Modulation of spontaneous hippocampal synaptic events with 5-hydroxyindole, 4OH-GTS-21, and rAAV-mediated alpha7 nicotinic receptor gene transfer

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the single-channel level

Over the past four decades, the patch clamp technique and nicotinic ACh (nACh) receptors have established an enduring partnership. Like all good partnerships, each partner has proven significant in its own right, while their union has spurred innumerable advances in life science research. A member and prototype of the superfamily of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels, the nACh receptor is a chemo-electric transducer, binding ACh released from nerves and rapidly opening its channel to cation flow to elicit cellular excitation. A subject of a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the patch clamp technique provides unprecedented resolution of currents through single ion channels in their native cellular environments. Here, focusing on muscle and α7 nACh receptors, we describe the extraordinary contribution of the patch clamp technique towards understanding how they activate in response to neurotransmitter, how subtle structural and mechanistic differences among nACh receptor subtypes translate into significant physiological differences, and how nACh receptors are being exploited as therapeutic drug targets.

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This article is part of a themed section on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.11/issuetoc/.

Positive modulation of alpha7 nAChR responses in rat hippocampal interneurons to full agonists and the alpha7-selective partial agonists, 4OH-GTS-21 and S 24795

One approach for the identification of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease has focused on the research of alpha7 nAChR-selective agonists such as the partial agonists 3-(4-hydroxy,2-methoxybenzylidene)anabaseine (4OH-GTS-21) and, more recently, 2-[2-(4-bromophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1-methyl pyridinium (S 24795). An alternative approach for targeting alpha7 nAChR has been the development of positive modulators for this receptor. In this study we examined the interactions between full or partial agonists and positive modulators of alpha7 nAChRs in situ in brain tissue. Three positive modulators were used, 5-hydroxyindole (5-HI), 1-(5-chloro-2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(5-methyl-isoxanol-3-yl)-urea (PNU-120596), and genistein. Whole-cell recordings were performed in stratum radiatum interneurons from rat brain slices. Hippocampal interneurons were stimulated by ACh, choline, S 24795, or 4OH-GTS-21, before and after bath perfusion with the positive modulators. 5-HI was not effective at potentiating 200 microM 4OH-GTS-21-evoked responses, however 5-HI induced a sustained potentiation of responses evoked by 30 microM 4OH-GTS-21. When 1 mM ACh and 200 microM 4OH-GTS-21 were applied alternately alpha7-mediated responses to both agonists were reduced, suggesting that high concentration of 4OH-GTS-21 produces residual inhibition or desensitization and that 5-HI is not effective at overcoming receptor desensitization. Similar results were obtained with alpha7 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Interestingly, responses evoked by S 24795 were potentiated by 5-HI but not by genistein. Additionally, PNU-120596 was able to potentiate alpha7-mediated responses, regardless of the nature of the agonist. We demonstrated that the potentiation of alpha7 nAChR response would depend on the nature and the effective concentration of the agonist involved and its particular interaction with the positive modulator.

In vitro pharmacological characterization of a novel allosteric modulator of alpha 7 neuronal acetylcholine receptor, 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-3-propionyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (A-867744), exhibiting unique pharmacological profile

Targeting alpha7 neuronal acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with selective agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) is considered a therapeutic approach for managing cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we describe a novel type II alpha7 PAM, 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-3-propionyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (A-867744), that exhibits a unique pharmacological profile. In oocytes expressing alpha7 nAChRs, A-867744 potentiated acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked currents, with an EC(50) value of approximately 1 microM. At highest concentrations of A-867744 tested, ACh-evoked currents were essentially nondecaying. At lower concentrations, no evidence of a distinct secondary component was evident in contrast to 4-naphthalen-1-yl-3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[c]quinoline-8-sulfonic acid amide (TQS), another type II alpha7 PAM. In the presence of A-867744, ACh concentration responses were potentiated by increases in potency, Hill slope, and maximal efficacy. When examined in rat hippocampus CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons or dentate gyrus granule cells, A-867744 (10 microM) increased choline-evoked alpha7 currents and recovery from inhibition/desensitization, and enhanced spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current activity. A-867744, like other alpha7 PAMs tested [1-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)urea (NS1738), TQS, and 1-(5-chloro-2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(5-methyl-isoxazol-3-yl)-urea (PNU-120596)], did not displace the binding of [(3)H]methyllycaconitine to rat cortex alpha7(*) nAChRs. However, unlike these PAMs, A-867744 displaced the binding of the agonist [(3)H](1S,4S)-2,2-dimethyl-5-(6-phenylpyridazin-3-yl)-5-aza-2-azoniabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (A-585539) in rat cortex, with a K(i) value of 23 nM. A-867744 neither increased agonist-evoked responses nor displaced the binding of [(3)H]A-585539 in an alpha7/5-hydroxytryptamine(3) (alpha7/5-HT(3)) chimera, suggesting an interaction distinct from the alpha7 N terminus or M2-3 loop. In addition, A-867744 failed to potentiate responses mediated by 5-HT(3A) or alpha3beta4 and alpha4beta2 nAChRs. In summary, this study identifies a novel and selective alpha7 PAM showing activity at recombinant and native alpha7 nAChRs exhibiting a unique pharmacological interaction with the receptor.