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Cristiano N, Cabayé A, Brabet I, Glatthar R, Tora A, Goudet C, Bertrand HO, Goupil-Lamy A, Flor PJ, Pin JP, McCort-Tranchepain I, Acher FC. Novel Inhibitory Site Revealed by XAP044 Mode of Action on the Metabotropic Glutamate 7 Receptor Venus Flytrap Domain. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11662-11687. [PMID: 38691510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors play a key role in modulating most synapses in the brain. The mGlu7 receptors inhibit presynaptic neurotransmitter release and offer therapeutic possibilities for post-traumatic stress disorders or epilepsy. Screening campaigns provided mGlu7-specific allosteric modulators as the inhibitor XAP044 (Gee et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2014). In contrast to other mGlu receptor allosteric modulators, XAP044 does not bind in the transmembrane domain but to the extracellular domain of the mGlu7 receptor and not at the orthosteric site. Here, we identified the mode of action of XAP044, combining synthesis of derivatives, modeling and docking experiments, and mutagenesis. We propose a unique mode of action of these inhibitors, preventing the closure of the Venus flytrap agonist binding domain. While acting as a noncompetitive antagonist of L-AP4, XAP044 and derivatives act as apparent competitive antagonists of LSP4-2022. These data revealed more potent XAP044 analogues and new possibilities to target mGluRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Cristiano
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8601, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Cabayé
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8601, 75006 Paris, France
- BIOVIA Dassault Systèmes, F-78140 Vélizy-Villacoublay Cedex, France
| | - Isabelle Brabet
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Ralf Glatthar
- Novartis Biomedical Research, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amelie Tora
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Cyril Goudet
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Anne Goupil-Lamy
- BIOVIA Dassault Systèmes, F-78140 Vélizy-Villacoublay Cedex, France
| | - Peter J Flor
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle McCort-Tranchepain
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8601, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Francine C Acher
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8601, 75006 Paris, France
- Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8003, 75006 Paris, France
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2
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Parent HH, Niswender CM. Therapeutic Potential for Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7 Modulators in Cognitive Disorders. Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:348-358. [PMID: 38423750 PMCID: PMC11026152 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.124.000874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) is the most highly conserved and abundantly expressed mGlu receptor in the human brain. The presynaptic localization of mGlu7, coupled with its low affinity for its endogenous agonist, glutamate, are features that contribute to the receptor's role in modulating neuronal excitation and inhibition patterns, including long-term potentiation, in various brain regions. These characteristics suggest that mGlu7 modulation may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy in disorders of cognitive dysfunction, including neurodevelopmental disorders that cause impairments in learning, memory, and attention. Primary mutations in the GRM7 gene have recently been identified as novel causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, and these patients exhibit profound intellectual and cognitive disability. Pharmacological tools, such as agonists, antagonists, and allosteric modulators, have been the mainstay for targeting mGlu7 in its endogenous homodimeric form to probe effects of its function and modulation in disease models. However, recent research has identified diversity in dimerization, as well as trans-synaptic interacting proteins, that also play a role in mGlu7 signaling and pharmacological properties. These novel findings represent exciting opportunities in the field of mGlu receptor drug discovery and highlight the importance of further understanding the functions of mGlu7 in complex neurologic conditions at both the molecular and physiologic levels. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Proper expression and function of mGlu7 is essential for learning, attention, and memory formation at the molecular level within neural circuits. The pharmacological targeting of mGlu7 is undergoing a paradigm shift by incorporating an understanding of receptor interaction with other cis- and trans- acting synaptic proteins, as well as various intracellular signaling pathways. Based upon these new findings, mGlu7's potential as a drug target in the treatment of cognitive disorders and learning impairments is primed for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison H Parent
- Department of Pharmacology (H.H.P., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (H.H.P., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Brain Institute (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology (H.H.P., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (H.H.P., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Brain Institute (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
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3
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Rabeh N, Hajjar B, Maraka JO, Sammanasunathan AF, Khan M, Alkhaaldi SMI, Mansour S, Almheiri RT, Hamdan H, Abd-Elrahman KS. Targeting mGluR group III for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115733. [PMID: 37862967 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, is essential for neuronal function, and it acts on ionotropic or metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). A disturbance in glutamatergic signaling is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Developing disease-modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases targeting glutamate receptors is a promising avenue. The understudied group III mGluR 4, 6-8 are commonly found in the presynaptic membrane, and their activation inhibits glutamate release. Thus, targeted mGluRs therapies could aid in treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review describes group III mGluRs and their pharmacological ligands in the context of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. Attempts to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs in clinical trials are also discussed. Despite a growing list of group III mGluR-specific pharmacological ligands, research on the use of these drugs in neurodegenerative diseases is limited, except for Parkinson's disease. Future efforts should focus on delineating the contribution of group III mGluR to neurodegeneration and developing novel ligands with superior efficacy and a favorable side effect profile for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Rabeh
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Baraa Hajjar
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jude O Maraka
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ashwin F Sammanasunathan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Khan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saif M I Alkhaaldi
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samy Mansour
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rashed T Almheiri
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hamdan Hamdan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaled S Abd-Elrahman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt.
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4
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Jo A, Deniz S, Xu J, Duvoisin RM, DeVries SH, Zhu Y. A sign-inverted receptive field of inhibitory interneurons provides a pathway for ON-OFF interactions in the retina. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5937. [PMID: 37741839 PMCID: PMC10517963 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41638-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A fundamental organizing plan of the retina is that visual information is divided into ON and OFF streams that are processed in separate layers. This functional dichotomy originates in the ON and OFF bipolar cells, which then make excitatory glutamatergic synapses onto amacrine and ganglion cells in the inner plexiform layer. We have identified an amacrine cell (AC), the sign-inverting (SI) AC, that challenges this fundamental plan. The glycinergic, ON-stratifying SI-AC has OFF light responses. In opposition to the classical wiring diagrams, it receives inhibitory inputs from glutamatergic ON bipolar cells at mGluR8 synapses, and excitatory inputs from an OFF wide-field AC at electrical synapses. This "inhibitory ON center - excitatory OFF surround" receptive-field of the SI-AC allows it to use monostratified dendrites to conduct crossover inhibition and push-pull activation to enhance light detection by ACs and RGCs in the dark and feature discrimination in the light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jo
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sercan Deniz
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jian Xu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Robert M Duvoisin
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Steven H DeVries
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Yongling Zhu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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5
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Lei X, Hofmann CS, Rodriguez AL, Niswender CM. Differential Activity of Orthosteric Agonists and Allosteric Modulators at Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 104:17-27. [PMID: 37105671 PMCID: PMC10289241 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) is a G protein coupled receptor that has demonstrated promise as a therapeutic target across a number of neurologic and psychiatric diseases. Compounds that modulate the activity of mGlu7, such as positive and negative allosteric modulators, may represent new therapeutic strategies to modulate receptor activity. The endogenous neurotransmitter associated with the mGlu receptor family, glutamate, exhibits low efficacy and potency in activating mGlu7, and surrogate agonists, such as the compound L-(+)-2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4), are often used for receptor activation and compound profiling. To understand the implications of the use of such agonists in the development of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), we performed a systematic evaluation of receptor activation using a system in which mutations can be made in either protomer of the mGlu7 dimer; we employed mutations that prevent interaction with the orthosteric site as well as the G-protein coupling site of the receptor. We then measured increases in calcium levels downstream of a promiscuous G protein to assess the effects of mutations in one of the two protomers in the presence of two different agonists and three positive allosteric modulators. Our results reveal that distinct PAMs, for example N-[3-Chloro-4-[(5-chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]phenyl]-2-pyridinecarboxamide (VU0422288) and 3-(2,3-Difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (VU6005649), do exhibit different maximal levels of potentiation with L-AP4 versus glutamate, but there appear to be common stable receptor conformations that are shared among all of the compounds examined here. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This manuscript describes the systematic evaluation of the mGlu7 agonists glutamate and L-(+)-2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) in the presence and absence of three distinct potentiators examining possible mechanistic differences. These findings demonstrate that mGlu7 potentiators display subtle variances in response to glutamate versus L-AP4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Lei
- Department of Pharmacology (X.L., C.S.H., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (X.L., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee (C.M.N.); and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
| | - Christopher S Hofmann
- Department of Pharmacology (X.L., C.S.H., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (X.L., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee (C.M.N.); and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
| | - Alice L Rodriguez
- Department of Pharmacology (X.L., C.S.H., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (X.L., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee (C.M.N.); and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology (X.L., C.S.H., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (X.L., A.L.R., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee (C.M.N.); and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
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6
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Freitas GA, Niswender CM. GRM7 gene mutations and consequences for neurodevelopment. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 225:173546. [PMID: 37003303 PMCID: PMC10192299 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7), encoded by the GRM7 gene in humans, is a presynaptic, G protein-coupled glutamate receptor that is essential for modulating neurotransmission. Mutations in or reduced expression of GRM7 have been identified in different genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), and rare biallelic missense variants have been proposed to underlie a subset of NDDs. Clinical GRM7 variants have been associated with a range of symptoms consistent with neurodevelopmental molecular features, including hypomyelination, brain atrophy and defects in axon outgrowth. Here, we review the newest findings regarding the cellular and molecular defects caused by GRM7 variants in NDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geanne A Freitas
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, United States of America
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, United States of America; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, United States of America; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, United States of America; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States of America.
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7
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Dickson L, Teall M, Chevalier E, Cheung T, Liwicki GM, Mack S, Stephenson A, White K, Fosbeary R, Harrison DC, Brice NL, Doyle K, Ciccocioppo R, Wu C, Almond S, Patel TR, Mitchell P, Barnes M, Ayscough AP, Dawson LA, Carlton M, Bürli RW. Discovery of CVN636: A Highly Potent, Selective, and CNS Penetrant mGluR 7 Allosteric Agonist. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:442-449. [PMID: 37077399 PMCID: PMC10107911 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The low affinity metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR7 has been implicated in numerous CNS disorders; however, a paucity of potent and selective activators has hampered full delineation of the functional role and therapeutic potential of this receptor. In this work, we present the identification, optimization, and characterization of highly potent, novel mGluR7 agonists. Of particular interest is the chromane CVN636, a potent (EC50 7 nM) allosteric agonist which demonstrates exquisite selectivity for mGluR7 compared to not only other mGluRs, but also a broad range of targets. CVN636 demonstrated CNS penetrance and efficacy in an in vivo rodent model of alcohol use disorder. CVN636 thus has potential to progress as a drug candidate in CNS disorders involving mGluR7 and glutamatergic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Dickson
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Martin Teall
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Elodie Chevalier
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Toni Cheung
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Gemma M. Liwicki
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Stephen Mack
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Anne Stephenson
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Kathryn White
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Richard Fosbeary
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - David C. Harrison
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Nicola L. Brice
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Kevin Doyle
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | - Chaobo Wu
- WuXi Apptec Limited, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Sarah Almond
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Toshal R. Patel
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Philip Mitchell
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Matt Barnes
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Andrew P. Ayscough
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Lee A. Dawson
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Mark Carlton
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
| | - Roland W. Bürli
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, U.K
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Design and Synthesis of New Quinazolin-4-one Derivatives with Negative mGlu 7 Receptor Modulation Activity and Antipsychotic-Like Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031981. [PMID: 36768302 PMCID: PMC9916658 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Following the glutamatergic theory of schizophrenia and based on our previous study regarding the antipsychotic-like activity of mGlu7 NAMs, we synthesized a new compound library containing 103 members, which were examined for NAM mGlu7 activity in the T-REx 293 cell line expressing a recombinant human mGlu7 receptor. Out of the twenty-two scaffolds examined, active compounds were found only within the quinazolinone chemotype. 2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-6-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (A9-7, ALX-171, mGlu7 IC50 = 6.14 µM) was selective over other group III mGlu receptors (mGlu4 and mGlu8), exhibited satisfactory drug-like properties in preliminary DMPK profiling, and was further tested in animal models of antipsychotic-like activity, assessing the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. ALX-171 reversed DOI-induced head twitches and MK-801-induced disruptions of social interactions or cognition in the novel object recognition test and spatial delayed alternation test. On the other hand, the efficacy of the compound was not observed in the MK-801-induced hyperactivity test or prepulse inhibition. In summary, the observed antipsychotic activity profile of ALX-171 justifies the further development of the group of quinazolin-4-one derivatives in the search for a new drug candidate for schizophrenia treatment.
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9
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Holter KM, Pierce BE, Gould RW. Metabotropic glutamate receptor function and regulation of sleep-wake cycles. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 168:93-175. [PMID: 36868636 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are the most abundant family of G-protein coupled receptors and are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Alterations in glutamate homeostasis, including dysregulations in mGlu receptor function, have been indicated as key contributors to multiple CNS disorders. Fluctuations in mGlu receptor expression and function also occur across diurnal sleep-wake cycles. Sleep disturbances including insomnia are frequently comorbid with neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative conditions. These often precede behavioral symptoms and/or correlate with symptom severity and relapse. Chronic sleep disturbances may also be a consequence of primary symptom progression and can exacerbate neurodegeneration in disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, there is a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbances and CNS disorders; disrupted sleep may serve as both a cause and a consequence of the disorder. Importantly, comorbid sleep disturbances are rarely a direct target of primary pharmacological treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders even though improving sleep can positively impact other symptom clusters. This chapter details known roles of mGlu receptor subtypes in both sleep-wake regulation and CNS disorders focusing on schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, AD, and substance use disorder (cocaine and opioid). In this chapter, preclinical electrophysiological, genetic, and pharmacological studies are described, and, when possible, human genetic, imaging, and post-mortem studies are also discussed. In addition to reviewing the important relationships between sleep, mGlu receptors, and CNS disorders, this chapter highlights the development of selective mGlu receptor ligands that hold promise for improving both primary symptoms and sleep disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Holter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Bethany E Pierce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Robert W Gould
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States.
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10
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Hoglund BK, Carfagno V, Olive MF, Leyrer-Jackson JM. Metabotropic glutamate receptors and cognition: From underlying plasticity and neuroprotection to cognitive disorders and therapeutic targets. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 168:367-413. [PMID: 36868635 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that play pivotal roles in mediating the activity of neurons and other cell types within the brain, communication between cell types, synaptic plasticity, and gene expression. As such, these receptors play an important role in a number of cognitive processes. In this chapter, we discuss the role of mGlu receptors in various forms of cognition and their underlying physiology, with an emphasis on cognitive dysfunction. Specifically, we highlight evidence that links mGlu physiology to cognitive dysfunction across brain disorders including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Fragile X syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia. We also provide recent evidence demonstrating that mGlu receptors may elicit neuroprotective effects in particular disease states. Lastly, we discuss how mGlu receptors can be targeted utilizing positive and negative allosteric modulators as well as subtype specific agonists and antagonist to restore cognitive function across these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon K Hoglund
- Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Vincent Carfagno
- School of Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, United States
| | - M Foster Olive
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Jonna M Leyrer-Jackson
- Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
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11
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Reed CW, Rodriguez AL, Kalbfleisch JJ, Seto M, Jenkins MT, Blobaum AL, Chang S, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM. Development and profiling of mGlu 7 NAMs with a range of saturable inhibition of agonist responses in vitro. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 74:128923. [PMID: 35944850 PMCID: PMC10015594 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
We describe here a series of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) with a saturable range of activity in inhibiting responses to an orthosteric agonist in two distinct in vitro pharmacological assays. The range of inhibition among compounds in this scaffold provides highly structurally related ligands with differential degrees of receptor blockade that can be used to understand inhibitory efficacy profiles in native tissue or in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carson W Reed
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Alice L Rodriguez
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Jacob J Kalbfleisch
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Mabel Seto
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Matthew T Jenkins
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Anna L Blobaum
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Sichen Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States.
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12
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Lin X, Fisher NM, Dogra S, Senter RK, Reed CW, Kalbfleisch JJ, Lindsley CW, Asher WB, Xiang Z, Niswender CM, Javitch JA. Differential activity of mGlu 7 allosteric modulators provides evidence for mGlu 7/8 heterodimers at hippocampal Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102458. [PMID: 36063995 PMCID: PMC9531177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate acts at eight metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor subtypes expressed in a partially overlapping fashion in distinct brain circuits. Recent evidence indicates that specific mGlu receptor protomers can heterodimerize and that these heterodimers can exhibit different pharmacology when compared to their homodimeric counterparts. Group III mGlu agonist-induced suppression of evoked excitatory potentials and induction of long-term potentiation at Schaffer collateral-CA1 (SC-CA1) synapses in the rodent hippocampus can be blocked by the selective mGlu7 negative allosteric modulator (NAM), ADX71743. Curiously, a different mGlu7 NAM, 6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-3-pyridin-4-ylisoxazonolo[4,5-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one, failed to block these responses in brain slices despite its robust activity at mGlu7 homodimers in vitro. We hypothesized that this might result from heterodimerization of mGlu7 with another mGlu receptor protomer and focused on mGlu8 as a candidate given the reported effects of mGlu8-targeted compounds in the hippocampus. Here, we used complemented donor acceptor-resonance energy transfer to study mGlu7/8 heterodimer activation in vitro and observed that ADX71743 blocked responses of both mGlu7/7 homodimers and mGlu7/8 heterodimers, whereas 6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-3-pyridin-4-ylisoxazonolo[4,5-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one only antagonized responses of mGlu7/7 homodimers. Taken together with our electrophysiology observations, these results suggest that a receptor with pharmacology consistent with an mGlu7/8 heterodimer modulates the activity of SC-CA1 synapses. Building on this hypothesis, we identified two additional structurally related mGlu7 NAMs that also differ in their activity at mGlu7/8 heterodimers, in a manner consistent with their ability to inhibit synaptic transmission and plasticity at SC-CA1. Thus, we propose that mGlu7/8 heterodimers are a key molecular target for modulating the activity of hippocampal SC-CA1 synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicole M Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shalini Dogra
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rebecca K Senter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Carson W Reed
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacob J Kalbfleisch
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Wesley B Asher
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zixiu Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Jonathan A Javitch
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
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13
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Witkin JM, Pandey KP, Smith JL. Clinical investigations of compounds targeting metabotropic glutamate receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 219:173446. [PMID: 35987339 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological modulation of glutamate has long been considered to be of immense therapeutic utility. The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are potential targets for safely altering glutamate-driven excitation. Data support the potential therapeutic use of mGluR modulators in the treatment of anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders, pain, epilepsy, as well as neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. For each of the three mGluR groups, compounds have been constructed that produce either potentiation or functional blockade. PET ligands for mGlu5Rs have been studied in a range of patient populations and several mGlu5R antagonists have been tested for potential efficacy in patients including mavoglurant, diploglurant, basimglurant, GET 73, and ADX10059. Efficacy with mGlu5R antagonists has been reported in trials with patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease; data from patients with Parkinson's disease or Fragile X syndrome have not been as robust as hoped. Fenobam was approved for use as an anxiolytic prior to its recognition as an mGlu5R antagonist. mGlu2/3R agonists (pomaglumated methionil) and mGlu2R agonists (JNJ-40411813, AZD 8529, and LY2979165) have been studied in patients with schizophrenia with promising but mixed results. Antagonists of mGlu2/3Rs (decoglurant and TS-161) have been studied in depression where TS-161 has advanced into a planned Phase 2 study in treatment-resistant depression. The Group III mGluRs are the least developed of the mGluR receptor targets. The mGlu4R potentiator, foliglurax, did not meet its primary endpoint in patients with Parkinson's disease. Ongoing efforts to develop mGluR-targeted compounds continue to promise these glutamate modulators as medicines for psychiatric and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Witkin
- Laboratory of Antiepileptic Drug Discovery, Ascension St. Vincent, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Milwaukee Institute of Drug Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA; RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc, Glen Rock, NJ, USA.
| | - Kamal P Pandey
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Milwaukee Institute of Drug Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jodi L Smith
- Laboratory of Antiepileptic Drug Discovery, Ascension St. Vincent, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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14
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The mGlu 7 receptor in schizophrenia - An update and future perspectives. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 218:173430. [PMID: 35870668 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The mGlu7 receptor belongs to the III group of metabotropic glutamatergic (mGlu) receptors and physiologically serves as an "emergency" receptor that is activated by high, almost pathological, glutamate concentrations. Of all mGlu receptors, this receptor is most highly expressed in the brain. Additionally, relatively intense expression of the receptor was found at the periphery, for example in the bowels or in the reproductive system of male mice, but this review will be focused predominantly on its role in the brain. In the CNS, the receptor is expressed presynaptically, in the center of the synaptic cleft, at the terminals of both excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic neurons. Thus, it may regulate the release of both glutamate and GABA. Schizophrenia is thought to develop as a consequence of a disturbed glutamatergic-GABAergic balance in different parts of the brain. Thus, the mGlu7 receptor may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and consequently constitute the target for antipsychotic drug discovery. In this review, we summarize the available data about mGlu7 receptor ligands and their activity in animal models of schizophrenia. At present, only a few ligands are available, and negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) appear to exert antipsychotic-like efficacy, indicating that the inhibition of the receptor could constitute a promising target in the search for novel drugs. Additionally, the data concerning the expression of the receptor in the CNS and putative mechanisms by which its inhibition may contribute to the treatment of schizophrenia will be discussed. Finally, the polymorphisms of genes encoding the receptor in schizophrenic patients will also be provided.
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15
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Luessen DJ, Conn PJ. Allosteric Modulators of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors as Novel Therapeutics for Neuropsychiatric Disease. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:630-661. [PMID: 35710132 PMCID: PMC9553119 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, a family of G-protein-coupled receptors, have been identified as novel therapeutic targets based on extensive research supporting their diverse contributions to cell signaling and physiology throughout the nervous system and important roles in regulating complex behaviors, such as cognition, reward, and movement. Thus, targeting mGlu receptors may be a promising strategy for the treatment of several brain disorders. Ongoing advances in the discovery of subtype-selective allosteric modulators for mGlu receptors has provided an unprecedented opportunity for highly specific modulation of signaling by individual mGlu receptor subtypes in the brain by targeting sites distinct from orthosteric or endogenous ligand binding sites on mGlu receptors. These pharmacological agents provide the unparalleled opportunity to selectively regulate neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and subsequent behavioral output pertinent to many brain disorders. Here, we review preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the utility of mGlu receptor allosteric modulators as novel therapeutic approaches to treat neuropsychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and stress-related disorders.
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16
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Hearing loss drug discovery and medicinal chemistry: Current status, challenges, and opportunities. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2022; 61:1-91. [PMID: 35753714 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hearing loss is a severe high unmet need condition affecting more than 1.5 billion people globally. There are no licensed medicines for the prevention, treatment or restoration of hearing. Prosthetic devices, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, do not restore natural hearing and users struggle with speech in the presence of background noise. Hearing loss drug discovery is immature, and small molecule approaches include repurposing existing drugs, combination therapeutics, late-stage discovery optimisation of known chemotypes for identified molecular targets of interest, phenotypic tissue screening and high-throughput cell-based screening. Hearing loss drug discovery requires the integration of specialist therapeutic area biology and otology clinical expertise. Small molecule drug discovery projects in the global clinical portfolio for hearing loss are here collated and reviewed. An overview is provided of human hearing, inner ear anatomy, inner ear delivery, types of hearing loss and hearing measurement. Small molecule experimental drugs in clinical development for hearing loss are reviewed, including their underpinning biology, discovery strategy and activities, medicinal chemistry, calculated physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics and clinical trial status. SwissADME BOILED-Egg permeability modelling is applied to the molecules reviewed, and these results are considered. Non-small molecule hearing loss assets in clinical development are briefly noted in this review. Future opportunities in hearing loss drug discovery for human genomics and targeted protein degradation are highlighted.
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17
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Blocking Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 7 via the Venus Flytrap Domain Promotes a Chronic Stress-Resilient Phenotype in Mice. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111817. [PMID: 35681512 PMCID: PMC9180111 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic psychosocial stress participates prominently in the etiology of various psychiatric conditions and comorbid somatic pathologies; however, suitable pharmacotherapy of these disorders is still of high medical need. During the last few decades, research on mGlu receptors advanced remarkably and much attention was given to the mGlu7 subtype. Here, genetic mGlu7 ablation, short-term pharmacological mGlu7 blockade, as well as siRNA-mediated knockdown of mGlu7 were shown to result in an acute anti-stress, antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like phenotype in mice. Moreover, we recently revealed a prominent stress-protective effect of genetic mGlu7 ablation also with respect to chronic psychosocial stress. In addition, we are able to demonstrate in the present study that the chronic pharmacological blockade of mGlu7 interferes with various chronic stress-induced alterations. For this, we used the chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC), a mouse model of chronic male subordination, in combination with chronic treatment with the mGlu7-selective orthosteric-like antagonist XAP044 (7-hydroxy-3-(4-iodophenoxy)-4H-chromen-4-one). Interestingly, XAP044 dose-dependently ameliorates hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysfunctions, thymus atrophy, as well as the CSC-induced increase in innate anxiety. Taken together, our findings provide further evidence for the role of mGlu7 in chronic psychosocial stress-induced alterations and suggests the pharmacological blockade of mGlu7 as a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic stress-related pathologies in men.
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18
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Dogra S, Conn PJ. Metabotropic glutamate receptors as emerging targets for the treatment of schizophrenia. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 101:275-285. [PMID: 35246479 PMCID: PMC9092465 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence of glutamatergic abnormalities in the brains of schizophrenia patients has led to efforts to target various components of glutamatergic signaling as potential new approaches for schizophrenia. Exciting research suggests that metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors could provide a fundamentally new approach for better symptomatic relief in schizophrenia patients. In preclinical studies, the mGlu5 receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have efficacy in animal models relevant for all symptom domains in schizophrenia. Interestingly, biased pure mGlu5 receptor PAMs that do not potentiate coupling of mGlu5 receptors to NMDA receptors lack neurotoxic effects associated with mGlu5 PAMs that enhance coupling to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors or have allosteric agonist activity (ago-PAMs). This provides a better therapeutic profile for treating schizophrenia-like symptoms. Additionally, the mGlu1 receptor PAMs modulate dopamine release in the striatum, which may contribute to their antipsychotic-like effects. Besides group I mGlu (mGlu1 and mGlu5) receptors, agonists of mGlu2/3 receptor also induce robust antipsychotic-like and pro-cognitive effects in rodents and may be effective in treating symptoms of schizophrenia in a selective group of patients. Additionally, mGlu2/4 receptor heterodimers modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex at selective synapses activated in schizophrenia and, therefore, hold potential as novel antipsychotics. Excitingly, the mGlu3 receptor activation can enhance cognition in rodents suggesting that mGlu3 receptor agonist/PAM could provide a novel approach for the treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Collectively, the development of mGlu receptor-specific ligands may provide an alternative approach to meet the clinical need for safer and efficacious therapeutics for schizophrenia. Significance Statement The currently available antipsychotic medications do not show significant efficacy for treating negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Emerging preclinical and clinical literature suggests that pharmacological targeting of metabotropic glutamate receptors could potentially provide an alternative approach for designing safer and efficacious therapeutics for treating schizophrenia.
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19
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Hoare SRJ, Kudwa AE, Luo R, Grigoriadis DE. Efficacy of Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 Inhibition and Synergy with Antipsychotics in Animal Models of Schizophrenia. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 381:79-95. [PMID: 35197321 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antipsychotic medications function by blocking postsynaptic dopaminergic signaling in the central nervous system. Dopamine transmission can also be modulated presynaptically by inhibitors of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), which inhibit loading of dopamine into presynaptic vesicles. Here we investigated the combination of these mechanisms in animal models of schizophrenia and weight gain (a primary side effect of antipsychotics). When dosed alone, the highly selective VMAT2 inhibitor RRR-dihydrotetrabenazine (RRR-DHTBZ, also known as [+]-α-HTBZ) elicited efficacy comparable to conventional antipsychotics in prepulse inhibition and conditioned avoidance models without eliciting weight gain. In combination experiments, synergy was observed: subthreshold doses of RRR-DHTBZ and risperidone or olanzapine produced robust efficacy, and in dose response experiments, RRR-DHTBZ increased the antipsychotic potency in the efficacy models but did not affect weight gain. The combinations did not affect plasma compound concentrations. The synergy is consistent with VMAT2 inhibition blocking the counterproductive presynaptic stimulation of dopamine by antipsychotics. These results suggest a therapeutic strategy of adding a VMAT2 inhibitor to lower the antipsychotic dose and reduce the side effect burden of the antipsychotic while maintaining and potentially enhancing its therapeutic effects. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Antipsychotics are often necessary and life-changing medications that reduce psychotic symptoms; however, these benefits come with a high side effect burden. This study shows that combining these postsynaptic dopaminergic modulators with a presynaptic dopamine modulator (vesicular monoamine transporter 2 [VMAT2] inhibitor) potentiates efficacy synergistically in animal models of schizophrenia without potentiating weight gain. Our data suggest that adding a VMAT2 inhibitor may be a viable therapeutic strategy for reducing antipsychotic side effects by lowering antipsychotic dose while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel R J Hoare
- Pharmechanics LLC, Owego, New York (S.R.J.H.); Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, California (A.E.K., D.E.G.); and Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, California (R.L.)
| | - Andrea E Kudwa
- Pharmechanics LLC, Owego, New York (S.R.J.H.); Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, California (A.E.K., D.E.G.); and Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, California (R.L.)
| | - Rosa Luo
- Pharmechanics LLC, Owego, New York (S.R.J.H.); Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, California (A.E.K., D.E.G.); and Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, California (R.L.)
| | - Dimitri E Grigoriadis
- Pharmechanics LLC, Owego, New York (S.R.J.H.); Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, California (A.E.K., D.E.G.); and Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, California (R.L.)
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20
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Stankiewicz A, Kaczorowska K, Bugno R, Kozioł A, Paluchowska MH, Burnat G, Chruścicka B, Chorobik P, Brański P, Wierońska JM, Duszyńska B, Pilc A, Bojarski AJ. New 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with positive mGlu 4 receptor modulation activity and antipsychotic-like properties. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 37:211-225. [PMID: 34894953 PMCID: PMC8667925 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1998022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the allosteric regulation of mGlu receptors for potential therapeutic applications, we developed a group of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives that displayed mGlu4 receptor positive allosteric modulatory activity (EC50 = 282–656 nM). Selectivity screening revealed that they were devoid of activity at mGlu1, mGlu2 and mGlu5 receptors, but modulated mGlu7 and mGlu8 receptors, thus were classified as group III-preferring mGlu receptor agents. None of the compounds was active towards hERG channels or in the mini-AMES test. The most potent in vitro mGlu4 PAM derivative 52 (N-(3-chloro-4-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl)picolinamide) was readily absorbed after i.p. administration (male Albino Swiss mice) and reached a maximum brain concentration of 949.76 ng/mL. Five modulators (34, 37, 52, 60 and 62) demonstrated significant anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like properties in the SIH and DOI-induced head twitch test, respectively. Promising data were obtained, especially for N-(4-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-3-methylphenyl)picolinamide (62), whose effects in the DOI-induced head twitch test were comparable to those of clozapine and better than those reported for the selective mGlu4 PAM ADX88178.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stankiewicz
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kaczorowska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ryszard Bugno
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Aneta Kozioł
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria H Paluchowska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Burnat
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Barbara Chruścicka
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paulina Chorobik
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Brański
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna M Wierońska
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Beata Duszyńska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej J Bojarski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
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21
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Targeting metabotropic glutamate receptors for the treatment of depression and other stress-related disorders. Neuropharmacology 2021; 196:108687. [PMID: 34175327 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of robust antidepressant effects of ketamine in refractory patients has led to increasing focus on agents targeting glutamatergic signaling as potential novel antidepressant strategy. Among the agents targeting the glutamatergic system, compounds acting at metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are among the most promising agents under studies for depressive disorders. Further, the receptor diversity, distinct distribution in the CNS, and ability to modulate the glutamatergic neurotransmission in the brain areas implicated in mood disorders make them an exciting target for stress-related disorders. In preclinical models, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of mGlu5 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) have been reported. Interestingly, mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists show fast and sustained antidepressant-like effects similar to that of ketamine in rodents. Excitingly, they can also induce antidepressant effects in the animal models of treatment-resistant depression and are devoid of the side-effects associated with ketamine. Unfortunately, clinical trials of both mGlu5 and mGlu2/3 receptor NAMs have been inconclusive, and additional trials using other compounds with suitable preclinical and clinical properties are needed. Although group III mGlu receptors have gained less attention, mGlu7 receptor ligands have been shown to induce antidepressant-like effects in rodents. Collectively, compounds targeting mGlu receptors provide an alternative approach to fill the outstanding clinical need for safer and more efficacious antidepressants. This article is part of the special Issue on "Glutamate Receptors - mGluRs".
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22
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Boczek T, Mackiewicz J, Sobolczyk M, Wawrzyniak J, Lisek M, Ferenc B, Guo F, Zylinska L. The Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) and Calcium Signaling in Schizophrenia. Focus on GPCRs Activated by Neurotransmitters and Chemokines. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051228. [PMID: 34067760 PMCID: PMC8155952 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a common debilitating disease characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying this psychiatric illness remain incompletely understood, a growing body of clinical, pharmacological, and genetic evidence suggests that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a critical role in disease development, progression, and treatment. This pivotal role is further highlighted by the fact that GPCRs are the most common targets for antipsychotic drugs. The GPCRs activation evokes slow synaptic transmission through several downstream pathways, many of them engaging intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Dysfunctions of the neurotransmitter systems involving the action of GPCRs in the frontal and limbic-related regions are likely to underly the complex picture that includes the whole spectrum of positive and negative schizophrenia symptoms. Therefore, the progress in our understanding of GPCRs function in the control of brain cognitive functions is expected to open new avenues for selective drug development. In this paper, we review and synthesize the recent data regarding the contribution of neurotransmitter-GPCRs signaling to schizophrenia symptomology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Boczek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Joanna Mackiewicz
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Marta Sobolczyk
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Julia Wawrzyniak
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Malwina Lisek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Bozena Ferenc
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China;
| | - Ludmila Zylinska
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
- Correspondence:
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23
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Kryszkowski W, Boczek T. The G Protein-Coupled Glutamate Receptors as Novel Molecular Targets in Schizophrenia Treatment-A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10071475. [PMID: 33918323 PMCID: PMC8038150 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disease with an unknown etiology. The research into the neurobiology of this disease led to several models aimed at explaining the link between perturbations in brain function and the manifestation of psychotic symptoms. The glutamatergic hypothesis postulates that disrupted glutamate neurotransmission may mediate cognitive and psychosocial impairments by affecting the connections between the cortex and the thalamus. In this regard, the greatest attention has been given to ionotropic NMDA receptor hypofunction. However, converging data indicates metabotropic glutamate receptors as crucial for cognitive and psychomotor function. The distribution of these receptors in the brain regions related to schizophrenia and their regulatory role in glutamate release make them promising molecular targets for novel antipsychotics. This article reviews the progress in the research on the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in schizophrenia etiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waldemar Kryszkowski
- General Psychiatric Ward, Babinski Memorial Hospital in Lodz, 91229 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Boczek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence:
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24
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Gregory KJ, Goudet C. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CXI. Pharmacology, Signaling, and Physiology of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. Pharmacol Rev 2020; 73:521-569. [PMID: 33361406 DOI: 10.1124/pr.119.019133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors respond to glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, mediating a modulatory role that is critical for higher-order brain functions such as learning and memory. Since the first mGlu receptor was cloned in 1992, eight subtypes have been identified along with many isoforms and splice variants. The mGlu receptors are transmembrane-spanning proteins belonging to the class C G protein-coupled receptor family and represent attractive targets for a multitude of central nervous system disorders. Concerted drug discovery efforts over the past three decades have yielded a wealth of pharmacological tools including subtype-selective agents that competitively block or mimic the actions of glutamate or act allosterically via distinct sites to enhance or inhibit receptor activity. Herein, we review the physiologic and pathophysiological roles for individual mGlu receptor subtypes including the pleiotropic nature of intracellular signal transduction arising from each. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of prototypical and commercially available orthosteric agonists and antagonists as well as allosteric modulators, including ligands that have entered clinical trials. Finally, we highlight emerging areas of research that hold promise to facilitate rational design of highly selective mGlu receptor-targeting therapeutics in the future. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The metabotropic glutamate receptors are attractive therapeutic targets for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Over the past three decades, intense discovery efforts have yielded diverse pharmacological tools acting either competitively or allosterically, which have enabled dissection of fundamental biological process modulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors and established proof of concept for many therapeutic indications. We review metabotropic glutamate receptor molecular pharmacology and highlight emerging areas that are offering new avenues to selectively modulate neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Gregory
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (K.J.G.) and Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), Montpellier, France (C.G.)
| | - Cyril Goudet
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (K.J.G.) and Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), Montpellier, France (C.G.)
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25
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Kalbfleisch JJ, Reed CW, Park C, Spearing PK, Quitalig MC, Jenkins MT, Rodriguez AL, Blobaum AL, Conn PJ, Niswender CM, Lindsley CW. Synthesis and SAR of a series of mGlu 7 NAMs based on an ethyl-8-methoxy-4-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)quinoline carboxylate core. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127529. [PMID: 32890686 PMCID: PMC7686273 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A High-Throughput Screening (HTS) campaign identified a fundamentally new mGlu7 NAM chemotype, based on an ethyl-8-methoxy-4-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)quinolone carboxylate core. The initial hit, VU0226390, was a potent mGlu7 NAM (IC50 = 647 nM, 6% L-AP4 min) with selectivity versus the other group III mGlu receptors (>30 μM vs. mGlu4 and mGlu8). A multi-dimensional optimization effort surveyed all regions of this new chemotype, and found very steep SAR, reminiscent of allosteric modulators, and unexpected piperazine mimetics (whereas classical bioisosteres failed). While mGlu7 NAM potency could be improved (IC50s ~ 350 nM), the necessity of the ethyl ester moiety and poor physiochemical and DMPK properties precluded optimization towards in vivo tool compounds or clinical candidates. Still, this hit-to-lead campaign afforded key medicinal chemistry insights and new opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob J Kalbfleisch
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Carson W Reed
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Charlotte Park
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Paul K Spearing
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Marc C Quitalig
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Matthew T Jenkins
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Alice L Rodriguez
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anna L Blobaum
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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26
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Reed CW, Kalbfleisch JJ, Wong MJ, Washecheck JP, Hunter A, Rodriguez AL, Blobaum AL, Conn PJ, Niswender CM, Lindsley CW. Discovery of VU6027459: A First-in-Class Selective and CNS Penetrant mGlu 7 Positive Allosteric Modulator Tool Compound. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:1773-1779. [PMID: 32944146 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report the discovery of the first selective and CNS penetrant mGlu7 PAM (VU6027459) derived from a "molecular switch" within a selective mGlu7 NAM chemotype. VU6027459 displayed CNS penetration in both mice (Kp = 2.74) and rats (Kp= 4.78), it was orally bioavailable in rats (%F = 69.5), and undesired activity at DAT was ablated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carson W Reed
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Jacob J Kalbfleisch
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Madison J Wong
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Jordan P Washecheck
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Ashton Hunter
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Alice L Rodriguez
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Anna L Blobaum
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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27
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Boccella S, Marabese I, Guida F, Luongo L, Maione S, Palazzo E. The Modulation of Pain by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors 7 and 8 in the Dorsal Striatum. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:34-50. [PMID: 31210112 PMCID: PMC7327935 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666190618121859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal striatum, apart from controlling voluntary movement, displays a recently demonstrated pain inhibition. It is connected to the descending pain modulatory system and in particular to the rostral ventromedial medulla through the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus. Diseases of the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson's disease, in addition to being characterized by motor disorders, are associated with pain and hyperactivation of the excitatory transmission. A way to counteract glutamatergic hyperactivation is through the activation of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which are located on presynaptic terminals inhibiting neurotransmitter release. So far the mGluRs of group III have been the least investigated, owing to a lack of selective tools. More recently, selective ligands for each mGluR of group III, in particular positive and negative allosteric modulators, have been developed and the role of each subtype is starting to emerge. The neuroprotective potential of group III mGluRs in pathological conditions, such as those characterized by elevate glutamate, has been recently shown. In the dorsal striatum, mGluR7 and mGluR8 are located at glutamatergic corticostriatal terminals and their stimulation inhibits pain in pathological conditions such as neuropathic pain. The two receptors in the dorsal striatum have instead a different role in pain control in normal conditions. This review will discuss recent results focusing on the contribution of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the dorsal striatal control of pain. The role of mGluR4, whose antiparkinsonian activity is widely reported, will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ida Marabese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
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28
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Fisher NM, Gould RW, Gogliotti RG, McDonald AJ, Badivuku H, Chennareddy S, Buch AB, Moore AM, Jenkins MT, Robb WH, Lindsley CW, Jones CK, Conn PJ, Niswender CM. Phenotypic profiling of mGlu 7 knockout mice reveals new implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12654. [PMID: 32248644 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by deficits in communication, cognition, attention, social behavior and/or motor control. Previous studies have pointed to the involvement of genes that regulate synaptic structure and function in the pathogenesis of these disorders. One such gene, GRM7, encodes the metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7 ), a G protein-coupled receptor that regulates presynaptic neurotransmitter release. Mutations and polymorphisms in GRM7 have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in clinical populations; however, limited preclinical studies have evaluated mGlu7 in the context of this specific disease class. Here, we show that the absence of mGlu7 in mice is sufficient to alter phenotypes within the domains of social behavior, associative learning, motor function, epilepsy and sleep. Moreover, Grm7 knockout mice exhibit an attenuated response to amphetamine. These findings provide rationale for further investigation of mGlu7 as a potential therapeutic target for neurodevelopmental disorders such as idiopathic autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Robert W Gould
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rocco G Gogliotti
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Annalise J McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Hana Badivuku
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Susmita Chennareddy
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Aditi B Buch
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Annah M Moore
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Matthew T Jenkins
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - W Hudson Robb
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Carrie K Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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29
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Habrian CH, Levitz J, Vyklicky V, Fu Z, Hoagland A, McCort-Tranchepain I, Acher F, Isacoff EY. Conformational pathway provides unique sensitivity to a synaptic mGluR. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5572. [PMID: 31804469 PMCID: PMC6895203 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13407-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are dimeric G-protein-coupled receptors that operate at synapses. Macroscopic and single molecule FRET to monitor structural rearrangements in the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the mGluR7/7 homodimer revealed it to have an apparent affinity ~4000-fold lower than other mGluRs and a maximal activation of only ~10%, seemingly too low for activation at synapses. However, mGluR7 heterodimerizes, and we find it to associate with mGluR2 in the hippocampus. Strikingly, the mGluR2/7 heterodimer has high affinity and efficacy. mGluR2/7 shows cooperativity in which an unliganded subunit greatly enhances activation by agonist bound to its heteromeric partner, and a unique conformational pathway to activation, in which mGluR2/7 partially activates in the Apo state, even when its LBDs are held open by antagonist. High sensitivity and an unusually broad dynamic range should enable mGluR2/7 to respond to both glutamate transients from nearby release and spillover from distant synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris H Habrian
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Joshua Levitz
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10024, USA
| | - Vojtech Vyklicky
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Zhu Fu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Adam Hoagland
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | | | - Ehud Y Isacoff
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Molecular Biology & Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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30
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Orgován Z, Ferenczy GG, Keserű GM. Fragment-Based Approaches for Allosteric Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (mGluR) Modulators. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1768-1781. [PMID: 31393248 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190808150039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are members of the class C G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR-s) and have eight subtypes. These receptors are responsible for a variety of functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems and their modulation has therapeutic utility in neurological and psychiatric disorders. It was previously established that selective orthosteric modulation of these receptors is challenging, and this stimulated the search for allosteric modulators. Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD) is a viable approach to find ligands binding at allosteric sites owing to their limited size and interactions. However, it was also observed that the structure-activity relationship of allosteric modulators is often sharp and inconsistent. This can be attributed to the characteristics of the allosteric binding site of mGluRs that is a water channel where ligand binding is accompanied with induced fit and interference with the water network, both playing a role in receptor activation. In this review, we summarize fragment-based drug discovery programs on mGluR allosteric modulators and their contribution identifying of new mGluR ligands with better activity and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Orgován
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudosok Korutja, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - György G Ferenczy
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudosok Korutja, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudosok Korutja, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
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31
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Cousins RPC. Medicines discovery for auditory disorders: Challenges for industry. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 146:3652. [PMID: 31795652 DOI: 10.1121/1.5132706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Currently, no approved medicines are available for the prevention or treatment of hearing loss. Pharmaceutical industry productivity across all therapeutic indications has historically been disappointing, with a 90% chance of failure in delivering a marketed drug after entering clinical evaluation. To address these failings, initiatives have been applied in the three cornerstones of medicine discovery: target selection, clinical candidate selection, and clinical studies. These changes aimed to enable data-informed decisions on the translation of preclinical observations into a safe, clinically effective medicine by ensuring the best biological target is selected, the most appropriate chemical entity is advanced, and that the clinical studies enroll the correct patients. The specific underlying pathologies need to be known to allow appropriate patient selection, so improved diagnostics are required, as are methodologies for measuring in the inner ear target engagement, drug delivery and pharmacokinetics. The different therapeutic strategies of protecting hearing or preventing hearing loss versus restoring hearing are reviewed along with potential treatments for tinnitus. Examples of current investigational drugs are discussed to highlight key challenges in drug discovery and the learnings being applied to improve the probability of success of launching a marketed medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick P C Cousins
- University College London Ear Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8EE, United Kingdom
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32
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Hao J, Chen Q. Insights into the Structural Aspects of the mGlu Receptor Orthosteric Binding Site. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2421-2446. [PMID: 31660833 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666191011094935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The amino terminal domain (ATD) of the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors contains the orthosteric glutamate recognition site, which is highly conserved across the eight mGlu receptor subtypes. In total, 29 X-ray crystal structures of the mGlu ATD proteins have been reported to date. These structures span across 3 subgroups and 6 subtypes, and include apo, agonist- and antagonist-bound structures. We will discuss the insights gained from the analysis of these structures with the focus on the interactions contributing to the observed group and subtype selectivity for select agonists. Furthermore, we will define the full expanded orthosteric ligand binding pocket (LBP) of the mGlu receptors, and discuss the macroscopic features of the mGlu ATD proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junliang Hao
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Lilly Research Laboratory, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, United States
| | - Qi Chen
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Lilly Research Laboratory, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, United States
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Ye F, Huang J, Wang H, Luo C, Zhao K. Targeting epigenetic machinery: Emerging novel allosteric inhibitors. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 204:107406. [PMID: 31521697 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.107406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics has emerged as an extremely exciting fast-growing area of biomedical research in post genome era. Epigenetic dysfunction is tightly related with various diseases such as cancer and aging related degeneration, potentiating epigenetics modulators as important therapeutics targets. Indeed, inhibitors of histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase have been approved for treating blood tumor malignancies, whereas inhibitors of histone methyltransferase and histone acetyl-lysine recognizer bromodomain are in clinical stage. However, it remains a great challenge to discover potent and selective inhibitors by targeting catalytic site, as the same subfamily of epigenetic enzymes often share high sequence identity and very conserved catalytic core pocket. It is well known that epigenetic modifications are usually carried out by multi-protein complexes, and activation of catalytic subunit is often tightly regulated by other interactive protein component, especially in disease conditions. Therefore, it is not unusual that epigenetic complex machinery may exhibit allosteric regulation site induced by protein-protein interactions. Targeting allosteric site emerges as a compelling alternative strategy to develop epigenetic drugs with enhanced druggability and pharmacological profiles. In this review, we highlight recent progress in the development of allosteric inhibitors for epigenetic complexes through targeting protein-protein interactions. We also summarized the status of clinical applications of those inhibitors. Finally, we provide perspectives of future novel allosteric epigenetic machinery modulators emerging from otherwise undruggable single protein target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, China; College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018; Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Jing Huang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
| | - Cheng Luo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Department of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, South Dong Qing Road, Guizhou 550025, China.
| | - Kehao Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
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Impact of the metabotropic glutamate receptor7 (mGlu 7) allosteric agonist, AMN082, on fear learning and memory and anxiety-like behavior. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 858:172512. [PMID: 31260653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of AMN082, the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 7 (mGlu7) allosteric agonist on different stages of memory processes connected with fear conditioning in the passive avoidance (PA) learning task in mice and negative emotional state (anxiety-like) induced by ethanol- and morphine-withdrawal in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test in rats. To perform the PA test, AMN082 (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i. p.) was injected to interfere with (or inhibit) acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval processes. The retention latency in each group was recorded using a step-through passive avoidance task 24 h after training. In turn, in ethanol- and morphine-withdrawal rats, the influence of AMN082 on anxiety-like behavior was estimated in the EPM test 24 h- (ethanol) and 72- h (morphine) after the last dose of repeated drug administrations. In all experimental groups, AMN082 at the dose of 5 mg/kg significantly decreased the step-through latency of long-term memory in the PA task. These AMN082 effects were reversed by MMPIP (10 mg/kg), the antagonist of mGlu7 receptor. AMN082 (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) also decreased ethanol- and morphine withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior in the EPM test, and this AMN082 (5 mg/kg) effect was counteracted by MMPIP pretreatment. Taken together, the results show that mGlu7 is involved in fear learning to the context and anxiety-like state connected with unpleasant experiences after ethanol- and morphine withdrawal in rodents. However, it appears that functional dissociation exists between these two AMN082 effects.
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Surveying heterocycles as amide bioisosteres within a series of mGlu7 NAMs: Discovery of VU6019278. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:1211-1214. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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36
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Stansley BJ, Conn PJ. Neuropharmacological Insight from Allosteric Modulation of mGlu Receptors. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:240-252. [PMID: 30824180 PMCID: PMC6445545 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are a family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that regulate cell physiology throughout the nervous system. The potential of mGlu receptors as therapeutic targets has been bolstered by current research that has provided insight into the diverse modes of mGlu activation and signaling. In particular, the allosteric modulation of mGlu receptors represents a major area of focus in studies of basic pharmacology as well as drug development, largely due to the high subtype specificity achievable by targeting allosteric sites on mGlu receptors. These provide sophisticated regulation of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission to influence behavioral output. Here, we review how these allosteric mechanisms have been leveraged preclinically to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of allosteric modulators for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease (PD), stress, and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branden J Stansley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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37
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Zoicas I, Kornhuber J. The Role of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Social Behavior in Rodents. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061412. [PMID: 30897826 PMCID: PMC6470515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The appropriate display of social behavior is critical for the well-being and survival of an individual. In many psychiatric disorders, including social anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorders, depression and schizophrenia social behavior is severely impaired. Selective targeting of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) has emerged as a novel treatment strategy for these disorders. In this review, we describe some of the behavioral paradigms used to assess different types of social behavior, such as social interaction, social memory, aggressive behavior and sexual behavior. We then focus on the effects of pharmacological modulation of mGluR1-8 on these types of social behavior. Indeed, accumulating evidence indicates beneficial effects of selective ligands of specific mGluRs in ameliorating innate or pharmacologically-induced deficits in social interaction and social memory as well as in reducing aggression in rodents. We emphasize the importance of future studies investigating the role of selective mGluR ligands on different types of social behavior to provide a better understanding of the neural mechanisms involved which, in turn, might promote the development of selective mGluR-targeted tools for the improved treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with social deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Zoicas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
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Crupi R, Impellizzeri D, Cuzzocrea S. Role of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Neurological Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:20. [PMID: 30800054 PMCID: PMC6375857 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is a fundamental excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), playing key roles in memory, neuronal development, and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, excessive glutamate release has been implicated in neuronal cell death. There are both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), the latter of which can be divided into eight subtypes and three subgroups based on homology sequence and their effects on cell signaling. Indeed, mGluRs exert fine control over glutamate activity by stimulating several cell-signaling pathways via the activation of G protein-coupled (GPC) or G protein-independent cell signaling. The involvement of specific mGluRs in different forms of synaptic plasticity suggests that modulation of mGluRs may aid in the treatment of cognitive impairments related to several neurodevelopmental/psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, which are associated with a high economic and social burden. Preclinical and clinical data have shown that, in the CNS, mGluRs are able to modulate presynaptic neurotransmission by fine-tuning neuronal firing and neurotransmitter release in a dynamic, activity-dependent manner. Current studies on drugs that target mGluRs have identified promising, innovative pharmacological tools for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions, including chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
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39
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Vázquez-Villa H, Trabanco AA. Progress toward allosteric ligands of metabotropic glutamate 7 (mGlu7) receptor: 2008-present. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:193-199. [PMID: 30881607 PMCID: PMC6390470 DOI: 10.1039/c8md00524a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate type 7 (mGlu7) receptor is a member of the group III family of mGlu receptors. It is widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) and is preferentially expressed on presynaptic nerve terminals where it is thought to play a critical role in modulating normal neuronal function and synaptic transmission, making it particularly relevant in neuropharmacology. The lack of small-molecule mGlu7 ligands with adequate potency, selectivity and drug-like properties has resulted in difficulties in the preclinical validation of mGlu7 modulation in disease models. In the last decade, allosteric modulators of mGlu7 receptors have emerged as valuable tools with good potency, selectivity and physicochemical properties to study and unleash the therapeutic potential of mGlu7 receptors. This review focusses on the medicinal chemistry of mGlu7 receptor allosteric ligands discovered since 2008.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henar Vázquez-Villa
- Departamento de Química Orgánica , Facultad de Ciencias Químicas , Universidad Complutense de Madrid , E-28040 Madrid , Spain .
| | - Andrés A Trabanco
- Discovery Sciences , Medicinal Chemistry Department , Janssen Research & Development , c/ Jarama 75A , 45007 Toledo , Spain .
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40
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Reed CW, Yohn SE, Washecheck JP, Roenfanz HF, Quitalig MC, Luscombe VB, Jenkins MT, Rodriguez AL, Engers DW, Blobaum AL, Conn PJ, Niswender CM, Lindsley CW. Discovery of an Orally Bioavailable and Central Nervous System (CNS) Penetrant mGlu 7 Negative Allosteric Modulator (NAM) in Vivo Tool Compound: N-(2-(1 H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-4-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-3-methoxybenzamide (VU6012962). J Med Chem 2019; 62:1690-1695. [PMID: 30608678 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report the discovery of a new, orally bioavailable and CNS-penetrant metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) negative allosteric modulator (NAM) that achieves exposure in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) 2.5× above the in vitro IC50 at minimum effective doses (MEDs) of 3 mg/kg in preclinical anxiety models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee 37232 , United States
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center , Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , Tennessee 37232 , United States
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41
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Chen Q, Ho JD, Ashok S, Vargas MC, Wang J, Atwell S, Bures M, Schkeryantz JM, Monn JA, Hao J. Structural Basis for ( S)-3,4-Dicarboxyphenylglycine (DCPG) As a Potent and Subtype Selective Agonist of the mGlu 8 Receptor. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10040-10052. [PMID: 30365309 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
( S)-3,4-Dicarboxyphenylglycine (DCPG) was first reported in 2001 as a potent orthosteric agonist with high subtype selectivity for the mGlu8 receptor, but the structural basis for its high selectivity is not well understood. We have solved a cocrystal structure of recombinant human mGlu8 amino terminal domain (ATD) protein bound to ( S)-DCPG, which possesses the largest lobe opening angle observed to date among known agonist-bound mGlu ATD crystal structures. The binding conformation of ( S)-DCPG observed in the crystal structure is significantly different from that in the homology model built from an l-glutamate-bound rat mGlu1 ATD crystal structure, which has a smaller lobe opening angle. This highlights the importance of considering various lobe opening angles when modeling mGlu ATD-ligand complex. New homology models of other mGlu receptors based on the ( S)-DCPG-bound mGlu8 ATD crystal structure were explored to rationalize ( S)-DCPG's high mGlu8 receptor subtype selectivity.
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Fisher NM, Seto M, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7: A New Therapeutic Target in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:387. [PMID: 30405350 PMCID: PMC6206046 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are characterized by a wide range of symptoms including delayed speech, intellectual disability, motor dysfunction, social deficits, breathing problems, structural abnormalities, and epilepsy. Unfortunately, current treatment strategies are limited and innovative new approaches are sorely needed to address these complex diseases. The metabotropic glutamate receptors are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that act to modulate neurotransmission across many brain structures. They have shown great promise as drug targets for numerous neurological and psychiatric diseases. Moreover, the development of subtype-selective allosteric modulators has allowed detailed studies of each receptor subtype. Here, we focus on the metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) as a potential therapeutic target for NDDs. mGlu7 is expressed widely throughout the brain in regions that correspond to the symptom domains listed above and has established roles in synaptic physiology and behavior. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations in the GRM7 gene have been associated with idiopathic autism and other NDDs in patients. In rodent models, existing literature suggests that decreased mGlu7 expression and/or function may lead to symptoms that overlap with those of NDDs. Furthermore, potentiation of mGlu7 activity has shown efficacy in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. In this review, we summarize current findings that provide rationale for the continued development of mGlu7 modulators as potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Mabel Seto
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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43
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Cieślik P, Woźniak M, Kaczorowska K, Brański P, Burnat G, Chocyk A, Bobula B, Gruca P, Litwa E, Pałucha-Poniewiera A, Wąsik A, Pilc A, Wierońska J. Negative Allosteric Modulators of mGlu 7 Receptor as Putative Antipsychotic Drugs. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:316. [PMID: 30294258 PMCID: PMC6158327 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The data concerning antipsychotic-like activity of negative allosteric modulators (NAMs)/antagonists of mGlu7 receptors are limited. The only available ligands for this receptor are MMPIP and ADX71743. In the present studies, we used stable cell line expressing mGlu7 receptor and it was shown that both compounds dose-dependently potentiated forskolin elevated cAMP concentration in the T-REx 293 cells, showing their inverse agonist properties. Subsequently, pharmacokinetic studies were performed. Both compounds were given intraperitoneally (i.p.) at the dose of 10 mg/kg and reached Cmax 0.25-0.5 h after administration, and then they declined rapidly, ADX71743 being almost undetectable 2 h after administration, while the concentration of MMPIP was still observed, suggesting that the concentration of MMPIP was more stable. Finally, we investigated the role of both mGlu7 receptor NAMs in animal models of schizophrenia. Behavioral tests commonly used in antipsychotic drug discovery were conducted. Both tested compounds dose-dependently inhibited MK-801-induced hyperactivity (MMPIP at 15 mg/kg; ADX at 5 and 15 mg/kg) and DOI-induced head twitches (MMPIP at 5, 10, 15 mg/kg; ADX at 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg). Moreover, the same effects were noticed in novel object recognition test, where MMPIP (5, 10, 15 mg/kg) and ADX71743 (1, 5, 15 mg/kg) reversed MK-801-induced disturbances. In the social interaction test, antipsychotic activity was observed only for ADX71743 (5, 15 mg/kg). ADX71743 at the dose 2.5 mg/kg reversed MK-801-induced disruption in prepulse inhibition while MMPIP at 10 mg/kg reversed MK-801-induced disruption in spatial delayed alternation. The present studies showed that mGlu7 receptor may be considered as a putative target for antipsychotic drugs, though more studies are needed due to limited number of available ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joanna Wierońska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
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44
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Fisher NM, Gogliotti RG, Vermudez SAD, Stansley BJ, Conn PJ, Niswender CM. Genetic Reduction or Negative Modulation of mGlu 7 Does Not Impact Anxiety and Fear Learning Phenotypes in a Mouse Model of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:2210-2217. [PMID: 29227625 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome and MECP2 Duplication syndrome are neurodevelopmental disorders attributed to loss-of-function mutations in, or duplication of, the gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), respectively. We recently reported decreased expression and function of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Positive allosteric modulation of mGlu7 activity was sufficient to improve several disease phenotypes including cognition. Here, we tested the hypothesis that mGlu7 expression would be reciprocally regulated in a mouse model of MECP2 Duplication syndrome, such that negative modulation of mGlu7 activity would exert therapeutic benefit. To the contrary, we report that mGlu7 is not functionally increased in mice overexpressing MeCP2 and that neither genetic nor pharmacological reduction of mGlu7 activity impacts phenotypes that are antiparallel to those observed in Rett syndrome model mice. These data expand our understanding of how mGlu7 expression and function is affected by changes in MeCP2 dosage and have important implications for the therapeutic development of mGlu7 modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M. Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Rocco G. Gogliotti
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Sheryl Anne D. Vermudez
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Branden J. Stansley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - P. Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Colleen M. Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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45
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Wierońska JM, Pilc A. Depression and schizophrenia viewed from the perspective of amino acidergic neurotransmission: Antipodes of psychiatric disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 193:75-82. [PMID: 30149102 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Depression and schizophrenia are burdensome, costly serious and disabling mental disorders. Moreover the existing treatments are not satisfactory. As amino-acidergic (AA) neurotransmitters built a vast majority of brain neurons, in this article we plan to focus on drugs influencing AA neurotransmission in both diseases: we will discuss several facts concerning glutamatergic and GABA-ergic neurotransmission in these diseases, based mainly on preclinical experiments that used stimulators and/or blockers of both neurotransmitter systems. In general a picture emerges showing, that treatments that increase excitatory effects (with either antagonists or agonists) tend to evoke antidepressant effects, while treatments that increase inhibitory effects tend to display antipsychotic properties. Moreover, it seems that the antidepressant activity of a given compound excludes it as a potential antipsychotic and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Wierońska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland.
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46
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Gogliotti RG, Senter RK, Fisher NM, Adams J, Zamorano R, Walker AG, Blobaum AL, Engers DW, Hopkins CR, Daniels JS, Jones CK, Lindsley CW, Xiang Z, Conn PJ, Niswender CM. mGlu 7 potentiation rescues cognitive, social, and respiratory phenotypes in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/403/eaai7459. [PMID: 28814546 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aai7459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. The cognitive impairments seen in mouse models of RTT correlate with deficits in long-term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral (SC)-CA1 synapses in the hippocampus. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) is the predominant mGlu receptor expressed presynaptically at SC-CA1 synapses in adult mice, and its activation on GABAergic interneurons is necessary for induction of LTP. We demonstrate that pathogenic mutations in MECP2 reduce mGlu7 protein expression in brain tissue from RTT patients and in MECP2-deficient mouse models. In rodents, this reduction impairs mGlu7-mediated control of synaptic transmission. We show that positive allosteric modulation of mGlu7 activity restores LTP and improves contextual fear learning, novel object recognition, and social memory. Furthermore, mGlu7 positive allosteric modulation decreases apneas in Mecp2+/- mice, suggesting that mGlu7 may be a potential therapeutic target for multiple aspects of the RTT phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco G Gogliotti
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rebecca K Senter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Nicole M Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jeffrey Adams
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rocio Zamorano
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Adam G Walker
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anna L Blobaum
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Darren W Engers
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Corey R Hopkins
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - J Scott Daniels
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Carrie K Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Zixiu Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. .,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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47
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Naß J, Efferth T. Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacotherapy of Military Personnel Suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 15:831-860. [PMID: 27834145 PMCID: PMC5652029 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666161111113514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe problem among soldiers with combating experience difficult to treat. The pathogenesis is still not fully understood at the psychological level. Therefore, genetic research became a focus of interest. The identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may help to predict, which persons are at high risk to develop PTSD as a starting point to develop novel targeted drugs for treatment. Methods: We conducted a systematic review on SNPs in genes related to PTSD pathology and development of targeted pharmacological treatment options based on PubMed database searches. We focused on clinical trials with military personnel. Results: SNPs in 22 human genes have been linked to PTSD. These genes encode proteins acting as neurotransmitters and receptors, downstream signal transducers and metabolizing enzymes. Pharmacological inhibitors may serve as drug candidates for PTSD treatment, e.g. β2 adrenoreceptor antagonists, dopamine antagonists, partial dopamine D2 receptor agonists, dopamine β hydroxylase inhibitors, fatty acid amid hydrolase antagonists, glucocorticoid receptor agonists, tropomyosin receptor kinase B agonists, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors, gamma-amino butyric acid receptor agonists, glutamate receptor inhibitors, monoaminoxidase B inhibitors, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists. Conclusion: The combination of genetic and pharmacological research may lead to novel target-based drug developments with improved specificity and efficacy to treat PTSD. Specific SNPs may be identified as reliable biomarkers to assess individual disease risk. Focusing on soldiers suffering from PTSD will not only help to improve treatment options for this specific group, but for all PTSD patients and the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Naß
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz. Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz. Germany
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48
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Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 7 in the dorsal striatum oppositely modulates pain in sham and neuropathic rats. Neuropharmacology 2018; 135:86-99. [PMID: 29505788 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The study investigated the role of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 7 (mGluR7) in pain signalling in the dorsal striatum of sham and neuropathic rats. Supraspinal circuitries involved in the dorsal striatum control of pain were also explored. In the sham rats, microinjection of N,N'-bis(diphenylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (AMN082), a selective mGluR7 positive allosteric modulator, into the dorsal striatum, facilitated pain, increased the activity of the ON cells and inhibited the activity of the OFF cells in the rostral ventromedial medulla, and decreased glutamate levels in the dorsal striatum. Conversely, AMN082 inhibited pain and the activity of the ON cells while increased the activity of the OFF cells in rats with spared nerve injury (SNI) of the sciatic nerve. AMN082 also decreased glutamate levels in the dorsal striatum of SNI rats. The effect of AMN082 on mechanical allodynia and glutamate release was blocked by 6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-ethyl-6,7-dihydro-4(5H)-benzoxazolone (ADX71743), a selective mGluR7 negative allosteric modulator. Moreover, in the sham rats, AMN082 increased the activity of total nociceptive convergent neurons in the dorsal reticular nucleus while in the SNI rats, such activity was decreased. The administration of lidocaine into the subthalamic nucleus abolished the effect of AMN082 on the total nociceptive convergent neurons in the sham rats but not in the SNI rats. Thus, the dual effect of mGluR7 in facilitating or inhibiting pain responses may be due to the recruitment of different pathways of the basal ganglia, the indirect or direct pathway, in physiological or pathological conditions, respectively.
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49
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Ferraguti F. Metabotropic glutamate receptors as targets for novel anxiolytics. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2018; 38:37-42. [PMID: 29494817 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent psychiatric illnesses posing an important social and economic burden. Their current pharmacotherapy shows short term efficacy, though nearly one third of patients do not achieve sustained remission. There is, therefore, a strong medical need for new therapeutic agents acting through novel mechanisms of action. Considerable work has focused on metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors as potential targets for novel anxiolytics. Ligands acting at mGlu receptors showed promising results in preclinical studies, whereas their efficacy was dubious in clinical trials. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have opened new prospects for targeting mGlu receptors to treat anxiety disorders. This review provides an outlook on these progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Strasse 1A, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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50
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Reed CW, McGowan KM, Spearing PK, Stansley BJ, Roenfanz HF, Engers DW, Rodriguez AL, Engelberg EM, Luscombe VB, Loch MT, Remke DH, Rook JM, Blobaum AL, Conn PJ, Niswender CM, Lindsley CW. VU6010608, a Novel mGlu 7 NAM from a Series of N-(2-(1 H-1,2,4-Triazol-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)benzamides. ACS Med Chem Lett 2017; 8:1326-1330. [PMID: 29259756 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report the structure-activity relationships within a series of mGlu7 NAMs based on an N-(2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)benzamide core with excellent CNS penetration (Kp 1.9-5.8 and Kp,uu 0.4-1.4). Analogues in this series displayed steep SAR. Of these, VU6010608 (11a) emerged with robust efficacy in blocking high frequency stimulated long-term potentiation in electrophysiology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - P. Jeffrey Conn
- Vanderbilt
Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Colleen M. Niswender
- Vanderbilt
Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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