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Cristiano N, Cabayé A, Brabet I, Glatthar R, Tora A, Goudet C, Bertrand HO, Goupil-Lamy A, Flor PJ, Pin JP, McCort-Tranchepain I, Acher FC. Novel Inhibitory Site Revealed by XAP044 Mode of Action on the Metabotropic Glutamate 7 Receptor Venus Flytrap Domain. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11662-11687. [PMID: 38691510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors play a key role in modulating most synapses in the brain. The mGlu7 receptors inhibit presynaptic neurotransmitter release and offer therapeutic possibilities for post-traumatic stress disorders or epilepsy. Screening campaigns provided mGlu7-specific allosteric modulators as the inhibitor XAP044 (Gee et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2014). In contrast to other mGlu receptor allosteric modulators, XAP044 does not bind in the transmembrane domain but to the extracellular domain of the mGlu7 receptor and not at the orthosteric site. Here, we identified the mode of action of XAP044, combining synthesis of derivatives, modeling and docking experiments, and mutagenesis. We propose a unique mode of action of these inhibitors, preventing the closure of the Venus flytrap agonist binding domain. While acting as a noncompetitive antagonist of L-AP4, XAP044 and derivatives act as apparent competitive antagonists of LSP4-2022. These data revealed more potent XAP044 analogues and new possibilities to target mGluRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Cristiano
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8601, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Cabayé
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8601, 75006 Paris, France
- BIOVIA Dassault Systèmes, F-78140 Vélizy-Villacoublay Cedex, France
| | - Isabelle Brabet
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Ralf Glatthar
- Novartis Biomedical Research, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amelie Tora
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Cyril Goudet
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Anne Goupil-Lamy
- BIOVIA Dassault Systèmes, F-78140 Vélizy-Villacoublay Cedex, France
| | - Peter J Flor
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle McCort-Tranchepain
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8601, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Francine C Acher
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8601, 75006 Paris, France
- Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8003, 75006 Paris, France
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2
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Holter KM, Pierce BE, Gould RW. Metabotropic glutamate receptor function and regulation of sleep-wake cycles. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 168:93-175. [PMID: 36868636 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are the most abundant family of G-protein coupled receptors and are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Alterations in glutamate homeostasis, including dysregulations in mGlu receptor function, have been indicated as key contributors to multiple CNS disorders. Fluctuations in mGlu receptor expression and function also occur across diurnal sleep-wake cycles. Sleep disturbances including insomnia are frequently comorbid with neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative conditions. These often precede behavioral symptoms and/or correlate with symptom severity and relapse. Chronic sleep disturbances may also be a consequence of primary symptom progression and can exacerbate neurodegeneration in disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, there is a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbances and CNS disorders; disrupted sleep may serve as both a cause and a consequence of the disorder. Importantly, comorbid sleep disturbances are rarely a direct target of primary pharmacological treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders even though improving sleep can positively impact other symptom clusters. This chapter details known roles of mGlu receptor subtypes in both sleep-wake regulation and CNS disorders focusing on schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, AD, and substance use disorder (cocaine and opioid). In this chapter, preclinical electrophysiological, genetic, and pharmacological studies are described, and, when possible, human genetic, imaging, and post-mortem studies are also discussed. In addition to reviewing the important relationships between sleep, mGlu receptors, and CNS disorders, this chapter highlights the development of selective mGlu receptor ligands that hold promise for improving both primary symptoms and sleep disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Holter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Bethany E Pierce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Robert W Gould
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States.
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3
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She X, Gao Y, Zhao Y, Yin Y, Dong Z. A high-throughput screen identifies inhibitors of lung cancer stem cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 140:111748. [PMID: 34044271 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation of cancer cells that can drive metastasis. The identification of CSC inhibitors and CSC-related genes is an alluring strategy for suppressing metastasis. Here, we established a simple and repeatable high-throughput CSC inhibitor screening platform that combined tumor sphere formation assays and cell viability assays. Human lung cancer cells were cocultured with 1280 pharmacologically active compounds (FDA-approved). Fifty-four candidate compounds obtained from our screening system completely or partially inhibited tumor sphere formation. A total of 5 of these 54 compounds (prochlorperazine dimaleate, thioridazine hydrochloride, ciproxifan hydrochloride, Ro 25-6981 hydrochloride, and AMN 082) completely inhibited the self-renewal of CSCs without cytotoxicity in vitro via their targets and suppressed lung cancer metastasis in vivo, suggesting that our screening platform is selective and reliable. DRD2, HRH3, and GRIN2B exhibited potent genes promoting CSCs in vitro experiments and clinical datasets. Further validation of the top hit (DRD2) and previously published studies demonstrate that our screening platform is a useful tool for CSC inhibitor and CSC-related gene screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei She
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yaqun Gao
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yan Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yue Yin
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhewen Dong
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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4
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Gregory KJ, Goudet C. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CXI. Pharmacology, Signaling, and Physiology of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. Pharmacol Rev 2020; 73:521-569. [PMID: 33361406 DOI: 10.1124/pr.119.019133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors respond to glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, mediating a modulatory role that is critical for higher-order brain functions such as learning and memory. Since the first mGlu receptor was cloned in 1992, eight subtypes have been identified along with many isoforms and splice variants. The mGlu receptors are transmembrane-spanning proteins belonging to the class C G protein-coupled receptor family and represent attractive targets for a multitude of central nervous system disorders. Concerted drug discovery efforts over the past three decades have yielded a wealth of pharmacological tools including subtype-selective agents that competitively block or mimic the actions of glutamate or act allosterically via distinct sites to enhance or inhibit receptor activity. Herein, we review the physiologic and pathophysiological roles for individual mGlu receptor subtypes including the pleiotropic nature of intracellular signal transduction arising from each. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of prototypical and commercially available orthosteric agonists and antagonists as well as allosteric modulators, including ligands that have entered clinical trials. Finally, we highlight emerging areas of research that hold promise to facilitate rational design of highly selective mGlu receptor-targeting therapeutics in the future. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The metabotropic glutamate receptors are attractive therapeutic targets for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Over the past three decades, intense discovery efforts have yielded diverse pharmacological tools acting either competitively or allosterically, which have enabled dissection of fundamental biological process modulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors and established proof of concept for many therapeutic indications. We review metabotropic glutamate receptor molecular pharmacology and highlight emerging areas that are offering new avenues to selectively modulate neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Gregory
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (K.J.G.) and Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), Montpellier, France (C.G.)
| | - Cyril Goudet
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (K.J.G.) and Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), Montpellier, France (C.G.)
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Boccella S, Marabese I, Guida F, Luongo L, Maione S, Palazzo E. The Modulation of Pain by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors 7 and 8 in the Dorsal Striatum. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:34-50. [PMID: 31210112 PMCID: PMC7327935 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666190618121859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal striatum, apart from controlling voluntary movement, displays a recently demonstrated pain inhibition. It is connected to the descending pain modulatory system and in particular to the rostral ventromedial medulla through the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus. Diseases of the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson's disease, in addition to being characterized by motor disorders, are associated with pain and hyperactivation of the excitatory transmission. A way to counteract glutamatergic hyperactivation is through the activation of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which are located on presynaptic terminals inhibiting neurotransmitter release. So far the mGluRs of group III have been the least investigated, owing to a lack of selective tools. More recently, selective ligands for each mGluR of group III, in particular positive and negative allosteric modulators, have been developed and the role of each subtype is starting to emerge. The neuroprotective potential of group III mGluRs in pathological conditions, such as those characterized by elevate glutamate, has been recently shown. In the dorsal striatum, mGluR7 and mGluR8 are located at glutamatergic corticostriatal terminals and their stimulation inhibits pain in pathological conditions such as neuropathic pain. The two receptors in the dorsal striatum have instead a different role in pain control in normal conditions. This review will discuss recent results focusing on the contribution of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the dorsal striatal control of pain. The role of mGluR4, whose antiparkinsonian activity is widely reported, will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ida Marabese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
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6
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Marafi D, Mitani T, Isikay S, Hertecant J, Almannai M, Manickam K, Abou Jamra R, El-Hattab AW, Rajah J, Fatih JM, Du H, Karaca E, Bayram Y, Punetha J, Rosenfeld JA, Jhangiani SN, Boerwinkle E, Akdemir ZC, Erdin S, Hunter JV, Gibbs RA, Pehlivan D, Posey JE, Lupski JR. Biallelic GRM7 variants cause epilepsy, microcephaly, and cerebral atrophy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:610-627. [PMID: 32286009 PMCID: PMC7261753 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Defects in ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors are implicated in developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7), encoded by GRM7, is a presynaptic G‐protein‐coupled glutamate receptor critical for synaptic transmission. We previously proposed GRM7 as a candidate disease gene in two families with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). One additional family has been published since. Here, we describe three additional families with GRM7 biallelic variants and deeply characterize the associated clinical neurological and electrophysiological phenotype and molecular data in 11 affected individuals from six unrelated families. Methods Exome sequencing and family‐based rare variant analyses on a cohort of 220 consanguineous families with NDDs revealed three families with GRM7 biallelic variants; three additional families were identified through literature search and collaboration with a clinical molecular laboratory. Results We compared the observed clinical features and variants of 11 affected individuals from the six unrelated families. Identified novel deleterious variants included two homozygous missense variants (c.2671G>A:p.Glu891Lys and c.1973G>A:p.Arg685Gln) and one homozygous stop‐gain variant (c.1975C>T:p.Arg659Ter). Developmental delay, neonatal‐ or infantile‐onset epilepsy, and microcephaly were universal. Three individuals had hypothalamic–pituitary–axis dysfunction without pituitary structural abnormality. Neuroimaging showed cerebral atrophy and hypomyelination in a majority of cases. Two siblings demonstrated progressive loss of myelination by 2 years in both and an acquired microcephaly pattern in one. Five individuals died in early or late childhood. Conclusion Detailed clinical characterization of 11 individuals from six unrelated families demonstrates that rare biallelic GRM7 pathogenic variants can cause DEEs, microcephaly, hypomyelination, and cerebral atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Marafi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Tadahiro Mitani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Sedat Isikay
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep, 27000, Turkey
| | - Jozef Hertecant
- Pediatric Metabolic and Genetics Division, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Almannai
- Section of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, 11525, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kandamurugu Manickam
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Rami Abou Jamra
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ayman W El-Hattab
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jaishen Rajah
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), P.O. Box: 51900, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jawid M Fatih
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Haowei Du
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Ender Karaca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Yavuz Bayram
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Jaya Punetha
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Shalini N Jhangiani
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Human Genetics Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Zeynep C Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Serkan Erdin
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jill V Hunter
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Davut Pehlivan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Jennifer E Posey
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
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Johnson KA, Lovinger DM. Allosteric modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors in alcohol use disorder: Insights from preclinical investigations. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2020; 88:193-232. [PMID: 32416868 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are family C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission throughout the nervous system. Owing to recent advances in development of subtype-selective allosteric modulators of mGlu receptors, individual members of the mGlu receptor family have been proposed as targets for treating a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. In this chapter, we highlight preclinical evidence that allosteric modulators of mGlu receptors could be useful for reducing alcohol consumption and preventing relapse in alcohol use disorder (AUD). We begin with an overview of the preclinical models that are used to study mGlu receptor involvement in alcohol-related behaviors. Alcohol exposure causes adaptations in both expression and function of various mGlu receptor subtypes, and pharmacotherapies aimed at reversing these adaptations have the potential to reduce alcohol consumption and seeking. Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mGlu2 and negative allosteric modulators of mGlu5 show particular promise for reducing alcohol intake and/or preventing relapse. Finally, this chapter discusses important considerations for translating preclinical findings toward the development of clinically useful drugs, including the potential for PAMs to avoid tolerance issues that are frequently observed with repeated administration of GPCR agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari A Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - David M Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, US National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
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Vázquez-Villa H, Trabanco AA. Progress toward allosteric ligands of metabotropic glutamate 7 (mGlu7) receptor: 2008-present. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:193-199. [PMID: 30881607 PMCID: PMC6390470 DOI: 10.1039/c8md00524a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate type 7 (mGlu7) receptor is a member of the group III family of mGlu receptors. It is widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) and is preferentially expressed on presynaptic nerve terminals where it is thought to play a critical role in modulating normal neuronal function and synaptic transmission, making it particularly relevant in neuropharmacology. The lack of small-molecule mGlu7 ligands with adequate potency, selectivity and drug-like properties has resulted in difficulties in the preclinical validation of mGlu7 modulation in disease models. In the last decade, allosteric modulators of mGlu7 receptors have emerged as valuable tools with good potency, selectivity and physicochemical properties to study and unleash the therapeutic potential of mGlu7 receptors. This review focusses on the medicinal chemistry of mGlu7 receptor allosteric ligands discovered since 2008.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henar Vázquez-Villa
- Departamento de Química Orgánica , Facultad de Ciencias Químicas , Universidad Complutense de Madrid , E-28040 Madrid , Spain .
| | - Andrés A Trabanco
- Discovery Sciences , Medicinal Chemistry Department , Janssen Research & Development , c/ Jarama 75A , 45007 Toledo , Spain .
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9
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Fisher NM, Seto M, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7: A New Therapeutic Target in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:387. [PMID: 30405350 PMCID: PMC6206046 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are characterized by a wide range of symptoms including delayed speech, intellectual disability, motor dysfunction, social deficits, breathing problems, structural abnormalities, and epilepsy. Unfortunately, current treatment strategies are limited and innovative new approaches are sorely needed to address these complex diseases. The metabotropic glutamate receptors are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that act to modulate neurotransmission across many brain structures. They have shown great promise as drug targets for numerous neurological and psychiatric diseases. Moreover, the development of subtype-selective allosteric modulators has allowed detailed studies of each receptor subtype. Here, we focus on the metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) as a potential therapeutic target for NDDs. mGlu7 is expressed widely throughout the brain in regions that correspond to the symptom domains listed above and has established roles in synaptic physiology and behavior. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations in the GRM7 gene have been associated with idiopathic autism and other NDDs in patients. In rodent models, existing literature suggests that decreased mGlu7 expression and/or function may lead to symptoms that overlap with those of NDDs. Furthermore, potentiation of mGlu7 activity has shown efficacy in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. In this review, we summarize current findings that provide rationale for the continued development of mGlu7 modulators as potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Mabel Seto
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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10
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Jantas D, Lech T, Gołda S, Pilc A, Lasoń W. New evidences for a role of mGluR7 in astrocyte survival: Possible implications for neuroprotection. Neuropharmacology 2018; 141:223-237. [PMID: 30170084 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
A specific activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) has been shown to be neuroprotective in various models of neuronal cell damage, however, its role in glia cell survival has not been studied, yet. Thus, we performed comparative experiments estimating protective effects of the mGluR7 allosteric agonist AMN082 in glia, neuronal and neuronal-glia cell cultures against various harmful stimuli. First, the transcript levels of mGluR7 and other subtypes of group II and III mGluRs in cortical neuronal, neuronal-glia and glia cell cultures have been measured by qPCR method. Next, we demonstrated that AMN082 with similar efficiency attenuated the glia cell damage evoked by staurosporine (St) and doxorubicin (Dox). The AMN082-mediated glioprotection was mGluR7-dependent and associated with decreased DNA fragmentation without involvement of caspase-3 inhibition. Moreover, the inhibitors of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathways blocked the protective effect of AMN082. In neuronal and neuronal-glia cell cultures in the model of glutamate (Glu)- but not St-evoked cell damage, we showed a significant glia contribution to mGluR7-mediated neuroprotection. Finally, by using glia and neuronal cells derived from mGluR7+/+ and mGluR7-/- mice we demonstrated a higher cell-damaging effect of St and Dox in mGluR7-deficient glia but not in neurons (cerebellar granule cells). Our present data showed for the first time a glioprotective potential of AMN082 underlain by mechanisms involving the activation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathways and pro-survival role of mGluR7 in glia cells. These findings together with the confirmed neuroprotective properties of AMN082 justify further research on mGluR7-targeted therapies for various CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danuta Jantas
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, PL, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Lech
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, PL, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Sławomir Gołda
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, PL, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, PL, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Władysław Lasoń
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, PL, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
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Selective agonism of mGlu8 receptors by (S)-3,4-dicarboxyphenylglycine does not affect sleep stages in the rat. Pharmacol Rep 2016; 69:97-104. [PMID: 27914294 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2016.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu) play a role in a number of physiological processes and behaviors, as well as in certain pathological conditions and diseases. New drugs targetting mGlu receptors are being developed with treatment purposes. Recent data indicates that glutamate is involved in sleep, and pharmacological manipulation of distinct subtypes of mGlu receptors affect sleep. Here the consequences of selective pharmacological agonism of mGlu8 receptor upon sleep and wakefulness are explored for the first time. METHODS 32 male Wistar rats were stereotaxically prepared for polysomnography. (S)-3,4-dicarboxyphenylglycine (S)-3,4-DCPG (5, 10, and 20mg/kg, ip), a selective and potent mGlu8 receptor agonist, or physiological saline was administered one hour after the light period began. RESULTS Compared to control vehicle, (S)-3,4-DCPG, did not affect, at any of the doses given, the sleep and wakefulness parameters examined in the general analysis of the three hours of recording. Drug effects across time were studied analyzing three one-hour time blocks, control and experimental groups did not show any significant difference in the sleep and wakefulness parameters analyzed. Latency to sleep stages did not significantly vary between vehicle and treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that pharmacological activation of mGlu8 receptor by (S)-3,4-DCPG (5, 10, 20mg/kg, ip) does not affect sleep and wakefulness in the rat, suggesting that pharmacological agonism of these receptors may not influence sleep. Further research is needed to verify whether new drugs acting on these receptors lack of effect upon sleep and wakefulness.
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