5-[(2-Methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl]-2,3'-bipyridine: a highly potent, orally active metabotropic glutamate subtype 5 (mGlu5) receptor antagonist with anxiolytic activity

Pharmacological modulation of conditioned fear in the fear-potentiated startle test: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Fear conditioning is an important aspect in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders. The fear-potentiated startle test is based on classical fear conditioning and over the years, a broad range of drugs have been tested in this test. Synthesis of the available data may further our understanding of the neurotransmitter systems that are involved in the expression of conditioned fear.

METHODS

Following a comprehensive search in Medline and Embase, we included 68 research articles that reported on 103 drugs, covering 56 different drug classes. The systematic review was limited to studies using acute, systemic drug administration in naive animals.

RESULTS

Qualitative data synthesis showed that most clinically active anxiolytics, but not serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, reduced cued fear. Anxiogenic drugs increased fear potentiation in 35% of the experiments, reduced fear potentiation in 29% of the experiments, and were without effect in 29% of the experiments. Meta-analyses could be performed for five drug classes and showed that benzodiazepines, buspirone, 5-HT1A agonists, 5-HT1A antagonists, and mGluR2,3 agonists reduced cued conditioned fear. The non-cued baseline startle response, which may reflect contextual anxiety, was only significantly reduced by benzodiazepines and 5-HT1A antagonists. No associations were found between drug effects and methodological characteristics, except for strain.

CONCLUSIONS

The fear-potentiated startle test appears to have moderate to high predictive validity and may serve as a valuable tool for the development of novel anxiolytics. Given the limited available data, the generally low study quality and high heterogeneity additional studies are warranted to corroborate the findings of this review.

The metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders

The role of glutamate system in the etiology and pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders has gained considerable attention in the past two decades, including dysregulation of the metabotropic glutamatergic receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5). Thus, mGlu5 may represent a promising therapeutic target for psychiatric conditions, particularly stress-related disorders. Here, we describe mGlu5 findings in mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma disorders, as well as substance use (specifically nicotine, cannabis, and alcohol use). We highlight insights gained from positron emission tomography (PET) studies, where possible, and discuss findings from treatment trials, when available, to explore the role of mGlu5 in these psychiatric disorders. Through the research evidence reviewed in this chapter, we make the argument that, not only is dysregulation of mGlu5 evident in numerous psychiatric disorders, potentially functioning as a disease "biomarker," the normalization of glutamate neurotransmission via changes in mGlu5 expression and/or modulation of mGlu5 signaling may be a needed component in treating some psychiatric disorders or symptoms. Finally, we hope to demonstrate the utility of PET as an important tool for investigating mGlu5 in disease mechanisms and treatment response.

Cyrene™ as a Neoteric Bio-Based Solvent for Catalyst-Free Microwave-Assisted Construction of Diverse Bipyridine Analogues for Heavy-Metal Sensing

An environment-friendly synthetic protocol was developed to access polyfunctionalized bipyridines from readily available amines, chromone-3-carboxaldehydes, and pyridinylacetonitriles under catalyst- and additive-free conditions using the bio-renewable neoteric solvent dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene™). In this strategy, amines served as both a mild-base promoter and a substrate. In addition, water was the only by-product of this reaction. This multi-component protocol provided highly diverse 2,3-, 3,3-, and 3,4-bipyridines in good-to-excellent yields. Operational simplicity, short reaction time, excellent atom economy, and easily obtainable substrates are among the features of this microwave-assisted synthesis. Additionally, the compounds synthesized via this method have demonstrated the ability to detect heavy metals, specifically mercury(II), copper(II), and iron (III) ions.

Synthesis of Pyridylsulfonium Salts and Their Application in the Formation of Functionalized Bipyridines

An S-selective arylation of pyridylsulfides with good functional group tolerance was developed. To demonstrate synthetic utility, the resulting pyridylsulfonium salts were used in a scalable transition-metal-free coupling protocol, yielding functionalized bipyridines with extensive functional group tolerance. This modular methodology permits selective introduction of functional groups from commercially available pyridyl halides, furnishing symmetrical and unsymmetrical 2,2'- and 2,3'-bipyridines. Iterative application of the methodology enabled the synthesis of a functionalized terpyridine with three different pyridine components.

Synthesis toward Bivalent Ligands for the Dopamine D2 and Metabotropic Glutamate 5 Receptors

In this study, we designed and synthesized heterobivalent ligands targeting heteromers consisting of the metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor (mGluR5) and the dopamine D₂ receptor (D₂R). Bivalent ligand 22a with a linker consisting of 20 atoms showed 4-fold increase in affinity for cells coexpressing D₂R and mGluR5 compared to cells solely expressing D₂R. Likewise, the affinity of 22a for mGluR5 increased 2-fold in the coexpressing cells. Additionally, 22a exhibited a 5-fold higher mGluR5 affinity than its monovalent precursor 21a in cells coexpressing D₂R and mGluR5. These results indicate that 22a is able to bridge binding sites on both receptors constituting the heterodimer. Likewise, cAMP assays revealed that 22a had a 4-fold higher potency in stable D₂R and mGluR5 coexpressing cell lines than 1. Furthermore, molecular modeling reveals that 22a is able to simultaneously bind both receptors by passing between the TM5-TM6 interface and establishing six protein-ligand H-bonds.

Social Isolation During Adolescence Induces Anxiety Behaviors and Enhances Firing Activity in BLA Pyramidal Neurons via mGluR5 Upregulation

Social isolation during the vulnerable period of adolescence contributes to the occurrence of psychiatric disorders and profoundly affects brain development and adult behavior. Although the impact of social isolation during adolescence on anxiety behaviors has been well studied, much less is known about the onset and underlying mechanisms of these behaviors. We observed that following 2 weeks, but not 1 week, of social isolation, adolescent mice exhibited anxiety behaviors. Strikingly, the mGluR5 protein levels in the amygdala increased concomitantly with anxiety behaviors, and both intraperitoneal administration and intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) infusion of MPEP, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 antagonist, normalized anxiety behaviors. Furthermore, electrophysiological studies showed that 2 weeks of social isolation during adolescence facilitated pyramidal neuronal excitability in the BLA, which could be normalized by MPEP. Together, these results reveal a critical period in adolescence during which social isolation can induce anxiety behaviors and facilitate BLA pyramidal neuronal excitability, both of which are mediated by mGluR5, thus providing mechanistic insights into the onset of anxiety behaviors after social isolation during adolescence.

Partial mGlu₅ Negative Allosteric Modulators Attenuate Cocaine-Mediated Behaviors and Lack Psychotomimetic-Like Effects

Cocaine abuse remains a public health concern for which pharmacotherapies are largely ineffective. Comorbidities between cocaine abuse, depression, and anxiety support the development of novel treatments targeting multiple symptom clusters. Selective negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) targeting the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) subtype are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and have shown promise in preclinical models of substance abuse. However, complete blockade or inverse agonist activity by some full mGlu5 NAM chemotypes demonstrated adverse effects, including psychosis in humans and psychotomimetic-like effects in animals, suggesting a narrow therapeutic window. Development of partial mGlu5 NAMs, characterized by their submaximal but saturable levels of blockade, may represent a novel approach to broaden the therapeutic window. To understand potential therapeutic vs adverse effects in preclinical behavioral assays, we examined the partial mGlu5 NAMs, M-5MPEP and Br-5MPEPy, in comparison with the full mGlu5 NAM MTEP across models of addiction and psychotomimetic-like activity. M-5MPEP, Br-5MPEPy, and MTEP dose-dependently decreased cocaine self-administration and attenuated the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine. M-5MPEP and Br-5MPEPy also demonstrated antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activity. Dose-dependent effects of partial and full mGlu5 NAMs in these assays corresponded with increasing in vivo mGlu5 occupancy, demonstrating an orderly occupancy-to-efficacy relationship. PCP-induced hyperlocomotion was potentiated by MTEP, but not by M-5MPEP and Br-5MPEPy. Further, MTEP, but not M-5MPEP, potentiated the discriminative-stimulus effects of PCP. The present data suggest that partial mGlu5 NAM activity is sufficient to produce therapeutic effects similar to full mGlu5 NAMs, but with a broader therapeutic index.

VU0477573: Partial Negative Allosteric Modulator of the Subtype 5 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor with In Vivo Efficacy

Negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) have potential applications in the treatment of fragile X syndrome, levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, addiction, and anxiety; however, clinical and preclinical studies raise concerns that complete blockade of mGlu5 and inverse agonist activity of current mGlu5 NAMs contribute to adverse effects that limit the therapeutic use of these compounds. We report the discovery and characterization of a novel mGlu5 NAM, N,N-diethyl-5-((3-fluorophenyl)ethynyl)picolinamide (VU0477573) that binds to the same allosteric site as the prototypical mGlu5 NAM MPEP but displays weak negative cooperativity. Because of this weak cooperativity, VU0477573 acts as a "partial NAM" so that full occupancy of the MPEP site does not completely inhibit maximal effects of mGlu5 agonists on intracellular calcium mobilization, inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation, or inhibition of synaptic transmission at the hippocampal Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapse. Unlike previous mGlu5 NAMs, VU0477573 displays no inverse agonist activity assessed using measures of effects on basal [(3)H]inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation. VU0477573 acts as a full NAM when measuring effects on mGlu5-mediated extracellular signal-related kinases 1/2 phosphorylation, which may indicate functional bias. VU0477573 exhibits an excellent pharmacokinetic profile and good brain penetration in rodents and provides dose-dependent full mGlu5 occupancy in the central nervous system (CNS) with systemic administration. Interestingly, VU0477573 shows robust efficacy, comparable to the mGlu5 NAM MTEP, in models of anxiolytic activity at doses that provide full CNS occupancy of mGlu5 and demonstrate an excellent CNS occupancy-efficacy relationship. VU0477573 provides an exciting new tool to investigate the efficacy of partial NAMs in animal models.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors: from the workbench to the bedside

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors were discovered in the mid 1980s and originally described as glutamate receptors coupled to polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis. Almost 6500 articles have been published since then, and subtype-selective mGlu receptor ligands are now under clinical development for the treatment of a variety of disorders such as Fragile-X syndrome, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias, generalized anxiety disorder, chronic pain, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Prof. Erminio Costa was linked to the early times of the mGlu receptor history, when a few research groups challenged the general belief that glutamate could only activate ionotropic receptors and all metabolic responses to glutamate were secondary to calcium entry. This review moves from those nostalgic times to the most recent advances in the physiology and pharmacology of mGlu receptors, and highlights the role of individual mGlu receptor subtypes in the pathophysiology of human disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Trends in neuropharmacology: in memory of Erminio Costa'.

Discovery of novel allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 reveals chemical and functional diversity and in vivo activity in rat behavioral models of anxiolytic and antipsychotic activity

Modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) may provide novel treatments for multiple central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including anxiety and schizophrenia. Although compounds have been developed to better understand the physiological roles of mGluR5 and potential usefulness for the treatment of these disorders, there are limitations in the tools available, including poor selectivity, low potency, and limited solubility. To address these issues, we developed an innovative assay that allows simultaneous screening for mGluR5 agonists, antagonists, and potentiators. We identified multiple scaffolds that possess diverse modes of activity at mGluR5, including both positive and negative allosteric modulators (PAMs and NAMs, respectively). 3-Fluoro-5-(3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)benzonitrile (VU0285683) was developed as a novel selective mGluR5 NAM with high affinity for the 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) binding site. VU0285683 had anxiolytic-like activity in two rodent models for anxiety but did not potentiate phencyclidine-induced hyperlocomotor activity. (4-Hydroxypiperidin-1-yl)(4-phenylethynyl)phenyl)methanone (VU0092273) was identified as a novel mGluR5 PAM that also binds to the MPEP site. VU0092273 was chemically optimized to an orally active analog, N-cyclobutyl-6-((3-fluorophenyl)ethynyl)nicotinamide hydrochloride (VU0360172), which is selective for mGluR5. This novel mGluR5 PAM produced a dose-dependent reversal of amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion, a rodent model predictive of antipsychotic activity. Discovery of structurally and functionally diverse allosteric modulators of mGluR5 that demonstrate in vivo efficacy in rodent models of anxiety and antipsychotic activity provide further support for the tremendous diversity of chemical scaffolds and modes of efficacy of mGluR5 ligands. In addition, these studies provide strong support for the hypothesis that multiple structurally distinct mGluR5 modulators have robust activity in animal models that predict efficacy in the treatment of CNS disorders.

Allosteric ligands for G protein-coupled receptors: a novel strategy with attractive therapeutic opportunities

Allosteric receptor ligands bind to a recognition site that is distinct from the binding site of the endogenous messenger molecule. As a consequence, allosteric agents may attach to receptors that are already transmitter-bound. Ternary complex formation opens an avenue to qualitatively new drug actions at G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), in particular receptor subtype selective potentiation of endogenous transmitter action. Consequently, suitable exploitation of allosteric recognition sites as alternative molecular targets could pave the way to a drug discovery paradigm different from those aimed at mimicking or blocking the effects of endogenous (orthosteric) receptor activators. The number of allosteric ligands reported to modulate GPCR function is steadily increasing and some have already reached routine clinical use. This review aims at introducing into this fascinating field of drug discovery and at providing an overview about the achievements that have already been made. Various case examples will be discussed in the framework of GPCR classification (family A, B, and C receptors). In addition, the behavior at muscarinic receptors of hybrid derivatives incorporating both an allosteric and an orthosteric fragment in a common molecular skeleton will be illustrated.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors: potential drug targets for psychiatric disorders

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu receptors) have emerged as new therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety with their regulatory roles in glutamatergic transmissions. To date, several ligands selective for each mGlu receptor have been synthesized, and pharmacological significances of these ligands have been demonstrated in animal models. Among them, mGlu2/3 receptor agonists have been proven to be effective for treating schizophrenia and anxiety disorders in clinical studies, which may prove utilities of mGlu receptor ligands for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This article reviews recent advances in development of each mGlu receptor ligands and their therapeutic potential.

Synthesis and SAR of novel, non-MPEP chemotype mGluR5 NAMs identified by functional HTS

This Letter describes the discovery and SAR of three novel series of mGluR5 non-competitive antagonists/negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) not based on manipulation of an MPEP/MTEP chemotype identified by a functional HTS approach. This work demonstrates fundamentally new mGluR5 NAM chemotypes with submicromolar potencies, and further examples of a mode of pharmacology 'switch' to provide PAMs with a non-MPEP scaffold.

Discovery of molecular switches that modulate modes of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) pharmacology in vitro and in vivo within a series of functionalized, regioisomeric 2- and 5-(phenylethynyl)pyrimidines

We describe the synthesis and SAR of a series of analogues of the mGlu(5) partial antagonist 5-(phenylethynyl)pyrimidine. New molecular switches are identified that modulate the pharmacological activity of the lead compound. Slight structural modifications around the proximal pyrimidine ring change activity of the partial antagonist lead to that of potent and selective full negative allosteric modulators and positive allosteric modulators, which demonstrate in vivo efficacy in rodent models for anxiolytic and antipsychotic activity, respectively.

Allosteric modulators of g protein-coupled receptors: future therapeutics for complex physiological disorders

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the most important classes of proteins in the genome, not only because of their tremendous molecular diversity but because they are the targets of nearly 50% of current pharmacotherapeutics. The majority of these drugs affect GPCR activity by binding to a similar molecular site as the endogenous cognate ligand for the receptor. These "orthosterically" targeted drugs currently dominate the existing pharmacopeia. Over the past two decades, novel opportunities for drug discovery have risen from a greater understanding of the complexity of GPCR signaling. A striking example of this is the appreciation that many GPCRs possess functional allosteric binding sites. Allosteric modulator ligands bind receptor domains topographically distinct from the orthosteric site, altering the biological activity of the orthosteric ligand by changing its binding affinity, functional efficacy, or both. This additional receptor signaling complexity can be embraced and exploited for the next generation of GPCR-targeted therapies. Despite the challenges associated with detecting and quantifying the myriad of possible allosteric effects on GPCR activity, allosteric ligands offer the prospect of engendering a facile stimulus-bias in orthosteric ligand signaling, paving the way for not only receptor-selective but also signaling pathway-selective therapies. Allosteric modulators possess specific advantages when considering the treatment of multifactorial syndromes, such as metabolic diseases or age-related cognitive impairment, because they may not greatly affect neurotransmitter or hormone release patterns, thus maintaining the integrity of complex signaling networks that underlie perception, memory patterns, or neuroendocrinological axes while introducing therapeutically beneficial signal bias.

Structure-activity relationships comparing N-(6-methylpyridin-yl)-substituted aryl amides to 2-methyl-6-(substituted-arylethynyl)pyridines or 2-methyl-4-(substituted-arylethynyl)thiazoles as novel metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 antagonists

The metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) has been implicated in anxiety, depression, pain, mental retardation, and addiction. The potent and selective noncompetitive mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP, 1) has been a critically important tool used to further elucidate the role of mGluR5 in these CNS disorders. In an effort to provide novel and structurally diverse selective mGluR5 antagonists, we previously described a set of analogues with moderate activity wherein the alkyne bond was replaced with an amide group. In the present report, extended series of both amide and alkyne-based ligands were synthesized. MGluR5 binding and functional data were obtained that identified (1) several novel alkynes with comparable affinities to 1 at mGluR5 (e.g., 10 and 20-23), but (2) most structural variations to the amide template were not well tolerated, although a few potent amides were discovered (e.g., 55 and 56). Several of these novel analogues show drug-like physical properties (e.g., cLogP range = 2-5) that support their use for in vivo investigation into the role of mGluR5 in CNS disorders.

Discovery and SAR of novel mGluR5 non-competitive antagonists not based on an MPEP chemotype

This Letter describes the discovery and SAR of three novel series of mGluR5 non-competitive antagonists/negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) not based on manipulation of an MPEP/MTEP chemotype. This work demonstrates fundamentally new mGluR5 NAM chemotypes with submicromolar potencies, and the first example of a mode of pharmacology 'switch' to provide PAMs with a non-MPEP scaffold.

Antagonists at metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5: structure activity relationships and therapeutic potential for addiction

As a result of intensive investigation, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, a number of potent and selective metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) antagonists have been discovered. The structure activity relationship studies that led to the discovery of these mGluR5 antagonists are presented in this review. Results from studies on selected mGluR5 antagonists in animal models that simulate drug reward, reinforcement, and relapse appear promising. The comorbidity between drug abuse and anxiety and depression make drugs active in these disorders of great interest. Clinical studies showed that the mGluR5 antagonist fenobam was an active anxiolytic drug. Several new mGluR5 antagonists produced anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in animal models of these disorders. The results from the clinical and animal studies provide information for new approaches to finding mechanistically distinct pharmacotherapies to help patients achieve and maintain abstinence from cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, ethanol, and nicotine (smoking).

Synthesis and SAR of a mGluR5 allosteric partial antagonist lead: unexpected modulation of pharmacology with slight structural modifications to a 5-(phenylethynyl)pyrimidine scaffold

This Letter describes the synthesis and SAR, developed through an iterative analogue library approach, of a mGluR5 allosteric partial antagonist lead based on a 5-(phenylethynyl)pyrimidine scaffold. With slight structural modifications to the distal phenyl ring, analogues demonstrated a range of pharmacological activities from mGluR5 partial antagonism to full antagonism/negative allosteric modulation to positive allosteric modulation.

Allosteric modulation of kinases and GPCRs: design principles and structural diversity

Allosteric binding sites, as opposed to traditional orthosteric binding sites, offer unparalleled opportunities for drug discovery by providing high levels of selectivity, mimicking physiological conditions, affording fewer side effects because of desensitization/downregulation, and engendering ligands with chemotypes divergent from orthosteric ligands. For kinases, allosteric mechanisms described to date include alteration of protein kinase conformation blocking productive ATP binding which appear 'ATP competitive' or blocking kinase activation by conformational changes that are 'ATP non-competitive'. For GPCRs, allosteric mechanisms impart multiple modes of target modulation (positive allosteric modulation (PAM), negative allosteric modulation (NAM), neutral cooperativity, partial antagonism (PA), allosteric agonism and allosteric antagonism). Here, we review recent developments in the design principles and structural diversity of allosteric ligands for kinases and GPCRs.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands as possible anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs

Depression and anxiety represent a major problem. However, the current treatment of both groups of diseases is not satisfactory. As the glutamatergic system may play an important role in pathophysiology of both depression and anxiety, we decided to discuss the recent data on possible anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor ligands. Preclinical data indicated that antagonists of group I mGlu receptors, particularly antagonists of mGlu5 receptors, produced both anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects. Clinical data also demonstrated that mGlu5 receptor antagonist, fenobam, was an active anxiolytic drug. The anxiolytic effects exerted by mGlu5 receptor antagonists are profound, comparable with or stronger than those of benzodiazepines. However, the problem with the psychotomimetic activity of mGlu5 receptor antagonists and their possible influence on memory has to be further investigated. Among all mGlu receptor ligands, group II mGlu receptor agonists seem to be the drugs with the most promising therapeutic potential and a good safety profile. Animal studies showed anxiolytic-like effects of group II mGlu receptor agonists. Currently, group II mGlu receptor agonists are in phase III clinical trials for potential treatment of anxiety disorders. On the other hand, data has been accumulated, indicating that antagonists of group II mGlu receptors have an antidepressant potential. Group III mGlu receptor ligands represent the least investigated group of mGlu receptors. However, preclinical data also indicates that ligands of these receptors, both agonists and antagonists, may have an anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like potential.

Metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor antagonism is associated with antidepressant-like effects in mice

Antidepressant-like effects of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu)5 receptor antagonists have been reported previously. We now provide definitive identification of mGlu5 receptors as a target for these effects through the combined use of selective antagonists and mice with targeted deletion of the mGlu5 protein. In these experiments, the mGlu5 receptor antagonists 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) and the more selective and metabolically stable analog 3-[(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl]-pyridine (MTEP) decreased immobility in the mouse forced swim test, a test predictive of antidepressant efficacy in humans. mGlu5 receptor knockout mice had a phenotype in the forced swim test that was congruent with the effects of receptor blockade; mGlu5 receptor knockout mice were significantly less immobile than their wild-type counterparts. Consistent with mGlu5 receptor mediation of the antidepressant-like effects of MPEP, the effects of MPEP were not observed in mGlu5 receptor knockout mice, whereas comparable effects of the tricyclic antidepressant imiprimine remained active in the mutant mice. MPEP and imiprimine resulted in a synergistic antidepressant-like effect in the forced swim test. The drug interaction was not likely because of increased levels of drugs in the brain, suggesting a pharmacodynamic interaction of mGlu5 and monoaminergic systems in this effect. Thus, the present findings substantiate the hypothesis that mGlu5 receptor antagonism is associated with antidepressant-like effects. This mechanism may not only provide a novel approach to the therapeutic management of depressive disorders but also may be useful in the augmentation of effects of traditional antidepressant agents.

A Novel Class of Positive Allosteric Modulators of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 1 Interact with a Site Distinct from That of Negative Allosteric Modulators

We recently reported a novel class of compounds, represented by 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CD-PPB), that act as positive allosteric modulators (potentiators) of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtype 5. Studies of CDPPB analogs revealed that some compounds in this series serve also as positive allosteric modulators of mGluR1. Although CDPPB is selective for mGluR5 relative to other mGluR subtypes, several CDPPB analogs also showed 2.5-fold potentiation of glutamate-induced calcium transients in cells expressing mGluR1 at 10 muM, with 4-nitro-N-(1,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (VU-71) being selective for mGluR1. In previous studies, we found that two structural classes of mGluR5-selective allosteric potentiators, including CDPPB, share a common binding site with the allosteric mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine. Negative allosteric modulators of mGluR1, regardless of structural class, have been reported to bind to a common allosteric antagonist site on this receptor. However, neither the novel CDPPB analogs nor previously identified allosteric mGluR1 potentiators [e.g., (S)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)pyrrolidine (Ro 67-7476), ethyl diphenylacetylcarbamate (Ro 01-6128), and butyl (9H-xanthene-9-carbonyl)carbamate (Ro 67-4853)] displaced the binding of [(3)H]1-(3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-b]quinolin-7-yl)-2-phenyl-1-ethanone (R214127), a high-affinity radioligand for the allosteric antagonist site on mGluR1 at concentrations several orders of magnitude higher than those required to induce allosteric potentiation of mGluR1 responses. These data suggest that allosteric potentiators of mGluR1 act at a site that is distinct from that of allosteric antagonists of mGluR1. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that valine at position 757 in transmembrane V of mGluR1a is crucial for the activity of multiple classes of allosteric mGluR1 potentiators.

Molecular pharmacology and therapeutic prospects of metabotropic glutamate receptor allosteric modulators

The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) consist of a family of eight G-protein-coupled receptors that differ in their function, distribution and physiological roles within the central nervous system. In recent years substantial efforts have been made towards developing selective agonists and antagonists which have proven useful for elucidating their potential as novel targets for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological diseases. In the present review we will provide an update of the recent developments of functional allosteric modulators of the mGluR family and explore their therapeutic potential for anxiety/depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy/stroke, pain and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

Excitatory amino acid neurotransmission

In recent years great progress has been made in understanding the function of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors; their pharmacology and potential therapeutic applications. It should be stressed that there are already N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists in clinical use, such as memantine, which proves the feasibility of their therapeutic potential. It seems unlikely that competitive NMDA receptor antagonists and high-affinity channel blockers will find therapeutic use due to limiting side-effects, whereas agents acting at the glycineB site, NMDA receptor subtype-selective agents and moderate-affinity channel blockers are far more promising. This is supported by the fact that there are several glycineB antagonists, NMDA moderate-affinity channel blockers and NR2B-selective agents under development. Positive and negative modulators of AMPA receptors such as the AMPAkines and 2,3-benzodiazepines also show more promise than e.g. competitive antagonists. Great progress has also been made in the field of metabotropic glutamate receptors since the discovery of novel, allosteric modulatory sites for these receptors. Selective agents acting at these transmembrane sites have been developed that are more drug-like and have a much better access to the central nervous system than their competitive counterparts. The chapter will critically review preclinical and scarce clinical experience in the development of new ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor modulators according to the following scheme: rational, preclinical findings in animal models and finally clinical experience, where available.

Cyclohexenyl- and dehydropiperidinyl-alkynyl pyridines as potent metabotropic glutamate subtype 5 (mGlu5) receptor antagonists

Structure-activity relationship studies leading to the discovery of novel mGlu5 receptor antagonists are described. These compounds show high in vitro potency, have good in vivo receptor occupancy, and a reasonable intravenous pharmacokinetic profile.

Constitutive activity modulation of human metabotropic glutamate 5a receptors in HEK293 cells: a role for key amino-terminal cysteine residues

1. Several combinations of cysteine to serine mutations at positions 57, 93, 99 and 129 in the extracellular N-terminal domain of human metabotropic 5a (hmGlu5a) receptors were produced and expressed in HEK293 cells. Quisqualic acid-induced intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) mobilization and inositol phosphates (IP) accumulation revealed an apparent increased efficacy and decreased potency for hmGlu5a mutants C57S, C99S and C57/99S, as well as a total loss of function for the mutant C57/93/99/129S. 2. [(3)H]Quisqualate saturation analysis revealed mutants C57S, C99S, C57/99S and the tetramutant C57/93/99/129S to have unchanged K(D) but reduced B(max) values. [(3)H]MPEP saturation analysis on the same membrane preparations revealed no difference in K(D) for any mutant, but a decrease in B(max) value for the C57/93/99/129S receptor. 3. Inverse agonism of MPEP at hmGlu5a receptors was partially reduced by mutation C57S, significantly reduced by C99S and C57/99S mutations and totally abolished in the tetramutant. 4. We confirmed the surface expression of all the mutated receptors using [(3)H]MPEP binding analysis on whole cells. However, B(max) values were increased for mutant C57S, C99S, and C57/99S but decreased in the C57/93/99/129S receptor. 5. The 24 h preincubation of cells expressing hmGlu5a receptors with 1 muM MPEP followed by extensive washing dramatically increased the wild-type receptor efficacy to quisqualate, to the same levels seen with C57/99S receptors. MPEP preincubation did not affect C57/99S function. 6. We conclude that cysteines 57 and 99 are key residues necessary for modulating hmGlu5a receptor function.

Functionalization at position 3 of the phenyl ring of the potent mGluR5 noncompetitive antagonists MPEP

We described the synthesis and biological evaluation of MPEP analogs functionalized at the position 3 of the phenyl ring. The results point out the limitation in the choice of a functional group at this position; the only substituents leading to retention of activity are NO(2) (IC(50)=13 nM) and CN (IC(50)=8 nM).