyphenylethylamine (DMPEA), and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) on dopaminergic neurons in ventral mesencephalic-striatal co-culture. These compounds have been reported as mitochondrial toxins which may be implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons were decreased in dose-dependent manner by these compounds. Papaverine and MPP+ were most toxic to TH-positive neurons among the compounds tested. The order of the toxicity on TH-positive neurons was papaverine, MPP+, tetrahydropapaverine and then DMPEA. This order of toxicity was approximately the same as that reported on the inhibitory effect of these compounds on NADH-linked mitochondrial respiration and complex I activity. These findings indicate that the presence of dimethoxy residues in the catechol ring augments toxicity to dopaminergic neurons in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Goto
- Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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61
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Gearhart DA, Neafsey EJ, Collins MA. Characterization of brain beta-carboline-2-N-methyltransferase, an enzyme that may play a role in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Neurochem Res 1997; 22:113-21. [PMID: 9016836 DOI: 10.1023/a:1027351120616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The activity of beta-carboline-2-N-methyltransferase results in the formation of neurotoxic N-methylated beta-carbolinium compounds. We have hypothesized that these N-methylated beta-carbolinium cations may contribute to the development of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. This report describes experiments undertaken to optimize assay conditions for bovine brain beta-carboline-2-N-methyltransferase activity. The activity of beta-carboline-2-N-methyltransferase is primarily localized in the cytosol, has a pH optimum of 8.5-9, and obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to its substrates, 9-methylnorharman (9-MeNH) and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM). Kinetic constants, KM and Vmax, with respect to 9-MeNH, are 75 microM and 48 pmol/h/mg protein, respectively. The KM for SAM is 81 microM and the Vmax is 53 pmol/h/mg protein. In addition, enzyme activity is inhibited by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) or zinc, and is increased 2-fold in the presence of iron or manganese. Enzyme characterization is a prerequisite to the purification of this N-methyltransferase from bovine brain as well as comparison of its activity in human brain from control and Parkinson's disease individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Gearhart
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA
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62
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Liu Y, Edwards RH. The role of vesicular transport proteins in synaptic transmission and neural degeneration. Annu Rev Neurosci 1997; 20:125-56. [PMID: 9056710 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.20.1.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Classical neurotransmitters are synthesized in the cytoplasm, so they require transport into secretory vesicles for regulated exocytotic release. Previous work has identified distinct vesicular transport activities for the different classical transmitters, and all depend on the H+-electrochemical gradient across the vesicle membrane but differ in the extent to which they rely on the chemical and electrical components of this gradient. Drugs that interfere with vesicular amine transport have implicated this activity in psychiatric disease. Selection for a cDNA encoding vesicular amine transport in the neurotoxin MPP+ also implicates the activity in Parkinson's disease. Molecular cloning of vesicular monoamine transporters shows sequence similarity to bacterial antibiotic resistance proteins, supporting a role for transport in detoxification and defining a novel mammalian gene family that now also includes a transporter for acetylcholine. Current work focuses on the mechanism of transport and the role that regulation of activity and its subcellular localization have in transmitter release, behavior, and neural degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Liu
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco 94143-0435, USA
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63
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Gerlach M, Riederer P. Animal models of Parkinson's disease: an empirical comparison with the phenomenology of the disease in man. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 1996; 103:987-1041. [PMID: 9013391 DOI: 10.1007/bf01291788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Animal models are an important aid in experimental medical science because they enable one to study the pathogenetic mechanisms and the therapeutic principles of treating the functional disturbances (symptoms) of human diseases. Once the causative mechanism is understood, animal models are also helpful in the development of therapeutic approaches exploiting this understanding. On the basis of experimental and clinical findings. Parkinson's disease (PD) became the first neurological disease to be treated palliatively by neurotransmitter replacement therapy. The pathological hallmark of PD is a specific degeneration of nigral and other pigmented brainstem nuclei, with a characteristic inclusion, the Lewy body, in remaining nerve cells. There is now a lot of evidence that degeneration of the dopaminergic nigral neurones and the resulting striatal dopamine-deficiency syndrome are responsible for its classic motor symptoms akinesia and bradykinesia. PD is one of many human diseases which do not appear to have spontaneously arisen in animals. The characteristic features of the disease can however be more or less faithfully imitated in animals through the administration of various neurotoxic agents and drugs disturbing the dopaminergic neurotransmission. The cause of chronic nigral cell death in PD and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The partial elucidation of the processes underlie the selective action of neurotoxic substances such as 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), has however revealed possible molecular mechanisms that give rise to neuronal death. Accordingly, hypotheses concerning the mechanisms of these neurotoxines have been related to the pathogenesis of nigral cell death in PD. The present contribution starts out by describing some of the clinical, pathological and neurochemical phenomena of PD. The currently most important animal models (e.g. the reserpine model, neuroleptic-induced catalepsy, tremor models, experimentally-induced degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons with 6-OHDA, methamphetamine, MPTP, MPP+, tetrahydroisoquinolines, beta-carbolines, and iron) critically reviewed next, and are compared with the characteristic features of the disease in man.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gerlach
- Department of Clinical Neurochemistry, University Neurological Clinic, University of Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany
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64
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Kuhn W, Müller T, Grosse H, Rommelspacher H. Elevated levels of harman and norharman in cerebrospinal fluid of parkinsonian patients. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 1996; 103:1435-40. [PMID: 9029410 DOI: 10.1007/bf01271257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Death of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) may partially be caused by synthesis and accumulation of endogenous and exogenous toxins. Because of structural similarity to MPTP, beta-carbolines, like norharman and harman, have been proposed as putative neurotoxins. In vivo they may easily be formed by cyclization of indoleamines with e.g. aldehydes. For further elucidation of the role of beta-carbolines in neurodegenerative disorders harman and norharman levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in 14 patients with PD and compared to an age- and sex-matched control group (n = 14). CSF levels of norharman and harman in PD were significantly higher compared to controls. These results may suggest a possible role of harman and norharman or its N-methylated carbolinium ions in the pathophysiological processes initiating PD. However the origin of increased levels of these beta-carbolines remains unclear. On the one hand one may speculate, that unknown metabolic processes induce the increased synthesis of harman and norharman in PD. On the other hand a possible impact of exogenous sources may also be possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Kuhn
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Federal Republic of Germany
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65
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Kuhn W, Müller T, Grosse H, Dierks T, Rommelspacher H. Plasma levels of the beta-carbolines harman and norharman in Parkinson's disease. Acta Neurol Scand 1995; 92:451-4. [PMID: 8750109 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1995.tb00479.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that endogenous and exogenous toxins may play a major role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). In vivo aromatic beta-carbolines, like harman or norharman, may easily be formed by cyclization of indoleamines with e.g. aldehydes. Because of the structural similarity to MPTP, beta-carbolines have been proposed as endogenous toxins. For further elucidation of the role of beta-carbolines in neurodegenerative disorders, harman and norharman plasma levels were measured in 36 patients with PD and compared to an age- and sex-matched control group. Plasma levels of norharman in PD were significantly higher compared to the control group. Harman in the plasma of Parkinsonian patients was also elevated compared to controls, but this difference was not significant. Correlation of beta-carbolines with plasma levels of L-dopa, oral doses of bromocriptine and selegiline in treated Parkinsonian patients showed no significant results. On the one hand these results may suggest a possible role of beta-carbolines in the pathophysiological processes initiating PD, by, e.g., inducing mitochondrial respiratory inhibition like MPP+. One may speculate, however, that elevated levels of norharman and harman are due to an endogenous upregulation caused by unknown metabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Kuhn
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr University of Bochum, Germany
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66
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Fernández de Arriba A, Lizcano JM, Balsa MD, Unzeta M. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase from bovine retina by beta-carbolines. J Pharm Pharmacol 1994; 46:809-13. [PMID: 7699568 DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03735.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The behaviour of some beta-carboline derivatives as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase has been studied in bovine retina. Inhibition was found not to show any significant time dependence. Di- and tetrahydro-beta-carbolines were shown to behave as reversible and competitive inhibitors. In contrast, the fully unsaturated beta-carbolines harmane, harmine and harmaline, which showed deviation from linearity at high substrate concentrations, behaved as tight-binding inhibitors. In these cases, the concentration of the enzyme and the inhibitor were of the same order. This was confirmed by the Ki values for these compounds in the nanomolar concentration range. Consistent with this was that inhibition was only partly reversed by dialysis for 18 h at 4 degrees C, although complete reversal was observed after dialysis for the same period at 37 degrees C. Structure-activity relationships indicated that substitution of a methoxy group at the C7 position of the aromatic ring is determinant for this tight-binding behaviour; a substitution of this group at the C6 position greatly reduced inhibition. Since beta-carbolines have been reported to be formed endogenously, this suggests that they might have important physiological actions on monoamine oxidase activity in-vivo. In contrast, all the beta-carbolines investigated in this study had low potencies as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase B.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fernández de Arriba
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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67
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Cobuzzi RJ, Neafsey EJ, Collins MA. Differential cytotoxicities of N-methyl-beta-carbolinium analogues of MPP+ in PC12 cells: insights into potential neurotoxicants in Parkinson's disease. J Neurochem 1994; 62:1503-10. [PMID: 8133278 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1994.62041503.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
N-Methylated beta-carbolinium cations that can form in vivo from environmental or endogenous beta-carbolines are putative neurotoxic factors in Parkinson's disease. The cytotoxicities of 11 N-methylated beta-carbolinium cations and N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium cation (MPP+), the experimental parkinsonian neurotoxicant which the carbolinium cations structurally resemble, were examined using rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells cultured in "low energy" N-5 medium; cell death was estimated by released lactate dehydrogenase activity and viable cell protein. Of the eight N2-monomethylated beta-carbolinium cations utilized, only 2-methyl-harmalinium (harmaline-2-methiodide) was as cytotoxic as MPP+. Also, three N2(beta), N9(indole)-dimethylated beta-carbolinium cations displayed cytotoxic effects, with the simplest, 2,9-dimethylnorharmanium, approaching the effectiveness of MPP+ in PC12 cells cultured in N-5 medium. However, when PC12 cells grown in higher energy Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium were utilized with selected effective cations, it was observed that the cultures were relatively resistant to MPP+ and 2,9-dimethylnorharmanium, but remained vulnerable to 2-methylharmalinium. The results are interpreted to mean that different cytotoxic mechanisms exist for the two most potent beta-carbolinium cations--namely, a mechanism for the 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium species that, as with MPP+, is conditional on mitochondrial ATP depletion, but a different (or additional) mechanism for 2-methylharmalinium that is independent of mitochondrial inhibition. The possible accumulation of these cytotoxic cations in Parkinson's disease is discussed in the context of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Cobuzzi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois
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May T, Greube A, Strauss S, Heineke D, Lehmann J, Rommelspacher H. Comparison of the in vitro binding characteristics of the beta-carbolines harman and norharman in rat brain and liver and in bovine adrenal medulla. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 1994; 349:308-17. [PMID: 8208308 DOI: 10.1007/bf00169298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The in vitro binding of the naturally occurring beta-carbolines harman and norharman in their tritium-labelled forms to cell membranes from the rat brain and liver and from bovine adrenal medulla was investigated. Displacement of the specific [3H]harman binding in bovine adrenal medulla and rat liver by several beta-carbolines and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors revealed the pharmacological profile of a single, high-affinity binding site (KD 4.92 +/- 0.43 nmol/l, Bmax 8.47 +/- 0.17 pmol/mg protein; adrenal medulla) which corresponded to the active site of MAO type A (MAO-A). Similar characteristics have previously been found for brain tissue from rat, marmoset and pig. In order to determine the temperature dependence of the [3H]harman binding, the KD and Bmax values for rat cerebral cortex were calculated from the results of saturation experiments at 5 temperatures (range: 0 degree C-37 degrees C). Whereas the Bmax values under all conditions were approximately 4 pmol/mg protein, the KD values, with increasing temperature, ranged from approximately 3 nmol/l to 30 nmol/l. The calculated linear van't Hoff plot (-ln KD against 1/T) suggested an enthalpy-driven binding of [3H]harman to MAO-A. At least three different [3H]norharman-binding sites were detected. In the rat forebrain, approximately 85% of the specific binding (at about 2 nmol/l of [3H]norharman) can be attributed to a MAO binding site of type B: the binding is displaceable, in nmol/l concentrations by the potent and selective MAO-B inhibitors MDL 72,974 A, R(-)-deprenyl and pargyline and, in mumol/l concentrations, by S(+)-deprenyl and the potent and selective MAO-A inhibitors clorgyline, harmine, harman, harmaline, brofaromine 5-F-alpha-methyltryptamine. After suppression of the MAO binding sites with 1 mumol/l clorgyline and 1 mumol/l R(-)-deprenyl, a second binding site was found. However, the binding at this site was biphasically displaceable by harman and norharman (Hill-slopes about 0.5 and 0.6, curvilinear Rosenthal plots) suggesting the presence of negative co-operativity or of two binding sites (states). A similar clorgyline/R(-)-deprenyl resistant single (Hill-slopes of displacement by norharman, harman and 6-hydroxy-beta-carboline about unity; linear Rosenthal plots) high affinity binding sites (KD 7.5 +/- 2 nmol/l, Bmax 130+/- 30 fmol/mg protein) was found in bovine adrenal medullary cell membranes. A third quite different clorgyline/R(-)-deprenyl resistant high-affinity (KD approximately 14 nmol/l) and high-density (Bmax 10-30 pmol/mg protein) binding site was detected in the liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- T May
- Institut für Neuropsychopharmakologie, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany
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69
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Abstract
A number of neurodegenerative diseases selectively affect distinct neuronal populations, but the mechanisms responsible for selective cell vulnerability have generally remained unclear. The toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) reproduces the selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra characteristic of Parkinson's disease. The plasma membrane dopamine transporter mediates this selective toxicity through accumulation of the active metabolite N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). In contrast, the vesicular amine transporter protects against this form of injury by sequestering the toxin from its primary site of action in mitochondria. Together with the identification of defects in glutamate transport from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, these observations suggest that neurotransmitter transport may have a major role in neurodegenerative disease. The recent cloning of cDNAs encoding these transport proteins will help to explore this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Edwards
- Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-1769
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70
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Krueger MJ, Tan AK, Ackrell BA, Singer TP. Is complex II involved in the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium cation (MMP+) and N-methyl-beta-carbolines? Biochem J 1993; 291 ( Pt 3):673-6. [PMID: 8489493 PMCID: PMC1132419 DOI: 10.1042/bj2910673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported that N-methyl-beta-carbolinium analogues of the neurotoxic N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium cation (MPP+) inhibit NADH-linked mitochondrial oxidations, as well as mitochondrial respiration on succinate nearly to the same extent [Fields, Albores, Neafsey and Collins (1992) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 294, 539-544]. Those authors further claimed that MPP+ itself also blocks respiration through succinate dehydrogenase, in addition to its well-known effect on NADH dehydrogenase (Complex I), and concluded that both effects may contribute to the development of Parkinsonian symptoms. Since N-methyl-beta-carboliniums are thought to be endogenous metabolites, these findings, if verified, would have important implications on the etiology of idiopathic Parkinsonism. We have re-examined these observations, using mitochondria after full activation of succinate dehydrogenase, as well as submitochondrial particles, in which complexities due to membrane transport are not present. We report the following observations. (1) N-Methyl-beta-carboliniums inhibit mitochondrial respiration on NAD(+)-linked substrates in a time-dependent manner, and the inhibition is potentiated by the presence of tetraphenylboron anion (TPB-), as expected for positively charged compounds. (2) Unlike MPP+ itself, however, these compounds are uncouplers at higher concentrations, so that the effects seen in State 3 cannot be assigned exclusively to inhibition of NADH oxidation. (3) The effects on succinate oxidation in mitochondria, in which the full activity of the enzyme is expressed, are 1-1.5 orders of magnitude lower than on respiration via Complex I and are thus unlikely to contribute significantly to the neurotoxicity. (4) The effect of MPP+ on mitochondrial respiration via succinate dehydrogenase is trivial, in accord with previous reports from several laboratories, but contradicting the findings of Fields et al. (cited above). (5) In submitochondrial particles the inhibition of NADH oxidation (via the complete respiratory chain) has been confirmed, but it differs markedly from the action of MPP+ in two respects. First, the enhancement by TPB- is very small; secondly, the inhibition of NADH oxidation measured using ubiquinone (Q) analogues is far lower, suggesting that Complex I is not the only target. (6) In submitochondrial particles the inhibition of succinate oxidation by either O2 or Q analogues is incomplete, trivial or absent. (7) We thus conclude that we find no basis for assigning any potential biological effect of N-methyl-beta-carboliniums to the blockade of succinate oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Krueger
- Molecular Biology Division, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121
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71
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72
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Abstract
Understanding the cellular response to hypoxia may help elucidate the role of altered oxidation in neuronal death or abnormal cell function. In PC12 cells, 30 min of chemical hypoxia (i.e., KCN) reduced ATP concentrations by 92%, but diminished viability by only 10%. Ten minutes of hypoxia increased cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) 2.5-fold above control, but after 30 min of hypoxia, [Ca2+]i was slightly below that of nonhypoxic cells. Short periods of hypoxia also exaggerated the K(+)-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i, but by 30 min these ATP-depleted cells reestablished a calcium gradient that was equal to nonhypoxic, K(+)-depolarized cells. Thus, 30 min of severe ATP depletion left [Ca2+]i and viability relatively unaffected. Nerve growth factor caused slight, but significant, improvements in ATP and viability of hypoxic cells, but had no effect on [Ca2+]i. Although [Ca2+]i was equivalent in control and hypoxic cells after 30 or 60 min, hypoxia abolished the K(+)-stimulated elevation of [Ca2+]i. The nerve growth factor induction of c-fos, an indicator of the genomic response, was diminished by approximately 80%. Thus, hypoxic PC12 cells with greatly reduced ATP stores maintained normal [Ca2+]i, but their ability to respond to external stimulation was impaired. Further, the reduced oxidation that occurs in the brain in a variety of pathological conditions may interfere with the cellular response to stimulation and growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Carroll
- College of Pharmacy, St. Johns University, Jamaica, New York
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73
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Matsubara K, Neafsey EJ, Collins MA. Novel S-adenosylmethionine-dependent indole-N-methylation of beta-carbolines in brain particulate fractions. J Neurochem 1992; 59:511-8. [PMID: 1629724 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1992.tb09400.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Guinea pig brain S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent N-methyltransferase activity toward physiologically relevant beta-carboline (BC) substrates was examined with reverse-phase HPLC and radiochemical detection. Representative BCs, norharman and harmine, were enzymatically methylated on the 2[beta]-nitrogen by [3H]CH3-SAM in undialyzed homogenates to yield 2[beta]-methylated BCs and subsequently on the 9[indole]-nitrogen to generate 2,9-dimethylated BC products. This may be the first account of mammalian indole N-methyl transfer. There was no HPLC evidence for 9-methyl BC or (from carbon methylation) 2,6-dimethyl BC products. Capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the structures of the 2,9-dimethyl and 2-methyl products of norharman. The 2[beta]- and 9[indole]-N-methylation activities were mainly in the nuclear fractions and were negligible in undialyzed cytosol. This differs from the cytosolic SAM-dependent N-methylations reported with other azaheterocyclics, including 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-BCs. The involvement of a single enzyme was suggested because the two N-methyl transfers with BC substrate had similar subcellular activity patterns, regional brain distributions, and Km and Vmax values. Sequential N-methylation of various BCs that have been observed in vivo may be a unique route to centrally retained N2,N9-dimethylated beta-carbolinium ions. Because they resemble the synthetic parkinsonian toxicant, N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, with respect to structure and neurotoxic activity, such "bioactivated" carbolinium ions could be endogenous causative factors in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Matsubara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois 60153
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74
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Matsubara K, Collins MA, Neafsey EJ. Mono-N-methylation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carbolines in brain cytosol: absence of indole methylation. J Neurochem 1992; 59:505-10. [PMID: 1629723 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1992.tb09399.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In an accompanying report we demonstrated enzyme activity in guinea pig brain cell nuclei that catalyzes S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent N-methylations of heteroaromatic beta-carbolines (BCs) on the 2[beta]-nitrogen and subsequently on the 9[indole]-nitrogen, ultimately yielding N2,N9-dimethylated BCs. Presented here are the results of a parallel study of the N-methylation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-BCs (THBCs), which form endogenously via condensations of tryptophan and its derived indoles with carbonyl compounds or, like their BC oxidation products, are environmental constituents and plant alkaloids. THBCs were enzymatically methylated on the 2[beta]-nitrogen by [3H]-SAM in undialyzed homogenates of rat or guinea pig brain, but [3H]methyl transfer to the 9[indole]-nitrogen was not observed. The structure of the 2[beta]-methyl THBC product was verified with capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, whereas BC N-methylation was largely particulate and displayed micromolar Km values for BC substrate, THBC 2[beta]-N-methylation activity was cytosolic and displayed a relatively high (millimolar) Km for THBC substrate. The N-methylation of THBCs may be due to cytosolic N-methyltransferases that others have studied using different azaheterocyclics. Our overall studies indicate that N2,N9-dimethylated BCs could be unique neurotoxic factors that are bioactivated within brain by sequential N-methylations of BCs. These results suggest the possibility of an additional route to the putative 2,9-dimethylated toxins involving, as a first step, 2[beta]-N-methylation of environmental or endogenously derived THBCs in the brain and perhaps other organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Matsubara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois 60153
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75
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Fields JZ, Albores R, Neafsey EJ, Collins MA. Similar inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP+) and by a unique N-methylated beta-carboline analogue, 2,9-dimethyl-norharman (2,9Me2NH). Ann N Y Acad Sci 1992; 648:272-4. [PMID: 1637055 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1992.tb24554.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Z Fields
- Department of Pharmacology, Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois 60153
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76
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Collins MA, Neafsey EJ, Matsubara K, Cobuzzi R, Albores R, Fields J, Rollema H. Indole-N-methylation of beta-carbolines: the brain's bioactivation route to toxins in Parkinson's disease? Ann N Y Acad Sci 1992; 648:263-5. [PMID: 1637053 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1992.tb24551.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M A Collins
- Loyola University Medical School, Maywood, IL 60153
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77
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78
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Sayre LM, Wang FJ, Arora PK, Riachi NJ, Harik SI, Hoppel CL. Dopaminergic neurotoxicity in vivo and inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in vitro by possible endogenous pyridinium-like substances. J Neurochem 1991; 57:2106-15. [PMID: 1940917 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1991.tb06429.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Elucidation of the mechanism(s) by which 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its active metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) cause parkinsonism in humans and other primates has prompted consideration of possible endogenous MPTP/MPP(+)-like neurotoxins in the etiology of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Here we examined inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in vitro and neurotoxicity in rats in vivo produced by beta-carbolinium compounds that are presumed to form following Pictet-Spengler cyclization of serotonin. We also evaluated N-methylisoquinolinium, a putative endogenous neurotoxin, in the same manner. The latter compound exhibited MPP(+)-like mitochondrial respiratory inhibition, whereas the beta-carbolinium compounds, although more potent inhibitors of electron transport, exhibited weak accumulation-dependent enhancement of inhibition in intact mitochondria. It is interesting that the beta-carbolinium compounds inhibited succinate- as well as glutamate-supported respiration, and are best described as inhibitor-uncouplers. The results of partitioning experiments suggest that both the low accumulation potential and the inhibition of succinate respiration may be a consequence of the beta-carboliniums being in equilibrium with neutral "anhydro" bases. Relative to MPP+, all compounds tested had weak dopaminergic uptake activity in vitro and weak dopaminergic toxicity in vivo, consistent with other findings of relatively low neurotoxic potential for presumed endogenous pyridiniums.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Sayre
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
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