A hydrophobic binding site in acetylcholinesterase

Superacidic Cyclization of Activated Anthranilonitriles into 2-Unsubstituted-4-aminoquinolines

4-Aminoquinolines were prepared in a three-step synthesis starting from substituted anthranilonitriles. The condensation on 1,1,1-trichloro-4-ethoxybut-3-enone proceeded efficiently either neat or in refluxing EtOH. Cyclization in superacidic trifluoromethanesulfonic acid provided unstable intermediate, which upon treatment with NaOEt in ethanol, afforded the expected esters. Theoretical investigations pointed out a monoprotonated nitrilium as the reactive species during the cyclization process.

The pharmacology of tacrine at N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors

The mechanism of tacrine as a precognitive drug has been considered to be complex and not fully understood. It has been reported to involve a wide spectrum of targets involving cholinergic, gabaergic, nitrinergic and glutamatergic pathways. Here, we review the effect of tacrine and its derivatives on the NMDA receptors (NMDAR) with a focus on the mechanism of action and biological consequences related to the Alzheimer's disease treatment. Our findings indicate that effect of tacrine on glutamatergic neurons is both direct and indirect. Direct NMDAR antagonistic effect is often reported by in vitro studies; however, it is achieved by high tacrine concentrations which are not likely to occur under clinical conditions. The impact on memory and behavioral testing can be ascribed to indirect effects of tacrine caused by influencing the NMDAR-mediated currents via M1 receptor activation, which leads to inhibition of Ca²⁺-activated potassium channels. Such inhibition prevents membrane repolarization leading to prolonged NMDAR activation and subsequently to long term potentiation. Considering these findings, we can conclude that tacrine-derivatives with dual cholinesterase and NMDARs modulating activity may represent a promising approach in the drug development for diseases associated with cognitive dysfunction, such as the Alzheimer disease.

Active Site Hydrophobicity and the Convergent Evolution of Paraoxonase Activity in Structurally Divergent Enzymes: The Case of Serum Paraoxonase 1

Serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a native lactonase capable of promiscuously hydrolyzing a broad range of substrates, including organophosphates, esters, and carbonates. Structurally, PON1 is a six-bladed β-propeller with a flexible loop (residues 70–81) covering the active site. This loop contains a functionally critical Tyr at position 71. We have performed detailed experimental and computational analyses of the role of selected Y71 variants in the active site stability and catalytic activity in order to probe the role of Y71 in PON1’s lactonase and organophosphatase activities. We demonstrate that the impact of Y71 substitutions on PON1’s lactonase activity is minimal, whereas the k_cat for the paraoxonase activity is negatively perturbed by up to 100-fold, suggesting greater mutational robustness of the native activity. Additionally, while these substitutions modulate PON1’s active site shape, volume, and loop flexibility, their largest effect is in altering the solvent accessibility of the active site by expanding the active site volume, allowing additional water molecules to enter. This effect is markedly more pronounced in the organophosphatase activity than the lactonase activity. Finally, a detailed comparison of PON1 to other organophosphatases demonstrates that either a similar “gating loop” or a highly buried solvent-excluding active site is a common feature of these enzymes. We therefore posit that modulating the active site hydrophobicity is a key element in facilitating the evolution of organophosphatase activity. This provides a concrete feature that can be utilized in the rational design of next-generation organophosphate hydrolases that are capable of selecting a specific reaction from a pool of viable substrates.

Synthesis of Highly Functionalized 4-Aminoquinolines

A diverse set of highly substituted 4-aminoquinolines was synthesized from ynamides, triflic anhydride, 2-chloropyridine, and readily accessible amides in a mild one-step procedure.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and anticholinesterase potentials of essential oil of Rumex hastatus D. Don collected from the North West of Pakistan

Background

Ethnomedicinally Rumex hastatus D. Don has been used since long for various ailments especially in neurological disorders. The reported data and the importance of Rumex genus demonstrate the vital medicinal value of R. hastatus.

Methods

In the current investigational study, isolation of essential oil and its antioxidant and anticholinesterase assays were performed. The essential oil of R. hastatus was analyzed by GC-MS for the first time. The essential oil was evaluated for anticholinesterase and antioxidant assays. The anticholinesterase assay was conducted at various concentrations (62.5 to 1000 μg/ml) against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Similarly, the antioxidant potential was determined using DPPH and ABTS free radicals.

Results

The GC-MS analysis of essential oil showed 123 components. The result recorded for the anticholinesterase assays demonstrated a marked potential against AChE and BChE with IC₅₀ values of 32.54 and 97.38 μg/ml respectively which were comparable with the positive control i.e., galanthamine (AChE, IC₅₀ = 4.73 μg/ml and BChE, IC₅₀ = 11.09 μg/ml). The antioxidant assays against DPPH and ABTS free radicals also exhibited significant scavenging potential with IC₅₀ values of 3.71 and 6.29 μg/ml respectively, while for ascorbic acid the IC₅₀ value was <0.1 μg/ml against both free radicals.

Conclusions

Based on the current investigational studies, it may be concluded that R. hastatus is an effective source of essential oil's components having anticholinesterase and antioxidant potentials, which after subjecting to drug development may lead to novel drug candidates against neurodegenerative disorders.

Structural basis of acetylcholinesterase inhibition by triterpenoidal alkaloids

Acetylcholinesterase plays a crucial role in the metabolism of neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Inhibition of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase by triterpenoidal alkaloids buxamine-B (1) and buxamine-C (2) has been studied by enzyme kinetics and molecular docking experiments. Buxamine-C (2) has been found to be 20-fold potent than buxamine-B (1) (Ki = 5.5 and 110 microM, respectively). The ligand docking experiments predicted that the cyclopentanophenanthrene skeleton of both inhibitors properly fits into the aromatic gorge of the enzyme. The C-3 and C-20 amino groups of both alkaloids mimic the well-known bis-quaternary ammonium inhibitors such as decamethonium and interact with Trp84 and Trp279 residues of the enzyme, respectively. The C-3 amino group in buxamine-C (2) appears to be better positioned at the bottom of the aromatic gorge and thus seems to be crucial for the inhibitory activity of such inhibitors.

SAR of 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine-based acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: synthesis, enzyme inhibitory activity, QSAR, and structure-based CoMFA of tacrine analogues

In this study, we attempted to derive a comprehensive SAR picture for the class of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors related to tacrine, a drug currently in use for the treatment of the Alzheimer's disease. To this aim, we synthesized and tested a series of 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine derivatives substituted in the positions 6 and 7 of the acridine nucleus and bearing selected groups on the 9-amino function. By means of the Hansch approach, QSAR equations were obtained, quantitatively accounting for both the detrimental steric effect of substituents in position 7 and the favorable electron-attracting effect exerted by substituents in positions 6 and 7 of the 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine derivatives. The three-dimensional (3D) properties of the inhibitors were taken into consideration by performing a CoMFA analysis on the series of AChE inhibitors made by 12 9-amino-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroacridines and 13 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinolin-10-ylamines previously developed in our laboratory. The alignment of the molecules to be submitted to the CoMFA procedure was carried out by taking advantage of docking models calculated for the interactions of both the unsubstituted 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine and 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinolin-10-ylamine with the target enzyme. A highly significant CoMFA model was obtained using the steric field alone, and the features of such a 3D QSAR model were compared with the classical QSAR equations previously calculated. The two models appeared consistent, the main aspects they had in common being (a) the individuation of the strongly negative contribution of the substituents in position 7 of tacrine and (b) a tentative assignment of the hydrophobic character to the favorable effect exerted by the substituents in position 6. Finally, a new previously unreported tacrine derivative designed on the basis of both the classical and the 3D QSAR equations was synthesized and kinetically evaluated, to test the predictive ability of the QSAR models. The 6-bromo-9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine was predicted to have a pIC(50) value of 7.31 by the classical QSAR model and 7.40 by the CoMFA model, while its experimental IC(50) value was equal to 0.066 (+/-0.009) microM, corresponding to a pIC(50) of 7.18, showing a reasonable agreement between predicted and observed AChE inhibition data.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for potential use in Alzheimer's disease: molecular modeling, synthesis and kinetic evaluation of 11H-indeno-[1,2-b]-quinolin-10-ylamine derivatives

Continuing our work on tetracyclic tacrine analogues, we synthesized a series of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors of 11H-indeno-[1,2-b]-quinolin-10-ylaminic structure. Selected substituents were placed in synthetically accessible positions of the tetracyclic nucleus, in order to explore the structure-activity relationships (SAR) and the mode of action of this class of anticholinesterases. A molecular modeling investigation of the binding interaction of the lead compound (1a) with the AChE active site was performed, from which it resulted that, despite the rather wide and rigid structure of 1a, there may still be the possibility to introduce some small substituent in some positions of the tetracycle. However, from the examination of the experimental IC50 values, it derived that the indenoquinoline nucleus probably represents the maximum allowable molecular size for rigid compounds binding to AChE. In fact, only a fluorine atom in position 2 maintains the AChE inhibitory potency of the parent compound, and, actually, increases the AChE-selectivity with respect to the butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. By studying the kinetics of AChE inhibition for two representative compounds of the series, it resulted that the lead compound (1a) shows an inhibition of mixed type, binding to both the active and the peripheral sites, while the more sterically hindered analogue 2n seems to interact only at the external binding site of the enzyme. This finding seems particularly important in the context of Alzheimer's disease research in the light of recent observations showing that peripheral AChE inhibitors might decrease the aggregating effects of the enzyme on the beta-amyloid peptide (betaA).

Dual-site binding of bivalent 4-aminopyridine- and 4-aminoquinoline-based AChE inhibitors: contribution of the hydrophobic alkylene tether to monomer and dimer affinities

Three series of 4-aminopyridine-and 4-aminoquinoline based symmetrical bivalent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors were prepared and compared to previously synthesized dimers of 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (tacrine). In each case significant, tether length-dependent increases in AChE inhibition potency and selectivity (up to 3000-fold) were observed relative to the corresponding monomer, indicating dual-site binding of these inhibitors to AChE. Assay of the corresponding alkylated monomers revealed that the alkylene tether played at least two complementary roles in the dimer series. In addition to reducing the entropy loss that occurs on binding both monomeric units of the dimer, the alkylene tether can also significantly improve potency through hydrophobic effects.

A comparative study in rats of the in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors tacrine, donepezil and NXX-066

The in vitro and in vivo effects of the novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors donepezil and NXX-066 have been compared to tacrine. Using purified acetylcholinesterase from electric eel both tacrine and donepezil were shown to be reversible mixed type inhibitors, binding to a similar site on the enzyme. In contrast, NXX-066 was an irreversible non-competitive inhibitor. All three compounds were potent inhibitors of rat brain acetylcholinesterase (IC50 [nM]; tacrine: 125 +/- 23; NXX-066: 148 +/- 15; donepezil: 33 +/- 12). Tacrine was also a potent butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor. Donepezil and tacrine displaced [3H]pirenzepine binding in rat brain homogenates (IC50 values [microM]; tacrine: 0.7; donepezil: 0.5) but NXX-066 was around 80 times less potent at this M1-muscarinic site. Studies of carbachol stimulated increases in [Ca2+]i in neuroblastoma cells demonstrated that both donepezil and tacrine were M1 antagonists. Ligand binding suggested little activity of likely pharmacological significance with any of the drugs at other neurotransmitter sites. Intraperitoneal administration of the compounds to rats produced dose dependent increases in salivation and tremor (ED50 [micromol/kg]; tacrine: 15, NXX-066: 35, donepezil: 6) with NXX-066 having the most sustained effect on tremor. Following oral administration, NXX-066 had the slowest onset but the greatest duration of action. The relative potency also changed, tacrine having low potency (ED50 [micromol/kg]; tacrine: 200, NXX-066: 30, donepezil: 50). Salivation was severe only in tacrine treated animals. Using in vivo microdialysis in cerebral cortex, both NXX-066 and tacrine were found to produce a marked (at least 30-fold) increase in extracellular acetylcholine which remained elevated for more than 2 h after tacrine and 4 h after NXX-066.

The 'aromatic patch' of three proximal residues in the human acetylcholinesterase active centre allows for versatile interaction modes with inhibitors

The role of the functional architecture of the human acetylcholinesterase (HuAChE) active centre in accommodating the non-covalent inhibitors tacrine and huperzine A, or the carbamates pyridostigmine and physostigmine, was analysed using 16 mutants of residues lining the active-centre gorge. Despite the structural diversity of the ligands, certain common properties of the complexes could be observed: (a) replacement of aromatic residues Tyr133, Tyr337 and especially Trp86, resulted in pronounced changes in stability of all the complexes examined; (b) effects due to replacements of the five other aromatic residues along the active-centre gorge, such as the acyl pocket (Phe295, Phe297) or at the peripheral anionic site (Tyr124, Trp286, Tyr341) were relatively small; (c) effects due to substitution of the carboxylic residues in the gorge (Glu202, Glu450) were moderate. These results and molecular modelling indicate that the aromatic side chains of residues Trp86, Tyr133 and Tyr337 form together a continuous 'aromatic patch' lining the wall of the active-centre gorge, allowing for the accommodation of the different ligands via multiple modes of interaction. Studies with HuAChE mutants carrying replacements at positions 86, 133 and 337 indicate that the orientations of huperzine A and tacrine in the HuAChE complexes in solution are significantly different from those observed in X-ray structures of the corresponding complexes with Torpedo californica AChE (TcAChE). These discrepancies may be explained in terms of structural differences between the complexes of HuAChE and TcAChE or, more likely, by the enhanced flexibility of the AChE active-centre gorge in solution as compared with the crystalline state.

Prediction of binding constants of protein ligands: a fast method for the prioritization of hits obtained from de novo design or 3D database search programs

A dataset of 82 protein-ligand complexes of known 3D structure and binding constant Ki was analysed to elucidate the important factors that determine the strength of protein-ligand interactions. The following parameters were investigated: the number and geometry of hydrogen bonds and ionic interactions between the protein and the ligand, the size of the lipophilic contact surface, the flexibility of the ligand, the electrostatic potential in the binding site, water molecules in the binding site, cavities along the protein-ligand interface and specific interactions between aromatic rings. Based on these parameters, a new empirical scoring function is presented that estimates the free energy of binding for a protein-ligand complex of known 3D structure. The function distinguishes between buried and solvent accessible hydrogen bonds. It tolerates deviations in the hydrogen bond geometry of up to 0.25 A in the length and up to 30 degrees in the hydrogen bond angle without penalizing the score. The new energy function reproduces the binding constants (ranging from 3.7 x 10(-2) M to 1 x 10(-14) M, corresponding to binding energies between -8 and -80 kJ/mol) of the dataset with a standard deviation of 7.3 kJ/mol corresponding to 1.3 orders of magnitude in binding affinity. The function can be evaluated very fast and is therefore also suitable for the application in a 3D database search or de novo ligand design program such as LUDI. The physical significance of the individual contributions is discussed.

A comparative QSAR analysis of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors currently studied for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Considering the relevance of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as potential agents for the treatment of the Alzheimer's disease, we have undertaken a comparative QSAR analysis aimed at individuating the physico-chemical properties governing the inhibitory activity of such compounds. The QSAR equations for 13 series of derivatives have been calculated and discussed. The series studied are all those we found in the literature suitable for a QSAR analysis and represent the three main classes of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors currently investigated, namely, physostigmine analogues, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridines and benzylamines. The equations we obtained show that, within each class, the main physico-chemical properties affecting the inhibitory activity are almost the same for all the series and can be individuated by the use of proper parameters. The conclusions of this study can be summarized as follows: (a) hydrophobicity plays a critical role in both the physostigmine- and the benzylamine-derived classes; (b) electronic effects are important for the interactions carried out by the variable portion of benzylamine derivatives; and (c) steric factors are also significant, but, as in other cases, the collinearity between steric and hydrophobic parameters does not allow one to draw any final conclusion.

Highly potent, selective, and low cost bis-tetrahydroaminacrine inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. Steps toward novel drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease

We report highly potent, selective, and low cost bifunctional acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors developed by our two-step prototype optimization strategy utilizing computer modeling of ligand docking with target proteins: 1) identify low affinity sites normally missed by x-ray crystallography; and 2) design bifunctional analogs capable of simultaneous binding at the computer-determined low affinity site and the x-ray-identified high affinity site. Applying this strategy to 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (THA), a drug for Alzheimer's disease, we obtained alkylene linked bis-THA analogs. These analogs were up to 10,000-fold more selective and 1,000-fold more potent than THA in inhibiting rat AChE and yet required one simple reaction to synthesize. Additionally, alkylene linked benzyl-THA analogs were developed to examine the specificity of the docking-derived low affinity THA peripheral site in AChE. The present work and our previous computational studies strongly suggest that a low affinity THA peripheral site exists in AChE. This peripheral site provides a structural basis for design of improved cholinesterase ligands for treating Alzheimer's disease and for other health-related purposes.

Cytotoxicity study of tacrine, structurally and pharmacologically related compounds using rat hepatocytes

Tacrine is the first drug approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 50% of patients treated with tacrine develop elevated serum aminotransferase levels, as an indication of potential hepatotoxicity. However, acute and chronic studies with a limited number of animal models have not demonstrated hepatotoxicity. The present study compared the cytotoxicity in hepatocyte cultures of tacrine with structurally (proflavine and 9-aminoacridine) or pharmacologically similar compounds (physostigmine), as well as structurally modified tacrine to determine if there was a structure activity relationship with regards to toxicity. Cytotoxicity was assessed by determination of extra- and intracellular amounts of lactate dehydrogenase. Cytotoxicity was assessed after a four-hour exposure over a test compound concentration range of 0 to 3 mM. Concentration-dependent cytotoxicity occurred with tacrine and all structurally related compounds. Physostigmine which is pharmacologically similar, but structurally different, did not induce cytotoxicity. Cytotoxic potency did not appear to be related to acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, while compounds with acridine structures induced cytotoxicity. Thus, in this in vitro model, cytotoxicity appears to be related to structure and not pharmacological action. Results of this study indicate that compounds structurally related to tacrine are cytotoxic because of the heterocyclic ring structure. Neither unsaturation of an aromatic ring of the heterocyclic compound, amino substitution of the heterocyclic rings, N-hydroxylation of the amino group, nor ring hydroxylation dramatically alter cytotoxicity.

Discovery of a novel tetrahydroacridine acetylcholinesterase inhibitor through an indexed combinatorial library

BACKGROUND

Methods for the rapid and efficient preparation of drug candidates through combinatorial chemistry are of increasing interest. We have previously reported an indexed combinatorial library method that allows both the preparation and testing of compounds in solution. We set out to apply this method to develop more effective analogs of the known, marketed drug tacrine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

RESULTS

A one-step condensation of cyclohexanones with cyanoanilines to generate tetrahydroacridine pools was developed. The resulting library of (formally) 72 tetrahydroacridines was screened against acetylcholinesterase, and a compound 10-fold more potent than tacrine, 7-nitrotacrine, was discovered. Its increased potency could be readily explained by examining the known structure of the complex of acetylcholinesterase with tetrahydroacridine.

CONCLUSIONS

In this work, we have provided a relatively rare example of carbon-carbon bond formation in a pool synthesis and have discovered a potentially useful acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

Potential neurotoxicity of a novel aminoacridine analogue

1. A class of compounds, 9-aminoacridines, have long been known to be reversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE-EC 3.1.1.7), the most familiar of which is 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (Tacrine). 2. A novel aminoacridine was synthesised: -2-tertiary-butyl-9-amino-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroacridine (2tBuTHA). 3. In vitro comparisons of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential and neurotoxicity compared to Tacrine were performed using a chemically differentiated neuroblastoma cell line (Neuro 2A). 2tBuTHA, but not Tacrine, was cytotoxic to the neural cell following 20 h exposure, despite being the least potent AChE inhibitor (IC80 AChE 12.53 microM +/- 1.14 s.e.m., Neutral Red Uptake IC50 9.53 microM +/- 0.98 s.e.m., MTT Reduction IC80 14.6 microM +/- 1.43 s.e.m.). 4. In vivo studies used a novel application of a five arm radial maze to assess neuropharmacological effects on working memory in control and Scopolamine (1 mg kg-1 i.p.) treated mice. There was an impairment of short term cognitive function with 2tBuTHA (15 mg kg-1 i.p.), but not Tacrine (10 mg kg-1 i.p.) which improved the Scopolamine deficit as expected. 5. This combined in vitro and in vivo data infers a neurotoxic property for the novel compound 2tBuTHA, a close structural analogue of Tacrine.

Inhibition of cholinesterase activity by tetrahydroaminoacridine and the hemisuccinate esters of tocopherol and cholesterol

The anticholinesterase properties of tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA, Tacrine), alpha-tocopheryl hemisuccinate (TS), and cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CS), given alone and in combination, were examined in vitro. Results from these studies indicate that: [1] THA is a potent inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE, IC50 of 0.40 microM) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, IC50 of 0.10 microM) with greatest inhibitory activity towards BChE; [2] TS and CS are weak inhibitors of BChE (IC50 of 100 microM and 168 microM, respectively) but potent inhibitors of ACHE (IC50 of 1.73 microM and 0.79 microM, respectively); [3] both TS and CS treatment in combination with THA significantly increased THA's anticholinesterase activity. The percentage AChE inhibition observed with this combination was often significantly greater than the sum of the individual values (synergistic). The addition of 0.5 microM CS or TS to an ACHE preparation reduced THA's IC50 value from 0.40 microM or 0.18 microM, respectively [4]; inhibition of AChE by THA, TS and CS are mixed non-competitive while THA inhibition of BChE is mixed non-competitive and TS and CS inhibition of BChE are simple non-competitive; and [5] inhibition of cholinesterases by TS and CS occurs immediately (50 to 75%), during the first 30 min of incubation (25 to 50%) and is dependent on the anionic charged portion of the molecule. In conclusion, our experimental data indicate that TS and CS are potent inhibitors of AChE activity and significantly potentiate the anticholinesterase activity of THA. Such potent and synergistic inhibition of AChE suggest that TS or CS, alone and in combination with THA, may prove beneficial in the treatment of organophosphate poisoning and Alzheimer's disease.

Acetylcholinesterase protection and the anti-diisopropylfluorophosphate efficacy of E2020

The reversible noncovalent inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (R,S)-1-benzyl-4-[(5,6-dimethoxy-1-indanon)-2-yl]-methylpiperidine hydrochloride (E2020) was shown to inhibit electric eel acetylcholinesterase with high affinity in a mixed competitive-non-competitive way (Ki = 8.2 nM; Ki' = 13 nM). The pretreatment of electric eel acetylcholinesterase with E2020 dose-dependently prevented the inactivation of the enzyme by 40 microM diisopropylfluorophosphate. The EC50 for this protective effect (95% confidence limits) was 85 (76-96) nM, whereas under the same conditions E2020 IC50 was 12.3 (9.6-16) nM. E2020 injected together with atropine sulfate (17.4 mg/kg) into mice at doses in the range of 1.04-6.24 mg/kg 15 min before diisopropylfluorophosphate, caused a dose-dependent increase in diisopropylfluorophosphate LD50, resulting in protection ratios varying from 3.1 to 9.2. The effectiveness of E2020 antidotal effect was inversely correlated to the time between pretreatment and diisopropylfluorophosphate administration, being maximal when E2020 was injected 15 min, and possibly less than 15 min, before poisoning. From these experiments it is concluded that E2020 exerts a protective action against acute diisopropylfluorophosphate-poisoning in the mouse, presumably by protecting acetylcholinesterase from irreversible inactivation by this agent.

Efficacy of tacrine as a nerve agent pretreatment

Tacrine (THA) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo as a pretreatment for nerve agent intoxication. In vitro experiments showed that the primary effect of THA was direct inhibition of purified fetal bovine serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with a slight effect on slowing the aging rate of nerve agent-inhibited AChE. THA produced significant behavioral effects at doses above 1.7 mg/kg, i.m., in the mouse and 3.4 mg/kg, i.m., in the guinea pig. At the no observable effect level (NOEL) for mice (1.7 mg/kg), THA was effective (P < or = 0.05) in reducing tabun- and soman-, but not sarin-induced lethality in mice. Experiments in the guinea pig showed that at the NOEL (3.4 mg/kg, i.m.) THA was not effective in decreasing lethality due to soman exposure. Since there was significant overlap between pharmacologically effective doses of THA and those which produce behavioral toxicity, THA was not considered a suitable pretreatment for nerve agent intoxication.

Three-dimensional structure of acetylcholinesterase and of its complexes with anticholinesterase drugs

Based on our recent X-ray crystallographic determination of the structure of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Torpedo californica, we can see for the first time, at atomic resolution, a protein binding pocket for the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. It was found that the active site consists of a catalytic triad (S200-H440-E327) which lies close to the bottom of a deep and narrow gorge, which is lined with the rings of 14 aromatic amino acid residues. Despite the complexity of this array of aromatic rings, we suggested, on the basis of modelling which involved docking of the acetylcholine (ACh) molecule in an all-trans configuration, that the quaternary group of the choline moiety makes close contact with the indole ring of W84. In order to study the interaction of AChE with anticholinesterase drugs at the structural level, we have incorporated into the acetylcholinesterase crystals several different inhibitors, and have recently determined the 3-D structure of AChE:edrophonium and AChE:tacrine complexes. The crystal structures of both of these complexes are in good agreement with our model building of the ACh bound in the active site of AChE and indicate the interactions of these two drugs with the enzyme.

Positron emission tomography study of [11C]methyl-tetrahydroaminoacridine (methyl-tacrine) in baboon brain

THA (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-amino-acridine, tacrine), a potential therapeutic agent for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, has multiple pharmacological sites of action in the brain. In order to study the cerebral binding sites of THA in vivo, we labeled a close derivative of THA with carbon 11 for positron emission tomography (PET) analysis. We report the biodistribution of this compound, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-[11C]methylaminoacridine ([11C]MTHA), in the rodent and describe the first PET experiments in non-human primates. The distribution of [11C]MTHA in baboon brain, although rather diffuse in the gray matter, showed a higher concentration in the cortex and basal ganglia than in the cerebellum and binding could be displaced (50%) by cold THA. These results suggest that [11C]MTHA is a promising PET ligand for the study of the cerebral binding of THA.

In vitro protection of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase by tetrahydroaminoacridine. Comparison with physostigmine

The protective action of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (THA) against the long-lasting inactivation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) brought about by diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and physostigmine, as well as by neostigmine in the case of AChE only, was evaluated by a dilution technique using Electrophorus electricus AChE and horse serum BuChE as target enzymes. In parallel experiments, the ability of physostigmine itself to protect these enzymes from DFP was evaluated and compared with that of THA. THA pretreatment was seen to prevent in a dose-dependent manner the inhibition of both AChE and BuChE. However, it was appreciably more potent towards AChE than towards BuChE. THA mean EC50 values for protecting AChE against 10, 40 and 100 microM DFP were 0.04, 0.16 and 0.45 microM, respectively; against 1 microM physostigmine the value was 1.8 microM and against 1.2 microM neostigmine it was 3.0 microM. The THA mean EC50 value for protecting BuChE against 3 microM physostigmine was 0.55 microM and the values for protecting against 3, 10 and 40 microM DFP were 1.5, 3 and greater than 10 microM, respectively. The protective action of THA was time independent: recovery of the maximal enzymic activity was immediate upon dilution. Unlike THA, the protective action of physostigmine developed progressively after dilution and was maximal within 3-4 (AChE) or 6-8 hr (BuChE). Under our experimental conditions, 0.3 microM physostigmine protected approximately 70% of AChE from 40 microM DFP and 5 microM physostigmine protected 9 and 47% of BuChE from 40 and 3 microM DFP, respectively. The results of this work suggest that THA exerts its protective action by shielding the active site of AChE and BuChE from the attack of the inactivating agents on account of its higher enzymic affinity, whereas the protective action of physostigmine against DFP takes advantage also of the carbamylation of the enzyme. These results are in line with the hypothesis that protection of AChE is the primary mechanism responsible for the antidotal action of THA against organophosphorus poisoning.

Evaluation of a cholinomimetic drug, 9-amino-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-cyclopenta [b] quinoline (NIK-247), as an enhancer of endogenous efflux of acetylcholine from brain slices

Basal and high K(+)-stimulated efflux of endogenous ACh from slices of brain was measured to evaluate the cholinomimetic effect of 9-amino-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b] quinoline monohydrate HCl (NIK-247) on the central nervous system. The drug NIK-247 dose-dependently accelerated the efflux of ACh from slices of striatum. The maximum increase produced by 1.0 x 10(-4) M of NIK-247 was 329% in basal and 1332% in 30 mM K(+)-stimulated efflux. This drug was nearly twice as potent as THA (9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine HCl) but had the same potency as physostigmine, in enhancing basal efflux, although there was no significant difference between the efficacy of these drugs in enhancing the K(+)-stimulated efflux. Both basal and 50 mM K(+)-stimulated efflux of ACh were increased by NIK-247, not only from the striatum but also from slices of frontal cortex and hippocampus. The activity was more effective in the striatum than in other tissues, and more effective on K(+)-stimulated than on basal efflux, regardless of the region of the brain. These effects of NIK-247 may be a result mainly of its inhibition of cholinesterase and its other biological characteristics, such as K+ channel blockade, capable of modulating release of ACh, may not be of major importance.

Atomic structure of acetylcholinesterase from Torpedo californica: a prototypic acetylcholine-binding protein

The three-dimensional structure of acetylcholinesterase from Torpedo californica electric organ has been determined by x-ray analysis to 2.8 angstrom resolution. The form crystallized is the glycolipid-anchored homodimer that was purified subsequent to solubilization with a bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. The enzyme monomer is an alpha/beta protein that contains 537 amino acids. It consists of a 12-stranded mixed beta sheet surrounded by 14 alpha helices and bears a striking resemblance to several hydrolase structures including dienelactone hydrolase, serine carboxypeptidase-II, three neutral lipases, and haloalkane dehalogenase. The active site is unusual because it contains Glu, not Asp, in the Ser-His-acid catalytic triad and because the relation of the triad to the rest of the protein approximates a mirror image of that seen in the serine proteases. Furthermore, the active site lies near the bottom of a deep and narrow gorge that reaches halfway into the protein. Modeling of acetylcholine binding to the enzyme suggests that the quaternary ammonium ion is bound not to a negatively charged "anionic" site, but rather to some of the 14 aromatic residues that line the gorge.

Effectiveness of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (THA) as a pretreatment drug for protection of mice from acute diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) intoxication

The protective action of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (THA) against acute diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) intoxication was evaluated in mice by measuring the effects of the pretreatment of the animals with various doses of the drug on the DFP LD50. In the same experiments, the action of physostigmine and pyridostigmine were compared. THA at the doses 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg injected subcutaneously 15 min before DFP caused a dose-dependent increase in the DFP LD50, resulting in protection ratios equal to 3, 3.1 and 4.4, respectively, in the absence of atropine and 4.5, 8.6 and 14.5, respectively, in the absence of atropine and 4.5, 8.6 and 14.5, respectively, in the presence of atropine sulfate (17.4 mg/kg) therapy. Under the same experimental conditions, the protective ratios of 0.1 mg/kg physostigmine and pyridostigmine were 2.2 and 1.3, respectively, without atropine and 11.0 and 12.2, respectively, with atropine. The effectiveness of THA antidotal effect was inversely correlated to the time between pretreatment and DFP administration, being maximal when THA was injected 15 min before poisoning. In separate experiments, the time-course of acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) activity recovery was evaluated in the whole brain and diaphragm tissues of mice pretreated with THA (5 mg/kg) and physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) 15 min before poisoning with DFP (8 mg/kg). At 10 min after DFP administration residual AChE activity in the brain averaged 4, 25 and 15% of that in controls in the animals pretreated with atropine alone, atropine plus THA or atropine plus physostigmine, respectively. At 24 h after poisoning, brain AChE activity averaged 34 and 47% of that in controls in the mice protected by THA and physostigmine, respectively. As for the diaphragm, AChE activity in THA-pretreated animals was 29% of controls 10 min after poisoning versus 8 and 23% in unprotected and physostigmine-pretreated animals, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reversibility of the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by tacrine

Inhibition of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine (tacrine) was independent of time of incubation and was partially reversed by dilution and by increased substrate concentration. It was fully reversed by dialysis. Similar results were obtained with AChE from other sources. The results are consistent with some reports in the literature, but not with others; none of these reports examined all four criteria of reversibility. The results do not explain the prolonged inhibition of AChE in vivo or the ability of tacrine to protect animals against the lethal effects of organophosphate anticholinesterases.

Pharmacological significance of acetylcholinesterase inhibition by tetrahydroaminoacridine

Tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA; Tacrine) is a potent, non-competitive inhibitor of the neuronal enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and, consequently, a potent modulator of central cholinergic function. The compound reportedly improves the memory deficits of Alzheimer's dementia. Experiments were run with purified bovine caudate AChE to examine the kinetic properties of THA-AChE interaction within the scheme of multiple binding sites on the enzyme and a proposed "map" of the enzyme surface. The kinetic analyses were also designed to determine whether chemical modification of peripheral anionic sites on AChE may provide insight into mechanism for selective pharmacological alteration of cholinergic function in the brain. The studies demonstrated that THA is a reversible, non-competitive inhibitor with an I50 of 160 +/- 10 nM. THA bound primarily at a hydrophobic area outside of the catalytic sites, and binding of THA enhanced the effect of Ca2+ binding to a separate group of "accelerator" sites. Experiments with Al3+ demonstrated non-competitive inhibitor effects that were additive with THA inhibition and consistent with a model suggesting interaction of THA and Al3+ at the enzyme surface. In vitro enzyme inhibition studies also provide evidence for THA "protection" of the catalytic site against inhibition by the high-affinity phosphorylating agent, DFP (isoflurophate).

The mechanism of tetrahydroaminoacridine-evoked release of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine from rat brain tissue prisms

1 Tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) is an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor which may have a greater therapeutic effect in Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) than other cholinergic agents. This suggests possible non-cholinergic properties. We have therefore studied the effects of THA on the release of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from rat cortical prisms and dopamine from striatal prisms. 2 In the presence of K+ (1 mM), THA stimulated release of both 5-HT and dopamine. THA (100 microM)-evoked monoamine release was comparable, but not additive with the release produced by K+ (35 mM). The effect was not maximal at 1 mM THA. THA-evoked release of 5-HT was independent of the presence of Ca2+ in the external medium. 3 Drugs acting on the cholinergic system, nicotine, mecamylamine, atropine, oxotremorine, physostigmine and neostigmine (all 10 microM) had no effect on 5-HT and dopamine-release. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP), a potent acetylcholine-releasing agent, had no effect on 5-HT release and was approximately 100 fold less active than THA on dopamine release. 4 Both THA and reserpine enhanced the release of 5-HT in the presence of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, pargyline. Reserpine- but not THA-evoked release was abolished in the absence of pargyline. Reserpine (5 mg kg-1, i.p.) markedly depleted brain monoamine concentrations 3 h after injection, while THA (15 mg kg-1, i.p.) had no effect. 5 Chloroamphetamine and fenfluramine both released 5-HT in a Ca2(+)-independent manner and with a similar potency to THA, while (+)-amphetamine released dopamine with a similar potency to THA. The effects of the amphetamines were not maximal at 1 mM. However, unlike THA, chloroamphetamine-evoked release of 5-HT was additive with release evoked by K+ (35 mM). 6 Clomipramine (IC50 = 0.036 microM) and THA (IC50 = 19.9 microM) all inhibited the uptake of [3H]-5-HT into a P2 membrane preparation. However, none of these compounds inhibited [3H]-5-HT uptake into tissue prisms during the release experiments in which the reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (5 microM) was present. 7 We conclude that THA does not release endogenous 5-HT through a cholinergic, reserpine- or amphetamine-like mechanism or through inhibition of reuptake. The possibility exists that the release may occur via blockade of 4-AP-insensitive K+ channels.

The cholinergic pharmacology of tetrahydroaminoacridine in vivo and in vitro

1. The effect of tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) on cholinergically mediated behaviour in the rat and mouse has been investigated. In addition the actions of this compound on cholinesterase activity and on muscarinic and nicotinic receptors has also been examined. 2. Administration of THA (5-20 mg kg-1, i.p.) produced a dose-dependent increase in tremor, hypothermia and salivation in both rats and mice. A similar profile of activity was seen following physostigmine (0.1-0.6 mg kg-1) administration. 3. THA was approximately fifty fold less potent than physostigmine in inducing behavioural change but its effects persisted for over twice as long as those of physostigmine. For example THA-induced hypothermia was still present at 4 h in the mouse and 8 h in the rat. 4. In vitro THA was a potent non-competitive inhibitor of rat brain cholinesterase (IC50: 57 +/- 6 nM) and bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (IC50: 50 +/- 10 nM) but was a more potent inhibitor of horse serum butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 7.2 +/- 1.4 nM). 5. Radioligand binding studies indicated that THA binds non-selectively but with moderate potency to both M1 (Ki: 600 nM) and M2 (Ki: 880 nM) muscarinic receptors. THA also interacted with the allosteric site present on cardiac M2 receptors. 6. It is concluded that THA is a reversible non-competitive inhibitor of cholinesterase with a long half life (compared with physostigmine). It also may antagonize muscarinic receptors at high doses. The long half life may account for its reported efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Tacrine slows the rate of ageing of sarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase

Bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase was inhibited by the organophosphate sarin, and the rate of ageing (the time-dependent decrease in the ability of an oxime to reactivate the enzyme) was studied. At pH 7.0 and 37 degrees C, 10(-5) M or 10(-6) M tacrine (tetrahydroaminoacridine) decreased the rate of ageing in low ionic strength buffer. Tacrine at 10(-5) M also significantly decreased the rate of ageing in 150 mM NaCl. The results indirectly demonstrated that the inhibition of substrate hydrolysis by tacrine is reversible, and that tacrine does not prevent reactivation of sarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase. Both these observations, which were also made for rat brain acetylcholinesterase, are in contrast with reports in the literature.

The anticholinesterase activity of mefloquine

The characteristics of the inhibition of electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and horse serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) by the antimalarial agents mefloquine, chloroquine, amodiaquine and amopyroquine were determined. The antimalarials were found to be non-competitive inhibitors of both AChE and BChE. In both enzyme systems, inhibitory potencies were in the order amodiaquine greater than amopyroquine greater than chloroquine greater than mefloquine. The low inhibitory potency of mefloquine may account in part for the appearance of gastrointestinal and central nervous system disturbances only at high doses of the drug.

[Accelerating effect of heterocyclic quaternary ammonium salts on neutral ester hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (author's transl)]

Some heterocyclic cations (1-methylacridinium, 1-methyl-2-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium and 1-methyl-3-methoxy-pyridinium) cause acceleration of hydrolysis of alkyl acetates (methyl, ethyl or n-propyl acetate) by acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine acetylhydrolase EC 3.1.1.7) (Barnett, P. and Rosenberry, T.L. (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 7200-7206). In this study, it is shown that (a) other mono- and bisquaternary ligands of pyridinium, quinolinium and benzoquinolinium series accelerate methyl-, ethyl- and n-propyl-acetate hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase, (b) these ligands generally accelerate methyl-, and ethyl- and n-propyl-acetate, -propionate and -butyrate, 2-methoxyethyl- and furfuryl-acetate, and ethylene-glycol diacetate hydrolysis by butyrylcholinesterase (acylcholine acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.8). At the present time, the ability to accelerate enzymatic hydrolysis of neutral substrates appears to be restricted to some heterocyclic quaternary ammonium compounds. Acceleration which occurs at physiological ionic strength (T/2 = 0.155) involves ternary enzyme-substrate-ligand complex formation and interaction of ligands with the catalytic anionic subsite. It concerns the step leading to the enzyme-substrate complex formation and/or the acylation step of enzymes. Kinetic behaviour analogy of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholin-esterase in the presence of the same ligands suggests that an identical acceleration mechanism arises for both enzymes.