High constitutive activity of native H3 receptors regulates histamine neurons in brain

What can we learn from seasonal animals about the regulation of energy balance?

Weight loss in humans requires, except during an illness, some form of imposed restriction on food intake or increase in energy expenditure. This necessitates overcoming powerful peripheral and central signals that serve to protect against negative energy balance. The identification of the systems and pathways involved has come from mouse models with genetic and targeted mutations, e.g., ob/ob and MC4 R(-/-) as well as rat models of obesity. Study of seasonal animals has shown that they undergo annual cycles of body fattening and adipose tissue loss as important adaptations to environmental change, yet these changes appear to involve mechanisms distinct from those known already. One animal model, the Siberian hamster, exhibits marked, but reversible, weight loss in response to shortening day length. The body weight is driven by a decrease in food intake with the magnitude of the loss of body weight being directly related to the length of time of exposure to short photoperiod. The most important facet of this response is that the point of energy balance is continuously re-adjusted during the transition in body weight reflecting an apparent 'sliding set point'. Studies have focused on identifying the neural basis of this mechanism. Initial studies of known genes (e.g., NPY, POMC, and AgRP) both through the measurement of gene expression in the arcuate nucleus as well as following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection indicated that the systems involved are not those involved in restoring energy balance following energy deficits. Instead, a novel mechanism of regulation is implied. Recent studies have begun to explore the neural basis of the seasonal body weight response. A discrete and novel region of the posterior arcuate nucleus, the dorsal medial posterior arcuate nucleus (dmpARC) has been identified, where a battery of gene expression changes for signalling molecules (vgf and histamine H3 receptor) and transcription factors (RXRgamma and RAR) occur in association with seasonal changes in body weight. This work provides the basis of a potentially novel mechanism of energy balance regulation.

The G protein-coupled receptors: pharmacogenetics and disease

Genetic variation in G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is associated with a wide spectrum of disease phenotypes and predispositions that are of special significance because they are the targets of therapeutic agents. Each variant provides an opportunity to understand receptor function that complements a plethora of available in vitro data elucidating the pharmacology of the GPCRs. For example, discrete portions of the proximal tail of the dopamine D1 receptor have been discovered, in vitro, that may be involved in desensitization, recycling and trafficking. Similar in vitro strategies have been used to elucidate naturally occurring GPCR mutations. Inactive, over-active or constitutively active receptors have been identified by changes in ligand binding, G-protein coupling, receptor desensitization and receptor recycling. Selected examples reviewed include those disorders resulting from mutations in rhodopsin, thyrotropin, luteinizing hormone, vasopressin and angiotensin receptors. By comparison, the recurrent pharmacogenetic variants are more likely to result in an altered predisposition to complex disease in the population. These common variants may affect receptor sequence without intrinsic phenotype change or spontaneous induction of disease and yet result in significant alteration in drug efficacy. These pharmacogenetic phenomena will be reviewed with respect to a limited sampling of GPCR systems including the orexin/hypocretin system, the beta2 adrenergic receptors, the cysteinyl leukotriene receptors and the calcium-sensing receptor. These developments will be discussed with respect to strategies for drug discovery that take into account the potential for the development of drugs targeted at mutated and wild-type proteins.

Physiological relevance of constitutive activity of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors

It is generally accepted that seven-transmembrane receptors have the capacity to regulate cellular signaling systems in the absence of occupancy by a ligand (i.e. the receptors display constitutive activity). Drugs can increase (agonists), decrease (inverse agonists) or not change (antagonists) receptor activity towards a cellular effector. Moreover, some drugs (protean ligands) have multiple pharmacological properties (e.g. agonism towards one response and inverse agonism towards another response coupled to the same receptor and measured from the same cells, simultaneously). In this article, we describe response-dependent constitutive activity and ligand pharmacology for 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors in vitro. Moreover, we provide evidence that 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor constitutive activity is physiologically relevant in vivo and suggest that strong consideration should be given to the impact of constitutive receptor activity on disease and the therapeutic potential of inverse agonism.

Structural basis for inhibition of histamine N-methyltransferase by diverse drugs

In mammals, histamine action is terminated through metabolic inactivation by histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) and diamine oxidase. In addition to three well-studied pharmacological functions, smooth muscle contraction, increased vascular permeability, and stimulation of gastric acid secretion, histamine plays important roles in neurotransmission, immunomodulation, and regulation of cell proliferation. The histamine receptor H1 antagonist diphenhydramine, the antimalarial drug amodiaquine, the antifolate drug metoprine, and the anticholinesterase drug tacrine (an early drug for Alzheimer's disease) are surprisingly all potent HNMT inhibitors, having inhibition constants in the range of 10-100nM. We have determined the structural mode of interaction of these four inhibitors with HNMT. Despite their structural diversity, they all occupy the histamine-binding site, thus blocking access to the enzyme's active site. Near the N terminus of HNMT, several aromatic residues (Phe9, Tyr15, and Phe19) adopt different rotamer conformations or become disordered in the enzyme-inhibitor complexes, accommodating the diverse, rigid hydrophobic groups of the inhibitors. The maximized shape complementarity between the protein aromatic side-chains and aromatic ring(s) of the inhibitors are responsible for the tight binding of these varied inhibitors.

Historical review: Negative efficacy and the constitutive activity of G-protein-coupled receptors

The idea that a receptor can produce signalling without agonist intervention and that several antagonists can be 'active' in repressing such spontaneous activity is contained in the concept of ligand-induced conformational changes. Yet, this idea was neglected by pharmacologists for many years. In this article, we review the events that brought inverse agonism and constitutive activity to general attention and made this phenomenon a topic of current research. We also suggest a classification of antagonists based on the cooperativity that links their primary site of interaction with other functional domains of the receptor.

Pharmacological characterization of novel adenosine ligands in recombinant and native human A2B receptors

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of novel and recognised compounds at human recombinant A(2B) adenosine receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (hA(2B)CHO), in human embryonic kidney 293 (hA(2B)HEK-293) and at endogenous A(2B) receptors in human mast cells (HMC-1). Saturation binding experiments performed using the new high affinity A(2B) adenosine radioligand [(3)H]-N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-2-[5-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,6,7-tetra hydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy]-acetamide ([(3)H]-MRE 2029F20) revealed a single class of binding sites in hA(2B)CHO, hA(2B)HEK-293 and HMC-1 cells with K(D) (nM) of 1.65+/-0.18, 2.83+/-0.34, 2.62+/-0.27 and B(max) (fmol/mg protein) of 36+/-4, 475+/-50 and 128+/-15, respectively. The pharmacological profile of new compounds, determined in inhibition binding experiments in hA(2B)HEK-293 cells using [(3)H]-MRE 2029F20, showed a rank order of potency typical of the A(2B) receptors with K(i) values in the range 3.2-28nM. In functional assays, recognised agonists and antagonists were studied by evaluating their capability to modulate the cAMP production in hA(2B)CHO and in HMC-1 cells. Novel compounds were able to decrease NECA-stimulated cAMP production in hA(2B)CHO and in HMC-1 cells showing a high potency. New compounds were also able to inhibit cAMP levels in the absence of NECA and in the presence of forskolin stimulation in hA(2B)CHO and in HMC-1 cells. In HEK-293 cells MRE 2029F20 reduced cAMP basal levels with an IC(50) value of 2.9+/-0.3nM. These results suggest that novel compounds are antagonists with an inverse agonist activity in recombinant and native human A(2B) receptors.

Histamine excites noradrenergic neurons in locus coeruleus in rats

Histamine is implicated in the control of many brain functions, in particular the control of arousal. Histaminergic neurons send dense projections through the entire brain, including the locus coeruleus (LC)--the main noradrenergic (NAergic) nucleus. In this study, we have examined the effect of bath-applied histamine on cells in the LC by single-unit recordings in slices and the expression of histamine receptors in this area by single-cell RT-PCR. Histamine (10 microM) increased the firing of NAergic cells to 130+/-9% of control, 100 microM to 256+/-58% of control. This excitation was unaffected by blocking synaptic transmission. Histamine-mediated excitation was blocked by an H1 receptor antagonist, mepyramine, in 78% of cells and by cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, in 42% of cells, but not by the H3 receptor antagonist, thioperamide. RT-PCR revealed that mRNA for the H1 receptor was expressed in 77% of isolated LC neurons, mRNA for the H2 receptor in 41% of LC neurons and H3 receptors in 29%. These findings underline the coordination between aminergic systems and suggest that the arousal induced by the histamine system could involve excitation of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus.

Constitutively Active Homo-oligomeric Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Induces Cell Signaling Independent of Receptor Conformation and Ligand Stimulation

Members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily (GPCRs) undergo homo- and/or hetero-oligomerization to induce cell signaling. Although some of these show constitutive activation, it is not clear how such GPCRs undergo homo-oligomerization with transmembrane helix movement. We previously reported that angiotensin II (Ang II) type 2 (AT(2)) receptor, a GPCR, showed constitutive activation and induced apoptosis independent of its ligand, Ang II. In the present study, we analyzed the translocation and oligomerization of the AT(2) receptor with transmembrane movement when the receptor induces cell signaling. Constitutively active homo-oligomerization, which was due to disulfide bonding between Cys(35) in one AT(2) receptor and Cys(290) in another AT(2) receptor, was localized in the cell membrane without Ang II stimulation and induced apoptosis without changes in receptor conformation. These results provide the direct evidence that the constitutively active homo-oligomeric GPCRs by intermolecular interaction in two extracellular loops is translocated to the cell membrane and induces cell signaling independent of receptor conformation and ligand stimulation.

Assessment of pharmacology and potential anti-obesity properties of H3receptor antagonists/inverse agonists

Histamine is a key neurotransmitter that alters central nervous system functions in both behavioural and homeostatic contexts through its actions on the histamine (H) subreceptors H(1), H(2) and H(3) G-protein-coupled receptors. H(3)receptors have a diverse central nervous system distribution where they function as both homo- and hetero-receptors to modulate the synthesis and/or release of several neurotransmitters. H(3) receptors are constitutively active, which implies that antagonists of H(3) receptors may also function as inverse agonists to alter the basal state of the receptor and uncouple constitutive receptor-G-protein interactions. Reference H(3) antagonists such as thioperamide and ciproxifan, administered either centrally or systemically, have been shown to cause changes in food consumption and/or body weight in proof-of-concept studies. More recently, several non-imidazole-based H(3) antagonists/inverse agonists have also been described with efficacy in at least one animal model of human obesity. Considerable preclinical effort remains necessary before such compounds achieve therapeutic success or failure. Moreover, ongoing research in a number of laboratories has shed new insights into the effects of H(3) ligands in the control of feeding, appetite and body weight, which offer different results and conclusions. The goal of this review is to appraise these findings and forecast whether any H(3) antagonists/inverse agonists will provide clinical utility to treat human obesity.

Differential inverse agonist efficacies of SB-258719, SB-258741 and SB-269970 at human recombinant serotonin 5-HT7 receptors

Recombinant 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT7 receptors are known to express constitutive, i.e., agonist-independent activity. Nonselective ligands, like methiothepin, ritanserin or clozapine behave as full inverse agonists at 5-HT7 receptors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the degree of inverse agonist activity of three selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonists ((R)-3,N-dimethyl-N-[1-methyl-3-(4-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)propyl]benzene sulfonamide or SB-258719, R-(+)-1-(toluene-3-sulfonyl)-2-[2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)ethyl]-pyrrolidine or SB-258741 and (R)-3-(2-(2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)ethyl)-pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenol or SB-269970) in the same model. cAMP accumulation was measured in intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human recombinant 5-HT7a receptors. In these cells, 5-HT stimulated cAMP levels and a series of ligands antagonized the effect of 5-HT with a 5-HT7 receptor-like profile. SB-258719 had no inverse agonist activity, SB-258741 behaved as a partial inverse agonist and SB-269970 was a quasi-full inverse agonist (as compared to methiothepin). The inverse agonist effect of SB-269970 was antagonized in a concentration-dependent manner by SB-258719. The widespread spectrum of inverse agonist activities shown by these compounds should help assessing the physiological relevance of constitutive 5-HT7 receptor activity in native tissues.

The H3 receptor protean agonist proxyfan enhances the expression of fear memory in the rat

Consolidation of fear memory requires neural changes to occur in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), including modulation of histaminergic neurotransmission. We previously demonstrated that local blockade or activation of histamine H3 receptors in the BLA impaired or ameliorated, respectively, retention of fear memory. The histamine H3 receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) displaying high constitutive activity that regulates histamine neurons in the brain. Proxyfan is a high-affinity histamine H3 receptor protean agonist exhibiting the full spectrum of pharmacological activities, from full agonist to full inverse agonist depending on the competition between constitutively active and quiescent H3 receptors in a given tissue or brain region. Therefore, protean agonists are powerful tools to investigate receptor conformation and may be useful in designing specific compounds selective for the various receptor conformations. In the present study we examined the effect of post-training, systemic or intra-BLA injections of proxyfan on contextual fear memory. Rats receiving intra-BLA, bilateral injections of 1.66 ng proxyfan immediately after fear conditioning showed stronger memory for the context-footshock association, as demonstrated by longer freezing assessed at retention performed 72 hr later compared to controls. Comparable results were obtained when doses as low as 0.04 mg/kg of proxyfan were injected systemically. Hence, our results suggest that proxyfan behaves as an H3 receptor agonist with a low level of constitutive activity of the H3 receptor in the rat BLA.

G protein-dependent pharmacology of histamine H3 receptor ligands: evidence for heterogeneous active state receptor conformations

Previously reported pharmacological studies using the imidazole-containing histamine H3 receptor ligands GT-2331 (Cipralisant) and proxyfan resulted in a range of classifications (antagonist, agonist, and protean) for these compounds. We examined the role that the signaling system, with particular emphasis on the type of G protein, had on the pharmacology observed for H3 ligands. Ligands were assessed using assays measuring neurotransmitter release, cAMP, and guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding. Whereas clobenpropit and ciproxifan were consistently antagonists, GT-2331, proxyfan, and imetit exhibited differential activity. Although GT-2331 and proxyfan exhibited little agonist activity in neurotransmitter release assays, both demonstrated full agonism relative to (R)-alpha-methylhistamine in cAMP assays. In [35S]GTPgammaS binding assays, GT-2331 and proxyfan demonstrated partial agonism. Imetit showed full agonism in most assays, but it was slightly less efficacious in a neurotransmitter release assay and in [35S]GTPgammaS binding at the human H3 receptor. To further examine these ligands, we coexpressed G alpha16 or chimeric G alpha q/i5 in human embryonic kidney cells expressing the human H3 receptor and assayed intracellular calcium and cAMP levels. GT-2331, proxyfan, and imetit demonstrated full agonism in all assays of cAMP activity. However, in cells expressing G alpha16, they exhibited minimal agonism in calcium mobilization assays, whereas imetit showed partial agonism. When G alpha q/i5 was used, the activity of both GT-2331 and proxyfan increased, whereas imetit became a full agonist. These results demonstrate that GT-2331 and proxyfan's differential pharmacology at the H3 receptor depends on the type of G protein used and provide indirect evidence for differential ligand-bound active states that mediate signaling by the H3 receptor.

The histamine H3 receptor: from gene cloning to H3 receptor drugs

Since the cloning of the histamine H(3) receptor cDNA in 1999 by Lovenberg and co-workers, this histamine receptor has gained the interest of many pharmaceutical companies as a potential drug target for the treatment of various important disorders, including obesity, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, as well as for myocardial ischaemia, migraine and inflammatory diseases. Here, we discuss relevant information on this target protein and describe the development of various H(3) receptor agonists and antagonists, and their effects in preclinical animal models.

Histamine-cytokine connection in immunity and hematopoiesis

A number of recent studies have led to a reappraisal of the functional capacities of histamine in immunity and hematopoiesis. This change of perspective was provided by the following findings: (1) the evidence for multiple cellular sources of histamine, differing from mature basophils and mast cells by their ability to newly synthesize and liberate the mediator without prior storage, (2) the discovery of a novel histamine receptor (H4R), preferentially expressed on hematopoietic and immunocompetent cells, (3) the potential intracellular activity of histamine through cytochrome P450 and (4) the demonstration of a histamine-cytokine cross-talk. Indeed, cytokines not only modulate the degranulation process of histamine but also control its neosynthesis by the histamine-forming enzyme, histidine decarboxylase (HDC), at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In turn, histamine intervenes in the intricate cytokine network, regulating cytokine production by immune cells through distinct receptors signaling distinct biological effects. This type of regulation is particularly relevant in the context of TH1/TH2 differentiation, autoimmunity and tumor immunotherapy.

Pharmacological Properties of ABT-239 [4-(2-{2-[(2R)-2-Methylpyrrolidinyl]ethyl}-benzofuran-5-yl)benzonitrile]: II. Neurophysiological Characterization and Broad Preclinical Efficacy in Cognition and Schizophrenia of a Potent and Selective Histamine H3 Receptor Antagonist

Acute pharmacological blockade of central histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) enhances arousal/attention in rodents. However, there is little information available for other behavioral domains or for repeated administration using selective compounds. ABT-239 [4-(2-{2-[(2R)-2-methylpyrrolidinyl]ethyl}-benzofuran-5-yl)benzonitrile] exemplifies such a selective, nonimidazole H3R antagonist with high affinity for rat (pK(i) = 8.9) and human (pK(i) = 9.5) H3Rs. Acute functional blockade of central H3Rs was demonstrated by blocking the dipsogenia response to the selective H3R agonist (R)-alpha-methylhistamine in mice. In cognition studies, acquisition of a five-trial, inhibitory avoidance test in rat pups was improved with ABT-239 (0.1-1.0 mg/kg), a 10- to 150-fold gain in potency, with similar efficacy, over previous antagonists such as thioperamide, ciproxifan, A-304121 [(4-(3-(4-((2R)-2-aminopropanoyl)-1-piperazinyl)propoxy)phenyl)(cyclopropyl) methanone], A-317920 [N-((1R)-2-(4-(3-(4-(cyclopropylcarbonyl) phenoxy)propyl)-1-piperazinyl)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl)-2-furamide], and A-349821 [(4'-(3-((R,R)2,5-dimethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propoxy)-biphenyl-4-yl)-morpholin-4-yl-methanone]. Efficacy in this model was maintained for 3 to 6 h and following repeated dosing with ABT-239. Social memory was also improved in adult (0.01-0.3 mg/kg) and aged (0.3-1.0 mg/kg) rats. In schizophrenia models, ABT-239 improved gating deficits in DBA/2 mice using prepulse inhibition of startle (1.0-3.0 mg/kg) and N40 (1.0-10.0 mg/kg). Furthermore, ABT-239 (1.0 mg/kg) attenuated methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity in mice. In freely moving rat microdialysis studies, ABT-239 enhanced acetylcholine release (0.1-3.0 mg/kg) in adult rat frontal cortex and hippocampus and enhanced dopamine release in frontal cortex (3.0 mg/kg), but not striatum. In summary, broad efficacy was observed with ABT-239 across animal models such that potential clinical efficacy may extend beyond disorders such as ADHD to include Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

Pharmacological properties of ABT-239 [4-(2-{2-[(2R)-2-Methylpyrrolidinyl]ethyl}-benzofuran-5-yl)benzonitrile]: I. Potent and selective histamine H3 receptor antagonist with drug-like properties

Histamine H3 receptor antagonists are being developed to treat a variety of neurological and cognitive disorders that may be ameliorated by enhancement of central neurotransmitter release. Here, we present the in vitro pharmacological and in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles for the nonimidazole, benzofuran ligand ABT-239 [4-(2-{2-[(2R)-2-methylpyrrolidinyl]ethyl}-benzofuran-5-yl)benzonitrile] and compare it with several previously described imidazole and nonimidazole H3 receptor antagonists. ABT-239 binds to recombinant human and rat H3 receptors with high affinity, with pK(i) values of 9.4 and 8.9, respectively, and is over 1000-fold selective versus human H1, H2, and H4 histamine receptors. ABT-239 is a potent H3 receptor antagonist at recombinant human and rat receptors, reversing agonist-induced changes in cAMP formation (pK(b) = 7.9 and 7.6, respectively), guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thio) triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding (pK(b) = 9.0 and 8.3, respectively), and calcium mobilization (human pK(b) = 7.9). ABT-239 also competitively reversed histamine-mediated inhibition of [3H]histamine release from rat brain cortical synaptosomes (pK(b) = 7.7) and agonist-induced inhibition of contractile responses in electric field stimulated guinea pig ileal segments (pA2 = 8.7). Additionally, ABT-239 is a potent inverse agonist, inhibiting constitutive [35S]GTPgammaS binding at both rat and human H3 receptors with respective pEC50 values of 8.9 and 8.2. ABT-239 demonstrates good pharmacokinetic characteristics in rat, dog, and monkey with t1/2 values ranging from 4 to 29 h, corresponding with clearance values and metabolic turnover in liver microsomes from these species, and good oral bioavailability ranging from 52 to 89%. Thus, ABT-239 is a selective, nonimidazole H3 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist with similar high potency in both human and rat and favorable drug-like properties.

4-(2-[2-(2(R)-Methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl]benzofuran-5-yl)benzonitrile and Related 2-Aminoethylbenzofuran H3 Receptor Antagonists Potently Enhance Cognition and Attention

H(3) receptor antagonists based on a 2-aminoethylbenzofuran skeleton have been discovered, which are potent in vitro at human and rat H(3) receptors, with K(i) values of 0.1-5.8 nM. Analogues were discovered with potent (0.01-1 mg/kg) cognition and attention enhancing properties in animal models. One compound in particular, 4-(2-[2-(2(R)-methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl]benzofuran-5-yl)benzonitrile (ABT-239), combined potent and selective H(3) receptor antagonism and excellent pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties across species, with full efficacy in two behavioral models: a five-trial inhibitory avoidance acquisition model in rat pups at 0.1 mg/kg and a social recognition memory model in adult rats at 0.01 mg/kg. Furthermore, this compound did not stimulate locomotor activity and showed high selectivity for the induction of behavioral efficacy versus central nervous system based side effects. The potency and selectivity of this compound and of analogues from this class support the potential of H(3) receptor antagonists for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.

The histamine H3 receptor as a novel therapeutic target for cognitive and sleep disorders

Histamine H3 receptor pharmacology, functions and biochemistry are far from being fully understood; however, progress is being made. Activation of this Gi/GO-protein-coupled receptor affects cognition, the sleep-wake cycle, obesity and epilepsy, which are physiological and pathological conditions that are the main focus of research into the therapeutic potential of selective H3 receptor ligands. This heterogeneity of targets can be reconciled partially by the fact that the histamine system constitutes one of the most important brain-activating systems and that H3 receptors regulate the activity of histamine and other neurotransmitter systems. Furthermore, the H3 receptor shows functional constitutive activity, polymorphisms in humans and rodents with a differential distribution of splice variants in the CNS, and potential coupling to different intracellular signal transduction mechanisms. In light of the genetic, pharmacological and functional complexity of the H3 receptor, the importance of the histamine system as a therapeutic target to control the sleep-wake cycle and cognitive disorders will be discussed.

ERK1/2 Controls Na,K-ATPase Activity and Transepithelial Sodium Transport in the Principal Cell of the Cortical Collecting Duct of the Mouse Kidney

The collecting duct of normal kidney exhibits significant activity of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway as shown in vivo by immunostaining of phosphorylated active ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). The MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway controls many different ion transports both in proximal and distal nephron, raising the question of whether this pathway is involved in the basal and/or hormone-dependent transepithelial sodium reabsorption in the principal cell of the cortical collecting duct (CCD), a process mediated by the apical epithelial sodium channel and the basolateral sodium pump (Na,K-ATPase). To answer this question we used ex vivo microdissected CCDs from normal mouse kidney or in vitro cultured mpkCCDcl4 principal cells. Significant basal levels of pERK1/2 were observed ex vivo and in vitro. Aldosterone and vasopressin, known to up-regulate sodium reabsorption in CCDs, did not change ERK1/2 activity either ex vivo or in vitro. Basal and aldosterone- or vasopressin-stimulated sodium transport was down-regulated by the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, in parallel with a decrease in pERK1/2 in vitro. The activity of Na,K-ATPase but not that of epithelial sodium channel was inhibited by MEK1/2 inhibitors in both unstimulated and aldosterone- or vasopressin-stimulated CCDs in vitro. Cell surface biotinylation showed that intrinsic activity rather than cell surface expression of Na,K-ATPase was controlled by pERK1/2. PD98059 also significantly inhibited the activity of Na,K-ATPase ex vivo. Our data demonstrate that the ERK1/2 pathway controls Na,K-ATPase activity and transepithelial sodium transport in the principal cell and indicate that basal constitutive activity of the ERK1/2 pathway is a critical component of this control.

Mutant G-protein-coupled receptors as a cause of human diseases

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are involved in directly and indirectly controlling an extraordinary variety of physiological functions. Their key roles in cellular communication have made them the target for more than 60% of all currently prescribed drugs. Mutations in GPCR can cause acquired and inherited diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), hypo- and hyperthyroidism, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, several fertility disorders, and even carcinomas. To date, over 600 inactivating and almost 100 activating mutations in GPCR have been identified which are responsible for more than 30 different human diseases. The number of human disorders is expected to increase given the fact that over 160 GPCR have been targeted in mice. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge relevant to understanding the molecular basis of GPCR function, with primary emphasis on the mechanisms underlying GPCR malfunction responsible for different human diseases.

Antiobesity effects of A-331440, a novel non-imidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonist

Histamine affects homeostatic mechanisms, including food and water consumption, by acting on central nervous system (CNS) receptors. Presynaptic histamine H(3) receptors regulate release of histamine and other neurotransmitters, and histamine H(3) receptor antagonists enhance neurotransmitter release. A-331440 [4'-[3-(3(R)-(dimethylamino)-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propoxy]-biphenyl-4-carbonitrile] is a histamine H(3) receptor antagonist which binds potently and selectively to both human and rat histamine H(3) receptors (K(i)<==25 nM). Mice were stabilized on a high-fat diet (45 kcal % lard) prior to 28-day oral b.i.d. dosing for measurement of obesity-related parameters. A-331440 administered at 0.5 mg/kg had no significant effect on weight, whereas 5 mg/kg decreased weight comparably to dexfenfluramine (10 mg/kg). A-331440 administered at 15 mg/kg reduced weight to a level comparable to mice on the low-fat diet. The two higher doses reduced body fat and the highest dose also normalized an insulin tolerance test. These data show that the histamine H(3) receptor antagonist, A-331440, has potential as an antiobesity agent.

Acute wake-promoting actions of JNJ-5207852, a novel, diamine-based H3 antagonist

1 1-[4-(3-piperidin-1-yl-propoxy)-benzyl]-piperidine (JNJ-5207852) is a novel, non-imidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonist, with high affinity at the rat (pKi=8.9) and human (pKi=9.24) H3 receptor. JNJ-5207852 is selective for the H3 receptor, with negligible binding to other receptors, transporters and ion channels at 1 microm. 2 JNJ-5207852 readily penetrates the brain tissue after subcutaneous (s.c.) administration, as determined by ex vivo autoradiography (ED50 of 0.13 mg kg(-1) in mice). In vitro autoradiography with 3H-JNJ-5207852 in mouse brain slices shows a binding pattern identical to that of 3H-R-alpha-methylhistamine, with high specific binding in the cortex, striatum and hypothalamus. No specific binding of 3H-JNJ-5207852 was observed in brains of H3 receptor knockout mice. 3 In mice and rats, JNJ-5207852 (1-10 mg kg(-1) s.c.) increases time spent awake and decreases REM sleep and slow-wave sleep, but fails to have an effect on wakefulness or sleep in H3 receptor knockout mice. No rebound hypersomnolence, as measured by slow-wave delta power, is observed. The wake-promoting effects of this H3 receptor antagonist are not associated with hypermotility. 4 A 4-week daily treatment of mice with JNJ-5207852 (10 mg kg(-1) i.p.) did not lead to a change in body weight, possibly due to the compound being a neutral antagonist at the H3 receptor. 5 JNJ-5207852 is extensively absorbed after oral administration and reaches high brain levels. 6 The data indicate that JNJ-5207852 is a novel, potent and selective H3 antagonist with good in vitro and in vivo efficacy, and confirm the wake-promoting effects of H3 receptor antagonists.

Search for Histamine H3Receptor Ligands with Combined Inhibitory Potency at HistamineN-Methyltransferase: ω-Piperidinoalkanamine Derivatives

In an effort to design new hybrid compounds with dual properties, i.e. binding affinity at histamine H(3) receptors and inhibitory potency at the catabolic enzyme histamine N(tau)-methyltransferase (HMT), a novel series of 1-substituted piperidine derivatives was synthesized. This alicyclic heterocycle is structurally linked via aminoalkyl spacers of variable lengths to additional aromatic carbo- or hetero-cycles. These new hybrid drugs were pharmacologically evaluated regarding their binding affinities at recombinant human H(3) receptors, stably expressed in CHO cells, and in a functional assay for their inhibitory potencies at rat kidney HMT. All compounds investigated proved to be H(3) receptor ligands with binding affinities in the micro- to nanomolar concentration range despite significant differences in the type of the aromatic moiety introduced. The most potent compound in this series was the quinoline derivative 20 (K(i) = 5.6 nM). Likewise, all new ligands studied showed impressive HMT inhibitory activities. Here, compounds 5, 10, 14 and 18-20 exhibited submicromolar potencies (IC(50) = 0.061-0.56 microM). The aminomethylated quinoline 19 showed almost the same, well balanced nanomolar activities on both targets. In this study, new hybrid compounds with a dual mode biological action were developed. These pharmacological agents are valuable leads for further development and candidates for treatment of histamine-dependent disorders.

H3Autoreceptors Modulate Histamine Synthesis through Calcium/Calmodulin- and cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Pathways

H(3) autoreceptors provide feedback control of neurotransmitter synthesis in histaminergic neurons, but the transduction pathways involved are poorly understood. In rat brain cortical slices, histamine synthesis can be stimulated by depolarization and inhibited by H(3) agonists. We show that histamine synthesis stimulation by depolarization with 30 mM K(+) requires extracellular calcium entry, mostly through N-type channels, and subsequent activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II. In vitro, this kinase phosphorylated and activated histidine decarboxylase, the histamine-synthesizing enzyme. Inhibition of depolarization-stimulated histamine synthesis by the histamine H(3) receptor agonist imetit was impaired by preincubation with pertussis toxin and by the presence of a myristoylated peptide (myristoyl-N-QEHAQEPERQYMHIGTMVE-FAYALVGK) blocking the actions of G-protein betagamma subunits. The stimulation of another G(i/o)-coupled receptor, adenosine A(1), also decreased depolarization-stimulated histamine synthesis. In contrast, protein kinase A activation, which is also repressed by H(3) receptors, elicited a depolarization- and calcium/calmodulin-independent stimulation of histamine synthesis. Protein kinase A was able also to phosphorylate and activate histidine decarboxylase in vitro. These results show how depolarization activates histamine synthesis in nerve endings and demonstrate that both pathways modulating neurotransmitter synthesis are controlled by H(3) autoreceptors.

Pharmacological and behavioral properties of A-349821, a selective and potent human histamine H3 receptor antagonist

Histamine H3 receptors regulate the release of a variety of central neurotransmitters involved in cognitive processes. A-349821 ((4'-(3-((R,R)2,5-dimethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propoxy)-biphenyl-4-yl)-morpholin-4-yl-methanone) is a novel, non-imidazole H3 receptor ligand, displaying high affinity for recombinant rat and human H3 receptors, with pKi values of 9.4 and 8.8, respectively, and high selectivity for the H3 receptor versus H1, H2, and H4 histamine receptors. A-349821 is a potent H3 receptor antagonist in a variety of models using recombinant human and rat receptors, reversing agonist induced changes in cyclic AMP formation (pKb= 8.2 and pKb= 8.1, respectively), [35S]-GTPgammaS binding (pKb= 9.3 and pKb= 8.6, respectively) and calcium levels (human pKb= 8.3). In native systems, A-349821 competitively reversed agonist induced inhibition of electric field stimulated guinea-pig ileum (pA2= 9.5) and histamine-mediated inhibition of [3H]-histamine release from rat brain cortical synaptosomes (pKb= 9.2). Additionally, A-349821 inhibited constitutive GTPgammaS binding at both rat and human H3 receptors with respective pEC50 values of 9.1 and 8.6, demonstrating potent inverse agonist properties. In behavioral studies, A-349821 (0.4 mg/kg-4 mg/kg) potently blocked (R)-alpha-methylhistamine-induced dipsogenia in mice. The compound also enhanced cognitive activity in a five-trial inhibitory avoidance model in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) pups at doses of 1-10mg/kg, with the 1mg/kg dose showing comparable efficacy to a fully efficacious dose of ciproxifan (3mg/kg). These doses of A-349821 were without effect on spontaneous locomotor activity. Thus, A-349821 is a novel, selective non-imidazole H3 antagonist/inverse agonist with balanced high potency across species and favorable cognition enhancing effects in rats.

A new class of potent non-imidazole H(3) antagonists: 2-aminoethylbenzofurans

2-aminoethylbenzofurans constitute a new class of H(3) antagonists that are more rotationally constrained than most previously reported H(3) antagonists. They retain high potency at human and rat receptors, with efficient CNS penetration observed in 35. The SAR of the basic amine moiety was compared in three different series of analogues. The greatest potency was found in analogues bearing a 2-methylpyrrolidine, a 2,5-dimethylpyrrolidine, or a 2,6-dimethylpiperidine.

Plasticity of histamine H3 receptor expression and binding in the vestibular nuclei after labyrinthectomy in rat

Background

In rat, deafferentation of one labyrinth (unilateral labyrinthectomy) results in a characteristic syndrome of ocular and motor postural disorders (e.g., barrel rotation, circling behavior, and spontaneous nystagmus). Behavioral recovery (e.g., diminished symptoms), encompassing 1 week after unilateral labyrinthectomy, has been termed vestibular compensation. Evidence suggesting that the histamine H₃ receptor plays a key role in vestibular compensation comes from studies indicating that betahistine, a histamine-like drug that acts as both a partial histamine H₁ receptor agonist and an H₃ receptor antagonist, can accelerate the process of vestibular compensation.

Results

Expression levels for histamine H₃ receptor (total) as well as three isoforms which display variable lengths of the third intracellular loop of the receptor were analyzed using in situ hybridization on brain sections containing the rat medial vestibular nucleus after unilateral labyrinthectomy. We compared these expression levels to H₃ receptor binding densities.

Total H₃ receptor mRNA levels (detected by oligo probe H_3X) as well as mRNA levels of the three receptor isoforms studied (detected by oligo probes H_3A, H_3B, and H_3C) showed a pattern of increase, which was bilaterally significant at 24 h post-lesion for both H_3X and H_3C, followed by significant bilateral decreases in medial vestibular nuclei occurring 48 h (H_3X and H_3B) and 1 week post-lesion (H_3A, H_3B, and H_3C). Expression levels of H_3B was an exception to the forementioned pattern with significant decreases already detected at 24 h post-lesion. Coinciding with the decreasing trends in H₃ receptor mRNA levels was an observed increase in H₃ receptor binding densities occurring in the ipsilateral medial vestibular nuclei 48 h post-lesion.

Conclusion

Progressive recovery of the resting discharge of the deafferentated medial vestibular nuclei neurons results in functional restoration of the static postural and occulomotor deficits, usually occurring within a time frame of 48 hours in rats. Our data suggests that the H₃ receptor may be an essential part of pre-synaptic mechanisms required for reestablishing resting activities 48 h after unilateral labyrinthectomy.

Selective histamine H3 receptor antagonists for treatment of cognitive deficiencies and other disorders of the central nervous system

Evidence exists to implicate the monoamine histamine in the control of arousal and cognitive functions. Antagonists of H(3) receptors are postsynaptic and presynaptic modulators of neural transmission in a variety of neuronal circuits relevant to cognition. Accumulating neuroanatomical, neurochemical, pharmacological, and behavioral data support the idea that H(3) receptor antagonists may function to improve cognitive performances in disease states (e.g., Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment states). Thus, H(3) receptor antagonists have been shown to increase performance in attention and memory tests in nonhuman experiments and prevent the degradation in performances produced by scopolamine, MK-801, or age. In contrast, agonists of the H(3) receptor generally produce cognitive impairing effects in animal models. The role of H(3) receptors in these behavioral effects is substantiated by data indicating a central origin for their effects, the selectivity of some of the H(3) receptor antagonists studied, and the pharmacological modification of effects of H(3) receptor antagonists by selective H(3) receptor agonists. Data and issues that challenge the potential role for H(3) receptor antagonists in cognitive processes are also critically reviewed. H(3) receptor antagonists may also have therapeutic value in the management of obesity, pain, sleep disorders, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Constitutive endocytic cycle of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) displays a significant level of ligand-independent (i.e. constitutive) activity, either when heterologously expressed in nonneuronal cells or in neurons where CB1Rs are endogenous. The present study investigates the consequences of constitutive activity on the intracellular trafficking of CB1R. When transfected in HEK-293 cells, CB1R is present at the plasma membrane, but a substantial proportion ( approximately 85%) of receptors is localized in intracellular vesicles. Detailed analysis of CB1-EGFP expressed in HEK-293 cells shows that the intracellular CB1R population is mostly of endocytic origin and that treatment with inverse agonist AM281 traps CB1R at the plasma membrane through a monensin-sensitive recycling pathway. Co-transfection with dominant positive or dominant negative mutants of the small GTPases Rab5 and Rab4, but not Rab11, profoundly modifies the steady-state and ligand-induced intracellular distribution of CB1R, indicating that constitutive endocytosis is Rab5-dependent, whereas constitutive recycling is mediated by Rab4. In conclusion, our results indicate that, due to its natural constitutive activity, CB1R permanently and constitutively cycles between plasma membrane and endosomes, leading to a predominantly intracellular localization at steady state.

Constitutive activity of the serotonin2C receptor inhibits in vivo dopamine release in the rat striatum and nucleus accumbens

Numerous research has pointed out that serotonin2c (5-HT2C) receptor, a subtype of 5-HT receptors belonging to the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, modulates the activity of mesencephalic dopamine (DA) neurons, the dysfunction of which is involved in devastating diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and drug addiction. In the present study, using in vivo intracerebral microdialysis and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing 5-HT2C receptors to identify appropriate 5-HT2C receptor ligands, we sought to determine whether the property of 5-HT2C receptors to spontaneously activate intracellular signaling pathways in vitro (constitutive activity) participates in the tonic inhibitory control that they exert on DA release in the rat striatum and nucleus accumbens in vivo. In CHO cells, the purported antagonist 5-methyl-1-(3-pyridylcarbamoyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-f] indole hydrochloride (SB 206553), but not 6-chloro-5-methyl-1-[6-(2-methylpiridin-3-yloxy)pyridin-3-yl carbamoyl] indoline (SB 242084), decreased basal inositol phosphate accumulation, thus behaving as a 5-HT2C inverse agonist. Its effect was prevented by SB 242084. In vivo, SB 206553 (1-10 mg/kg) elicited a dose-dependent and clear-cut increase in accumbal and striatal DA release compared with SB 242084 (1-10 mg/kg), and the 5-HT2C agonist S-2-(6-chloro-5-fluoroindol-1-yl)-1-methylethylamine hydrochloride (Ro-60-0175) (0.3-3 mg/kg) inhibited DA release. Pretreatment by SB 242084 reversed the change in DA release elicited by Ro-60-0175 and SB 206553. Furthermore, SB 206553-stimulated DA release was insensitive to reduction of 5-HT neuronal function induced by the 5-HT1A agonist (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin or intra-raphe injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine neurotoxin. The obtained results provide the first in vivo evidence that constitutive activity of the 5-HT2C receptor tonically inhibits mesencephalic DA neurons and underscore the need for a better understanding of the pathophysiological role of constitutive receptor activity.

Arthropod 5-HT2 receptors: a neurohormonal receptor in decapod crustaceans that displays agonist independent activity resulting from an evolutionary alteration to the DRY motif

The stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) is a premiere model for studying modulation of motor pattern generation. Whereas the cellular and network responses to monoamines have been particularly well characterized electrophysiologically, the transduction mechanisms that link the different monoaminergic signals to specific intracellular responses are presently unknown in this system. To begin to elucidate monoaminergic signal transduction in pyloric neurons, we used a bioinformatics approach to predict the existence of 18 monoamine receptors in arthropods, 9 of which have been previously cloned in Drosophila and other insects. We then went on to use the two existing insect databases to clone and characterize the 10th putative arthropod receptor from the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus. This receptor is most homologous to the 5-HT2 subtype and shows a dose-dependent response to 5-HT but not to any of the other monoamines present in the STNS. Through a series of pharmacological experiments, we demonstrate that this newly described receptor, 5-HT2betaPan, couples with the traditional G(q) pathway when expressed in HEK293 cells, but not to G(s) or G(i/o). Moreover, it is constitutively active, because the highly conserved DRY motif in transmembrane region 3 has evolved into DRF. Site-directed mutagenesis that reverts the motif back to DRY abolishes this agonist-independent activity. We further demonstrate that this receptor most likely participates in the modulation of stomatogastric motor output, because it is found in neurites in the synaptic neuropil of the stomatogastric ganglion as well as in the axon terminals at identified pyloric neuromuscular junctions.

4-(omega-(alkyloxy)alkyl)-1H-imidazole derivatives as histamine H(3) receptor antagonists/agonists

In an effort to develop new histamine H(3) receptor antagonists usable as pharmacological tools we present here novel unsymmetrical ether derivatives. Etherification of different omega-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)alkyl scaffolds led to compounds containing alkyl chains of increasing lengths either with or without unsaturated termini, cycloalkyl or arylalkyl moieties, or additional heteroatoms. When investigated in an in vitro assay on rat synaptosomes, the majority of compounds displayed potencies in the low nanomolar concentration range at the H(3) receptor, e.g., 4-(3-(3-cyclopentylpropyloxy)propyl)-1H-imidazole (27, K(i) = 7 nM). FUB 465, 4-(3-(ethoxy)propyl)-1H-imidazole (14), a useful tool for the characterization of constitutive activity of H(3) receptors in vivo in rodents, proved to be of high oral in vivo potency in mice (ED(50) = 0.26 mg/kg). Further, the influence of chosen compounds on specific [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding was assayed on HEK293 cell membranes expressing the human histamine H(3) receptor revealing partial agonism of the compounds in this particular model. These distinct responses are further hints for "protean agonism" in this class of compounds. Additionally, selected compounds were functionally investigated in vitro on isolated organs of the guinea-pig at H(3), H(1), and H(2) receptors.

Meta-Substituted Aryl(thio)ethers as Potent Partial Agonists (or Antagonists) for the Histamine H3 Receptor Lacking a Nitrogen Atom in the Side Chain

4-(3-Aryloxypropyl)-1H-imidazoles, which possess a meta-positioned substituent in the aryl ring, have been synthesized and tested for activity at histamine H(3) receptors. The compounds having a CN, Me, or Br substituent were found to be antagonists, whereas CF(3), Et, i-Pr, t-Bu, COCH(3), or NO(2) substituents remarkably afforded partial agonists when tested in vitro on rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes for inhibition of [(3)H]histamine release. The compounds were also active in vivo, and furthermore, the CF(3)-substituted compound trifluproxim (UCL 1470, 7) acted as a potent full agonist in vivo, having ED(50) = 0.6 +/- 0.3 mg/kg per os in mice for inhibition of brain N(tau)-methylhistamine formation. Related structures have also been investigated; homologues 4-[4-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)butyl]-1H-imidazole and 4-[2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylthio)ethyl]-1H-imidazole are shown to be partial agonists, whereas the O isostere 4-[2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)ethyl]-1H-imidazole is an antagonist as is the S homologue 4-[3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylthio)propyl]-1H-imidazole and its CH(2) isostere 4-[4-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)butyl]-1H-imidazole.

Expression of the H3 receptor in the developing CNS and brown fat suggests novel roles for histamine

Histamine and histamine receptors have been implicated in signaling mechanisms in developmental processes in the brain and peripheral organs. Pharmacological studies have also implied that the histamine H(3) receptor, in addition to acting as a presynaptic auto- and heteroreceptor in the central nervous system, is active in peripheral tissues. We show that detectable histamine H(3)-receptor expression during development and in adult rat is restricted to specific areas of the brain and to adipocytes and the capillary network in brown adipose tissue. Histamine H(3)-receptor mRNA expression was not detected in other internal organs studied, or in spinal or sympathetic chain ganglia. These results support a histaminergic involvement in brain development through activation of the histamine H(3) receptor and indicate a possible novel involvement of the histamine H(3) receptor as a mediator of the effects of histamine in thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue.

Structural variations of 1-(4-(phenoxymethyl)benzyl)piperidines as nonimidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonists

Recent bioisoteric replacements in histamine H3 receptor ligands with an exchange of the imidazole moiety by a piperidino group as well as of the trimethylene chain in 4-((3-phenoxy)propyl)-lH-imidazole derivatives (proxifan class) by an alpha,alpha'-xylendiyl linker represents the starting point in the development of 1-(4-(phenoxymethyl)benzyl)piperidines as a new class of nonimidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonists. According to different strategies in optimization of imidazole-containing antagonists the central benzyl phenyl ether moiety was replaced by numerous other polar functionalities. Additionally, the ortho- and meta-analogues of the lead were synthesized to determine the influence of the position of the piperidinomethyl substituent. The new compounds were tested in an in vitro binding assay for their affinities for cloned human H3 receptors stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells and for their oral in vivo potencies brain in a functional screening assay in the brain of mice. Additionally, activities of selected compounds were determined in the guinea-pig ileum functional test model. In contrast to the analogues ortho-substituted compounds all other compounds maintained respectable affinities for the human H3 receptor (-log Ki values 6.3-7.5). Despite the results from other classes of compounds the 4-methyl substituted derivatives generally displayed higher affinities than the corresponding 4-chloro substituted compounds. In vivo only the inverse phenyl benzyl ether (3) showed worthwhile antagonist potencies.

The sleep lipid oleamide may represent an endogenous anticonvulsant: an in vitro comparative study in the 4-aminopyridine rat brain-slice model

cis-Oleamide (cOA) is a putative endocannabinoid, which modulates GABA(A) receptors, Na+ channels and gap-junctions (important targets for clinical and experimental anticonvulsants). Here we address the hypothesis that cOA possesses seizure limiting properties and might represent an endogenous anticonvulsant. Field potentials were recorded from the rat hippocampus and visual cortex. The effects of cOA, were compared to carbamazepine (CBZ), pentobarbital (PB) and carbenoxolone (CRX) on 4-Aminopyridine(4AP)-induced epileptiform discharges. CBZ (100 microM), PB (50 microM) and CRX (100 microM), but not cOA (64 microM), significantly attenuated the duration of the evoked epileptiform discharges in CA1. Interictal activity in CA3 was significantly depressed by CRX and cOA (irreversible by AM251), increased by CBZ and remained unaffected by PB. CBZ, PB and CRX abolished spontaneous ictal events and attenuated evoked ictal discharges in the visual cortex. cOA did not abolish spontaneous ictal events, but significantly (albeit weakly) reduced the duration of evoked ictal events. cOA and CRX, in contrast to CBZ or PB, caused a significant delay in the development of the evoked (tonic phase) epileptiform discharges. The weak effects of cOA seem independent of cannabinoid (CB1) receptors. Enzymatic cleavage and lack of specific antagonists for cOA confound simple interpretations of its actions in slices. Its high lipophilicity, imposing a permeability barrier, may also explain the lack of anticonvulsant activity. The effects of cOA may well be masked by release of the endogenous ligand upon ictal depolarisation as we demonstrate here for established endocannabinoids. cOA does not possess profound antiepileptic actions in our hands compared to CBZ, PB or CRX.

Role of H3-receptor-mediated signaling in anxiety and cognition in wild-type and Apoe-/- mice

Increasing evidence supports a role for histamine as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in emotion and cognition. The H(3) receptor was first characterized as an autoreceptor that modulates histamine release and synthesis via negative feedback. Mice deficient in apoE (Apoe(-/-)) have been used to define the role of apoE in brain function. In the present study, we investigated the possible role of histamine H(3)-receptor-mediated signaling in anxiety and cognition in mice Apoe(-/-) and wild-type mice. H(3) antagonists increased measures of anxiety in wild-type, but not Apoe(-/-), mice. In contrast, H(3) antagonists similarly impaired object recognition in wild-type and Apoe(-/-) mice. In Apoe(-/-) mice, reduced negative feedback via H(3) receptors could contribute to increased signaling of H(1) receptors. Apoe(-/-) mice showed higher sensitivity to the anxiety-reducing effects of the H(1) receptor antagonist mepyramine than wild-type mice. These effects were dissociated from effects of mepyramine on the HPA axis. Compared to saline controls, mepyramine reduced plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels in wild-type, but not Apoe(-/-), mice. These data support a role for apoE in H(3) receptor signaling. H(3) antagonists were proposed as a treatment for cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, which is associated with increased anxiety and cognitive impairments. As H(3) antagonists increase measures of anxiety and impair object recognition in wild-type mice, the use of H(3) antagonists in cognitive disorders may be counterproductive and should be carefully evaluated.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of conformationally constrained histamine H(3) receptor agonists

Immepip, a conformationally constrained analogue of the histamine congener imbutamine, shows high affinity and functional activity on the human H(3) receptor. Using histamine and its homologues as prototypes, other rigid analogues containing either a piperidine or pyrrolidine ring in the side chain were synthesized and tested for their activities at the human H(3) receptor and the closely related H(4) receptor. In the series of piperidine containing analogues, immepip was found to be the most potent H(3) receptor agonist, whereas its propylene analogue 13a was identified as a high-affinity neutral antagonist for the human H(3) receptor. Moreover, replacement of the piperidine ring of immepip by a pyrrolidine ring led to a pair of enantiomers that show a distinct stereoselectivity at the human H(3) and H(4) receptor.

Constitutive activity and inverse agonists of G protein-coupled receptors: a current perspective

Over the last decade, the ability to detect agonist-independent signal transduction by G protein-coupled receptors has in turn resulted in the detection and study of ligands able to block this activity. Such ligands are generically described as inverse agonists. Considerable attention has recently been devoted to the presence and roles of endogenous antagonist/inverse agonists and the concept that inverse agonists may have specific therapeutic benefits compared with neutral antagonists.

Efficacy as a Vector: the Relative Prevalence and Paucity of Inverse Agonism

This article describes the expected phenotypic behavior of all types of ligands in constitutively active receptor systems and, in particular, the molecular mechanisms of inverse agonism. The possible physiological relevance of inverse agonism also is discussed. Competitive antagonists with the molecular property of negative efficacy demonstrate inverse agonism in constitutively active receptor systems. This is a phenotypic behavior that can only be observed in the appropriate assay; a lack of observed inverse agonism is evidence that the ligand does not possess negative efficacy only if it can be shown that constitutive receptor activity is present. In the absence of constitutive activity, inverse agonists behave as simple competitive antagonists. A survey of 105 articles on the activity of 380 antagonists on 73 biological G-protein-coupled receptor targets indicates that, in this sample dataset, 322 are inverse agonists and 58 (15%) are neutral antagonists. The predominance of inverse agonism agrees with theoretical predictions which indicate that neutral antagonists are the minority species in pharmacological space.

Inverse agonists: tools to reveal ligand-specific conformations of G protein-coupled receptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) traverse the plasma membrane seven times and produce intracellular effects through interaction with G proteins. Three classes of ligands bind and regulate the activity of GPCRs: agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists. To describe the activity of these ligands at GPCRs, a two-state receptor model has been proposed in which receptors exist in an equilibrium between inactive (R) and active (R*) states. Agonists preferentially bind and stabilize the active (R*) state. This results in an enrichment of the proportion of active receptors, producing an increase in receptor activity. In contrast, inverse agonists preferentially bind and stabilize receptors in the inactive (R) state. This results in an enrichment of the proportion of inactive receptors, producing a reduction in spontaneous receptor activity. Neutral antagonists have equal preferences for both R and R* states, lack any intrinsic activity, and are able to block actions produced by either agonists or inverse agonists. Exciting observations reported in two recent manuscripts by Gbahou et al. and Azzi et al. indicate that some inverse agonists act not only in opposition to agonists by suppressing constitutive receptor activity, but may also initiate unique signal transduction cascades as well. Specifically, it is proposed that these unique ligands are able to enrich several distinct active receptor conformations, each demonstrating a preference for regulation of a discrete intracellular effector. This suggests that inverse agonists are not merely "the opposite of agonists," but instead may serve as useful tools to investigate ligand-specific conformations of GPCRs.

Changes in hippocampal histamine receptors across the hibernation cycle in ground squirrels

Hibernation is a physiological state characterized by a dramatic reduction in various functions, such as body temperature, heart rate, and metabolism. The hippocampus is thought to be important for regulation of the hibernation bout because it remains electrophysiologically active throughout this extremely depressed state. The question arises as to what neuronal influences act within the hippocampus during hibernation to sustain its activity. We hypothesized that histaminergic input might be an important contributor. Brain histamine is involved in functions relevant to hibernation, such as the regulation of diurnal rhythms, body temperature, and energy metabolism. Furthermore, we have previously shown that the histaminergic system appears to be activated during the hibernating state. In this study, we used receptor binding autoradiography, in situ hybridization, and GTP-gamma-S binding autoradiography to study changes in histamine receptors across the hibernation bout. We were able to demonstrate an increase in histamine H1 and H2 receptors in the hippocampus during hibernation, whereas the mRNA expression and receptor density of the inhibitory H3 receptor decreased. Histamine H3 receptors were shown to exhibit both histamine-activated and constitutive GTP-gamma-S-binding activity in the ground squirrel hippocampus, both of which decreased during hibernation, indicating a decrease in H3 receptor G-protein activation. Taken together, our results indicate that histamine may be involved in maintaining hibernation by sustaining hippocampal activity, possibly through H1 and H2 receptor activity and decreased inhibition by H3 receptors. The involvement of brain histamine, which is generally thought of as an arousal molecule, in maintaining a depressed state of the brain suggests a more general role for the amine in controlling arousal state.

Cloning and pharmacological characterization of the monkey histamine H3 receptor

Species differences have been described previously for histamine H(3) receptor pharmacology. Rat selective histamine H(3) receptor ligands such as ciproxifan and A-304121 (2-amino-1-[4-[3-(4-cyclopropanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-propyl]-piperazin-1-yl]-propan-1-one) show over 100-fold selectivity for the rat receptor compared to the human receptor. To date, however, the pharmacology of the cloned monkey histamine H(3) receptor has not been examined. In this study, we cloned the monkey histamine H(3) receptor gene (H(3)R) and evaluated the receptor pharmacology in binding and functional assays. The monkey histamine H(3) receptor is highly homologous to the human receptor with 438 identities in their 445 amino acid sequences, but less homologous to the rat receptor. However, unlike the human or rat, we found no evidence for additional splicing for the monkey H(3)R. Pharmacological analysis indicated that the monkey receptor exhibited similar pharmacological profiles to those of the human receptor, providing critical information for characterizing histamine H(3) receptor ligands in monkey behavioral models.

Enhanced spontaneous activity of the mu opioid receptor by cysteine mutations: characterization of a tool for inverse agonist screening

Background

The concept of spontaneous- or constitutive-activity has become widely accepted and verified for numerous G protein-coupled receptors and this ligand-independent activity is also acknowledged to play a role in some pathologies. Constitutive activity has been reported for the mu opioid receptor. In some cases the increase in receptor basal activity was induced by chronic morphine administration suggesting that constitutive activity may contribute to the development of drug tolerance and dependence. Constitutively active mutants represent excellent tools for gathering information about the mechanisms of receptor activation and the possible physiological relevance of spontaneous receptor activity. The high basal level of activity of these mutants also allows for easier identification of inverse agonists, defined as ligands able to suppress spontaneous receptor activity, and leads to a better comprehension of their modulatory effects as well as possible in vivo use.

Results

Cysteines 348 and 353 of the human mu opioid receptor (hMOR) were mutated into alanines and Ala^348,353 hMOR was stably expressed in HEK 293 cells. [³⁵S] GTPγS binding experiments revealed that Ala^348,353 hMOR basal activity was significantly higher when compared to hMOR, suggesting that the mutant receptor is constitutively active. [³⁵S] GTPγS binding was decreased by cyprodime or CTOP indicating that both ligands have inverse agonist properties. All tested agonists exhibited binding affinities higher for Ala^348,353 hMOR than for hMOR, with the exception of endogenous opioid peptides. Antagonist affinity remained virtually unchanged except for CTOP and cyprodime that bound the double mutant with higher affinities. The agonists DAMGO and morphine showed enhanced potency for the Ala^348,353 hMOR receptor in [³⁵S] GTPγS experiments. Finally, pretreatment with the antagonists naloxone, cyprodime or CTOP significantly increased Ala^348,353 hMOR expression.

Conclusion

Taken together our data indicate that the double C348/353A mutation results in a constitutively active conformation of hMOR that is still activated by agonists. This is the first report of a stable CAM of hMOR with the potential to screen for inverse agonists.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Identification of Neutral Histamine H1-Receptor Antagonists

In the present study we searched for neutral antagonists for the human histamine H(1)-receptor (H(1)R) by screening newly synthesized ligands that are structurally related to H(1)R agonists for their affinity using radioligand displacement studies and by assessing their functional activity via performing a NF-kappaB driven reporter-gene assay that allows for the detection of both agonistic and inverse agonistic responses. Starting from the endogenous agonist for the H(1)R, histamine, we synthesized and tested various analogues and ultimately identified several compounds with partial inverse agonistic properties and two neutral H(1)-receptor antagonists, namely 2-[2-(4,4-diphenylbutyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]ethylamine (histabudifen, 18d) (pK(i) = 5.8, alpha = 0.02) and 2-[2-(5,5-diphenylpentyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]ethylamine (histapendifen, 18e) (pK(i) = 5.9, alpha = -0.09).

Constitutively active Gq/11-coupled receptors enable signaling by co-expressed G(i/o)-coupled receptors

Co-expression of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory (G) protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the G(i/o)-coupled human 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1B (5-HT(1B)R), with the G(q/11)-coupled human histamine 1 receptor (H1R) results in an overall increase in agonist-independent signaling, which can be augmented by 5-HT(1B)R agonists and inhibited by a selective inverse 5-HT(1B)R agonist. Interestingly, inverse H1R agonists inhibit constitutively H1R-mediated as well as 5-HT(1B)R agonist-induced signaling in cells co-expressing both receptors. This phenomenon is not solely characteristic of 5-HT(1B)R; it is also evident with muscarinic M2 and adenosine A1 receptors and is mimicked by mastoparan-7, an activator of G(i/o) proteins, or by over-expression of Gbetagamma subunits. Likewise, expression of the G(q/11)-coupled human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded chemokine receptor US28 unmasks a functional coupling of G(i/o)-coupled CCR1 receptors that is mediated via the constitutive activity of receptor US28. Consequently, constitutively active G(q/11)-coupled receptors, such as the H1R and HCMV-encoded chemokine receptor US28, constitute a regulatory switch for signal transduction by G(i/o)-coupled receptors, which may have profound implications in understanding the role of both constitutive GPCR activity and GPCR cross-talk in physiology as well as in the observed pathophysiology upon HCMV infection.

Basal signaling activity of mu opioid receptor in mouse brain: role in narcotic dependence

Narcotic analgesics cause addiction by poorly understood mechanisms, involving mu opoid receptor (MOR). Previous cell culture studies have demonstrated significant basal, spontaneous MOR signaling activity, but its relevance to narcotic addiction remained unclear. In this study, we tested basal MOR-signaling activity in brain tissue from untreated and morphine-pretreated mice, in comparison to antagonist-induced withdrawal in morphine-dependent mice. Using guanosine 5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thio)triphosphate ([(35)S]GTP gamma S) binding and adenylyl cyclase activity assay in brain homogenates, we demonstrated that morphine pretreatment of mice enhanced basal MOR signaling in mouse brain homogenates and, moreover, caused persistent changes in the effects of naloxone and naltrexone, antagonists that elicit severe withdrawal in dependent subjects. Naloxone and naltrexone suppressed basal [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding (acting as "inverse agonists") only after morphine pretreatment, but not in drug-naive animals. Moreover, naloxone and naltrexone stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in striatum homogenates only after morphine pretreatment, by reversing the inhibitory effects of basal MOR activity. After cessation of morphine treatment, the time course of inverse naloxone effects on basal MOR signaling was similar to the time course of naltrexone-stimulated narcotic withdrawal over several days. The neutral antagonist 6 beta-naltrexol blocked MOR activation without affecting basal signaling (G protein coupling and adenylyl cyclase regulation) and also elicited substantially less severe withdrawal. These results demonstrate long-lasting regulation of basal MOR signaling as a potential factor in narcotic dependence.

Generation and characterization of highly constitutive active histamine H3 receptors

Constitutive activation of G-protein-coupled receptors is a well recognized phenomenon, and G-protein-coupled receptor antagonists have been found to possess inverse agonist activity. Constitutive activation of histamine H3 receptor is recently documented in in vivo as well as in recombinant receptor systems in vitro. Several H3 antagonists have been shown to act as inverse agonists and such profiles of H3 antagonists have been implicated in their pharmacological functions. Here we report the construction and characterization of a highly constitutive active H3 receptor (MT6), in which the 357 alanine residue was converted to lysine (A357K). We generated a series of mutated H3 receptors and their functions were examined in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. Among them, induced mutation at the amino acid 357 position (A357K) showed a dramatically enhanced response to thioperamide-induced cAMP accumulation compared with the cells expressing wild-type (WT) H3 receptors, suggesting that the mutation rendered receptors to high constitutive activity. We further characterized by ligand binding assays using membrane fractions, and Ki values of imetit (agonist) and proxyfan (partial agonist) against the MT6 receptors were lower compared with those observed in WT H3 receptors. In contrast, H3 antagonists (thioperamide, ciproxifan, and GT2016) with inverse agonism displayed increased Ki values against the MT6 receptors (2.5- to 5.8-fold), demonstrating more a prominent effect of inverse agonists to the constitutive active receptor. Taken together, these data suggested that A357K mutation in the H3 receptor increased the population of active state receptors that preferably binds to agonists than inverse agonists, which could be termed as a constitutively active mutant of H3 receptor.