1
|
Spatz P, Steinmüller SAM, Tutov A, Poeta E, Morilleau A, Carles A, Deventer MH, Hofmann J, Stove CP, Monti B, Maurice T, Decker M. Dual-Acting Small Molecules: Subtype-Selective Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonist/Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitor Hybrids Show Neuroprotection in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6414-6435. [PMID: 37127287 PMCID: PMC10184129 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We present the synthesis and characterization of merged human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) inhibitor/cannabinoid receptor 2 (hCB2R) ligands for the treatment of neurodegeneration. In total, 15 benzimidazole carbamates were synthesized and tested for their inhibition of human cholinesterases, also with regard to their pseudoirreversible binding mode and affinity toward both cannabinoid receptors in radioligand binding studies. After evaluation in a calcium mobilization assay as well as a β-arrestin 2 (βarr2) recruitment assay, two compounds with balanced activities on both targets were tested for their immunomodulatory effect on microglia activation and regarding their pharmacokinetic properties and blood-brain barrier penetration. Compound 15d, containing a dimethyl carbamate motif, was further evaluated in vivo, showing prevention of Aβ25-35-induced learning impairments in a pharmacological mouse model of Alzheimer's disease for both short- and long-term memory responses. Additional combination studies proved a synergic effect of BChE inhibition and CB2R activation in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Spatz
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sophie A M Steinmüller
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Tutov
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eleonora Poeta
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Axelle Morilleau
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Allison Carles
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Marie H Deventer
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Julian Hofmann
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Barbara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Tangui Maurice
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abatematteo FS, Majellaro M, Montsch B, Prieto-Díaz R, Niso M, Contino M, Stefanachi A, Riganti C, Mangiatordi GF, Delre P, Heffeter P, Sotelo E, Abate C. Development of Fluorescent 4-[4-(3 H-Spiro[isobenzofuran-1,4'-piperidin]-1'-yl)butyl]indolyl Derivatives as High-Affinity Probes to Enable the Study of σ Receptors via Fluorescence-Based Techniques. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3798-3817. [PMID: 36919956 PMCID: PMC10041534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Sigma (σ) receptor subtypes, σ1 and σ2, are targets of wide pharmaceutical interest. The σ2 receptor holds promise for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics against cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanisms activated by the σ2 receptor. To contribute to the exploitation of its therapeutic potential, we developed novel specific fluorescent ligands. Indole derivatives bearing the N-butyl-3H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,4'-piperidine] portion were functionalized with fluorescent tags. Nanomolar-affinity fluorescent σ ligands, spanning from green to red to near-infrared emission, were obtained. Compounds 19 (σ pan affinity) and 29 (σ2 selective), which displayed the best compromise between pharmacodynamic and photophysical properties, were investigated in flow cytometry, confocal, and live cell microscopy, demonstrating their specificity for the σ2 receptor. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first red-emitting fluorescent σ2 ligands, validated as powerful tools for the study of σ2 receptors via fluorescence-based techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Majellaro
- Centro Singular Investigación Quimica Biologica e Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Quimica Orgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Bianca Montsch
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rubén Prieto-Díaz
- Centro Singular Investigación Quimica Biologica e Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Quimica Orgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mauro Niso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Via Orabona, 4, 79125 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Angela Stefanachi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Via Orabona, 4, 79125 Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, via Santena 5/bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Delre
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Amendola, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Petra Heffeter
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Eddy Sotelo
- Centro Singular Investigación Quimica Biologica e Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Quimica Orgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Via Orabona, 4, 79125 Bari, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Amendola, 70126 Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Linciano P, Sorbi C, Rossino G, Rossi D, Marsala A, Denora N, Bedeschi M, Marino N, Miserocchi G, Dondio G, Peviani M, Tesei A, Collina S, Franchini S. Novel S1R agonists counteracting NMDA excitotoxicity and oxidative stress: A step forward in the discovery of neuroprotective agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115163. [PMID: 36716640 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) has been considered a promising therapeutic target for several neurodegenerative diseases and S1R agonists have shown neuroprotective activity against glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. Starting from a previously identified low nanomolar S1R agonist, in this work we prepared and tested novel benzylpiperidine/benzylpiperazine-based compounds designed by applying a ring opening strategy. Among them, 4-benzyl-1-(2-phenoxyethyl)piperidine 6b (S1R Ki = 0.93 nM) and 4-benzyl-1-(3-phenoxypropyl)piperidine 8b (S1R Ki = 1.1 nM) emerged as high affinity S1R ligands and showed selectivity over S2R and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Candidate compounds behaved as potent S1R agonists being able to enhance the neurite outgrowth induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC12 cell lines. In SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines they exhibited a neuroprotective effect against rotenone- and NMDA-mediated toxic insults. The neuroprotective activity of 6b and 8b was reverted by co-treatment with an S1R antagonist, PB212. Compounds 6b and 8b were tested for cytotoxicity in-vitro against three human cancer cell lines (A549, LoVo and Panc-1) and in-vivo zebrafish model, resulting in a good efficacy/safety profile, comparable or superior to the reference drug memantine. Overall, these results encourage further preclinical investigations of 6b and 8b on in-vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Linciano
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Sorbi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Rossino
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Marsala
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Dipartimento di Farmacia - Scienze del Farmaco, Università, degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Martina Bedeschi
- BioScience Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Noemi Marino
- BioScience Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Giacomo Miserocchi
- BioScience Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Giulio Dondio
- Aphad SrL, Via della Resistenza, 65, Buccinasco, 20090, Italy
| | - Marco Peviani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Tesei
- BioScience Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Simona Collina
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Franchini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kopanchuk S, Vavers E, Veiksina S, Ligi K, Zvejniece L, Dambrova M, Rinken A. Intracellular dynamics of the Sigma-1 receptor observed with super-resolution imaging microscopy. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268563. [PMID: 35584184 PMCID: PMC9116656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Sigma-1 receptor (Sig1R) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-related membrane protein, that forms heteromers with other cellular proteins. As the mechanism of action of this chaperone protein remains unclear, the aim of the present study was to detect and analyze the intracellular dynamics of Sig1R in live cells using super-resolution imaging microscopy. For that, the Sig1R-yellow fluorescent protein conjugate (Sig1R-YFP) together with fluorescent markers of cell organelles were transfected into human ovarian adenocarcinoma (SK-OV-3) cells with BacMam technology. Sig1R-YFP was found to be located mainly in the nuclear envelope and in both tubular and vesicular structures of the ER but was not detected in the plasma membrane, even after activation of Sig1R with agonists. The super-resolution radial fluctuations approach (SRRF) performed with a highly inclined and laminated optical sheet (HILO) fluorescence microscope indicated substantial overlap of Sig1R-YFP spots with KDEL-mRFP, slight overlap with pmKate2-mito and no overlap with the markers of endosomes, peroxisomes, lysosomes, or caveolae. Activation of Sig1R with (+)-pentazocine caused a time-dependent decrease in the overlap between Sig1R-YFP and KDEL-mRFP, indicating that the activation of Sig1R decreases its colocalization with the marker of vesicular ER and does not cause comprehensive translocations of Sig1R in cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Edijs Vavers
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
- Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Santa Veiksina
- University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kadri Ligi
- University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Maija Dambrova
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
- Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ago Rinken
- University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, Tartu, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Niso M, Kopecka J, Abatematteo FS, Berardi F, Riganti C, Abate C. Multifunctional thiosemicarbazones targeting sigma receptors: in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities in pancreatic cancer models. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:1307-1323. [PMID: 34586588 PMCID: PMC8648660 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00638-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Association of the metal chelating portion of thiosemicarbazone with the cytotoxic activity of sigma-2 receptors appears a promising strategy for the treatment of pancreatic tumors. Here, we developed a novel sigma-2 receptor targeting thiosemicarbazone (FA4) that incorporates a moiety associated with lysosome destabilization and ROS increase in order to design more efficient antitumor agents. METHODS The density of sigma receptors in pancreatic cancer cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. In these cells, cytotoxicity (MTT assay) and activation of ER- and mitochondria-dependent cell death pathways (mRNA expression of GRP78, ATF6, IRE1, PERK; ROS levels by MitoSOX and DCFDA-AM; JC-1 staining) induced by the thiosemicarbazones FA4, MLP44, PS3 and ACthio-1, were evaluated. The expression of autophagic proteins (ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, beclin, p62 and LC3-I) was also studied. In addition, the in vivo effect of FA4 in xenograft models with and without gemcitabine challenge was investigated. RESULTS We found that FA4 exerted a more potent cytotoxicity than previously studied thiosemicarbazones (MLP44, PS3 and ACthio-1), which were found to display variable effects on the ER or the mitochondria-dependent pro-apoptotic axis. By contrast, FA4 activated pro-apoptotic pathways and decreased autophagy, except in MiaPaCa2 cells, in which autophagic proteins were expressed at lower levels and remained unmodified by FA4. FA4 treatment of PANC-1 xenografted mouse models, poorly responsive to conventional chemotherapy, significantly reduced tumor volumes and increased intratumor apoptosis compared to gemcitabine, with no signs of toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that FA4 exhibits encouraging activity in pancreatic cancer cells unresponsive to gemcitabine. These results warrant further investigation in patient-derived pancreatic cancers, and hold promise for the development of therapies that can more efficiently target the specific characteristics of individual tumor types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Niso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Joanna Kopecka
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, via Santena 5/bis, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Serena Abatematteo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Berardi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, via Santena 5/bis, 10126, Torino, Italy.
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang Y, Li S, Zhang H, Xu H. Design and Application of Receptor-Targeted Fluorescent Probes Based on Small Molecular Fluorescent Dyes. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:4-24. [PMID: 33412857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, a variety of receptor-targeted fluorescent probes have been developed and widely used to realize the visualization of certain receptors, which facilitates the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this Review, we focus on the recent achievements in design, chemical structure, imaging characterization, and potential applications of receptor-targeted fluorescent probes from the past 10 years. The development and application of receptor-targeted fluorescent probes will expand our knowledge of the distribution and function of disease-related receptors, shed light on the drug discovery for clinical diseases where receptors are implicated, and feed into the diagnosis and treatment of a plethora of diseases, including tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Henan Province for New Drug R&D and Preclinical Safety, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Shufeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Henan Province for New Drug R&D and Preclinical Safety, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Henan Province for New Drug R&D and Preclinical Safety, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Henan Province for New Drug R&D and Preclinical Safety, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abate C, Niso M, Abatematteo FS, Contino M, Colabufo NA, Berardi F. PB28, the Sigma-1 and Sigma-2 Receptors Modulator With Potent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity: A Review About Its Pharmacological Properties and Structure Affinity Relationships. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:589810. [PMID: 33364961 PMCID: PMC7750835 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.589810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
These unprecedented times have forced the scientific community to gather to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts in diverse directions have been made. A multi-university team has focused on the identification of the host (human) proteins interacting with SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins, with the aim of hampering these interactions that may cause severe COVID-19 symptoms. Sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors surprisingly belong to the “druggable” host proteins found, with the pan-sigma receptor modulator PB28 displaying the most potent anti–SARS-CoV-2 activity in in vitro assays. Being 20-fold more active than hydroxychloroquine, without cardiac side effects, PB28 is a promising antiviral candidate worthy of further investigation. Our research group developed PB28 in 1996 and have thoroughly characterized its biological properties since then. Structure–affinity relationship (SAfiR) studies at the sigma receptor subtypes were also undertaken with PB28 as the lead compound. We herein report our knowledge of PB28 to share information that may help to gain insight into the antiviral action of this compound and sigma receptors, while providing structural hints that may speed up the translation into therapeutics of this class of ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Bari, Italy
| | - Mauro Niso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Marialessandra Contino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Antonio Colabufo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Berardi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Design and synthesis of fluorescent ligands for the detection of cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R). Eur J Med Chem 2020; 188:112037. [PMID: 31954990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Cannabinoid 2 receptor, CB2R, belonging to the endocannabinoid system, ECS, is involved in the first steps of neurodegeneration and cancer evolution and progression and thus its modulation may be exploited in the therapeutic and diagnostic fields. However, CB2Rs distribution and signaling pathways in physiological and pathological conditions are still controversial mainly because of the lack of reliable diagnostic tools. With the aim to produce green and safe systems to detect CB2R, we designed a series of fluorescent ligands with three different green fluorescent moieties (4-dimethylaminophthalimide, 4-DMAP, 7-nitro-4-yl-aminobenzoxadiazole, NBD, and Fluorescein-thiourea, FTU) linked to the N1-position of the CB2R pharmacophore N-adamantyl-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide through polymethylene chains. Compound 28 emerged for its compromise between good pharmacodynamic properties (CB2R Ki = 130 nM and no affinity vs the other subtype CB1R) and optimal fluorescent spectroscopic properties. Therefore, compound 28 was studied through FACS (saturation and competitive binding studies) and fluorescence microscopy (visualization and competitive binding) in engineered cells (CB2R-HEK293 cells) and in diverse tumour cells. The fluoligand binding assays were successfully set up, and affinity values for the two reference compounds GW405833 and WIN55,212-2, comparable to the values obtained by radioligand binding assays, were obtained. Fluoligand 28 also allowed the detection of the presence and quantification of the CB2R in the same cell lines. The interactions of compound 28 within the CB2R binding site were also investigated by molecular docking simulations, and indications for the improvement of the CB2R affinity of this class of compounds were provided. Overall, the results obtained through these studies propose compound 28 as a safe and green alternative to the commonly used radioligands for in vitro investigations.
Collapse
|
9
|
Spinelli F, Haider A, Toscano A, Pati ML, Keller C, Berardi F, Colabufo NA, Abate C, Ametamey SM. Synthesis, radiolabelling, and evaluation of [ 11C]PB212 as a radioligand for imaging sigma-1 receptors using PET. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING 2018; 8:32-40. [PMID: 29531859 PMCID: PMC5840321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The Sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) has been described as a pluripotent modulator of distinct physiological functions and its involvement in various central and peripheral pathological disorders has been demonstrated. However, further investigations are required to understand the complex role of the Sig-1R as a molecular chaperon. A specific PET radioligand would provide a powerful tool in Sig-1R related studies. As part of our efforts to develop a Sig-1R PET radioligand that shows antagonistic properties, we investigated the suitability of 1-(4-(6-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)butyl)-4-methylpiperidine (designated PB212) for imaging Sig-1R. PB212 is a Sig-1R antagonist and exhibits subnanomolar affinity (Ki = 0.030 nM) towards Sig-1R as well as good to excellent selectivity over Sig-2R. The radiolabelling of [11C]PB212 was accomplished by O-methylation of the phenolic precursor using [11C]MeI. In vitro autoradiography with [11C]PB212 on WT and Sig-1R KO mouse brain tissues revealed high non-specific binding, however using rat spleen tissues from CD1 mice and Wistar rats, high specific binding was observed. The spleen is known to have a high expression of Sig-1R. In vivo PET experiments in Wistar rats also showed high accumulation of [11C]PB212 in the spleen. Injection of Sig-1R binding compounds, haloperidol (1 mg/kg) or fluspidine (1 mg/kg) shortly before [11C]PB212 administration induced a drastic reduction of radiotracer accumulation, confirming the specificity of [11C]PB212 towards Sig-1R in the spleen. The results obtained herein indicate that although [11C]PB212 is not suitable for imaging Sig-1R in the brain, it is a promising candidate for the detection and quantification of Sig-1Rs in the periphery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Spinelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro70125, Bari, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH ZurichCH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Haider
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH ZurichCH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annamaria Toscano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Pati
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Claudia Keller
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH ZurichCH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Berardi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Antonio Colabufo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Simon M Ametamey
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH ZurichCH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pati ML, Niso M, Spitzer D, Berardi F, Contino M, Riganti C, Hawkins WG, Abate C. Multifunctional thiosemicarbazones and deconstructed analogues as a strategy to study the involvement of metal chelation, Sigma-2 (σ 2) receptor and P-gp protein in the cytotoxic action: In vitro and in vivo activity in pancreatic tumors. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 144:359-371. [PMID: 29287249 PMCID: PMC5801006 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer urgently requires more efficient treatment options. Because the sigma-2 (σ2) receptor was recently proposed as a promising target for pancreatic cancer therapy, we explored our previously developed multifunctional thiosemicarbazones, designed to synergistically impair cell energy levels, by targeting σ2 and P-gp proteins and chelating Iron. A deconstruction approach was herein applied by removing one function at a time from the potent multifunctional thiosemicarbazones 1 and 2, to investigate the contribution to cytotoxicity of each target involved. The results from in vitro (panel of pancreatic tumor cells) and in vivo experiments (C57BL/6 bearing KP02 tumor), suggest that while the multifunctional activity was not required for the antitumor activity of these thiosemicarbazones, σ2-targeting appeared to allow alternative tumor cell death mechanisms, leading to potent and less toxic off-targets toxicities compared to other thiosemicarbazones devoid of σ2-targeting.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/metabolism
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Cell Death/drug effects
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Chelating Agents/chemical synthesis
- Chelating Agents/chemistry
- Chelating Agents/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Female
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Molecular Structure
- Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Receptors, sigma/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, sigma/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Thiosemicarbazones/chemical synthesis
- Thiosemicarbazones/chemistry
- Thiosemicarbazones/pharmacology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Pati
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, I-70125 Bari, Italy; Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic, and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mauro Niso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, I-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Dirk Spitzer
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic, and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Francesco Berardi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, I-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marialessandra Contino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, I-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Dipartimento di Oncologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, via Santena 5/bis, I-10153 Torino, Italy
| | - William G Hawkins
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic, and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, I-70125 Bari, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
The σ 1 receptor agonist (+)-pentazocine increases store-operated Ca 2+ entry in MCF7σ 1 and SK-N-SH cell lines. Pharmacol Rep 2017; 69:542-545. [PMID: 28364693 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intracellular [Ca2+] is modulated by σ receptors. An important component of the cellular machinery governing the intracellular [Ca2+] is Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE). Here we want to investigate whether ligands of σ receptors affect SOCE. METHODS The intracellular [Ca2+] was monitored, with the fluorescent Ca2+-sensitive probe Fura-2, in four cell lines with a different expression of σ receptors, namely MCF7 (expressing σ1 receptors with a low density and overexpressing σ2 receptors), MCF7σ1 (overexpressing σ1 receptors), SK-N-SH, and HT-29. RESULTS When thapsigargin was used to deplete intracellular Ca2+ stores, in a Ca2+-free incubation medium, the Ca2+ influx (following Ca2+ re-addition) was significantly increased by 1μM (+)-pentazocine (σ1 receptor agonist) in MCF7σ1 (by 22.5%) and SK-N-SH (by 45.6%), but not in HT-29 and MCF7 cells. We have used, as a second approach, the "Mn2+ quenching" protocol. In MCF7σ1 cells, after thapsigargin treatment, the fluorescence quenching induced by Mn2+ influx (evidence of Ca2+ influx) was significantly increased (by 25.8%) by 1μM (+)-pentazocine, significantly decreased (by 18.0%) by BD1063 (σ1 receptor antagonist), and not affected by the presence of both ligands. These effects were not observed in MCF7 cells. Finally, in MCF7 cells, 1μM PB28 (σ2 receptor agonist), did not affect both the Ca2+ response after Ca2+ re-addition and the fluorescence quenching induced by Mn2+ influx. CONCLUSIONS We propose that the σ1 receptor agonist (+)-pentazocine increases SOCE in MCF7σ1 and SK-N-SH cell lines. The σ2 receptor agonist PB28 does not affect SOCE in MCF7 cells.
Collapse
|