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Mak S, Li W, Fu H, Luo J, Cui W, Hu S, Pang Y, Carlier PR, Tsim KW, Pi R, Han Y. Promising tacrine/huperzine A-based dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for neurodegenerative disorders: From relieving symptoms to modifying diseases through multitarget. J Neurochem 2021; 158:1381-1393. [PMID: 33930191 PMCID: PMC8458250 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, are devastating diseases in the elderly world, which are closely associated with progressive neuronal loss induced by a variety of genetic and/or environmental factors. Unfortunately, currently available treatments for neurodegenerative disorders can only relieve the symptoms but not modify the pathological processes. Over the past decades, our group by collaborating with Profs. Yuan-Ping Pang and Paul R. Carlier has developed three series of homo/hetero dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitors derived from tacrine and/or huperzine A. The representative dimers bis(3)-Cognitin (B3C), bis(12)-hupyridone, and tacrine(10)-hupyridone might possess disease-modifying effects through the modulation of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors, the activation of myocyte enhancer factor 2D gene transcription, and the promotion of neurotrophic factor secretion. In this review, we summarize that the representative dimers, such as B3C, provide neuroprotection against a variety of neurotoxins via multiple targets, including the inhibitions of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor with pathological-activated potential, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and β-amyloid cascades synergistically. More importantly, B3C might offer disease-modifying potentials by activating myocyte enhancer factor 2D transcription, inducing neuritogenesis, and promoting the expressions of neurotrophic factors in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, the novel dimers might offer synergistic disease-modifying effects, proving that dimerization might serve as one of the strategies to develop new generation of therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinghung Mak
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenming Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hongjun Fu
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronic Brain Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jialie Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wei Cui
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Shengquan Hu
- Shenzhen Institute of Geriatrics, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanping Pang
- Mayo Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Karl Wahkeung Tsim
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rongbiao Pi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Han
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Exploring Structure-Activity Relationship in Tacrine-Squaramide Derivatives as Potent Cholinesterase Inhibitors. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9080379. [PMID: 31430943 PMCID: PMC6723352 DOI: 10.3390/biom9080379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tacrine was the first drug to be approved for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment, acting as a cholinesterase inhibitor. The neuropathological hallmarks of AD are amyloid-rich senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal degeneration. The portfolio of currently approved drugs for AD includes acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Squaric acid is a versatile structural scaffold capable to be easily transformed into amide-bearing compounds that feature both hydrogen bond donor and acceptor groups with the possibility to create multiple interactions with complementary sites. Considering the relatively simple synthesis approach and other interesting properties (rigidity, aromatic character, H-bond formation) of squaramide motif, we combined this scaffold with different tacrine-based derivatives. In this study, we developed 21 novel dimers amalgamating squaric acid with either tacrine, 6-chlorotacrine or 7-methoxytacrine representing various AChEIs. All new derivatives were evaluated for their anti-cholinesterase activities, cytotoxicity using HepG2 cell line and screened to predict their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In this contribution, we also report in silico studies of the most potent AChE and BChE inhibitors in the active site of these enzymes.
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Sánchez-Vidaña DI, Chow JKW, Hu SQ, Lau BWM, Han YF. Molecular Targets of Bis (7)-Cognitin and Its Relevance in Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:445. [PMID: 31143096 PMCID: PMC6521802 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The exact mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative conditions are not fully known. The design of drugs that act on multiple targets represents a promising approach that should be explored for more effective clinical options for neurodegenerative disorders. B7C is s synthetic drug that has been studied for over 20 years and represents a promising multi-target drug for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD. Aims: The present systematic review, thus, aims at examining existing studies on the effect of B7C on different molecular targets and at discussing the relevance of B7C in neurological disorders. Methods: A list of predefined search terms was used to retrieve relevant articles from the databases of Embase, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The selection of articles was done by two independent authors, who were considering articles concerned primarily with the evaluation of the effect of B7C on neurological disorders. Only full-text articles written in English were included; whereas, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, book chapters, conference subtracts, and computational studies were excluded. Results: A total of 2,266 articles were retrieved out of which 41 articles were included in the present systematic review. The effect of B7C on molecular targets, including AChE, BChE, BACE-1, NMDA receptor, GABA receptor, NOS, and Kv4.2 potassium channels was evaluated. Moreover, the studies that were included assessed the effect of B7C on biological processes, such as apoptosis, neuritogenesis, and amyloid beta aggregation. The animal studies examined in the review focused on the effect of B7C on cognition and memory. Conclusions: The beneficial effects observed on different molecular targets and biological processes relevant to neurological conditions confirm that B7C is a promising multi-target drug with the potential to treat neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Ka Wing Chow
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sheng Quan Hu
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Benson Wui Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi-Fan Han
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Chen H, Xiang S, Huang L, Lin J, Hu S, Mak SH, Wang C, Wang Q, Cui W, Han Y. Tacrine(10)-hupyridone, a dual-binding acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, potently attenuates scopolamine-induced impairments of cognition in mice. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:1131-1139. [PMID: 29564727 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0221-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Tacrine(10)-hupyridone (A10E) was designed as a dual-binding acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor from the modification of tacrine and a fragment of huperzine A. We have found that A10E effectively inhibited AChE in a mixed competitive manner, with an IC50 of 26.4 nM, which is more potent than those of tacrine and huperzine A. Most importantly, we have shown, for the first time that A10E attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments without affecting motor function in mice. A10E effectively attenuated impairments of learning and memory to a similar extent as donepezil, an inhibitor of AChE used for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, A10E significantly decreased AChE activity in the brain of mice, suggesting that A10E might cross the brain blood-barrier. Taken together, our results demonstrated that A10E, a designed dual-binding AChE inhibitor, could effectively reverse cognitive impairments, indicating that A10E might provide therapeutic efficacy for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixin Chen
- Research Center of Behavioural Science, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Siying Xiang
- Research Center of Behavioural Science, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Ling Huang
- Research Center of Behavioural Science, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jiajia Lin
- Research Center of Behavioural Science, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Shengquan Hu
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shing-Hung Mak
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Research Center of Behavioural Science, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Qinwen Wang
- Research Center of Behavioural Science, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Research Center of Behavioural Science, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
| | - Yifan Han
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.
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Wen RJ, Huang D, Zhang Y, Liu YW. Bis(3)-tacrine inhibits the sustained potassium current in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Physiol Res 2017; 66:539-544. [PMID: 28248535 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bis(3)-tacrine is a dimeric AChE inhibitor derived from tacrine with a potential to treat Alzheimer's disease. It was recently been reported to act as a fast off-rate antagonist of NMDA receptors with moderate affinity. In the present study, we aimed to explore whether bis(3)-tacrine could modulate the function of native sustained potassium current in cultured rat hippocampal neurons using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. We found that bis(3)-tacrine inhibited the amplitude of sustained potassium current in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner, with a potency two orders of magnitude higher than that of tacrine. The inhibition was voltage-independent between 0 to +60 mV. The IC(50) values for bis(3)-tacrine and tacrine inhibition of sustained potassium current were 0.45+/-0.07 and 50.5+/-4.8 microM, respectively. I-V curves showed a more potent inhibition of sustained potassium current by bis(3)-tacrine (1 microM) compared to tacrine at the same concentration. Bis(3)-tacrine hyperpolarized the activation curve of the current by 11.2 mV, albeit leaving the steady-state inactivation of the current unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- R-J Wen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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Hu S, Cui W, Mak S, Tang J, Choi C, Pang Y, Han Y. Bis(propyl)-cognitin protects against glutamate-induced neuro-excitotoxicity via concurrent regulation of NO, MAPK/ERK and PI3-K/Akt/GSK3β pathways. Neurochem Int 2013; 62:468-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2013.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Reversal of scopolamine-induced spatial and recognition memory deficits in mice by novel multifunctional dimers bis-cognitins. Brain Res 2012; 1470:59-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Revised: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Luo J, Li W, Zhao Y, Fu H, Ma DL, Tang J, Li C, Peoples RW, Li F, Wang Q, Huang P, Xia J, Pang Y, Han Y. Pathologically activated neuroprotection via uncompetitive blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors with fast off-rate by novel multifunctional dimer bis(propyl)-cognitin. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:19947-58. [PMID: 20404346 PMCID: PMC2888406 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.111286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Revised: 04/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists with fast off-rate (UFO) may represent promising drug candidates for various neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we report that bis(propyl)-cognitin, a novel dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and gamma-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptor antagonist, is such an antagonist of NMDA receptors. In cultured rat hippocampal neurons, we demonstrated that bis(propyl)-cognitin voltage-dependently, selectively, and moderately inhibited NMDA-activated currents. The inhibitory effects of bis(propyl)-cognitin increased with the rise in NMDA and glycine concentrations. Kinetics analysis showed that the inhibition was of fast onset and offset with an off-rate time constant of 1.9 s. Molecular docking simulations showed moderate hydrophobic interaction between bis(propyl)-cognitin and the MK-801 binding region in the ion channel pore of the NMDA receptor. Bis(propyl)-cognitin was further found to compete with [(3)H]MK-801 with a K(i) value of 0.27 mum, and the mutation of NR1(N616R) significantly reduced its inhibitory potency. Under glutamate-mediated pathological conditions, bis(propyl)-cognitin, in contrast to bis(heptyl)-cognitin, prevented excitotoxicity with increasing effectiveness against escalating levels of glutamate and much more effectively protected against middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced brain damage than did memantine. More interestingly, under NMDA receptor-mediated physiological conditions, bis(propyl)-cognitin enhanced long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices, whereas MK-801 reduced and memantine did not alter this process. These results suggest that bis(propyl)-cognitin is a UFO antagonist of NMDA receptors with moderate affinity, which may provide a pathologically activated therapy for various neurodegenerative disorders associated with NMDA receptor dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialie Luo
- From the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- the Departments of Biochemistry and
| | - Wenming Li
- From the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Hongjun Fu
- From the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dik-Lung Ma
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing Tang
- the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Chaoying Li
- the Wuhan Institute of Neuroscience and Drug Research, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Robert W. Peoples
- the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, and
| | - Fushun Li
- the Department of Physiology, Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Qinwen Wang
- the Department of Physiology, Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Pingbo Huang
- Biology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jun Xia
- the Departments of Biochemistry and
| | - Yuanping Pang
- the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Yifan Han
- From the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- the Departments of Biochemistry and
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Zhou L, Liu YW, Peoples RW, Yang M, Tian X, Ai YX, Pang YP, Li ZW, Han YF, Li CY. Mechanism of bis(7)-tacrine inhibition of GABA-activated current in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Neuropharmacology 2009; 57:33-40. [PMID: 19393253 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2009.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2009] [Accepted: 04/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bis(7)-tacrine is a novel dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitor derived from tacrine that shows promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We have previously reported that bis(7)-tacrine inhibits GABA(A) receptors. In the present study we investigated the mechanism of bis(7)-tacrine inhibition of GABA(A) receptor function using whole-cell patch-clamp recording in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Bis(7)-tacrine produced a gradual decline of GABA-activated current to a steady-state, but this was not an indication of use-dependence, as the gradually declining component could be eliminated by exposure to bis(7)-tacrine prior to GABA application. In addition, bis(7)-tacrine inhibition did not require the presence of agonist, and GABA-activated current recovered completely from inhibition by bis(7)-tacrine in the absence of agonist. The slow onset of inhibition by bis(7)-tacrine was not apparently due to an action at an intracellular site, as inclusion of 25 microM bis(7)-tacrine in the recording pipette did not alter inhibition by bis(7)-tacrine applied externally. Bis(7)-tacrine shifted the GABA concentration-response curve to the right in a parallel manner and the pA(2) value estimated from a Schild plot was 5.7. Bis(7)-tacrine increased the time constant of activation of GABA-gated ion channels without affecting the time constants of deactivation or desensitization. These results suggest that bis(7)-tacrine is a competitive GABA(A) receptor antagonist with slow onset and offset kinetics. The competitive inhibition of GABA receptors by bis(7)-tacrine could contribute to its ability to enhance memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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