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Fu Y, Zhang Y, Ju S, Ma B, Huang W, Luo S. Isolation and characterization of five novel disulfide-poor conopeptides from Conus marmoreus venom. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022; 28:e20210116. [PMID: 35677566 PMCID: PMC9136937 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Conopeptides from cone snail venom have aroused great interest related to the discovery of novel bioactive candidates, due to their excellent prospects for the treatment of various health problems such as pain, addiction, psychosis and epilepsy. In order to explore novel biopeptides, we investigated the structure and function of five novel conopeptides isolated from the venom of Conus marmoreus from South China Sea. Methods: C. marmoreus crude venom was prepared, fractionated and purified by HPLC system. The primary sequences of the five novel disulfide-poor conopeptides Mr-1 to Mr-5 were identified by comprehensive analysis of de novo MALDI-TOF tandem mass spectrometry and Edman degradation data. In order to investigate their function, these five conopeptides were synthesized by Fmoc-SPPS chemistry, and their biological effects at several heterologous rat nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes (α1β1δε, α3β2, α3β4, α4β2) were determined by electrophysiological technique. Results: Five novel disulfide-poor conopeptides were identified and named as follows: Mr-1 (DWEYHAHPKPNSFWT), Mr-2 (YPTRAYPSNKFG), Mr-3 (NVIQAPAQSVAPP NTST), Mr-4 [KENVLNKLKSK(L/I)] and Mr-5 [NAVAAAN(L/I)PG(L/I)V]. None of them contains a disulfide bond. The sequences of conopeptides Mr-2 to Mr-5 do not belong to any category of the known disulfide-poor conopeptides. No significant activity against the above nAChR subtypes were observed for the five conopeptides at 100 µM. Conclusion: We purified and structurally characterized five novel disulfide-poor conopeptides from C. marmoreus crude venom and first investigated their nAChR inhibitory effects. This work expanded our knowledge on the structure and function of disulfide-poor conopeptides from this cone snail venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Fu
- Hainan University, China; Hainan University, China
| | | | | | - Bokai Ma
- Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, China
| | - Wenwen Huang
- Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, China
| | - Sulan Luo
- Hainan University, China; Guangxi University, China
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2
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Harris AC. Further pharmacological characterization of a preclinical model of the early development of nicotine withdrawal. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 226:108870. [PMID: 34216863 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Establishing preclinical models of the development of nicotine withdrawal following acute nicotine exposure could inform tobacco addiction-related research, treatment, and policy. To this end, this lab has previously reported that rats exhibit withdrawal-like elevations in intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) thresholds (anhedonia-like behavior) following acute nicotine exposure. The goal of this study was to provide further pharmacological characterization of ICSS as a measure of spontaneous and antagonist-precipitated withdrawal from acute nicotine. METHODS AND RESULTS Rats exhibited a small increase in ICSS thresholds over time following a single nicotine injection (1.0 mg/kg, s.c.), suggesting a modest spontaneous withdrawal effect (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, the antidepressant bupropion (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.), which is used to treat tobacco addiction and attenuates nicotine withdrawal in both humans and rodents, blocked elevations in ICSS thresholds induced by a single injection of nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) followed ≈ 2 h later by the non-selective, non-competitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist mecamylamine (3.0 mg/kg, s.c.). In Experiment 3a, s.c. administration of the competitive, relatively selective α4ß2 nAChR antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine (DHßE) (5.6 mg/kg, but not 3.0 mg/kg) following each of 5 daily injections of nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) elevated ICSS thresholds. Mecamylamine (3.0 mg/kg, s.c.) also elevated ICSS thresholds when administered following all 5 daily nicotine injections (0.5 mg/kg, s.c., Experiment 3b). CONCLUSIONS These findings provide further characterization of elevations in ICSS thresholds as a measure of withdrawal from acute nicotine exposure. Further use of these models may be useful for understanding the early development of nicotine withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Harris
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415, United States; Departments of Medicine and Psychology, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, United States.
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3
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Nicotine-induced enhancement of a sensory reinforcer in adult rats: antagonist pretreatment effects. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:475-486. [PMID: 33150479 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05696-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The reinforcement-enhancing effect (REE) of nicotine refers to the drug's ability to enhance the strength of other primary and conditioned reinforcers. The main aim was to investigate neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying nicotine's strengthening of a primary visual reinforcer (i.e., a light cue), using a subcutaneous (SC) dose previously shown to provide plasma nicotine levels associated with habitual smoking. METHODS Adult male rats pressed an "active" lever to illuminate a brief cue light during daily 60-min sessions. Rats that showed a clear REE were tested with systemically administered pretreatment drugs followed by nicotine (0.1 mg/kg SC) or saline challenge, in within-subject counterbalanced designs. Pretreatments were mecamylamine (nicotinic, 0.1-1 mg/kg SC), SCH 39166 (D1-like dopaminergic, 0.003-0.2 mg/kg SC), naloxone (opioid, 1 and 5 mg/kg SC), prazosin (alpha1-adrenergic antagonist, 1 and 2 mg/kg IP), rimonabant (CB1 cannabinoid inverse agonist, 3 mg/kg IP), sulpiride (D2-like dopaminergic antagonist, 40 mg/kg SC), or propranolol (beta-adrenergic antagonist, 10 mg/kg IP). RESULTS The nicotine REE was abolished by three antagonists at doses that did not impact motor output, i.e., mecamylamine (1 mg/kg), SCH 39166 (0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg), and naloxone (5 mg/kg). Prazosin and rimonabant both attenuated the nicotine REE, but rimonabant also suppressed responding more generally. The nicotine REE was not significantly altered by sulpiride or propranolol. CONCLUSIONS In adult male rats, the reinforcement-enhancing effect of low-dose nicotine depends on nicotinic receptor stimulation and on neurotransmission via D1/D5 dopaminergic, opioid, alpha1-adrenergic, and CB1 cannabinoid receptors.
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Bupropion increases activation in nucleus accumbens during anticipation of monetary reward. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3655-3665. [PMID: 31342097 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05337-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Bupropion is used for major depressive disorder, smoking cessation aid, and obesity. It blocks reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline and antagonizes nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Animal studies showed that bupropion enhanced rewarding effects. In addition, bupropion has the potential to treat patients with reward processing dysfunction. However, neural substrates underlying the bupropion effects on reward function in human subjects are not fully understood. OBJECTIVES We investigated single-dose administration of bupropion on neural response of reward anticipation in healthy subjects using a monetary incentive delay (MID) task by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), especially focusing on nucleus accumbens (NAc) activity to non-drug reward stimuli under bupropion treatment. METHODS We used a randomized placebo-controlled within-subject crossover design. Fifteen healthy adults participated in two series of an fMRI study, taking either placebo or bupropion. The participants performed the MID task during the fMRI scanning. The effects of bupropion on behavioral performance and blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal in NAc during anticipation of monetary gain were analyzed. RESULTS We found that bupropion significantly increased BOLD responses in NAc during monetary reward anticipation. The increased BOLD responses in NAc were observed with both low and high reward incentive cues. There was no significant difference between placebo and bupropion in behavioral performance. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide support for the notion that bupropion enhances non-drug rewarding effects, suggesting a possible mechanism underlying therapeutic effects for patients with motivational deficit.
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Wu J, Cippitelli A, Zhang Y, Debevec G, Schoch J, Ozawa A, Yu Y, Liu H, Chen W, Houghten RA, Welmaker GS, Giulianotti MA, Toll L. Highly Selective and Potent α4β2 nAChR Antagonist Inhibits Nicotine Self-Administration and Reinstatement in Rats. J Med Chem 2017; 60:10092-10104. [PMID: 29178785 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The α4β2 nAChR is the most predominant subtype in the brain and is a well-known culprit for nicotine addiction. Previously we presented a series of α4β2 nAChR selective compounds that were discovered from a mixture-based positional-scanning combinatorial library. Here we report further optimization identified highly potent and selective α4β2 nAChR antagonists 5 (AP-202) and 13 (AP-211). Both compounds are devoid of in vitro agonist activity and are potent inhibitors of epibatidine-induced changes in membrane potential in cells containing α4β2 nAChR, with IC50 values of approximately 10 nM, but are weak agonists in cells containing α3β4 nAChR. In vivo studies show that 5 can significantly reduce operant nicotine self-administration and nicotine relapse-like behavior in rats at doses of 0.3 and 1 mg/kg. The pharmacokinetic data also indicate that 5, via sc administration, is rapidly absorbed into the blood, reaching maximal concentration within 10 min with a half-life of less than 1 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Wu
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States.,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Andrea Cippitelli
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Yaohong Zhang
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States.,Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China.,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Alternative Technologies for Fine Chemicals Process, Shaoxing University , Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Ginamarie Debevec
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Jennifer Schoch
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Akihiko Ozawa
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Yongping Yu
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States.,Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Huan Liu
- Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Wenteng Chen
- Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Richard A Houghten
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States.,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Gregory S Welmaker
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States.,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Marc A Giulianotti
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States.,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States.,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc , 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
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Ondachi PW, Castro AH, Sherman B, Luetje CW, Damaj MI, Mascarella SW, Navarro HA, Carroll FI. Synthesis, Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Binding, and in Vitro and in Vivo Pharmacological Properties of 2'-Fluoro-(substituted thiophenyl)deschloroepibatidine Analogues. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:115-127. [PMID: 27726337 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis, nAChR in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of 2'-fluoro-3'-(substituted thiophenyl)deschloroepibatidine analogues (5a-f, 6a-d, and 7a-c) are presented herein. All had subnanomolar affinity at α4β2*-nAChRs. Contrary to lead structure epibatidine, a potent nAChR agonist, all were potent α4β2- and α3β4-AChR antagonists in an in vitro functional assay. In vivo, the compounds were also nAChR antagonists with various degrees of agonist activity. Compounds 5e, 5f, 6a, 6c, 6d, and 7c had no agonist effects in the tail-flick, hot-plate, hypothermia, or spontaneous activity tests, whereas 5a-d, 7a and 7b did not have agonist activity in the tail-flick and hot-plate tests but, like varenicline, were agonists in the hypothermia and spontaneous activity tests. Compound 6b had agonist activity in all four in vivo tests. All the compounds were antagonists of nicotine-induced antinociception in the tail-flick test, and all except 5c, 5d, 5f, and 6b were antagonists of nicotine-induced antinociception in the hot-plate test. Compound 7c, which had a Ki = 0.86 nM in the binding assay similar potency at α4β2/α3β4 with selectivity relative to α7 nAChRs, had an AD50 value of 0.001 μg/kg in the tail-flick test with no agonist activity in the in vitro or in vivo test had one of the more interesting profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline W. Ondachi
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Ana H. Castro
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33101, United States
| | - Benjamin Sherman
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33101, United States
| | - Charles W. Luetje
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33101, United States
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department
of Pharmacology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Campus, P.O. Box 980615, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613, United States
| | - S. Wayne Mascarella
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Hernán A. Navarro
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - F. I. Carroll
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
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7
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Ondachi PW, Castro AH, Luetje CW, Wageman CR, Marks MJ, Damaj MI, Mascarella SW, Navarro HA, Carroll FI. Synthesis, Nicotinic Acetylcholine Binding, and in Vitro and in Vivo Pharmacological Properties of 2'-Fluoro-(carbamoylpyridinyl)deschloroepibatidine Analogues. ACS Chem Neurosci 2016; 7:1004-12. [PMID: 27166021 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we report the synthesis, nAChR in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of 2'-fluoro-(carbamoylpyridinyl)deschloroepibatidine analogues (5, 6a,b, and 7a,b), which are analogues of our lead structure epibatidine. All of the analogues had subnanomolar binding affinity for α4β2*-nAChRs, and all were potent antagonists of α4β2-nAChRs in an in vitro functional assay. Analogues 6a,b were also highly selective for α4β2- relative to α3β4- and α7-nAChRs. Surprisingly, all of the analogues were exceptionally potent antagonists of nicotine-induced antinociception in the mouse tail-flick test, relative to standard nAChR antagonists such as DHβE. 2'-Fluoro-(4-carbamoyl-3-pyridinyl)deschloroepitabidine (6a) displayed an attractive combination of properties, including subnanomolar binding affinity (Ki = 0.07 nM), submicromolar inhibition of α4β2-nAChRs in the functional assay (IC50 = 0.46 μM) with a high degree of selectivity for α4β2- relative to the α3β4/α7-nAChRs (54-/348-fold, respectively), potent inhibition of [(3)H]dopamine release mediated by α4β2*- and α6β2*-nAChRs in a synaptosomal preparation (IC50 = 21 and 32 nM, respectively), and an AD50 of 0.007 μg/kg as an antagonist of nicotine induced antinociception in the mouse tail-flick test which is 64 250 times more potent than DHβE. These data suggest that compound 6a will be highly useful as a pharmacological tool for studying nAChRs and merits further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline W. Ondachi
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Ana H. Castro
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33101, United States
| | - Charles W. Luetje
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33101, United States
| | | | | | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department
of Pharmacology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Campus, P.O. Box 980615, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613, United States
| | - S. Wayne Mascarella
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Hernán A. Navarro
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - F. Ivy Carroll
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
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Freitas K, Carroll FI, Negus SS. Comparison of effects produced by nicotine and the α4β2-selective agonist 5-I-A-85380 on intracranial self-stimulation in rats. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2016; 24:65-75. [PMID: 26461167 PMCID: PMC4821675 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) is one type of preclinical procedure for research on pharmacological mechanisms that mediate abuse potential of drugs acting at various targets, including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This study compared effects of the nonselective nAChR agonist nicotine (0.032-1.0 mg/kg) and the α4β2-selective nAChR agonist 5-I-A-85380 (0.01-1.0 mg/kg) on ICSS in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were implanted with electrodes targeting the medial forebrain bundle at the level of the lateral hypothalamus and trained to respond under a fixed-ratio 1 schedule for a range of brain stimulation frequencies (158-56 Hz). A broad range of 5-I-A-85380 doses produced an abuse-related increase (or "facilitation") of low ICSS rates maintained by low brain-stimulation frequencies, and this effect was blocked by both the nonselective nAChR antagonist mecamylamine and the selective α4β2 antagonist dihyrdo-β-erythroidine (DHβE). Conversely, nicotine produced weaker ICSS facilitation across a narrower range of doses, and higher nicotine doses decreased high rates of ICSS maintained by high brain-stimulation frequencies. The rate-decreasing effects of a high nicotine dose were blocked by mecamylamine but not DHβE. Chronic nicotine treatment produced selective tolerance to rate-decreasing effects of nicotine but did not alter ICSS rate-increasing effects of nicotine. These results suggest that α4β2 receptors are sufficient to mediate abuse-related rate-increasing effects of nAChR agonists in this ICSS procedure. Conversely, nicotine effects at non-α4β2 nAChRs appear to oppose and limit abuse-related effects mediated by α4β2 receptors, although tolerance can develop to these non-α4β2 effects. Selective α4β2 agonists may have higher abuse potential than nicotine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelen Freitas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, USA
| | - F. Ivy Carroll
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - S. Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, USA
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Jaikhan P, Boonyarat C, Arunrungvichian K, Taylor P, Vajragupta O. Design and Synthesis of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonists and their Effect on Cognitive Impairment. Chem Biol Drug Des 2015; 87:39-56. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pattaporn Jaikhan
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Drug Design and Discovery; Faculty of Pharmacy; Mahidol University; 447 Sri-Ayudya Road Bangkok 10400 Thailand
| | - Chantana Boonyarat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science; KhonKaen University; KhonKaen 4000 Thailand
| | - Kuntarat Arunrungvichian
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Drug Design and Discovery; Faculty of Pharmacy; Mahidol University; 447 Sri-Ayudya Road Bangkok 10400 Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California; San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0657 USA
| | - Palmer Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California; San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0657 USA
| | - Opa Vajragupta
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Drug Design and Discovery; Faculty of Pharmacy; Mahidol University; 447 Sri-Ayudya Road Bangkok 10400 Thailand
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Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Nicotinic receptor modulation to treat alcohol and drug dependence. Front Neurosci 2015; 8:426. [PMID: 25642160 PMCID: PMC4295535 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and drug dependence are serious public health problems worldwide. The prevalence of alcohol and drug dependence in the United States and other parts of the world is significant. Given the limitations in the efficacy of current pharmacotherapies to treat these disorders, research in developing alternative pharmacotherapies continues. Preclinical and clinical evidence thus far has indicated that brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are important pharmacological targets for the development of medications to treat alcohol and drug dependence. The nAChRs are a super family of ligand gated ion channels, and are expressed throughout the brain with twelve neuronal nAChR subunits (α2–α10 and β2–β4) identified. Here, we review preclinical and clinical evidence involving a number of nAChR ligands that target different nAChR subtypes in alcohol and nicotine addiction. The important ligands include cytisine, lobeline, mecamylamine, varenicline, sazetidine A and others that target α4β2* nAChR subtypes as small molecule modulators of the brain nicotinic cholinergic system are also discussed. Taken together, both preclinical and clinical data exist that support nAChR–based ligands as promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN, USA
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11
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Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Nicotinic receptor modulation to treat alcohol and drug dependence. Front Neurosci 2015. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2014.00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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12
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Rodriguez JS, Cunningham CS, Moura FB, Ondachi P, Carroll FI, McMahon LR. Discriminative stimulus and hypothermic effects of some derivatives of the nAChR agonist epibatidine in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:4455-66. [PMID: 24800895 PMCID: PMC4224623 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Receptor mechanisms underlying the in vivo effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) drugs need to be determined to better understand possible differences in therapeutic potential. OBJECTIVE This study compared the effects of agonists that are reported either to differ in intrinsic activity (i.e., efficacy) at α4β2 nAChR in vitro or to have in vivo effects consistent with differences in efficacy. The drugs included nicotine, varenicline, cytisine, epibatidine, and three novel epibatidine derivatives: 2'-fluoro-3'-(4-nitrophenyl)deschloroepibatidine (RTI-7527-102), 2'-fluorodeschloroepibatidine (RTI-7527-36), and 3'-(3″-dimethylaminophenyl)-epibatidine (RTI-7527-76). METHODS Mice discriminated nicotine base (1 mg/kg base) from saline; other mice were used to measure rectal temperature. RESULTS In the nicotine discrimination assay, the maximum percentage of nicotine-appropriate responding varied: 92 % for nicotine, 84 % for epibatidine, 77 % for RTI-7527-36, and 71 % for varenicline and significantly less for RTI-7527-76 (58 %), RTI-7527-102 (46 %), and cytisine (33 %). Each drug markedly decreased rectal temperature by as much as 12 ºC. The rank-order potency in the discrimination and hypothermia assays was epibatidine > RTI-7527-36 > nicotine > RTI-7527-102 > varenicline = cytisine = RTI-7527-76. The nAChR antagonist mecamylamine (3.2 mg/kg) antagonized the discriminative stimulus effects of epibatidine and RTI-7527-102, as well as the hypothermic effects of every drug except cytisine. The β2-subunit selective nAChR antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE; up to 10 mg/kg) antagonized hypothermic effects but less effectively so than mecamylamine. CONCLUSIONS The marked hypothermic effects of all drugs except cytisine are due in part to agonism at nAChR containing β2-subunits. Differential substitution for the nicotine discriminative stimulus is consistent with differences in α4β2 nAChR efficacy; however, collectively the current results suggest that multiple nAChR receptor subtypes mediate the effects of the agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse S. Rodriguez
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Colin S. Cunningham
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Fernando B. Moura
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Pauline Ondachi
- Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709
| | - F. Ivy Carroll
- Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709
| | - Lance R. McMahon
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
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13
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Abstract
Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) is a behavioral procedure in which operant responding is maintained by pulses of electrical brain stimulation. In research to study abuse-related drug effects, ICSS relies on electrode placements that target the medial forebrain bundle at the level of the lateral hypothalamus, and experimental sessions manipulate frequency or amplitude of stimulation to engender a wide range of baseline response rates or response probabilities. Under these conditions, drug-induced increases in low rates/probabilities of responding maintained by low frequencies/amplitudes of stimulation are interpreted as an abuse-related effect. Conversely, drug-induced decreases in high rates/probabilities of responding maintained by high frequencies/amplitudes of stimulation can be interpreted as an abuse-limiting effect. Overall abuse potential can be inferred from the relative expression of abuse-related and abuse-limiting effects. The sensitivity and selectivity of ICSS to detect abuse potential of many classes of abused drugs is similar to the sensitivity and selectivity of drug self-administration procedures. Moreover, similar to progressive-ratio drug self-administration procedures, ICSS data can be used to rank the relative abuse potential of different drugs. Strengths of ICSS in comparison with drug self-administration include 1) potential for simultaneous evaluation of both abuse-related and abuse-limiting effects, 2) flexibility for use with various routes of drug administration or drug vehicles, 3) utility for studies in drug-naive subjects as well as in subjects with controlled levels of prior drug exposure, and 4) utility for studies of drug time course. Taken together, these considerations suggest that ICSS can make significant contributions to the practice of abuse potential testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Laurence L Miller
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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14
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Simmons SJ, Gould TJ. Involvement of neuronal β2 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in nicotine reward and withdrawal: implications for pharmacotherapies. J Clin Pharm Ther 2014; 39:457-67. [PMID: 24828779 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE Tobacco smoking remains a major health problem. Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which can cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of nicotine administration. Pharmacotherapies for nicotine addiction target brain alterations that underlie withdrawal symptoms. This review will delineate the involvement of the β2 subunit of neuronal nAChRs in nicotine reward and in generating withdrawal symptoms to better understand the efficacy of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies. COMMENT Chronic nicotine desensitizes and upregulates β2 subunit-containing nAChRs, and the prolonged upregulation of receptors may underlie symptoms of withdrawal. Experimental research has demonstrated that the β2 subunit of neuronal nAChRs is necessary for generating nicotine reward and withdrawal symptoms. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION Smoking cessation pharmacotherapies act on β2 subunit-containing nAChRs to reduce nicotine reward and withdrawal symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Simmons
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
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15
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Ondachi PW, Castro AH, Bartkowiak JM, Luetje CW, Damaj MI, Mascarella SW, Navarro HA, Carroll FI. Synthesis, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding, and antinociceptive properties of 2'-fluoro-3'-(substituted pyridinyl)-7-deschloroepibatidine analogues. J Med Chem 2014; 57:836-48. [PMID: 24428686 PMCID: PMC3983394 DOI: 10.1021/jm401602p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
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2′-Fluoro-3-(substituted
pyridine)epibatidine analogues 7a–e and 8a–e were synthesized, and
their in vitro and in vivo nAChR properties
were determined. 2′-Fluoro-3′-(4″-pyridinyl)deschloroepibatidine
(7a) and 2′-fluoro-3′-(3″-pyridinyl)deschloroepibatidine
(8a) were synthesized as bioisosteres of the 4′-nitrophenyl
lead compounds 5a and 5g. Comparison of
the in vitro nAChR properties of 7a and 8a to those of 5a and 5g showed that 7a and 8a had in vitro nAChR properties similar
to those of 5a and 5g but both were more
selective for the α4β2-nAChR relative to the α3β4-
and α7-nAChRs than 5a and 5g. The
in vivo nAChR properties in mice of 7a were similar to
those of 5a. In contrast, 8a was an agonist
in all four mouse acute tests, whereas 5g was active
only in a spontaneous activity test. In addition, 5g was
a nicotine antagonist in both the tail-flick and hot-plate tests,
whereas 8a was an antagonist only in the tail-flick test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline W Ondachi
- Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute , P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
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16
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Effects of blockade of α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behaviour in rats. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 17:105-16. [PMID: 23953129 PMCID: PMC3844113 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145713000874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental stimuli conditioned to nicotine consumption critically contributes to the high relapse rates of tobacco smoking. Our previous work demonstrated that non-selective blockade of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) reversed the cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking, indicating a role for cholinergic neurotransmission in the mediation of the conditioned incentive properties of nicotine cues. The present study further examined the relative roles of the two major nAChR subtypes, α4β2 and α7, in the cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to intravenously self-administer nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/infusion, free base) on a fixed-ratio 5 schedule of reinforcement. A nicotine-conditioned cue was established by associating a sensory stimulus with each nicotine infusion. After nicotine-maintained responding was extinguished by withholding the nicotine infusion and its paired cue, reinstatement test sessions were conducted with re-presentation of the cue but without the availability of nicotine. Thirty minutes before the tests, the rats were administered the α4β2-selective antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE) and α7-selective antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA). Pretreatment with MLA, but not DHβE, significantly reduced the magnitude of the cue-induced reinstatement of responses on the active, previously nicotine-reinforced lever. In different sets of rats, MLA altered neither nicotine self-administration nor cue-induced reinstatement of food seeking. These results demonstrate that activation of α7 nAChRs participates in the mediation of the conditioned incentive properties of nicotine cues and suggest that α7 nAChRs may be a promising target for the development of medications for the prevention of cue-induced smoking relapse.
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17
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Charntikov S, Swalve N, Pittenger S, Fink K, Schepers S, Hadlock GC, Fleckenstein AE, Hu G, Li M, Bevins RA. Iptakalim attenuates self-administration and acquired goal-tracking behavior controlled by nicotine. Neuropharmacology 2013; 75:138-44. [PMID: 23916479 PMCID: PMC3864985 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Iptakalim is an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, as well as an α4β2-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist. Pretreatment with iptakalim diminishes nicotine-induced dopamine (DA) and glutamate release in the nucleus accumbens. This neuropharmacological profile suggests that iptakalim may be useful for treatment of nicotine dependence. Thus, we examined the effects of iptakalim in two preclinical models. First, the impact of iptakalim on the interoceptive stimulus effect of nicotine was evaluated by training rats in a discriminated goal-tracking task that included intermixed nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, SC) and saline sessions. Sucrose was intermittently presented in a response-independent manner only on nicotine sessions. On intervening test days, rats were pretreated with iptakalim (10, 30, 60 mg/kg, IP). Results revealed that iptakalim attenuated nicotine-evoked responding controlled by the nicotine stimulus in a dose-dependent manner. In a separate study, the impact of iptakalim on the reinforcing effects of nicotine was investigated by training rats to lever-press to self-administer nicotine (0.01 mg/kg/infusion) [Dosage error corrected]. Results revealed that pretreatment with iptakalim (1, 3, 6 mg/kg, IV) decreased nicotine intake (i.e., less active lever responding). Neither behavioral effect was due to a non-specific motor effect of iptakalim, nor to an ability of iptakalim to inhibit DA transporter (DAT) or serotonin transporter (SERT) function. Together, these finding support the notion that iptakalim may be an effective pharmacotherapy for increasing smoking cessation and a better understanding of its action could contribute to medication development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Charntikov
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - N Swalve
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - S Pittenger
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - K Fink
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - S Schepers
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - G C Hadlock
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Room 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - A E Fleckenstein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Room 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - G Hu
- Jiangsu Province Key Lab of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - M Li
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - R A Bevins
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA.
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18
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Brody AL, Mukhin AG, Stephanie Shulenberger, Mamoun MS, Kozman M, Phuong J, Neary M, Luu T, Mandelkern MA. Treatment for tobacco dependence: effect on brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013; 38:1548-56. [PMID: 23429692 PMCID: PMC3682149 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Revised: 02/10/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking leads to upregulation of brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), including the common α4β2* nAChR subtype. Although a substantial percentage of smokers receive treatment for tobacco dependence with counseling and/or medication, the effect of a standard course of these treatments on nAChR upregulation has not yet been reported. In the present study, 48 otherwise healthy smokers underwent positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with the radiotracer 2-FA (for labeling α4β2* nAChRs) before and after treatment with either cognitive-behavioral therapy, bupropion HCl, or pill placebo. Specific binding volume of distribution (VS/fP), a measure proportional to α4β2* nAChR density, was determined for regions known to have nAChR upregulation with smoking (prefrontal cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum). In the overall study sample, significant decreases in VS/fP were found for the prefrontal cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum of -20 (±35), -25 (±36), and -25 (±31)%, respectively, which represented movement of VS/fP values toward values found in non-smokers (mean 58.2% normalization of receptor levels). Participants who quit smoking had significantly greater reductions in VS/fP across regions than non-quitters, and correlations were found between reductions in cigarettes per day and decreases in VS/fP for brainstem and cerebellum, but there was no between-group effect of treatment type. Thus, smoking reduction and cessation with commonly used treatments (and pill placebo) lead to decreased α4β2* nAChR densities across brain regions. Study findings could prove useful in the treatment of smokers by providing encouragement with the knowledge that decreased smoking leads to normalization of specific brain receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur L Brody
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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19
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Pérez EG, Ocampo C, Feuerbach D, López JJ, Morelo GL, Tapia RA, Arias HR. Novel 1-(1-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N,N-trimethylmethanaminium iodides are competitive antagonists for the human α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. MEDCHEMCOMM 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c3md00042g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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20
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Ondachi P, Castro A, Luetje CW, Damaj MI, Mascarella SW, Navarro HA, Carroll FI. Synthesis and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of 2'-fluoro-3'-(substituted phenyl)deschloroepibatidine analogues of 2'-fluoro-3'-(4-nitrophenyl)deschloroepibatidine. J Med Chem 2012; 55:6512-22. [PMID: 22742586 DOI: 10.1021/jm300575y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report the synthesis and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of 2'-fluoro-3'-(substituted phenyl)deschloroepibatidines 5b-g, analogues of 3'-(4-nitrophenyl) compound 5a. All compounds had high affinity for α4β2-nAChR and low affinity for α7-nAChR. Initial electrophysiological studies showed that all analogues were antagonists at α4β2-, α3β4-, and α7-nAChRs. The 4-carbamoylphenyl analogue 5g was highly selective for α4β2-nAChR over α3β4- and α7-nAChRs. All the analogues were antagonists of nicotine-induced antinociception in the tail-flick test. Molecular modeling docking studies using the agonist-bound form of the X-ray crystal structure of the acetylcholine binding protein suggested several different binding modes for epibatidine, varenicline, and 5a-g. In particular, a unique binding mode for 5g was suggested by these docking simulations. The high binding affinity, in vitro efficacy, and selectivity of 5g for α4β2-nAChR combined with its nAChR functional antagonist properties suggest that 5g will be a valuable pharmacological tool for studying the nAChR and may have potential as a pharmacotherapy for addiction and other central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Ondachi
- Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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