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Fultz EK, Nei AYT, Chi JC, Lichter JN, Szumlinski KK. Effects of systemic pretreatment with the NAALADase inhibitor 2-PMPA on oral methamphetamine reinforcement in C57BL/6J mice. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1297275. [PMID: 38638417 PMCID: PMC11024460 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1297275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Repeated exposure to methamphetamine (MA) in laboratory rodents induces a sensitization of glutamate release within the corticoaccumbens pathway that drives both the rewarding and reinforcing properties of this highly addictive drug. Such findings argue the potential for pharmaceutical agents inhibiting glutamate release or its postsynaptic actions at glutamate receptors as treatment strategies for MA use disorder. One compound that may accomplish both of these pharmacological actions is the N-acetylated-alpha-linked-acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase) inhibitor 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA). 2-PMPA elevates brain levels of the endogenous agonist of glutamate mGluR3 autoreceptors, N-acetyl-aspartatylglutamate (NAAG), while potentially acting as an NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist. Of relevance to treating psychomotor stimulant use disorders, 2-PMPA is reported to reduce indices of both cocaine and synthetic cathinone reward, as well as cocaine reinforcement in preclinical rodent studies. Method Herein, we conducted three experiments to pilot the effects of systemic pretreatment with 2-PMPA (0-100 mg/kg, IP) on oral MA self-administration in C57BL/6J mice. The first experiment employed female mice with a prolonged history of MA exposure, while the mice in the second (females) and third (males and females) experiment were MA-naïve prior to study. In all experiments, mice were trained daily to nose-poke for delivery of unadulterated MA solutions until responding stabilized. Then, mice were pretreated with 2-PMPA prior to operant-conditioning sessions in which nose-poking behavior was reinforced by delivery of 120 mg/L or 200 mg/L MA (respectively, in Experiments 1 and 2/3). Results Contrary to our expectations, 30 mg/kg 2-PMPA pretreatment altered neither appetitive nor consummatory measures related to MA self-administration. In Experiment 3, 100 mg/kg 2-PMPA reduced responding in the MA-reinforced hole, as well as the number of reinforcers earned, but did not significantly lower drug intake. Discussion These results provide mixed evidenced related to the efficacy of this NAALADase inhibitor for reducing oral MA reinforcement in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa K. Fultz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Andrea Y. T. Nei
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Joyce C. Chi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Jacqueline N. Lichter
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Karen K. Szumlinski
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
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Philogene-Khalid HL, Morrison MF, Darbinian N, Selzer ME, Schroeder J, Rawls SM. The GLT-1 enhancer clavulanic acid suppresses cocaine place preference behavior and reduces GCPII activity and protein levels in the rat nucleus accumbens. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 232:109306. [PMID: 35051699 PMCID: PMC8885893 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The β-lactam antibiotic ceftriaxone (CTX) is a glutamate transporter subtype 1 (GLT-1) enhancer that reduces cocaine reinforcing efficacy and relapse in rats, but pharmacokinetic liabilities limit translational utility. An attractive alternative is clavulanic acid (CLAV), a structurally related β-lactamase inhibitor and component of FDA-approved Augmentin. CLAV retains the GLT-1 enhancing effects of CTX but displays greater oral bioavailability, brain penetrability and negligible antibacterial activity. CLAV reduces morphine conditioned place preference (CPP) and ethanol consumption in rats, but knowledge about the efficacy of CLAV in preclinical models of drug addiction remains sparse. Here, we investigated effects of CLAV (10 mg/kg, IP) on the acquisition, expression, and maintenance of cocaine CPP in rats, and on two glutamate biomarkers associated with cocaine dependence, GLT-1 and glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII). CLAV administered during cocaine conditioning (10 mg/kg, IP x 4 d) did not affect the development of cocaine CPP. However, a single CLAV injection, administered after the conditioning phase, reduced the expression of cocaine CPP. In rats with established cocaine preference, repeated CLAV administration facilitated extinction of cocaine CPP. In the nucleus accumbens, acute CLAV exposure reduced GCPII protein levels and activity, and a 10-d CLAV treatment regimen enhanced GLT-1 levels. These results suggest that CLAV reduces expression and maintenance of cocaine CPP but lacks effect against development of CPP. Moreover, the ability of a single injection of CLAV to reduce both GCPII activity and protein levels, as well as expression of cocaine CPP, points toward studying GCPII as a therapeutic target of CLAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene L. Philogene-Khalid
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Corresponding author at: Department of Psychiatry, Medical Arts Building Suite 305, Temple University, 100 East Lehigh Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125-1012, United States.
| | - Mary F. Morrison
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nune Darbinian
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center), Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael E. Selzer
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center), Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph Schroeder
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Connecticut College, New London, CT, USA
| | - Scott M. Rawls
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Krečmerová M, Majer P, Rais R, Slusher BS. Phosphonates and Phosphonate Prodrugs in Medicinal Chemistry: Past Successes and Future Prospects. Front Chem 2022; 10:889737. [PMID: 35668826 PMCID: PMC9163707 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.889737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Compounds with a phosphonate group, i.e., -P(O)(OH)2 group attached directly to the molecule via a P-C bond serve as suitable non-hydrolyzable phosphate mimics in various biomedical applications. In principle, they often inhibit enzymes utilizing various phosphates as substrates. In this review we focus mainly on biologically active phosphonates that originated from our institute (Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague); i.e., acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs, e.g., adefovir, tenofovir, and cidofovir) and derivatives of non-nucleoside phosphonates such as 2-(phosphonomethyl) pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA). Principal strategies of their syntheses and modifications to prodrugs is reported. Besides clinically used ANP antivirals, a special attention is paid to new biologically active molecules with respect to emerging infections and arising resistance of many pathogens against standard treatments. These new structures include 2,4-diamino-6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethoxy]pyrimidines or so-called "open-ring" derivatives, acyclic nucleoside phosphonates with 5-azacytosine as a base moiety, side-chain fluorinated ANPs, aza/deazapurine ANPs. When transformed into an appropriate prodrug by derivatizing their charged functionalities, all these compounds show promising potential to become drug candidates for the treatment of viral infections. ANP prodrugs with suitable pharmacokinetics include amino acid phosphoramidates, pivaloyloxymethyl (POM) and isopropoxycarbonyloxymethyl (POC) esters, alkyl and alkoxyalkyl esters, salicylic esters, (methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl) methyl (ODOL) esters and peptidomimetic prodrugs. We also focus on the story of cytostatics related to 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]guanine and its prodrugs which eventually led to development of the veterinary drug rabacfosadine. Various new ANP structures are also currently investigated as antiparasitics, especially antimalarial agents e.g., guanine and hypoxanthine derivatives with 2-(phosphonoethoxy)ethyl moiety, their thia-analogues and N-branched derivatives. In addition to ANPs and their analogs, we also describe prodrugs of 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA), a potent inhibitor of the enzyme glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), also known as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Glutamate carboxypeptidase II inhibitors, including 2-PMPA have been found efficacious in various preclinical models of neurological disorders which are caused by glutamatergic excitotoxicity. Unfortunately its highly polar character and hence low bioavailability severely limits its potential for clinical use. To overcome this problem, various prodrug strategies have been used to mask carboxylates and/or phosphonate functionalities with pivaloyloxymethyl, POC, ODOL and alkyl esters. Chemistry and biological characterization led to identification of prodrugs with 44-80 fold greater oral bioavailability (tetra-ODOL-2-PMPA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Krečmerová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASCR), Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Marcela Krečmerová,
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASCR), Prague, Czechia
| | - Rana Rais
- Departments of Neurology, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Departments of Neurology, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, Oncology, Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Impaired alcohol-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens in an inflammatory pain model: behavioral implications in male rats. Pain 2020; 161:2203-2211. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Dash RP, Tichý T, Veeravalli V, Lam J, Alt J, Wu Y, Tenora L, Majer P, Slusher BS, Rais R. Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of 2-(Phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic Acid (2-PMPA) from its (5-Methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)methyl (ODOL)-Based Prodrugs. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:4292-4301. [PMID: 31503493 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
2-(Phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA) is a potent (IC50 = 300 pM) and selective inhibitor of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) with efficacy in multiple neurological and psychiatric disease preclinical models and more recently in models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer. 2-PMPA (1), however, has not been clinically developed due to its poor oral bioavailability (<1%) imparted by its four acidic functionalities (c Log P = -1.14). In an attempt to improve the oral bioavailability of 2-PMPA, we explored a prodrug approach using (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)methyl (ODOL), an FDA-approved promoiety, and systematically masked two (2), three (3), or all four (4) of its acidic groups. The prodrugs were evaluated for in vitro stability and in vivo pharmacokinetics in mice and dog. Prodrugs 2, 3, and 4 were found to be moderately stable at pH 7.4 in phosphate-buffered saline (57, 63, and 54% remaining at 1 h, respectively), but rapidly hydrolyzed in plasma and liver microsomes, across species. In vivo, in a single time-point screening study in mice, 10 mg/kg 2-PMPA equivalent doses of 2, 3, and 4 delivered significantly higher 2-PMPA plasma concentrations (3.65 ± 0.37, 3.56 ± 0.46, and 17.3 ± 5.03 nmol/mL, respectively) versus 2-PMPA (0.25 ± 0.02 nmol/mL). Given that prodrug 4 delivered the highest 2-PMPA levels, we next evaluated it in an extended time-course pharmacokinetic study in mice. 4 demonstrated an 80-fold enhancement in exposure versus oral 2-PMPA (AUC0-t: 52.1 ± 5.9 versus 0.65 ± 0.13 h*nmol/mL) with a calculated absolute oral bioavailability of 50%. In mouse brain, 4 showed similar exposures to that achieved with the IV route (1.2 ± 0.2 versus 1.6 ± 0.2 h*nmol/g). Further, in dogs, relative to orally administered 2-PMPA, 4 delivered a 44-fold enhanced 2-PMPA plasma exposure (AUC0-t for 4: 62.6 h*nmol/mL versus AUC0-t for 2-PMPA: 1.44 h*nmol/mL). These results suggest that ODOL promoieties can serve as a promising strategy for enhancing the oral bioavailability of multiply charged compounds, such as 2-PMPA, and enable its clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomáš Tichý
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | - Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
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Nedelcovych M, Dash RP, Tenora L, Zimmermann SC, Gadiano AJ, Garrett C, Alt J, Hollinger KR, Pommier E, Jančařík A, Rojas C, Thomas AG, Wu Y, Wozniak K, Majer P, Slusher BS, Rais R. Enhanced Brain Delivery of 2-(Phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic Acid Following Intranasal Administration of Its γ-Substituted Ester Prodrugs. Mol Pharm 2017; 14:3248-3257. [PMID: 28763226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
2-(Phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA) is a potent and selective inhibitor of glutamate carboxypeptidase-II (GCPII) with efficacy in multiple neurological and psychiatric disease models, but its clinical utility is hampered by low brain penetration due to the inclusion of multiple acidic functionalities. We recently reported an improvement in the brain-to-plasma ratio of 2-PMPA after intranasal (IN) dosing in both rodents and primates. Herein, we describe the synthesis of several 2-PMPA prodrugs with further improved brain delivery of 2-PMPA after IN administration by masking of the γ-carboxylate. When compared to IN 2-PMPA in rats at 1 h post dose, γ-(4-acetoxybenzyl)-2-PMPA (compound 1) resulted in significantly higher 2-PMPA delivery to both plasma (4.1-fold) and brain (11-fold). Subsequent time-dependent evaluation of 1 also showed high brain as well as plasma 2-PMPA exposures with brain-to-plasma ratios of 2.2, 0.48, and 0.26 for olfactory bulb, cortex, and cerebellum, respectively, as well as an improved sciatic nerve to plasma ratio of 0.84. In contrast, IV administration of compound 1 resulted in similar plasma exposure of 2-PMPA versus the IN route (AUCIV: 76 ± 9 h·nmol/mL versus AUCIN: 99 ± 24 h·nmol/mL); but significantly lower nerve and brain tissue exposures with tissue-to-plasma ratios of 0.21, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.04 in nerve, olfactory bulb, cortex, and cerebellum, respectively. In primates, IN administration of 1 more than doubled 2-PMPA concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid relative to previously reported levels following IN 2-PMPA. The results of these experiments provide a promising strategy for testing GCPII inhibition in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrej Jančařík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague, Czech Republic
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Evans JC, Malhotra M, Cryan JF, O'Driscoll CM. The therapeutic and diagnostic potential of the prostate specific membrane antigen/glutamate carboxypeptidase II (PSMA/GCPII) in cancer and neurological disease. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:3041-3079. [PMID: 27526115 PMCID: PMC5056232 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) otherwise known as glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a membrane bound protein that is highly expressed in prostate cancer and in the neovasculature of a wide variety of tumours including glioblastomas, breast and bladder cancers. This protein is also involved in a variety of neurological diseases including schizophrenia and ALS. In recent years, there has been a surge in the development of both diagnostics and therapeutics that take advantage of the expression and activity of PSMA/GCPII. These include gene therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this review, we discuss the biological roles that PSMA/GCPII plays, both in normal and diseased tissues, and the current therapies exploiting its activity that are at the preclinical stage. We conclude by giving an expert opinion on the future direction of PSMA/GCPII based therapies and diagnostics and hurdles that need to be overcome to make them effective and viable.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Evans
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Meenakshi Malhotra
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Rais R, Wozniak K, Wu Y, Niwa M, Stathis M, Alt J, Giroux M, Sawa A, Rojas C, Slusher BS. Selective CNS Uptake of the GCP-II Inhibitor 2-PMPA following Intranasal Administration. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131861. [PMID: 26151906 PMCID: PMC4494705 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP-II) is a brain metallopeptidase that hydrolyzes the abundant neuropeptide N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) to NAA and glutamate. Small molecule GCP-II inhibitors increase brain NAAG, which activates mGluR3, decreases glutamate, and provide therapeutic utility in a variety of preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases wherein excess glutamate is presumed pathogenic. Unfortunately no GCP-II inhibitor has advanced clinically, largely due to their highly polar nature resulting in insufficient oral bioavailability and limited brain penetration. Herein we report a non-invasive route for delivery of GCP-II inhibitors to the brain via intranasal (i.n.) administration. Three structurally distinct classes of GCP-II inhibitors were evaluated including DCMC (urea-based), 2-MPPA (thiol-based) and 2-PMPA (phosphonate-based). While all showed some brain penetration following i.n. administration, 2-PMPA exhibited the highest levels and was chosen for further evaluation. Compared to intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration, equivalent doses of i.n. administered 2-PMPA resulted in similar plasma exposures (AUC0-t, i.n./AUC0-t, i.p. = 1.0) but dramatically enhanced brain exposures in the olfactory bulb (AUC0-t, i.n./AUC0-t, i.p. = 67), cortex (AUC0-t, i.n./AUC0-t, i.p. = 46) and cerebellum (AUC0-t, i.n./AUC0-t, i.p. = 6.3). Following i.n. administration, the brain tissue to plasma ratio based on AUC0-t in the olfactory bulb, cortex, and cerebellum were 1.49, 0.71 and 0.10, respectively, compared to an i.p. brain tissue to plasma ratio of less than 0.02 in all areas. Furthermore, i.n. administration of 2-PMPA resulted in complete inhibition of brain GCP-II enzymatic activity ex-vivo confirming target engagement. Lastly, because the rodent nasal system is not similar to humans, we evaluated i.n. 2-PMPA also in a non-human primate. We report that i.n. 2-PMPA provides selective brain delivery with micromolar concentrations. These studies support intranasal delivery of 2-PMPA to deliver therapeutic concentrations in the brain and may facilitate its clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Rais
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Krystyna Wozniak
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ying Wu
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Minae Niwa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Marigo Stathis
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jesse Alt
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Marc Giroux
- Kurve Technology, Inc., Bothell, Washington, United States of America
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Camilo Rojas
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Gao Y, Xu S, Cui Z, Zhang M, Lin Y, Cai L, Wang Z, Luo X, Zheng Y, Wang Y, Luo Q, Jiang J, Neale JH, Zhong C. Mice lacking glutamate carboxypeptidase II develop normally, but are less susceptible to traumatic brain injury. J Neurochem 2015; 134:340-53. [PMID: 25872793 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Siyi Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Zhenwen Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Mingkun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Yingying Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Lei Cai
- Shanghai Research Center for Model Organisms; Shanghai China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- Shanghai Research Center for Model Organisms; Shanghai China
| | - Xingguang Luo
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; West Haven Connecticut USA
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Qizhong Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Jiyao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Joseph H. Neale
- Department of Biology; Georgetown University; Washington DC USA
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
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Bařinka C, Rojas C, Slusher B, Pomper M. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II in diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders and prostate cancer. Curr Med Chem 2012; 19:856-70. [PMID: 22214450 DOI: 10.2174/092986712799034888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2011] [Revised: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a membrane-bound binuclear zinc metallopeptidase with the highest expression levels found in the nervous and prostatic tissue. Throughout the nervous system, glia-bound GCPII is intimately involved in the neuron-neuron and neuron-glia signaling via the hydrolysis of N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG), the most abundant mammalian peptidic neurotransmitter. The inhibition of the GCPII-controlled NAAG catabolism has been shown to attenuate neurotoxicity associated with enhanced glutamate transmission and GCPII-specific inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in multiple preclinical models including traumatic brain injury, stroke, neuropathic and inflammatory pain, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and schizophrenia. The second major area of pharmacological interventions targeting GCPII focuses on prostate carcinoma; GCPII expression levels are highly increased in androgen-independent and metastatic disease. Consequently, the enzyme serves as a potential target for imaging and therapy. This review offers a summary of GCPII structure, physiological functions in healthy tissues, and its association with various pathologies. The review also outlines the development of GCPII-specific small-molecule compounds and their use in preclinical and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bařinka
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Videnska 1083, 14200 Praha 4, Czech Republic.
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Zhou J, Neale JH, Pomper MG, Kozikowski AP. NAAG peptidase inhibitors and their potential for diagnosis and therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2005; 4:1015-26. [PMID: 16341066 DOI: 10.1038/nrd1903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Modulation of N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate peptidase activity with small-molecule inhibitors holds promise for a wide variety of diseases that involve glutamatergic transmission, and has implications for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. This new class of compounds, of which at least one has entered clinical trials and proven to be well tolerated, has demonstrated efficacy in experimental models of pain, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and, when appropriately functionalized, can image prostate cancer. Further investigation of these promising drug candidates will be needed to bring them to the marketplace. The recent publication of the X-ray crystal structure for the enzymatic target of these compounds should facilitate the development of other new agents with enhanced activity that could improve both the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhou
- Acenta Discovery, Inc., 9030 South Rita Road, Suite 300, Tucson, Arizona 85747, USA.
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Bacich DJ, Wozniak KM, Lu XCM, O'Keefe DS, Callizot N, Heston WDW, Slusher BS. Mice lacking glutamate carboxypeptidase II are protected from peripheral neuropathy and ischemic brain injury. J Neurochem 2005; 95:314-23. [PMID: 16190866 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03361.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Excessive glutamate release is associated with neuronal damage. A new strategy for the treatment of neuronal injury involves inhibition of the neuropeptidase glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP II), also known as N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase. GCP II is believed to mediate the hydrolysis of N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) to glutamate and N-acetyl-aspartate, and inhibition of NAAG peptidase activity (by GCP II and other peptidases) is neuroprotective. Mice were generated in which the Folh1 gene encoding GCP II was disrupted (Folh1-/- mice). No overt behavioral differences were apparent between Folh1-/- mice and wild-type littermates, with respect to their overall performance in locomotion, coordination, pain threshold, cognition and psychiatric behavioral paradigms. Morphological analysis of peripheral nerves, however, showed significantly smaller axons (reduced myelin sheaths and axon diameters) in sciatic nerves from Folh1-/- mice. Following sciatic nerve crush, Folh1-/- mice suffered less injury and recovered faster than wild-type littermates. In a model of ischemic injury, the Folh1-/- mice exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in infarct volume compared with their wild-type littermates when subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion, a model of stroke. These findings support the hypothesis that GCP II inhibitors may represent a novel treatment for peripheral neuropathies as well as stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean J Bacich
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Popik P, Kozela E, Wróbel M, Wozniak KM, Slusher BS. Morphine tolerance and reward but not expression of morphine dependence are inhibited by the selective glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP II, NAALADase) inhibitor, 2-PMPA. Neuropsychopharmacology 2003; 28:457-67. [PMID: 12629525 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1300048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP II; NAALADase) produces a variety of effects on glutamatergic neurotransmission. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of GCP II inhibition with the selective inhibitor, 2-PMPA, on: (a) development of tolerance to the antinociceptive effects, (b) withdrawal, and (c) conditioned reward produced by morphine in C57/Bl mice. The degree of tolerance was assessed using the tail-flick test before and after 6 days of twice daily (b.i.d.) administration of 2-PMPA and 10 mg/kg of morphine. Opioid withdrawal was measured 3 days after twice daily morphine (30 or 10 mg/kg) administration, followed by naloxone challenge. Conditioned morphine reward was investigated using conditioned place preference with a single morphine dose (10 mg/kg). High doses of 2-PMPA inhibited the development of morphine tolerance (resembling the effect of 7.5 mg/kg of the NMDA receptor antagonist, memantine) while not affecting the severity of withdrawal. A high dose of 2-PMPA (100 mg/kg) also significantly potentiated morphine withdrawal, but inhibited both acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference. Memantine inhibited the intensity of morphine withdrawal as well as acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference. In addition, 2-PMPA did not affect learning or memory retrieval in a simple two-trial test, nor did it produce withdrawal symptoms in morphine-dependent, placebo-challenged mice. Results suggest involvement of GCP II (NAALADase) in phenomena related to opioid addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Popik
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
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Tiffany CW, Slusher BS. Measurement of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (NAALADase) enzyme activity by the hydrolysis of [³H]-N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG). CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PHARMACOLOGY 2002; Chapter 3:Unit3.10. [PMID: 21959764 DOI: 10.1002/0471141755.ph0310s15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The peptide N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is hydrolyzed by N-Acetylated-alpha-linked-acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase, glutamate carboxypeptidase II) into N-Acetylated aspartate (NAA) and glutamate. Hydrolysis can be measured as described in this unit by employing radiolabeled NAAG (NAA-[(3)H]glu) as the substrate. The occurrence of NAALADase activity in a wide range of tissues has implications for a variety of physiological purposes. The assay described here is useful for the analysis of NAALADase activity and its inhibition in brain synaptosomal preparations, tissue homogenates and tissue culture cell pellets.
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Slusher BS, Thomas A, Paul M, Schad CA, Ashby CR. Expression and acquisition of the conditioned place preference response to cocaine in rats is blocked by selective inhibitors of the enzyme N-acetylated-?-linked-acidic dipeptidase (NAALADASE). Synapse 2001; 41:22-8. [PMID: 11354010 DOI: 10.1002/syn.1056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In this study we examined the effect of 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA) and GPI 5693, selective inhibitors of the enzyme N-Acetylated-alpha-Linked-Acidic Dipeptidase (NAALADase; glutamate carboxypeptidase II; EC no. 3.4.17.21), which cleaves glutamate from the dipeptide N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG), on the conditioned place preference (CPP) response to cocaine in male rats. The i.p. administration of 15 mg/kg of cocaine produced a significant CPP response. The acquisition and expression of the CPP response to cocaine was blocked by the i.p. administration of 100 mg/kg of 2-PMPA and the p.o. administration of 30 mg/kg of GPI 5693. In contrast, neither 2-PMPA nor GPI 5693 produced a CPP or conditioned place aversion response when administered alone. Furthermore, neither 2-PMPA or GPI 5693 altered the expression of the CPP response to food. These results indicate that NAALADase inhibitors block the incentive motivational value of cocaine, suggesting that such agents may be of use in treating cue-induced craving in cocaine addicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S Slusher
- Department of Research, Guilford Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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