Specific [3H]LY278584 binding to 5-HT3 recognition sites in rat cerebral cortex

The multimodal antidepressant vortioxetine may facilitate pyramidal cell firing by inhibition of 5-HT3 receptor expressing interneurons: An in vitro study in rat hippocampus slices

The multimodal antidepressant vortioxetine is thought to mediate its pharmacological effects via 5-HT_1A receptor agonism, 5-HT_1B receptor partial agonism, 5-HT_1D, 5-HT₃, 5-HT₇ receptor antagonism and 5-HT transporter inhibition. Here we studied vortioxetine's functional effects across species (canine, mouse, rat, guinea pig and human) in cellular assays with heterologous expression of 5-HT_3A receptors (in Xenopus oocytes and HEK-293 cells) and in mouse neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells with endogenous expression of 5-HT_3A receptors. Furthermore, we studied the effects of vortioxetine on activity of CA1 Stratum Radiatum interneurons in rat hippocampus slices using current- and voltage-clamping methods. The patched neurons were subsequently filled with biocytin for confirmation of 5-HT₃ receptor mRNA expression by in situ hybridization. Whereas, both vortioxetine and the 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist ondansetron potently antagonized 5-HT-induced currents in the cellular assays, vortioxetine had a slower off-rate than ondansetron in oocytes expressing 5-HT_3A receptors. Furthermore, vortioxetine's but not ondansetron's 5-HT₃ receptor antagonistic potency varied considerably across species. Vortioxetine had the highest potency at rat and the lowest potency at guinea pig 5-HT_3A receptors. Finally, in 5-HT₃ receptor-expressing GABAergic interneurons from the CA1 stratum radiatum, vortioxetine and ondansetron blocked depolarizations induced by superfusion of either 5-HT or the 5-HT₃ receptor agonist mCPBG. Taken together, these data add to a growing literature supporting the idea that vortioxetine may inhibit GABAergic neurotransmission in some brain regions via a 5-HT₃ receptor antagonism-dependent mechanism and thereby disinhibit pyramidal neurons and enhance glutamatergic signaling.

Identification of unique release kinetics of serotonin from guinea-pig and human enterochromaffin cells

The major source of serotonin (5-HT) in the body is the enterochromaffin (EC) cells lining the intestinal mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the fact that EC cells synthesise ∼95% of total body 5-HT, and that this 5-HT has important paracrine and endocrine roles, no studies have investigated the mechanisms of 5-HT release from single primary EC cells. We have developed a rapid primary culture of guinea-pig and human EC cells, allowing analysis of single EC cell function using electrophysiology, electrochemistry, Ca(2+) imaging, immunocytochemistry and 3D modelling. Ca(2+) enters EC cells upon stimulation and triggers quantal 5-HT release via L-type Ca(2+) channels. Real time amperometric techniques reveal that EC cells release 5-HT at rest and this release increases upon stimulation. Surprisingly for an endocrine cell storing 5-HT in large dense core vesicles (LDCVs), EC cells release 70 times less 5-HT per fusion event than catecholamine released from similarly sized LDCVs in endocrine chromaffin cells, and the vesicle release kinetics instead resembles that observed in mammalian synapses. Furthermore, we measured EC cell density along the gastrointestinal tract to create three-dimensional (3D) simulations of 5-HT diffusion using the minimal number of variables required to understand the physiological relevance of single cell 5-HT release in the whole-tissue milieu. These models indicate that local 5-HT levels are likely to be maintained around the activation threshold for mucosal 5-HT receptors and that this is dependent upon stimulation and location within the gastrointestinal tract. This is the first study demonstrating single cell 5-HT release in primary EC cells. The mode of 5-HT release may represent a unique mode of exocytosis amongst endocrine cells and is functionally relevant to gastrointestinal sensory and motor function.

New serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor agonists with neuroprotective effect against ischemic cell damage

We report the synthesis of new compounds 4-35 based on structural modifications of different moieties of previously described lead UCM-2550. The new nonpiperazine derivatives, representing second-generation agonists, were assessed for binding affinity, selectivity, and functional activity at the 5-HT(1A) receptor (5-HT(1A)R). Computational β(2)-based homology models of the ligand-receptor complexes were used to explain the observed structure-affinity relationships. Selected candidates were also evaluated for their potential in vitro and in vivo neuroprotective properties. Interestingly, compound 26 (2-{6-[(3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-2-ylmethyl)amino]hexyl}tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole-1,3(2H)-dione) has been characterized as a high-affinity and potent 5-HT(1A)R agonist (K(i) = 5.9 nM, EC(50) = 21.8 nM) and exhibits neuroprotective effect in neurotoxicity assays in primary cell cultures from rat hippocampus and in the MCAO model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Synergistic self-administration of ethanol and cocaine directly into the posterior ventral tegmental area: involvement of serotonin-3 receptors

Ethanol (EtOH) and cocaine are both self-administered into the posterior ventral tegmental area (VTA). Self-administration of either drug is prevented by coadministration of a serotonin (5-HT₃) receptor antagonist. Electrophysiological studies indicated that cocaine and EtOH can act synergistically to stimulate VTA dopamine neurons. The current experiment assessed whether cocaine and EtOH would synergistically interact to produce a reinforcing action within the posterior VTA. Adult female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of 13 groups. There were three control groups: artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), a subthreshold EtOH (100 mg%) group, and a subthreshold cocaine (25 pmol/100 nl) group. The other groups self-administered 50 or 75 mg% EtOH containing 6.25, 12.5, or 25 pmol/100 nl cocaine or 100 mg% EtOH containing 3.12, 6.25, 12.5, or 25 pmol/100 nl cocaine. All rats received the assigned infusate for sessions 1 through 4, aCSF alone in sessions 5 and 6, and the original infusate during session 7. The effects of adding a 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist [tropisetron, C₁₇H₂₀N₂O₂ (ICS 205,930) and C₁₇H₂₂N₄O.C₄H₄O₄ (LY278-584)] on coadministration of EtOH and cocaine (75 mg% + 12.5 pmol/100 nl) were determined. Rats failed to self-administer aCSF or the subthreshold concentration of EtOH or cocaine. All three concentrations of EtOH (50, 75, and 100 mg%) combined with cocaine (12.5 and 25 pmol/100 nl) supported self-administration. Adding a 5HT₃ receptor antagonist attenuated coadministration of EtOH + cocaine. Overall, the data indicate that the reinforcing properties of EtOH and cocaine interacted synergistically within the posterior VTA, and these synergistic effects were mediated, at least in part, by activation of local 5-HT₃ receptors.

Changes in characteristics of the specific binding of [3H]LY-278584, a 5-HT3-receptor antagonist, on differentiated NG108-15 cells

We have reported previously that the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ evoked by serotonin (5-HT) was significantly augmented in differentiated NG108-15 (NG) cells treated with dibutyryl cAMP and the enhanced response occurred via 5-HT3 receptors. We investigated changes in the characteristics for specific binding of [(3)H]LY-278584 (a specific antagonist of the 5-HT3 receptor) on membranes from differentiated NG cells. The results indicated that the K(d) and B(max) values for the specific binding to differentiated NG cells were significantly smaller and larger, respectively, than those for undifferentiated NG cells. The binding was significantly inhibited by 10 nM tropisetron, a specific 5-HT3-receptor antagonist, but not by any other types of 5-HT-receptor antagonists. These results suggested that the enhanced response by 5-HT in differentiated NG cells was due to both qualitative and quantitative changes in the 5-HT3 receptor.

Serotonin receptors are involved in the spinal mediation of descending facilitation of surgical incision-induced increase of Fos-like immunoreactivity in rats

Background

Descending pronociceptive pathways may be implicated in states of persistent pain. Paw skin incision is a well-established postoperative pain model that causes behavioral nociceptive responses and enhanced excitability of spinal dorsal horn neurons. The number of spinal c-Fos positive neurons of rats treated intrathecally with serotonin, noradrenaline or acetylcholine antagonists where evaluated to study the descending pathways activated by a surgical paw incision.

Results

The number of c-Fos positive neurons in laminae I/II ipsilateral, lamina V bilateral to the incised paw, and in lamina X significantly increased after the incision. These changes: remained unchanged in phenoxybenzamine-treated rats; were increased in the contralateral lamina V of atropine-treated rats; were inhibited in the ipsilateral lamina I/II by 5-HT_1/2B/2C (methysergide), 5-HT_2A (ketanserin) or 5-HT_{1/2A/2C/5/6/7} (methiothepin) receptors antagonists, in the ipsilateral lamina V by methysergide or methiothepin, in the contralateral lamina V by all the serotonergic antagonists and in the lamina X by LY 278,584, ketanserin or methiothepin.

Conclusions

We conclude: (1) muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms reduce incision-induced response of spinal neurons inputs from the contralateral paw; (2) 5-HT_1/2A/2C/3 receptors-mediate mechanisms increase the activity of descending pathways that facilitates the response of spinal neurons to noxious inputs from the contralateral paw; (3) 5-HT_1/2A/2C and 5-HT_1/2C receptors increases the descending facilitation mechanisms induced by incision in the ipsilateral paw; (4) 5-HT_2A/3 receptors contribute to descending pronociceptive pathways conveyed by lamina X spinal neurons; (5) α-adrenergic receptors are unlikely to participate in the incision-induced facilitation of the spinal neurons.

Discovery of 4-(5-methyloxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)-1,4-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane (CP-810,123), a novel alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist for the treatment of cognitive disorders in schizophrenia: synthesis, SAR development, and in vivo efficacy in cognition models

A novel alpha 7 nAChR agonist, 4-(5-methyloxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)-1,4-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane (24, CP-810,123), has been identified as a potential treatment for cognitive deficits associated with psychiatric or neurological conditions including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Compound 24 is a potent and selective compound with excellent pharmaceutical properties. In rodent, the compound displays high oral bioavailability and excellent brain penetration affording high levels of receptor occupancy and in vivo efficacy in auditory sensory gating and novel object recognition. The structural diversity of this compound and its preclinical in vitro and in vivo package support the hypothesis that alpha 7 nAChR agonists may have potential as a pharmacotherapy for the treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

Deletion of the 5-HT(3A)-receptor subunit blunts the induction of cocaine sensitization

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors are classified into seven groups (5-HT(1-7)), comprising at least 14 structurally and pharmacologically distinct receptor subtypes. Pharmacological antagonism of ionotropic 5-HT(3) receptors has been shown to modulate both behavioral and neurochemical aspects of the induction of sensitization to cocaine. It is not known, however, if specific molecular subunits of the 5-HT(3) receptor influence the development of cocaine sensitization. To address this question, we studied the effects of acute and chronic intermittent cocaine administration in mice with a targeted deletion of the gene for the 5-HT(3A)-receptor subunit (5-HT(3A)-/-). 5-HT(3A) (-/-) mice showed blunted induction of cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization as compared with wild-type littermate controls. 5-HT(3A) (-/-) mice did not differ from wild-type littermate controls on measures of basal motor activity or response to acute cocaine treatment. Enhanced locomotor response to saline injection following cocaine sensitization was observed equally in 5-HT(3A) (-/-) and wild-type mice suggesting similar conditioned effects associated with chronic cocaine treatment. These data show a role for the 5-HT(3A)-receptor subunit in the induction of behavioral sensitization to cocaine and suggest that the 5-HT(3A) molecular subunit modulates neurobehavioral adaptations to cocaine, which may underlie aspects of addiction.

5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT1A) but not 5-HT3 receptor is involved in mediating the nucleus submedius 5-HT-evoked antinociception in the rat

Our previous studies have indicated that the thalamic nucleus submedius (Sm) is involved in modulation of nociception as part of an ascending component of an endogenous analgesic system consisting of spinal cord-Sm-ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO)-periaqueductal gray (PAG)-spinal cord loop. Microinjection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) into Sm produces antinociception and this effect is blocked by 5-HT(2) receptor antagonist. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the 5-HT(1) and 5-HT(3) receptors were also involved in the Sm 5-HT-evoked antinociception. Nociception was assessed in lightly anesthetized rats with radiant-heat-evoked tail flick (TF). 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists were microinjected into the Sm alone or in combination with a microinjection of 5-HT into the same Sm site. 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist p-MPPI (0.87 nmol) facilitated the TF reflex; a lower dose (0.43 nmol) of p-MPPI significantly attenuated the Sm 5-HT-evoked inhibition of TF reflex. Microinjection of the 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist LY-278,584 (12 nmol) had no effect either on the TF reflex or on the Sm 5-HT-evoked inhibition. These results suggest that 5-HT(1A) receptor but not 5-HT(3) receptor is involved in mediating the 5-HT-evoked antinociception. Possible mechanisms of Sm 5-HT-induced descending antinociception are discussed.

Benzimidazole derivatives. Part 5: design and synthesis of new benzimidazole-arylpiperazine derivatives acting as mixed 5-HT1A/5-HT3 ligands

A series of new mixed benzimidazole-arylpiperazine derivatives were designed by incorporating in general structure III the pharmacophoric elements of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(3) receptors. Compounds 1-11 were synthesized and evaluated for binding affinity at both serotoninergic receptors, all of them exhibiting high 5-HT(3)R affinity (K(i)=10-62nM), and derivatives with an o-alkoxy group in the arylpiperazine ring showing nanomolar affinity for the 5-HT(1A)R (K(i)=18-150nM). Additionally, all the synthesized compounds were selective over alpha(1)-adrenergic and dopamine D(2) receptors (K(i)>1000-10,000nM). Compound 3 was selected for further pharmacological characterization due to its interesting binding profile as mixed 5-HT(1A)/5-HT(3) ligand with high affinity for both receptors (5-HT(1A): K(i)=18.0nM, 5-HT(3): K(i)=27.2nM). In vitro and in vivo findings suggest that this compound acts as a partial agonist at 5-HT(1A)Rs and as a 5-HT(3)R antagonist. This novel mixed 5-HT(1A)/5-HT(3) ligand was also effective in preventing the cognitive deficits induced by muscarinic receptor blockade in a passive avoidance learning test, suggesting a potential interest in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.

Design and synthesis of new benzimidazole-arylpiperazine derivatives acting as mixed 5-HT1A/5-HT3 ligands

A series of new benzimidazole-arylpiperazine derivatives III were designed, synthesized and evaluated for binding affinity at serotoninergic 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(3) receptors. Compound IIIc was identified as a novel mixed 5-HT(1A)/5-HT(3) ligand with high affinity for both serotonin receptors and excellent selectivity over alpha(1)-adrenergic and dopamine D(2) receptors. This compound was characterized as a partial agonist at 5-HT(1A)Rs and a 5-HT(3)R antagonist, and was effective in preventing the cognitive deficits induced by muscarinic receptor blockade in a passive avoidance learning test.

Design and synthesis of S-(-)-2-[[4-(napht-1-yl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl]-1,4-dioxoperhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine (CSP-2503) using computational simulation. A 5-HT1A receptor agonist

Based on a computational model for 5-HT(1A)R-ligand interaction and QSAR studies, we have designed and synthesized a new series of arylpiperazines 2-8 which exhibit high 5-HT(1A)R affinity and selectivity over alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors. Among them, compound CSP-2503 (4) has been pharmacologically characterized as a 5-HT(1A)R agonist at somatodendritic and postsynaptic sites, endowed with anxiolytic properties.

The effects of continuous 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist administration on the subsequent behavioral response to cocaine

A functional down-regulation of central serotonin3 (5-HT(3)) receptors represents a partial mechanism of the tolerance to cocaine induced by the continuous administration of cocaine. Blocking this down-regulation by co-administering continuous cocaine and daily injections of 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists blocks the development of tolerance. The present experiment evaluated the ability of continuously administered 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists, to induce sensitization (reverse tolerance) to the behavioral effects of cocaine, based on the hypothesis that chronic blockade of 5-HT(3) receptors should induce an up-regulation of these receptors. In all experiments, rats received a 14 day pretreatment involving the continuous administration of tropisetron (0.0, 1.0, 4.0, or 8.0 mg/kg/day) or LY 278584 (0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 mg/kg/day). The rats were withdrawn for 7 days from this pretreatment regimen. On day 7 of withdrawal from the pretreatment regiment, the rats received a 0.0, 7.5, or 15.0 mg/kg i.p. cocaine challenge. Ambulatory behavior was automatically recorded for 60 min. Both continuous tropisetron and LY 278584, opposite to the initial hypothesis, induced tolerance, and not sensitization, to the behavioral effects of cocaine. The results clearly indicate that central 5-HT(3) receptors are critical for the effects of chronic cocaine administration.

Synthesis and pharmacology of isoquinuclidine derivatives as 5-HT(3) ligands

A series of 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoates and benzamides containing the 5- and 6-isoquinuclidinyl system was synthesised and evaluated for binding to 5-HT(3), 5-HT(4) and D(2) receptors. In general, the isoquinuclidine derivatives at the 5-position have shown to be more potent as 5-HT(3) ligands but they also possess 5-HT(4) and D(2) properties. However, the results show that the derivatives at the 6-position afforded the most promising compounds in terms of both receptor affinity and selectivity.

Potentiation of 5-HT(3) receptor functions in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats following repeated electroconvulsive shock treatments

Modulation of serotonin (5-HT)(3)-receptor function by repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS) treatment was investigated to elucidate the mechanism underlying the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) which is clinically used for drug-resistant depression. ECS (100 V, 1 s) was applied once a day for 14 days via an electrode placed on the ears of rats (ECS group). For controls, rats were handled similar to the ECS-treated group except for the stimulation. Hippocampal slices (thickness, 450 microm) were prepared 24 h after the final ECS treatment when rats were 5-6 weeks old. Intracellular recordings were made from the neurons in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer. Activation of 5-HT(3) receptors increased spontaneous postsynaptic potentials (sPSP). Increased sPSP was mainly mediated by GABA. The 5-HT(3) receptor mediated increase in sPSP was potentiated in the ECS group compared with the control group. These findings suggest that the 5-HT(3) receptor function is potentiated by repeated ECS.

Roles of dopamine and serotonin in larval attachment of the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite

In order to clarify the roles of neurotransmitters including serotonin and dopamine in larval settlement (attachment) and metamorphosis of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite, the effects of lisuride, which acts as both a serotonin agonist/antagonist and a dopamine agonist, were examined. Lisuride did not induce larval attachment and metamorphosis; however, it promoted only larval behavior of searching for attachment sites without actual attachment to substrata which lasted for 5 to 6 days in a dose-dependent manner. Further evidence was obtained with a range of agonists/antagonists; serotonin agonists promoted the attachment, while serotonin antagonists inhibited it. Similarly, dopamine agonists inhibited the attachment. Furthermore, mixtures of serotonin and dopamine showed similar effects to those of lisuride. These results suggested that the promotion effect on larval searching behavior was derived from a combination of activities of serotonin and dopamine. Moreover, both serotonin and dopamine were detected in cyprids by HPLC. Thus, larval attachment process is regulated by both serotonin and dopamine neurons in this species. J. Exp. Zool. 284:746-758, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Benzimidazole derivatives. Part 1: Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of new benzimidazole-4-carboxamides and carboxylates as potent and selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonists

New benzimidazole-4-carboxamides 1-16 and -carboxylates 17-26 were synthesized and evaluated for binding affinity at serotonergic 5-HT4 and 5-HT3 receptors in the CNS. Most of the synthesized compounds exhibited moderate-to-very high affinity (in many cases subnanomolar) for the 5-HT4 binding site and no significant affinity for the 5-HT3 receptor. SAR observations and structural analyses (molecular modeling, INSIGHT II) indicated that the presence of a voluminous substituent in the basic nitrogen atom of the amino moiety and a distance of ca. 8.0 A from this nitrogen to the aromatic ring are of great importance for high affinity and selectivity for 5-HT4 receptors. These results confirm our recently proposed model for recognition by the 5-HT4 binding site. Amides 12-15 and esters 24 and 25 bound at central 5-HT4 sites with very high affinity (Ki = 0.11-2.9 nM) and excellent selectivity over serotonin 5-HT3, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT1A receptors (Ki > 1000-10,000 nM). Analogues 12 (Ki(5-HT4) = 0.32 nM), 13 (Ki(5-HT4) = 0.11 nM), 14 (Ki(5-HT4) = 0.29 nM) and 15 (Ki(5-HT4) = 0.54 nM) were pharmacologically characterized as selective 5-HT4 antagonists in the isolated guinea pig ileum (pA2 = 7.6, 7.9, 8.2 and 7.9, respectively), with a potency comparable to the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist RS 39604 (pA2 = 8.2). The benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid derivatives described in this paper represent a novel class of potent and selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonists. In particular, compounds 12-15 could be interesting pharmacological tools for the understanding of the role of 5-HT4 receptors.

Preclinical pharmacology of B-20991, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist with anxiolytic activity

The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacological effects of 2-[[4-(o-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl]-1,3-dioxoperhydro imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine (B-20991) by using several biochemical and behavioral assays. Results of binding studies showed that B-20991 binds with high affinity to the 5-HT1A receptor (Ki = 31.7 +/- 1.7 nM), moderate affinity to 5-HT3 receptor (Ki = 269.4 +/- 23.2 nM) and low affinity (Ki > 1000) to 5-HT2A receptor, dopamine D2 receptor, benzodiazepine receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptor. The administration of B-20991 produced a dose and time related decrease in mouse rectal temperature, increased both lower lip retraction and flat body posture behavioral scores in rat, decreased 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) neuronal activity in mouse hypothalamus, and did not alter dopamine neuronal activity nor locomotor activity. The anxiolytic activity of B-20991 was assessed by using both the social interaction and light/dark box tests. The results of these tests indicated that B-20991 caused a dose-related increase in the social interaction and light/dark box behavioral scores. Taken together, these results suggest that B-20991 is a 5-HT1A receptor agonist that exhibits anxiolytic activity.

Comparative receptor mapping of serotoninergic 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 binding sites

The clinical use of currently available drugs acting at the 5-HT4 receptor has been hampered by their lack of selectivity over 5-HT3 binding sites. For this reason, there is considerable interest in the medicinal chemistry of these serotonin receptor subtypes, and significant effort has been made towards the discovery of potent and selective ligands. Computer-aided conformational analysis was used to characterize serotoninergic 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor recognition. On the basis of the generally accepted model of the 5-HT3 antagonist pharmacophore, we have performed a receptor mapping of this receptor binding site, following the active analog approach (AAA) defined by Marshall. The receptor excluded volume was calculated as the union of the van der Waals density maps of nine active ligands (pKi > or = 8.9), superimposed in pharmacophoric conformations. Six inactive analogs (pKi < 7.0) were subsequently used to define the essential volume, which in its turn can be used to define the regions of steric intolerance of the 5-HT3 receptor. Five active ligands (pKi > or = 9.3) at 5-HT4 receptors were used to construct an antagonist pharmacophore for this receptor, and to determine its excluded volume by superimposition of pharmacophoric conformations. The volume defined by the superimposition of five inactive 5-HT4 receptor analogs that possess the pharmacophoric elements (pKi < or = 6.6) did not exceed the excluded volume calculated for this receptor. In this case, the inactivity may be due to the lack of positive interaction of the amino moiety with a hypothetical hydrophobic pocket, which would interact with the voluminous substituents of the basic nitrogen of active ligands. The difference between the excluded volumes of both receptors has confirmed that the main difference is indeed in the basic moiety. Thus, the 5-HT3 receptor can only accommodate small substituents in the position of the nitrogen atom, whereas the 5-HT4 receptor requires more voluminous groups. Also, the basic nitrogen is located at ca. 8.0 A from the aromatic moiety in the 5-HT4 antagonist pharmacophore, whereas this distance is ca. 7.5 A in the 5-HT3 antagonist model. The comparative mapping of both serotoninergic receptors has allowed us to confirm the three-component pharmacophore accepted for the 5-HT3 receptor, as well as to propose a steric model for the 5-HT4 receptor binding site. This study offers structural insights to aid the design of new selective ligands, and the resulting models have received some support from the synthesis of two new active and selective ligands: 24 (Ki(5-HT3) = 3.7 nM; Ki(5-HT4) > 1000 nM) and 25 (Ki(5-HT4) = 13.7 nM; Ki(5-HT3) > 10,000 nM).

Regional CNS densities of monoamine receptors in alcohol-naive alcohol-preferring P and -nonpreferring NP rats

The densities of subtypes of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) receptors were determined in the CNS of alcohol-naive alcohol-preferring P and -nonpreferring NP lines of rats. Autoradiography studies were undertaken to measure the densities of 5-HT1B sites labelled with 100 pM [125I](-)-iodocyanopindolol, 5-HT3 sites labelled with 2 nM [3H]LY 278584, and D1 sites labelled with 1 nM[3H]SCH 23390. Membrane binding, using tissue combined from the olfactory bulb, olfactory tubercle, and nucleus accumbens, was carried out to determine Kd and B max values for the binding of 0.25-8.0 nM[3H]7-OH DPAT to D3 sites. Among the 48 regions measured for differences in 5-HT1B recognition sites, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found only in the cingulate and retrosplenial cortices, in the lateral and medial septum, and in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala, with lower values being found in the P than the NP line. There were no significant differences in the regional CNS densities of D1 or 5-HT3 sites between the P and NP lines. There were also no differences between the rat lines in the Kd or Bmax values for [3H]7-OH DPAT binding to D3 sites. The lower densities of 5-HT1B sites in the CNS of the P compared to the NP rats may be a result of reduced numbers of 5-HT1B presynaptic autoreceptors as well as postsynaptic receptors in the P line. The observation that there are no differences in the amount of radioligand binding to D1, 5-HT3, and D3 sites between the P and NP lines suggests that the disparate alcohol drinking behaviors of these two lines is not associated with an innate alteration in the densities of these receptor subtypes.

Molecular structure and dynamics of some potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Insight into the interaction with the receptor

The molecular structure and the dynamic behaviour of some potent 5-HT3 antagonists structurally related to quipazine have been investigated by NMR spectroscopy and by computational methods in order to gain insight into the structure-activity relationships at a molecular level. The role of the different dynamic behaviour of these compounds in the binding to 5-HT3 receptors is discussed. A model of ligand-receptor interaction has been developed on the basis of molecular orbital calculations and on the reference ligands quipazine, ondansetron and LY278584. The interaction model proposed herein rationalizes the observed agonist-antagonist shift between quipazine and investigated compounds with the assumption of different but overlapping binding domains for antagonists and agonists at the 5-HT3 receptor.

Coupling of an endogenous 5-HT1B-like receptor to increases in intracellular calcium through a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism in CHO-K1 cells

1. Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) express an endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1B-like receptor that is negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase through a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive mechanism. Furthermore, the human adenosine A1 receptor when expressed in CHO-K1 cells (CHO-A1) has been shown to mobilize intracellular Ca2+ through a PTX-sensitive mechanism. Therefore the aim of this investigation was to determine whether the endogenous 5-HT1B-like receptor was able to stimulate increases in intracellular free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in CHO-A1 cells. 2. In agreement with previous studies using CHO cells, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) elicited a concentration-dependent inhibition of forskolin-stimulated [3H]-cyclic AMP production in CHO-A1 cells (p[EC50] = 7.73 +/- 0.13). 5-HT (1 microM) inhibited 47 +/- 5% of the [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation induced by 3 microM forskolin. Forskolin stimulated [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation was also inhibited by the 5-HT1 receptor agonists (p[EC50] values) 5-carboxyamidotryptamine (5-CT; 8.07 +/- 0.08), RU 24969 (8.12 +/- 0.33) and sumatriptan (5.80 +/- 0.31). 3. 5-HT elicited a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i in CHO-A1 cells (p[EC50] = 8.07 +/- 0.05). In the presence of 2 mM extracellular Ca2+, 5-HT (1 microM) increased [Ca2+]i from 174 +/- 17 nM to 376 +/- 22 nM. The 5-HT1 receptor agonists (p[EC50] values), 5-carboxyamidotryptamine (5-CT; 7.9 +/- 0.02), RU 24969 (8.1 +/- 0.07) and sumatriptan (5.9 +/- 0.11) all elicited concentration-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i. Similar maximal increases in [Ca2+]i were obtained with each agonist. The selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (10 microM) did not stimulate increases in [Ca2+]i. 5-HT (100 microM) and 5-CT (10 microM) did not stimulate a measurable increase in [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulation in CHO-A1 cells. 4. 5-HT (1 microM)-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i were insensitive to the 5-HT receptor antagonist, ritanserin (5-HT2; 100 nM), ketanserin (5-HT2; 100 nM), LY-278,584 (5-HT3; 1 microM) and WAY 100635 (5-HT1A; 1 microM). The response to 5-HT (100 nM) was antagonized by the non-selective 5-HT1 antagonist, methiothepin (pKb = 8.90 +/- 0.09) and the 5-HT1D antagonist GR 127935 (pKb = 10.44 +/- 0.06). 5. Pretreatment with PTX (200 ng ml-1 for 4 h) completely attenuated the Ca2+ response to 100 microM 5-HT. 6. In untransfected CHO-K1 cells, 5-HT (1 microM), RU 24969 (1 microM), and 5-CT (1 microM) elicited increases in [Ca2+]i similar to those observed in CHO-A1 cells. 7. These data demonstrate that in CHO-K1 cells the endogenously expressed 5-HT1B-like receptor couples to the phospholipase C/Ca2+ signalling pathway through a PTX-sensitive pathway, suggesting the involvement of Gi/Go protein(s).

Presynaptic displacement of serotonin by alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat

Rat brain slices containing the nucleus tractus solitarius loaded with [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT) for superfusion were stimulated at (3 Hz, 25 mA, 1 min) resulting in fractional release ratios S2/S1 of 0.89 for [3H]5-HT in the presence of the serotonin uptake inhibitor 1.0 microM 6-nitroquipazine (6-NQ). alpha-Methylserotonin (alpha-Me-5-HT; 1.0 microM), a non-selective 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor agonist, significantly reduced the S2/S1 ratio of [3H]5-HT without affecting the basal release ratios B2/B1 1.00 +/- 0.04. Without 6-NQ in the perfusion medium 1.0 microM alpha-Me-5-HT sharply increased the basal release B2/B1 to 2.21 (P < 0.01). In low Ca2+ medium the S2/S1 ratio was reduced to 0.06 and alpha-Me-5-HT promoted a B2/B1 release of 2.17 (P < 0.01). The 5-HT3 antagonist LY-278,584 did not block alpha-Me-5-HT induced basal release of [3H]5-HT. Both pindolol and LY-53,857 blocked the autoinhibitory effects of alpha-Me-5-HT, but only LY-53,857 and 6-NQ blocked the basal release induced by alpha-Me-5-HT. These results suggest that alpha-Me-5-HT reduces neurotransmitter release through the serotonin autoreceptor and displaces serotonin through a non-exocytotic release mechanism.

The interaction of RS 25259-197, a potent and selective antagonist, with 5-HT3 receptors, in vitro

1. A series of isoquinolines have been identified as 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. One of these, RS 25259-197 [(3aS)-2-[(S)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro- 1- oxo-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-hydrochloride], has two chiral centres. The remaining three enantiomers are denoted as RS 25259-198 (R,R), RS 25233-197 (S,R) and RS 25233-198 (R,S). 2. At 5-HT3 receptors mediating contraction of guinea-pig isolated ileum, RS 25259-197 antagonized contractile responses to 5-HT in an unsurmountable fashion and the apparent affinity (pKB), estimated at 10 nM, was 8.8 +/- 0.2. In this tissue, the -log KB values for the other three enantiomers were 6.7 +/- 0.3 (R,R), 6.7 +/- 0.1 (S,R) and 7.4 +/- 0.1 (R,S), respectively. The apparent affinities of RS 25259-197 and RS 25259-198, RS 25233-197 and RS 25233-198 at 5-HT3 receptors in membranes from NG-108-15 cells were evaluated by a [3H]-quipazine binding assay. The -log Ki values were 10.5 +/- 0.2, 8.4 +/- 0.1, 8.6 +/- 0.1 and 9.5 +/- 0.1, respectively, with Hill coefficients not significantly different from unity. Thus, at these 5-HT3 receptors, the rank order of apparent affinities was (S,S) > (R,S) > (S,R) = (R,R). 3. RS 25259-197 displaced the binding of the selective 5-HT3 receptor ligand, [3H]-RS 42358-197, in membranes from NG-108-15 cells, rat cerebral cortex, rabbit ileal myenteric plexus and guinea-pig ileal myenteric plexus, with affinity (pKi) values of 10.1 +/- 0.1, 10.2 +/- 0.1, 10.1 +/- 0.1 and 8.3 +/- 0.2, respectively. In contrast, it exhibited low affinity (pKi <6.0) at 28 other receptors in binding assays, including adrenoceptors (alpha1A, alpha 1B, alpha2A, alpha 2B ,beta1, beta2), muscarinic (M1-M4), dopamine (D1, D2), opioid and other 5-HT(5-HTlA, 5-HTlD, 5-HT2C, 5-HT4) receptors.4. RS 25259-197 was tritium labelled (specific activity: 70 Ci mmol-1) and evaluated in pharmacological studies. Saturation studies with [3H]-RS 25259-197 in membranes from NG-108-15 and cloned homomeric a subunits of the 5-HT3 receptor from N1E-1 15 cells expressed in human kidney 293E1 cells,revealed an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.05 +/- 0.02 and 0.07 +/- 0.01 nM, and Bmax of610 +/- 60 and 1068 +/- 88 fmol mg-1, respectively. Competition studies in NG-108-15 cells indicated a pharmacological specificity entirely consistent with labelling a 5-HT3 receptor, i.e. RS 25259-197> granisetron> (S)-zacopride> tropisetron> (R)-zacopride> ondansetron> MDL 72222.5. In contrast to the majority of radioligands available to label 5-HT3 receptors, [3H]-RS 25259-197 labelled a high affinity site in hippocampus from human post-mortem tissue with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.15 +/- 0.07 nM and density (BmaX) of 6.8 +/- 2.4 fmol mg-1 protein. Competition studies in this tissue indicated a pharmacological specificity consistent with labelling of a 5-HT3receptor.6. Quantitative autoradiographic studies in rat brain indicated a differential distribution of 5-HT3receptor sites by [3H]-RS 25259-197. High densities of sites were seen in nuclear tractus solitaris and area postrema, a medium density in spinal trigeminal tract, ventral dentate gyrus and basal medial amygdala,and a low density of sites in hippocampal CAl, parietal cortex, medium raphe and cerebellum.7 In conclusion, the functional, binding and distribution studies undertaken with the radiolabelled and non-radiolabelled RS 25259-197 (S,S enantiomer) established the profile of a highly potent and selective5-HT3 receptor antagonist.

5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor subtypes in vertebrates and invertebrates

In the last few years, molecular biology has led to the cloning and characterization of several 5-HT receptors (serotonin receptors) in vertebrates and in invertebrates. These studies have allowed identification not only of 5-HT receptors already described but also of novel subtypes. The molecular cloning of 13 different mammalian receptor subtypes revealed an unexpected heterogeneity among 5-HT receptors. Except for the 5-HT3 receptors which are ligand-gated ion channel receptors, all the other 5-HT receptors belong to the large family of receptors interacting with G proteins. Based on their amino acid sequence homology and coupling to second messengers these receptors can be divided into distinct families: the 5-HT1 family contains receptors that are negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase: the 5-HT2 family includes receptors that stimulate phospholipase C; the adenylyl cyclase stimulatory receptors are a heterogeneous group including the 5-HT4 receptor which has not yet been cloned, the Drosophila 5-HTdro1 receptor and two mammalian receptors tentatively named 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptors. The 5-HT5A and 5-HT5B receptors might constitute a new family of 5-HT receptors whose effectors are unknown. This review focusses on the molecular characteristics of the cloned 5-HT receptors such as their structure, their effector systems and their distribution within the central nervous system. The existence of a large number of receptors with distinct signalling properties and expression patterns might enable a single substance like 5-HT to generate simultaneously a large panel of effects in many brain structures. The availability of the genes encoding these receptors has already allowed a partial characterization of their structure-function relationship and will probably allow in the future a dissection of the contribution of each of these receptor subtypes to physiology and behaviour.

Effects of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists on binding and function of mouse and human GABAA receptors

Both 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and benzodiazepine receptor ligands have effects on anxiety, and alter the behavioral action of ethanol. For these reasons, we tested the ability of several 5-HT3 receptor antagonists to inhibit the ligand binding and function of the gamma-aminobutyric acidA/benzodiazepine receptor Cl- channel complex of mouse brain membranes. MDL 72222 (1-a-H-3-a-5-aH-optropan-3yl-3,5-dichlorobenzoate) and LY 278584 (1-methyl-N-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1.]oct-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3- carboxamide) inhibited [3H]flunitrazepam binding with Ki values of approximately 20 microM; ICS 205-930 (3 alpha-tropanyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester) was more potent with a Ki of 0.8 microM. ICS 205-930 (50 microM) had no effect on [3H]muscimol binding. ICS 205-930, MDL 72222, and LY 278584 all inhibited the binding of [35S]TBPS (tert-butylbicyclophosphorothionate) with Ki values of approximately 10 microM and reduced muscimol-dependent 36Cl- flux into mouse cortical microsacs by 30-45% at a concentration of 10 microM. ICS 205-930, MDL 72222, and LY 278584 (at micromolar concentrations) reduced GABA-gated chloride currents studied in Xenopus oocytes expressing human alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 2S GABAA receptor subunits. ICS 205-930 differed from the other two 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in that it induced a biphasic effect on GABA-gated currents: at concentrations from 0.1 to 5 microM it potentiated GABA responses, whereas at higher concentrations (50-100 microM) it produced inhibition. The stimulatory action induced by ICS 205-930 was due to interaction at the benzodiazepine recognition site because expression of the gamma 2 subunit was required and Ro 15-1788 (1 microM) completely prevented the potentiation caused by ICS 205-930. Thus, several 5-HT3 receptor antagonists inhibit benzodiazepine binding and affect GABAA receptor function. These actions are most pronounced for ICS 205-930 and likely involve direct affects on the GABA/benzodiazepine complex rather than interactions with 5-HT3 receptors.

The subnuclear distribution of 5-HT3 receptors in the human nucleus of the solitary tract and other structures of the caudal medulla

The distribution of 5-HT3 receptors was examined in the human medulla using [3H]LY278584, a highly selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. The highest density of 5-HT3 receptors was found in the substantia gelatinosus subnucleus of nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) throughout its rostrocaudal extent, followed by the dorsal subnucleus, the area postrema (AP), the commissural subnucleus, the medial subnucleus, and in an arc corresponding to the pars gelatinosus of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (nSp5). The distribution of 5-HT3 receptors in the brain may help explain some of the reported CNS activities of 5-HT3-selective drugs. The anti-emetic and antinociceptive activities of 5-HT3 antagonists may be mediated by receptors in sensory areas of the brainstem.

Synthesis and evaluation of [125I]-(S)-iodozacopride, a high affinity radioligand for 5HT3 receptors

We have developed a high specific activity radioiodinated ligand for the biochemical evaluation and autoradiographic localization of 5HT3 receptors in the brain. [125I]-(S)-iodozacopride was synthesized by radioiodination of deschloro-(S)-zacopride using chloramine-T, and the product was purified by HPLC. The equilibrium kinetics and pharmacology of the binding of this radioligand were studied in homogenates of rat cerebral cortex, while the distribution of binding was examined by quantitative autoradiography. [125I]-(S)-iodozacopride bound to a single, saturable, specific binding site (Kd = 192 +/- 9 pM, Bmax = 1.2 +/- 0.2 fmol/mg protein). The binding had the pharmacological properties of a 5HT3 receptor, being potently inhibited by a variety of 5HT3 agonists and antagonists including (S)-zacopride (Ki = 0.032 nM), Quipazine (Ki = 0.45 nM), LY278584 (Ki = 0.5 nM), (1-m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide (Ki = 0.6 nM) and ICS 205-930 (Ki = 1.0 nM). Autoradiographic studies were undertaken by incubating sections with 400 pM [125I]-(S)-iodozacopride and exposing them to film for 3-7 days to obtain suitable autoradiograms. Specific binding of [125I]-(S)-iodozacopride was found at various amounts in a variety of brain regions. The highest levels of binding were found in the brainstem, principally the nucleus of the solitary tract with somewhat lower levels in the area postrema, substantia gelatinosa of the trigeminal nucleus and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. In the rat forebrain, moderate levels of specific binding were found in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb, anterior olfactory nucleus and various subnuclei of the amygdala. Lower levels of binding were seen in the superficial laminae of the parietal cerebral cortex and diffusely distributed throughout the hippocampal formation. In conclusion, [125I]-(S)-iodozacopride binds to a receptor site with the pharmacological properties and distribution that is consistent with the 5HT3 receptor. [125I]-(S)-iodozacopride represents a significant improvement in autoradiographic studies of the 5HT3 receptor by reducing the required exposure time for producing autoradiograms from the 3-6 months required for [3H]-labeled ligands to 3-7 days.

Serotonin 5-HT3 receptors in schizophrenia: a postmortem study of the amygdala

Alterations in density of some serotonin receptor sites (5-HT1A receptors, 5-HT2 receptors and 5-HT uptake sites) have been reported in postmortem studies of brain obtained from subjects with schizophrenia, suggesting a disturbance in serotonergic transmission in schizophrenia. The purpose of the present study is to investigate [3H]-LY278584 binding to serotonin 5-HT3 receptors in postmortem samples of amygdala from schizophrenic and matched control subjects. As all of the schizophrenic patients but none of the controls had been treated with neuroleptics, we first investigated in rodents the effects of short-term and long-term haloperidol administration on limbic 5-HT3 receptors, and we found no effects. No differences in the maximum number of 5-HT3 binding sites (Bmax) or equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) between schizophrenics and controls were found in amygdala. This study does not support the presence of an alteration of 5-HT3 receptors in amygdala in schizophrenic patients.

Labelling of 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptors with a novel 5-HT3 receptor ligand, [3H]RS-42358-197

RS-42358-197[(S)-N-(1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1 H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-1-one hydrochloride] displaced the prototypic 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor ligand [3H]quipazine in rat cerebral cortical membranes with an affinity (pKi) of 9.8 +/- 0.1, while having weak affinity (pKi < 6.0) in 23 other receptor binding assays. [3H]RS-42358-197 was then utilized to label 5-HT3 receptors in a variety of tissues. [3H]RS-42358-197 labelled high-affinity and saturable binding sites in membranes from rat cortex, NG108-15 cells, and rabbit ileal myenteric plexus with affinities (KD) of 0.12 +/- 0.01, 0.20 +/- 0.01, and 0.10 +/- 0.01 nM and densities (Bmax) of 16.0 +/- 2.0, 660 +/- 74, and 88 +/- 12 fmol/mg of protein, respectively. The density of sites labelled in each of these tissues with [3H]RS-42358-197 was similar to that labelled with [3H]GR 65630, but was significantly less than that found with [3H]-quipazine. The binding of [3H]RS-42358-197 had a pharmacological profile similar to that of [3H]quipazine, as indicated by the rank order of displacement potencies: RS-42358-197 > (S)-zacopride > tropisetron > (R)-zacopride > ondansetron > MDL72222 > 5-HT. However, differences in 5-HT3 receptors of different tissues and species were detected on the basis of statistically significant differences in the affinities of phenylbiguanide, and 1-(m-chlorophenyl)biguanide when displacing [3H]RS-42358-197 binding. [3H]RS-42358-197 also labelled a population (Bmax = 91 +/- 17 fmol/mg of protein) of binding sites in guinea pig myenteric plexus membranes, with lower affinity (KD = 1.6 +/- 0.3 nM) than those in the other preparations. Moreover, the rank order of displacement potencies of 15 5-HT3 receptor ligands in guinea pig ileum was found not to be identical to that in other tissues. Binding studies carried out with [3H]RS-42358-197 have detected differences in 5-HT3 receptor binding sites in tissues of different species and further underscore the unique nature of the guinea pig 5-HT3 receptor.

Pharmacological and regional characterization of [3H]LY278584 binding sites in human brain

Binding of [3H]LY278584, which has been previously shown to label 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptors in rat cortex, was studied in human brain. Saturation experiments revealed a homogeneous population of saturable binding sites in amygdala (KD = 3.08 +/- 0.67 nM, Bmax = 11.86 +/- 1.87 fmol/mg of protein) as well as in hippocampus, caudate, and putamen. Specific binding was also high in nucleus accumbens and entorhinal cortex. Specific binding was negligible in neocortical areas. Kinetic studies conducted in human hippocampus revealed a Kon of 0.025 +/- 0.009 nM-1 min-1 and a Koff of 0.010 +/- 0.002 min-1. The kinetics of [3H]LY278584 binding were similar in the caudate. Pharmacological characterization of [3H]-LY278584 specific binding in caudate and amygdala indicated the compound was binding to 5-HT3 receptors. We conclude that 5-HT3 receptors labeled by [3H]LY278584 are present in both limbic and striatal areas in human brain, suggesting that 5-HT3 receptor antagonists may be able to influence the dopamine system in humans, similarly to their effects in rodent studies.

Interaction of the antiemetic metopimazine and anticancer agents with brain dopamine D2, 5-hydroxytryptamine3, histamine H1, muscarine cholinergic and alpha 1-adrenergic receptors

The interactions of the antiemetic metopimazine (MPZ) and of the chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, etoposide and vincristine were investigated at five neurotransmitter receptor binding sites. MPZ had nanomolar affinity for alpha 1, dopamine D2 and histamine H1 receptors, weak affinity for muscarinic cholinergic receptors, but no affinity for 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptors. Except for vincristine, which showed nanomolar affinity of muscarinic cholinergic receptors, none of the chemotherapeutic agents showed affinity for any of the receptors investigated at concentrations ranging between 10(-5) and 10(-7) M. Accordingly, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting seems to be mediated by mechanisms other than the direct interaction of cytostatics with the neurotransmitter receptors investigated. Our finding that MPZ is without affinity for 5-HT3 receptors and therefore seems to mediate its antiemetic effect predominantly by dopamine D2 receptor blockade makes it an interesting drug for use in combinations with the new class of antiemetics, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Data obtained in a recent clinical trial support this observation.

Positron emission tomographic studies of [11C]MDL 72222, a potential 5-HT3 receptor radioligand: distribution, kinetics and binding in the brain of the baboon

The drug MDL 72222, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, was labelled with 11C and evaluated for distribution kinetics in brain and in vivo binding to 5-HT3 receptors using cold MDL 72222 challenge and positron emission tomography (PET), in three anaesthetized baboons. After tracer doses of [11C]MDL 72222 (i.v. bolus), 11C radioactivity was equally partitioned between plasma and blood cells and readily crossed the blood-brain barrier; it was distributed heterogeneously into 17 different structures of the brain. The kinetic curves for 11C in tissue showed a rapid initial uptake, followed by a slower ascending phase, up to about the twentieth minute and by a plateau, until the end of experiment (90 min). The plateau values indicated marked uptake in brain which, however, varied according to the region considered. In inhibition studies with cold MDL 72222 (1 mg.kg-1) as pretreatment, co-injection or displacement, no clear-cut effects on the kinetics of [11C] MDL 72222 in brain were detected in any region, including those known to be rich in 5-HT3 receptors. These observations suggest that specific binding to 5-HT3 receptors was not detectable in brain in vivo, because of the high lipophilicity (thus a great capacity for non-specific binding) of MDL 72222. These negative findings may also result from both the possible suboptimal affinity of MDL 72222 for 5-HT3 receptors in vivo and the relatively low density of 5-HT3 receptors present only in selected areas of the mammalian brain. This study is a step in the search of selective 5-HT3 receptor radioligands, adequate for in vivo applications. Slow clearance of [11C]MDL 72222 from brain tissue in baboons, should be accounted for in clinical pharmacokinetic investigations for optimal posology considerations.

Binding of serotonergic ligands to brain membranes of alcohol-preferring AA and alcohol-avoiding ANA rats

The alcohol-preferring AA rats have higher concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the brain than the alcohol-avoiding ANA rats. In the present study, the 5-HT1, 5-HT2, and 5-HT3 receptors were studied with [3H]5-HT, [3H]ketanserin, and [3H]LY278584, respectively, in membrane homogenates from different brain regions of both rat lines using in vitro binding assays. No differences in the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor binding in the brainstem, hippocampus, frontal cortex, and hypothalamus or in the 5-HT3 receptor binding in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, and frontal cortex were observed between the ethanol-naive animals of the rat lines. In rats given the opportunity to voluntarily consume alcohol, there was a tendency to increase 5-HT1 binding in the ANA rats, which tendency was, however, also found in their ethanol-naive controls subjected to the same handling and behavioral tests as the ethanol-experienced animals. The results do not, however, indicate that any genetic modifications of the 5-HT receptor-binding sites have occurred in the process of the selective breeding of AA and ANA rats for alcohol preference and avoidance, respectively.

Membrane-bound and solubilized brain 5HT3 receptors: improved radioligand binding assays using bovine area postrema or rat cortex and the radioligands 3H-GR65630, 3H-BRL43694, and 3H-LY278584

Bovine area postrema tissue was used as a convenient source of tissue for studies of brain 5HT3 receptors. 5HT3 receptor density was determined to be 97 +/- 5 fmol/mg and 124 +/- 10 fmol/mg of protein using the commercially available 5HT3 radioligands, 3H-GR65630 and 3H-BRL43694, respectively. The equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) for 3H-GR65630 and 3H-BRL43694 were 0.5 +/- 0.1 nM and 1.7 +/- 0.3 nM, respectively. The affinities of a series of drugs for the 5HT3 receptor using the two radioligands were essentially identical; the Ki values and order of affinities of agonists and antagonists were very similar to data published in studies on radiolabeling of 5HT3 receptors in rat brain. 3H-LY278584 also labeled 5HT3 receptors in bovine area postrema homogenates with a KD of 3.1 +/- 0.1 nM and a Bmax of 84 +/- 6 fmol/mg. In rat cortical homogenates, 3H-LY278584 produced the most reliable specific signal of 72%, with a KD of 2.6 +/- 0.3 nM and a Bmax value of 10.5 +/- 1 fmol/mg. At 1 nM, 3H-GR65630 or 3H-BRL43694 specific binding represented 28 and 50% of total radioligand binding, respectively. These data in bovine and rat brain tissues indicate that bovine area postrema can be used with 3H-GR65630, 3H-BRL43694, or 3H-LY278584 for drug screening or molecular investigations of the brain 5HT3 receptor: only 3H-LY278584 can be used for studies on the regulation and/or the molecular properties of 5HT3 receptors in rat cortical homogenates. 5HT3 receptors were solubilized from bovine area postrema and characterized using 3H-GR65630.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The distribution of 5-HT3 recognition sites in the marmoset brain

The distribution of the binding of [3H]GR65630 (0.2 nM) to putative 5-HT3 recognition sites in the brain of the common marmoset was assessed using autoradiography. Specific binding was heterogeneously distributed with the highest densities found in discrete nuclei of the lower medulla (nucleus tractus solitarii, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, nucleus of spinal trigeminal nerve tract and the area postrema). In forebrain areas, relatively high binding densities were located in the medial habenula nucleus and the hippocampus (CA3, CA4 and fascia dentata). Low levels of specific binding in the rest of the forebrain hindered quantification.

Behavioural pharmacology of 5-HT3 receptor ligands

Extensive studies have ascribed a role for the central 5-HT3 receptor in the modulation of behaviour. Much of the work stems from the actions of potent and selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists; these agents reduce mesolimbic dopamine initiated hyperactivity, release suppressed behaviour, reduce the reinforcing properties and withdrawal symptoms of drugs of abuse, enhance cognitive performance and modulate appetite. This article reviews the preclinical and clinical evidence implicating the 5-HT3 receptor in these indications and discusses the potential neurochemical mechanisms underlying the behavioural changes.

Agonist interactions with 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites in the rat entorhinal cortex labelled by structurally diverse radioligands

1. The pharmacological properties of 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites labelled with [3H]-(S)-zacopride, [3H]-LY278,584, [3H]-granisetron and [3H]-GR67330 in membranes prepared from the rat entorhinal cortex were investigated to assess the presence of cooperativity within the 5-HT3 receptor complex. 2. In rat entorhinal cortex homogenates, [3H]-(S)-zacopride, [3H]-LY278,584, [3H]-granisetron and [3H]-GR67330 labelled homogeneous densities of recognition sites (defined by granisetron, 10 microM) with high affinity (Bmax = 75 +/- 5, 53 +/- 5, 92 +/- 6 and 79 +/- 6 fmol mg-1 protein, respectively; pKd = 9.41 +/- 0.04, 8.69 +/- 0.14, 8.81 +/- 0.06 and 10.14 +/- 0.04 for [3H]-(S)-zacopride, [3H]-LY278,584, [3H]-granisetron and [3H]-GR67330, respectively, n = 3-8). 3. Quipazine and granisetron competed for the binding of each of the radioligands in the rat entorhinal cortex preparation at low nanomolar concentrations (pIC50; quipazine 9.38-8.51, granisetron 8.62-8.03), whilst the agonists, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), phenylbiguanide (PBG) and 2-methyl-5-HT competed at sub-micromolar concentrations (pIC50; 5-HT 7.16-6.42, PBG 7.52-6.40, 2-methyl-5-HT 7.38-6.09). 4. Competition curves generated with increasing concentrations of quipazine, PBG, 5-HT and 2-methyl-5-HT displayed Hill coefficients greater than unity when the 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites in the entorhinal cortex preparation were labelled with [3H]-LY278,584, [3H]-granisetron and [3H]-GR67330. These competing compounds displayed Hill coefficients of around unity when the sites were labelled with [3H]-(S)-zacopride. Competition for the binding of [3H]-(S)-zacopride, [3H]-LY278,584, [3H]-granisetron and [3H]-GR67330 by granisetron generated Hill coefficients around unity.5. The nature of the interaction of competing compounds (quipazine, granisetron, PBG, 5-HT, 2-methyl-5-HT) for the [3H]-(S)-zacopride binding site in the rat entorhinal cortex preparation was not altered by the removal of the Krebs ions or the addition of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, pargyline, to the HEPES/Krebs buffer.6. In conclusion, the present studies provide further evidence towards the presence of cooperativity within the 5-HT3 receptor macromolecule and indicate that either [3H]-(S)-zacopride labels a different site on the receptor complex from [3H]-LY278,584, [3H]-granisetron or [3H]-GR67330, or it binds in such a manner as to prevent the conformatory change in the receptor protein responsible for the cooperative binding of agonists (and quipazine).

mCPP but not TFMPP is an antagonist at cardiac 5HT3 receptors

The prototypic arylpiperazines, meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), meta-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) and quipazine are widely studied serotonergic ligands with nonselective effects at 5HT1 and 5HT2 receptor subtypes. The present study was designed to compare the affinities of these arylipiperazines at 5HT3 receptors, and to determine agonist or antagonist activity at 5HT3 receptors. Quipazine showed high affinity at brain 5HT3 receptors (IC50 = 4.4 nM) and was a potent agonist of the von Bezold-Jarisch reflex in anesthetized rats, a response mediated by cardiac 5HT3 receptors. In concentrations that activated 5HT3 receptors, quipazine also antagonized serotonin-induced bradycardia in anesthetized rats. Taken together, these data suggest that quipazine is an agonist/antagonist with high affinity at 5HT3 receptors in both brain and cardiac tissue. Although mCPP also showed relatively high affinity at brain 5HT3 receptors (IC50 = 61.4 nM), it did not activate the von Bezold-Jarisch reflex; instead, mCPP potently antagonized serotonin-induced bradycardia. Thus, mCPP acts as an antagonist at 5HT3 receptors in the periphery. Although both quipazine and mCPP possessed relatively high affinity at brain 5HT3 receptors, TFMPP did not bind appreciably to 5HT3 receptors in brain (IC50 = 2373 nM) and neither activated nor inhibited cardiac 5HT3 receptors. That TFMPP did not interact with 5HT3 receptors, whereas quipazine and mCPP did, is in marked contrast to the similar effects of all three arylpiperazines at other serotonin receptors. The selectivity of TFMPP for 5HT1 and 5HT2 receptors (i.e., its minimal affinity for 5HT3 receptors) suggests that this arylpiperazine may be a preferred ligand relative to mCPP when studying 5HT1 or 5HT2 receptor mediated responses.

Molecular modeling of 5-HT3 receptor ligands

Ligands of various chemical classes (e.g., indoles, indazoles, benzamides, carbazoles, and quinolines) have demonstrated high affinity for the 5-HT3 receptor in radiolabeled ligand-binding studies, and have shown 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic activity in functional assays which utilize the excitatory effects of 5-HT on enteric neurons and autonomic afferents. Several 5-HT3 antagonists are currently being evaluated for potential use in the treatment of migraine, schizophrenia, and anxiety, and a few have already demonstrated high efficacy as antiemetics in cancer chemotherapy. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the significant structure-affinity relationships (SAFIR) and common geometrical features among 5-HT3 receptor ligands, and to describe the three-dimensional pharmacophore for the 5-HT3 recognition site derived from computational techniques. The chemical template containing the recognition elements (functional groups) for the 5-HT3 receptor are: an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system, a coplanar carbonyl group, and a nitrogen center, interrelated by well-defined distances. Two "binding shapes" or "active shapes" for 5-HT3 ligands have been identified from detailed conformational analyses.

5-HT3 receptor antagonists. An overview of their present status and future potential in cancer therapy-induced emesis

The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) antagonists, which bind at the type 3 receptor (5-HT3 receptor), have been evaluated in several preclinical models and found to be effective in alleviating cancer therapy-related emesis. The antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron (GRF-38032F, odanserin), granisetron (BRL-43694), tropisetron (ICS-205930), MDL-72222 and MDL-73147EF, batanopride (BMY-25801-01) and several others is at various stages of investigation. Ondansetron is currently marketed in several countries and the same will soon be true for granisetron. At this stage it is not yet possible to evaluate the comparative efficacy of each of these compounds, although recent preclinical data reveal some differences in the affinity of these compounds, for other receptors. Side effects related to these agents have been minor, consisting mainly of slight headaches; possible rises in liver enzymes related to some compounds need further evaluation. Future studies will need to determine the exact role of 5-HT3 antagonists, although their cost may confine their use to patients at high risk for side effects from metoclopramide.

Ethanol fails to modify [3H]GR65630 binding to 5-HT3 receptors in NCB-20 cells and in rat cerebral membranes

Low concentrations of ethanol have been found to enhance the electrophysiologic effect of serotonin (5-HT) acting at 5-HT3 receptors on NCB-20 cells. To determine whether this action of ethanol reflects a change in the agonist-receptor interaction, the effect of ethanol (100 mM) on agonist and antagonist binding to 5-HT3 receptor was studied in vitro in membrane from NCB-20 cells and from cortex plus hippocampus of rat. The antagonist [3H]GR65630 was used to label 5-HT3 recognition sites. Ethanol did not change the characteristics of saturable [3H]GR65630 binding in either membrane preparation. In competition studies, the agonists 5-HT and 2-methyl-5-HT completely inhibited the binding of [3H]GR65630 to NCB-20 cell membranes, while in brain membranes the maximum displacement of specific [3H]GR65630 binding by 5-HT was approximately 30%. Ethanol decreased the affinity of the receptor for 2-methyl-5-HT, but not to 5-HT in NCB-20 cells, and had no effect on agonist binding in brain membranes. The results indicate that enhancement of 5-HT responses at 5-HT3 receptors by ethanol is not a result of changes in the equilibrium binding characteristics of the agonist.