Isolation, structure, biological characterization, and synthesis of beta-[Tyr9]melanotropin-(9-18) decapeptide from pig hypothalami

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 3,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,4-triazoles: high affinity and selective somatostatin receptor-4 agonists for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Somatostatin receptor-4 (SST₄) is highly expressed in brain regions affiliated with learning and memory. SST₄ agonist treatment may act to mitigate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. An integrated approach to SST₄ agonist lead optimization is presented herein. High affinity and selective agonists with biological efficacy were identified through iterative cycles of a structure-based design strategy encompassing computational methods, chemistry, and preclinical pharmacology. 1,2,4-Triazole derivatives of our previously reported hit (4) showed enhanced SST₄ binding affinity, activity, and selectivity. Thirty-five compounds showed low nanomolar range SST₄ binding affinity, 12 having a K _i < 1 nM. These compounds showed >500-fold affinity for SST₄ as compared to SST_2A. SST₄ activities were consistent with the respective SST₄ binding affinities (EC₅₀ < 10 nM for 34 compounds). Compound 208 (SST₄ K _i = 0.7 nM; EC₅₀ = 2.5 nM; >600-fold selectivity over SST_2A) display a favorable physiochemical profile, and was advanced to learning and memory behavior evaluations in the senescence accelerated mouse-prone 8 model of AD-related cognitive decline. Chronic administration enhanced learning with i.p. dosing (1 mg kg^-1) compared to vehicle. Chronic administration enhanced memory with both i.p. (0.01, 0.1, 1 mg kg^-1) and oral (0.01, 10 mg kg^-1) dosing compared to vehicle. This study identified a novel series of SST₄ agonists with high affinity, selectivity, and biological activity that may be useful in the treatment of AD.

A systematic immunohistochemical survey of the distribution patterns of GH, prolactin, somatolactin, beta-TSH, beta-FSH, beta-LH, ACTH, and alpha-MSH in the adenohypophysis of Oreochromis niloticus, the Nile tilapia

Fish pituitary plays a central role in the control of growth, development, reproduction and adaptation to the environment. Several types of hormone-secreting adenohypophyseal cells have been characterised and localised in diverse teleost species. The results suggest a similar distribution pattern among the species investigated. However, most studies deal with a single hormone or hormone family. Thus, we studied adjacent sections of the pituitary of Oreochromis niloticus, the tilapia, by conventional staining and immunohistochemistry with specific antisera directed against growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), somatolactin (SL), thyrotropin (beta-TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (beta-FSH), luteinising hormone (beta-LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). The pituitary was characterised by a close interdigitating neighbourhood of neurohypophysis (PN) and adenohypophysis. PRL-immunoreactive and ACTH-immunoreactive cells were detected in the rostral pars distalis. GH-immunoreactive cells were present in the proximal pars distalis (PPD). A small region of the PPD contained beta-TSH-immunoreactive cells, and beta-LH-immunoreactive cells covered approximately the remaining parts. Centrally, beta-FSH-immunoreactive cells were detected in the vicinity of the GH-containing cells. Some of these cells also displayed beta-LH immunoreactivity. The pars intermedia was characterised by branches of the PN surrounded by SL-containing and alpha-MSH-immunoreactive cells. The ACTH and alpha-MSH antisera were observed to cross-react with the respective antigens. This cross-reactivity was abolished by pre-absorption. We present a complete map of the distinct localisation sites for the classical pituitary hormones, thereby providing a solid basis for future research on teleost pituitary.