Analogs of WIN 62,577 define a second allosteric site on muscarinic receptors

Catalyst-free synthesis of acenaphthoindolopyrimidine derivatives

A one pot three component reaction of acenaphthoquinone, barbituric acid/thiobarbituric acid/N,N-dimethyl barbituric acid and arylamines in ethanol for the synthesis of acenaphthoindolopyrimidine derivatives is reported. The reactions take place without a catalyst and gentle conditions. This method is facile and has some benefits such as, readily available starting materials, green solvent, catalyst-free, no column chromatographic purification and good to high yields.

Allosteric Modulation of Muscarinic Receptors by Cholesterol, Neurosteroids and Neuroactive Steroids

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are membrane receptors involved in many physiological processes. Malfunction of muscarinic signaling is a cause of various internal diseases, as well as psychiatric and neurologic conditions. Cholesterol, neurosteroids, neuroactive steroids, and steroid hormones are molecules of steroid origin that, besides having well-known genomic effects, also modulate membrane proteins including muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Here, we review current knowledge on the allosteric modulation of muscarinic receptors by these steroids. We give a perspective on the research on the non-genomic effects of steroidal compounds on muscarinic receptors and drug development, with an aim to ultimately exploit such knowledge.

Multitargeting nature of muscarinic orthosteric agonists and antagonists

Muscarinic receptors (mAChRs) are typical members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family and exist in five subtypes from M₁ to M₅. Muscarinic receptor subtypes do not sufficiently differ in affinity to orthosteric antagonists or agonists; therefore, the analysis of receptor subtypes is complicated, and misinterpretations can occur. Usually, when researchers mainly specialized in CNS and peripheral functions aim to study mAChR involvement in behavior, learning, spinal locomotor networks, biological rhythms, cardiovascular physiology, bronchoconstriction, gastrointestinal tract functions, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease, they use orthosteric ligands and they do not use allosteric ligands. Moreover, they usually rely on manufacturers’ claims that could be misleading. This review aimed to call the attention of researchers not deeply focused on mAChR pharmacology to this fact. Importantly, limited selective binding is not only a property of mAChRs but is a general attribute of most neurotransmitter receptors. In this review, we want to give an overview of the most common off-targets for established mAChR ligands. In this context, an important point is a mention the tremendous knowledge gap on off-targets for novel compounds compared to very well-established ligands. Therefore, we will summarize reported affinities and give an outline of strategies to investigate the subtype’s function, thereby avoiding ambiguous results. Despite that, the multitargeting nature of drugs acting also on mAChR could be an advantage when treating such diseases as schizophrenia. Antipsychotics are a perfect example of a multitargeting advantage in treatment. A promising strategy is the use of allosteric ligands, although some of these ligands have also been shown to exhibit limited selectivity. Another new direction in the development of muscarinic selective ligands is functionally selective and biased agonists. The possible selective ligands, usually allosteric, will also be listed. To overcome the limited selectivity of orthosteric ligands, the recommended process is to carefully examine the presence of respective subtypes in specific tissues via knockout studies, carefully apply “specific” agonists/antagonists at appropriate concentrations and then calculate the probability of a specific subtype involvement in specific functions. This could help interested researchers aiming to study the central nervous system functions mediated by the muscarinic receptor.

Iron-catalyzed [3+2+1] annulation of 2-aminobenzimidazoles/3-aminopyrazoles and aromatic alkynes using N,N-dimethylaminoethanol as one carbon synthon for the synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles and pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles and pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles from 2-aminobenzimidazoles/3-aminoindazoles, alkynes and N,N-dimethylaminoethanol in a three-component [3+2+1] annulation catalyzed by FeCl3 has been established, where N,N-dimethylaminoethanol...

Identification of a Novel Allosteric Site at the M5 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor

The M₅ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) has emerged as an exciting therapeutic target for the treatment of addiction and behavioral disorders. This has been in part due to promising preclinical studies with the M₅ mAChR selective negative allosteric modulator (NAM), ML375. The binding site of ML375 remains unknown, however, making it difficult to develop improved M₅ mAChR selective modulators. To determine the possible location of the ML375 binding site, we used radioligand binding and functional assays to show that ML375 does not interact with the well-characterized "common" mAChR allosteric site located in the receptor's extracellular vestibule, nor a previously proposed second allosteric site recognized by the modulator, amiodarone. Molecular docking was used to predict potential allosteric sites within the transmembrane (TM) domain of the M₅ mAChR. These predicted sites were assessed using M₅-M₂ mAChR receptor chimeras and further targeted with site-directed mutagenesis, which enabled the identification of a putative binding site for ML375 at the interface of TMs 2-4. Collectively, these results identify a third allosteric site at the M₅ mAChR and highlight the ability of allosteric modulators to selectively target highly conserved proteins.

One-Pot Synthesis of Benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-2-ones Using a Hybrid Catalyst Supported on Magnetic Nanoparticles in Green Solvents

The conversion of soluble polyoxometalate into insoluble polyoxometalate is considered to be one of the major challenges in synthetic organic chemistry. Here, polyoxometalate was bonded to the salt part of an organic branch immobilized on the silica-coated Fe3 O4 nanoparticle and characterized using various techniques. The fabricated complex was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in a novel one-pot reaction for synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-2-ones using aromatic amines, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD), derivatives of benzaldehyde and 2-aminobenzimidazole in water/ethanol as a green solvent. 21 derivatives of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-2-one were synthesized by this method and fully characterized. The high stability of the catalyst showed that it can be reused for 6 times without decreasing in activity. The combination of new synthetic method, new ferromagnetic heterogeneous nano-catalyst, green solvent and simple separation method were presented in this work.

Neuroactive steroids, WIN-compounds and cholesterol share a common binding site on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Endogenous neurosteroids and their synthetic analogues-neuroactive steroids-have been found to bind to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and allosterically modulate acetylcholine binding and function. Using radioligand binding experiments we investigated their binding mode. We show that neuroactive steroids bind to two binding sites on muscarinic receptors. Their affinity for the high-affinity binding site is about 100 nM. Their affinity for the low-affinity binding site is about 10 µM. The high-affinity binding occurs at the same site as binding of steroid-based WIN-compounds that is different from the common allosteric binding site for alcuronium or gallamine that is located between the second and third extracellular loop of the receptor. This binding site is also different from the allosteric binding site for the structurally related aminosteroid-based myorelaxants pancuronium and rapacuronium. Membrane cholesterol competes with neurosteroids/neuroactive steroids binding to both high- and low-affinity binding site, indicating that both sites are oriented towards the cell membrane..

Design, Synthesis, and Structure-Activity Relationships Study of N-Pyrimidyl/Pyridyl-2-thiazolamine Analogues as Novel Positive Allosteric Modulators of M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor

The M₃ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) plays an essential pharmacological role in mediating a broad range of actions of acetylcholine (ACh) released throughout the periphery and central nerve system (CNS). Nevertheless, its agonistic functions remain unclear due to the lack of available subtype-selective agonists or positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). In the course of our extended structure-activity relationships (SARs) study on 2-acylaminothiazole derivative 1, a previously reported PAM of the M₃ mAChR, we successfully identified N-pyrimidyl/pyridyl-2-thiazolamine analogues as new scaffolds. The SARs study was rationalized using conformational analyses based on intramolecular interactions. A comprehensive study of a series of analogues described in this paper suggests that a unique sulfur-nitrogen nonbonding interaction in the N-pyrimidyl/pyridyl-2-thiazolamine moiety enable conformations that are essential for activity. Further, a SARs study around the N-pyrimidyl/pyridyl-2-thiazolamine core culminated in the discovery of compound 3g, which showed potent in vitro PAM activity for the M₃ mAChR with excellent subtype selectivity. Compound 3g also showed a distinct pharmacological effect on isolated smooth muscle tissue from rat bladder and favorable pharmacokinetics profiles, suggesting its potential as a chemical tool for probing the M₃ mAChR in further research.

Current Advances in Allosteric Modulation of Muscarinic Receptors

Allosteric modulators are ligands that bind to a site on the receptor that is spatially separated from the orthosteric binding site for the endogenous neurotransmitter. Allosteric modulators modulate the binding affinity, potency, and efficacy of orthosteric ligands. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are prototypical allosterically-modulated G-protein-coupled receptors. They are a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of psychiatric, neurologic, and internal diseases like schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington disease, type 2 diabetes, or chronic pulmonary obstruction. Here, we reviewed the progress made during the last decade in our understanding of their mechanisms of binding, allosteric modulation, and in vivo actions in order to understand the translational impact of studying this important class of pharmacological agents. We overviewed newly developed allosteric modulators of muscarinic receptors as well as new spin-off ideas like bitopic ligands combining allosteric and orthosteric moieties and photo-switchable ligands based on bitopic agents.

Analysis of equilibrium binding of an orthosteric tracer and two allosteric modulators

Allosteric ligands bind to receptors at sites that are distinct from those endogenous agonists and orthosteric pharmacological agents interact with. Both an allosteric and orthosteric ligand bind simultaneously to the receptor to form a ternary complex, where each ligand influences binding affinity of the other to the receptor, either positively or negatively. Allosteric modulators are an intensively studied group of receptor ligands because of their potentially greater selectivity over orthosteric ligands, with the possibility of fine tuning of the effects of endogenous neurotransmitters and hormones. The affinity of an unlabelled allosteric ligand is commonly estimated by measuring its effects on binding of a radio-labelled orthosteric tracer. This scenario is complicated by many folds when one studies the kinetics of interactions of two allosteric agents, added simultaneously, on binding of an orthosteric tracer. In this paper, we provide, for the first time, theoretical basis for analysis of such complex interactions. We have expanded our analysis to include the possibility of having two allosteric modulators interact with the same or different sites on the receptor. An added value of our analysis is to provide a tool to distinguish between the two situations. Finally, we also modelled binding of two molecules of one allosteric modulator to one receptor.

Regioselective Synthesis of 4′-amino-1′H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,2′-(pyrimido [1,2-a]benzimidazole)]-3′-carbonitrile in Aqueous Medium

A simple, mild and environment-friendly procedure for synthesis of 4′-amino-1′H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,2′-(pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole)]-3′-carbonitrile is developed using microwave irradiation in water. The product is obtained in short time, in excellent yield, and in a good state of purity. The reaction pathway and the influence of reaction conditions on regiochemistry are also investigated. The regioselectivity in this process is confirmed chemically and by single-crystal X-ray molecular structure determination.

Probing the binding site of novel selective positive allosteric modulators at the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

Subtype-selective allosteric modulation of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (M1 mAChR) is an attractive approach for the treatment of numerous disorders, including cognitive deficits. The discovery of benzyl quinolone carboxylic acid, BQCA, a selective M1 mAChR positive allosteric modulator (PAM), spurred the subsequent development of newer generation M1 PAMs representing diverse chemical scaffolds, different pharmacodynamic properties and, in some instances, improved pharmacokinetics. Key exemplar molecules from such efforts include PF-06767832 (N-((3R,4S)-3-hydroxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-5-methyl-4-(4-(thiazol-4-yl)benzyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide), VU6004256 (4,6-difluoro-N-(1S,2S)-2-hydroxycyclohexyl-1-((6-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridine-3-yl)methyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide) and MIPS1780 (3-(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)-6-(2-((4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-benzyl)oxy)phenyl)pyrimidin-4(3H)-one). Given these diverse scaffolds and pharmacodynamics, the current study combined pharmacological analysis and site-directed mutagenesis to explore the potential binding site and function of newer M1 mAChR PAMs relative to BQCA. Interestingly, the mechanism of action of the novel PAMs was consistent with a common model of allostery, as previously described for BQCA. Key residues involved in the activity of BQCA, including Y179 in the second extracellular loop (ECL) and W4007.35 in transmembrane domain (TM) 7, were critical for the activity of all PAMs tested. Overall, our data indicate that structurally distinct PAMs share a similar binding site with BQCA, specifically, an extracellular allosteric site defined by residues in TM2, TM7 and ECL2. These findings provide valuable insights into the structural basis underlying modulator binding, cooperativity and signaling at the M1 mAChR, which is essential for the rational design of PAMs with tailored pharmacological properties.

Characterization of methanthelinium binding and function at human M1-M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Firstly, it was determined whether methanthelinium bromide (MB) binds to human M₁-M₅ (hM₁-hM₅) muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in comparison to the classical muscarinic antagonist N-methylscopolamine (NMS). [³H]NMS dissociation binding experiments revealed an allosteric retardation of dissociation at 100 μM of MB ranging from none in hM₃ to 4.6-fold in hM₂ receptors. Accordingly, global non-linear regression analysis of equilibrium inhibition binding curves between [³H]NMS (0.2 and 2.0 nM) and MB was applied and compared using either an allosteric or a competitive model. The allosteric cooperativity of MB binding within MB/NMS/hM receptor complexes was strongly negative and undistinguishable from a competitive interaction throughout all subtypes. Applying the competitive model to the equilibrium binding data of MB and NMS, suggested competition at all hM subtypes: logK_I (± S.E.) hM₃ = 8.71 ± 0.15, hM₁ = 8.68 ± 0.14, hM₅ = 8.58 ± 0.07, hM₂ = 8.27 ± 0.07 to hM₄ = 8.25 ± 0.11. Secondly, the effects of MB on acetylcholine (ACh) induced hM receptor function showed very strong negative allosteric cooperativity at all subtypes pointing against an allosteric antagonism of MB with ACh. Competition with ACh was characterized by logK_B: hM₁ = 9.53 ± 0.05, hM₄ = 9.33 ± 0.05, hM₅ = 8.80 ± 0.05, hM₂ = 8,79 ± 0.06, to hM₃ = 8.43 ± 0.04. In conclusion, MB, below 1 μM, binds competitively and non-selectively (except for the difference between hM₃ vs. hM₄) to all five hM receptor subtypes with nanomolar affinity and is able to functionally inhibit ACh responses in a competitive fashion, with a slight subtype preference for hM₁ and hM₄.

Allosteric modulators targeting CNS muscarinic receptors

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which are broadly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and other tissues in the periphery. They emerge as important drug targets for a number of diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. Muscarinic receptors are divided into five subtypes (M₁-M₅) of which M₁-M₄ have been crystalized. All subtypes possess at least one allosteric binding site which is located in the extracellular region of the receptor on top of the ACh (i.e. orthosteric) binding site. The former can be specifically targeted by chemical compounds (mostly small molecules) and binding of such allosteric modulators affects the affinity and/or efficacy of orthosteric ligands. This allows highly specific modulation of GPCR function and, from a drug discovery point of view, may be advantageous in terms of subtype selectivity and biased signaling. There is a plethora of allosteric modulators for all five muscarinic receptor subtypes. This review presents the basic principles of allosteric modulation of GPCRs on both the molecular and structural level focusing on allosteric modulators of the muscarinic receptor family. Further we discuss dualsteric (i.e. bitopic orthosteric/allosteric) ligands emphasizing their potential in modulating muscarinic receptor dynamics and signaling. The common mechanisms of muscarinic receptor allosteric modulation have been proven to be generalizable and are at play at many, if not all GPCRs. Given this paradigmatic role of muscarinic receptors we suggest that also new developments in muscarinic allosteric modulation may also be extended to other members of the GPCR superfamily. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Neuropharmacology on Muscarinic Receptors'.

Prediction of consensus binding mode geometries for related chemical series of positive allosteric modulators of adenosine and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Following insights from recent crystal structures of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, binding modes of Positive Allosteric Modulators (PAMs) were predicted under the assumption that PAMs should bind to the extracellular surface of the active state. A series of well-characterized PAMs for adenosine (A1 R, A2A R, A3 R) and muscarinic acetylcholine (M1 R, M5 R) receptors were modeled using both rigid and flexible receptor CHARMM-based molecular docking. Studies of adenosine receptors investigated the molecular basis of the probe-dependence of PAM activity by modeling in complex with specific agonist radioligands. Consensus binding modes map common pharmacophore features of several chemical series to specific binding interactions. These models provide a rationalization of how PAM binding slows agonist radioligand dissociation kinetics. M1 R PAMs were predicted to bind in the analogous M2 R PAM LY2119620 binding site. The M5 R NAM (ML-375) was predicted to bind in the PAM (ML-380) binding site with a unique induced-fit receptor conformation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mitochondrial Transplantation Attenuates Airway Hyperresponsiveness by Inhibition of Cholinergic Hyperactivity

Increased cholinergic activity has been highlighted in the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness, and alternations of mitochondrial structure and function appear to be involved in many lung diseases including airway hyperresponsiveness. It is crucial to clarify the cause-effect association between mitochondrial dysfunction and cholinergic hyperactivity in the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness. Male SD rats and cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to cigarette smoke plus lipopolysaccharide administration; mitochondria isolated from airway epithelium were delivered into epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Both the cigarette smoke plus lipopolysaccharide-induced cholinergic hyperactivity in vitro and the airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine in vivo were reversed by the transplantation of exogenous mitochondria. The rescue effects of exogenous mitochondria were imitated by the elimination of excessive reactive oxygen species or blockage of muscarinic M₃ receptor, but inhibited by M receptor enhancer. Mitochondrial transplantation effectively attenuates cigarette smoke plus lipopolysaccharide-stimulated airway hyperresponsiveness through the inhibition of ROS-enhanced epithelial cholinergic hyperactivity.

Interplay between Two Allosteric Sites and Their Influence on Agonist Binding in Human μ Opioid Receptor

Allostery is a widespread mechanism that allows for precise protein tuning. Its underlying mechanisms are elusive, particularly when there are multiple allosteric sites at the protein. This concerns also G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are targets for a vast part of currently used drugs. To address this issue, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of a GPCR-human μ opioid receptor (MOR) in a native-like environment, with full agonist (R)-methadone, Na(+) ions, and a positive modulator BMS986122 in various configurations. We found that MOR's seventh transmembrane helix (TM VII) is central for allosteric signal transmission, and modulators affect its bending and rotation. The PAM stabilizes favorable agonist interactions, while Na(+) tends to disrupt agonist binding. We identified two residues involved in allosteric signal transmission: Trp 7.35 at the top and Tyr 7.53 at the bottom of TM VII.

Novel Allosteric Modulators of G Protein-coupled Receptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are allosteric proteins, because their signal transduction relies on interactions between topographically distinct, yet conformationally linked, domains. Much of the focus on GPCR allostery in the new millennium, however, has been on modes of targeting GPCR allosteric sites with chemical probes due to the potential for novel therapeutics. It is now apparent that some GPCRs possess more than one targetable allosteric site, in addition to a growing list of putative endogenous modulators. Advances in structural biology are also shedding new insights into mechanisms of allostery, although the complexities of candidate allosteric drugs necessitate rigorous biological characterization.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XC. multisite pharmacology: recommendations for the nomenclature of receptor allosterism and allosteric ligands

Allosteric interactions play vital roles in metabolic processes and signal transduction and, more recently, have become the focus of numerous pharmacological studies because of the potential for discovering more target-selective chemical probes and therapeutic agents. In addition to classic early studies on enzymes, there are now examples of small molecule allosteric modulators for all superfamilies of receptors encoded by the genome, including ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors, nuclear hormone receptors, and receptor tyrosine kinases. As a consequence, a vast array of pharmacologic behaviors has been ascribed to allosteric ligands that can vary in a target-, ligand-, and cell-/tissue-dependent manner. The current article presents an overview of allostery as applied to receptor families and approaches for detecting and validating allosteric interactions and gives recommendations for the nomenclature of allosteric ligands and their properties.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors: novel opportunities for drug development

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are a subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors that regulate numerous fundamental functions of the central and peripheral nervous system. The past few years have witnessed unprecedented new insights into muscarinic receptor physiology, pharmacology and structure. These advances include the first structural views of muscarinic receptors in both inactive and active conformations, as well as a better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of muscarinic receptor regulation by allosteric modulators. These recent findings should facilitate the development of new muscarinic receptor subtype-selective ligands that could prove to be useful for the treatment of many severe pathophysiological conditions.

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14: G protein-coupled receptors

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 2000 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12444/full. G protein-coupled receptors are one of the seven major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being G protein-coupled receptors, ligand-gated ion channels, ion channels, catalytic receptors, nuclear hormone receptors, transporters and enzymes. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. A new landscape format has easy to use tables comparing related targets. It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2013, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in conjunction with NC-IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR-DB and the Guide to Receptors and Channels, providing a permanent, citable, point-in-time record that will survive database updates.

Development of M1 mAChR allosteric and bitopic ligands: prospective therapeutics for the treatment of cognitive deficits

Since the cholinergic hypothesis of memory dysfunction was first reported, extensive research efforts have focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which this intricate system contributes to the regulation of processes such as learning, memory, and higher executive function. Several cholinergic therapeutic targets for the treatment of cognitive deficits, psychotic symptoms, and the underlying pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, have since emerged. Clinically approved drugs now exist for some of these targets; however, they all may be considered suboptimal therapeutics in that they produce undesirable off-target activity leading to side effects, fail to address the wide variety of symptoms and underlying pathophysiology that characterize these disorders, and/or afford little to no therapeutic effect in subsets of patient populations. A promising target for which there are presently no approved therapies is the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M1 mAChR). Despite avid investigation, development of agents that selectively activate this receptor via the orthosteric site has been hampered by the high sequence homology of the binding site between the five muscarinic receptor subtypes and the wide distribution of this receptor family in both the central nervous system (CNS) and the periphery. Hence, a plethora of ligands targeting less structurally conserved allosteric sites of the M1 mAChR have been investigated. This Review aims to explain the rationale behind allosterically targeting the M1 mAChR, comprehensively summarize and critically evaluate the M1 mAChR allosteric ligand literature to date, highlight the challenges inherent in allosteric ligand investigation that are impeding their clinical advancement, and discuss potential methods for resolving these issues.

Exploration of the orthosteric/allosteric interface in human M1 muscarinic receptors by bitopic fluorescent ligands

Bitopic binding properties apply to a variety of muscarinic compounds that span and simultaneously bind to both the orthosteric and allosteric receptor sites. We provide evidence that fluorescent pirenzepine derivatives, with the M1 antagonist fused to the boron-dipyrromethene [Bodipy (558/568)] fluorophore via spacers of varying lengths, exhibit orthosteric/allosteric binding properties at muscarinic M1 receptors. This behavior was inferred from a combination of functional, radioligand, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer binding experiments performed under equilibrium and kinetic conditions on enhanced green fluorescent protein-fused M1 receptors. Although displaying a common orthosteric component, the fluorescent compounds inherit bitopic properties from a linker-guided positioning of their Bodipy moiety within the M1 allosteric vestibule. Depending on linker length, the fluorophore is allowed to reach neighboring allosteric domains, overlapping or not with the classic gallamine site, but distinct from the allosteric indolocarbazole "WIN" site. Site-directed mutagenesis, as well as molecular modeling and ligand docking studies based on recently solved muscarinic receptor structures, further support the definition of two groups of Bodipy-pirenzepine derivatives exhibiting distinct allosteric binding poses. Thus, the linker may dictate pharmacological outcomes for bitopic molecules that are hardly predictable from the properties of individual orthosteric and allosteric building blocks. Our findings also demonstrate that the fusion of a fluorophore to an orthosteric ligand is not neutral, as it may confer, unless carefully controlled, unexpected properties to the resultant fluorescent tracer. Altogether, this study illustrates the importance of a "multifacet" experimental approach to unravel and validate bitopic ligand binding mechanisms.

Overview of muscarinic receptor subtypes

The physiological role of muscarinic receptors is highly complex and, although not completely understood, has become clearer over the last decade. Recent pharmacological evidence with novel compounds, together with data from transgenic mice, suggests that all five subtypes have defined functions in the nervous system as well as mediating the non neuronal, hormonal actions of acetylcholine. Numerous novel agonists, allosteric regulators, and antagonists have now been identified with authentic subtype specificity in vitro and in vivo. These compounds provide additional pharmacological opportunities for selective subtype modulation as well as a new generation of muscarinic receptor-based therapeutics.

Fluorescent derivatives of AC-42 to probe bitopic orthosteric/allosteric binding mechanisms on muscarinic M1 receptors

Two fluorescent derivatives of the M1 muscarinic selective agonist AC-42 were synthesized by coupling the lissamine rhodamine B fluorophore (in ortho and para positions) to AC42-NH(2). This precursor, prepared according to an original seven-step procedure, was included in the study together with the LRB fluorophore (alone or linked to an alkyl chain). All these compounds are antagonists, but examination of their ability to inhibit or modulate orthosteric [(3)H]NMS binding revealed that para-LRB-AC42 shared several properties with AC-42. Carefully designed experiments allowed para-LRB-AC42 to be used as a FRET tracer on EGFP-fused M1 receptors. Under equilibrium binding conditions, orthosteric ligands, AC-42, and the allosteric modulator gallamine behaved as competitors of para-LRB-AC42 binding whereas other allosteric compounds such as WIN 51,708 and N-desmethylclozapine were noncompetitive inhibitors. Finally, molecular modeling studies focused on putative orthosteric/allosteric bitopic poses for AC-42 and para-LRB-AC42 in a 3D model of the human M1 receptor.

Allosteric Modulation of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors

An allosteric modulator is a ligand that binds to an allosteric site on the receptor and changes receptor conformation to produce increase (positive cooperativity) or decrease (negative cooperativity) in the binding or action of an orthosteric agonist (e.g., acetylcholine). Since the identification of gallamine as the first allosteric modulator of muscarinic receptors in 1976, this unique mode of receptor modulation has been intensively studied by many groups. This review summarizes over 30 years of research on the molecular mechanisms of allosteric interactions of drugs with the receptor and for new allosteric modulators of muscarinic receptors with potential therapeutic use. Identification of positive modulators of acetylcholine binding and function that enhance neurotransmission and the discovery of highly selective allosteric modulators are mile-stones on the way to novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders involving impaired cognitive function.

Allosteric ligands for G protein-coupled receptors: a novel strategy with attractive therapeutic opportunities

Allosteric receptor ligands bind to a recognition site that is distinct from the binding site of the endogenous messenger molecule. As a consequence, allosteric agents may attach to receptors that are already transmitter-bound. Ternary complex formation opens an avenue to qualitatively new drug actions at G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), in particular receptor subtype selective potentiation of endogenous transmitter action. Consequently, suitable exploitation of allosteric recognition sites as alternative molecular targets could pave the way to a drug discovery paradigm different from those aimed at mimicking or blocking the effects of endogenous (orthosteric) receptor activators. The number of allosteric ligands reported to modulate GPCR function is steadily increasing and some have already reached routine clinical use. This review aims at introducing into this fascinating field of drug discovery and at providing an overview about the achievements that have already been made. Various case examples will be discussed in the framework of GPCR classification (family A, B, and C receptors). In addition, the behavior at muscarinic receptors of hybrid derivatives incorporating both an allosteric and an orthosteric fragment in a common molecular skeleton will be illustrated.

Investigating the interaction of McN-A-343 with the M muscarinic receptor using its nitrogen mustard derivative and ACh mustard

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We investigated how McN-A-343 inhibited the alkylation of the M(1) muscarinic receptor by its nitrogen mustard derivative and that of ACh to identify whether it interacts allosterically or orthosterically.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We incubated the M(1) muscarinic receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells with ACh mustard for various periods of time in the presence of McN-A-343 or known allosteric and orthosteric ligands. After stopping the reaction and removing unreacted ligands, unalkylated receptors were measured using [(3)H]N-methylscopolamine. Analogous experiments were done using a nitrogen mustard analog of McN-A-343. Affinity constants, cooperativity values for allosteric interactions and rate constants for receptor alkylation were estimated using a mathematical model.

KEY RESULTS

The kinetics of receptor alkylation by the nitrogen mustard derivatives of ACh and McN-A-343 were consistent with a two-step model in which the aziridinium ion rapidly forms a reversible receptor complex, which converts to a covalent complex at a slower rate. The inhibition of receptor alkylation by acetycholine, N-methylscopolamine and McN-A-343 was consistent with competitive inhibition, whereas that caused by gallamine was consistent with allosterism. Affinity constants estimated from alkylation kinetics agreed with those measured by displacement of [(3)H]N-methylscopolamine binding.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our results suggest that McN-A-343 and its nitrogen mustard derivative interact competitively with ACh and N-methylscopolamine at the orthosteric site on the M(1) muscarinic receptor. Measuring how drugs modulate the kinetics of receptor alkylation by an irreversible ligand is a powerful approach for distinguishing between negative allosteric modulators and competitive inhibitors.

Investigating the interaction of McN-A-343 with the M2 muscarinic receptor using its nitrogen mustard derivative

We investigated whether the aziridinium ion formed from a nitrogen mustard derivative (4-[(2-bromoethyl)methyl-amino]-2-butynyl N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate; BR384) structurally related to McN-A-343 (4-(trimethyl-amino)-2-butynyl N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate) interacts allosterically or orthosterically with the M(2) muscarinic receptor. Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human M(2) muscarinic receptor were incubated with the aziridinium ion of BR384 in combination with McN-A-343 or other known orthosteric and allosteric ligands for various incubation times. After removing unreacted ligands, we measured the binding of [(3)H]N-methylscopolamine to residual unalkylated receptors. Affinity constants, rate constants for alkylation, and cooperativity constants were estimated for the interacting ligands using a mathematical model. Receptor alkylation by BR384 was consistent with a two-step process. After rapidly equilibrating with the receptor (step one), the aziridinium ion-receptor complex became covalently linked with a first order rate constant of about 0.95min(-1) (step two). McN-A-343, acetylcholine and N-methylscopolamine competitively protected the M(2) receptor from irreversible alkylation by BR384. In contrast, the allosteric modulators, gallamine and WIN 51,708 (17-beta-hydroxy-17-alpha-ethynyl-5-alpha-androstano[3,2-beta]pyrimido[1,2-alpha]benzimidazole), allosterically inhibited or had no effect on, respectively, receptor alkylation by BR384. There was good agreement between affinity constants estimated from the kinetics of receptor alkylation and by displacement of [(3)H]N-methylscopolamine binding. Our results suggest that BR384 covalently binds to the orthosteric site of the M(2) receptor and that McN-A-343 binds reversibly at the same locus. Our method of analyzing allosteric interactions does not suffer from the limitations of more conventional approaches and can be adapted to detect allosteric interactions at receptors other than the muscarinic subtypes.

Novel allosteric effects of amiodarone at the muscarinic M5 receptor

Allosteric sites on muscarinic receptors may present superior therapeutic targets for several central nervous system disorders, due to the potential of allosteric ligands to provide more selective modulation and to preserve the spatiotemporal patterning that is characteristic of synaptic transmission. We have found that the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone interacts allosterically with M(1) and M(5) muscarinic receptors. At both M(1) and M(5), amiodarone was only able to partially inhibit the binding of the orthosteric antagonist [(3)H]N-methylscopolamine (NMS). In addition, amiodarone was able to alter the rate of dissociation of [(3)H]NMS from M(1) and M(5) receptors. These findings suggest that NMS and amiodarone are able to bind to the receptor simultaneously. The pharmacology of the effect on NMS dissociation demonstrated that amiodarone was not interacting at the "common" site at which gallamine, obidoxime, and many other muscarinic allosteric ligands are known to bind. In functional studies, amiodarone enhanced the ability of acetylcholine (at EC(20)) to activate the M(5) receptor; however, under the same conditions, amiodarone did not enhance M(1) activation. More detailed studies at M(5) found that the effect of amiodarone was to enhance the efficacy of acetylcholine, without increasing its potency. This report describes the first demonstration of allosteric enhancement of efficacy at the M(5) receptor, and the first demonstration of enhancement of efficacy but not potency at any muscarinic receptor. In summary, amiodarone has been shown to be a novel positive allosteric modulator of muscarinic receptors that is selective for the M(5) subtype, relative to M(1).

Molecular mechanisms of action and in vivo validation of an M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor allosteric modulator with potential antipsychotic properties

We recently identified LY2033298 as a novel allosteric potentiator of acetylcholine (ACh) at the M(4) muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR). This study characterized the molecular mode of action of this modulator in both recombinant and native systems. Radioligand-binding studies revealed that LY2033298 displayed a preference for the active state of the M(4) mAChR, manifested as a potentiation in the binding affinity of ACh (but not antagonists) and an increase in the proportion of high-affinity agonist-receptor complexes. This property accounted for the robust allosteric agonism displayed by the modulator in recombinant cells in assays of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding, extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, glycogen synthase kinase 3beta phosphorylation, and receptor internalization. We also found that the extent of modulation by LY2033298 differed depending on the signaling pathway, indicating that LY2033298 engenders functional selectivity in the actions of ACh. This property was retained in NG108-15 cells, which natively express rodent M(4) mAChRs. Functional interaction studies between LY2033298 and various orthosteric and allosteric ligands revealed that its site of action overlaps with the allosteric site used by prototypical mAChR modulators. Importantly, LY2033298 reduced [(3)H]ACh release from rat striatal slices, indicating retention of its ability to allosterically potentiate endogenous ACh in situ. Moreover, its ability to potentiate oxotremorine-mediated inhibition of condition avoidance responding in rodents was significantly attenuated in M(4) mAChR knockout mice, validating the M(4) mAChR as a key target of action of this novel allosteric ligand.

Comparative studies on conventional and microwave-assisted synthesis of a series of 2,4-di and 2,3,4-trisubstituted benzimidazo[1,2-a] pyrimidines and their antimicrobial activities

Comparative studies were performed on a series of 2,4-di and 2,3,4-trisubstituted benzimidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines, which were synthesized with conventional and microwave heating methods. In microwave irradiation method, approximately, 95–97.5% of the reaction time was increased and 1–45% yield increase was obtained. All compounds were able to inhibit the growth of the screened microorganisms in vitro with MIC values between 3.9–250 μg mL−1. The highest activity was expressed by compound IIId (2,4-diphenyl-benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a] pyrimidine), which has the MIC value of 3.9 μg mL−1 and 31.2 μg mL-1 for Penicillium natatum ATCC 24791 and E. faecalis ATCC 29212, respectively.

Use of acetylcholine mustard to study allosteric interactions at the M(2) muscarinic receptor

We explored the interaction of a nitrogen mustard derivative of acetylcholine with the human M(2) muscarinic receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells using the muscarinic radioligand, [3H]N-methylscopolamine (NMS). Acetylcholine mustard caused a concentration-dependent, first-order loss of [3H]NMS binding at 37 degrees C, with the half-maximal rate constant occurring at 24 microM and a maximal rate constant of 0.16 min(-1). We examined the effects of various ligands on the rate of alkylation of M(2) receptors by acetylcholine mustard. N-methylscopolamine and 4-(trimethylamino)-2-butynyl-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate (McN-A-343) competitively slowed the rate of alkylation, whereas the inhibition by gallamine reached a plateau at high concentrations, indicating allosteric inhibition. In contrast, 17-beta-hydroxy-17-alpha-ethynyl-5-alpha-androstano[3,2-beta]-pyrimido[1,2-alpha]benzimidazole (WIN 51708) had no effect. We also measured the inhibition of [3H]NMS binding by acetylcholine mustard at 0 degrees C, conditions under which there is little or no detectable covalent binding. In these experiments, the dissociation constant of the aziridinium ion of acetylcholine mustard was estimated to be 12.3 microM. In contrast, the parent mustard and alcoholic hydrolysis product of acetylcholine mustard were without effect. Our results show that measurement of the effects of ligands on the rate of inactivation of the orthosteric site by a small site-directed electrophile is a powerful method for discriminating competitive inhibition from allosterism.

Muscarinic receptor binding activity of polyoxygenated flavones from Melicope subunifoliolata

The bark extract of Melicope subunifoliolata (Stapf) T.G. Hartley showed competitive muscarinic receptor binding activity. Six polymethoxyflavones [melibentin (1); melisimplexin (3); 3,3',4',5,7-pentamethoxyflavone (4); meliternatin (5); 3,5,8-trimethoxy-3',4',6,7-bismethylenedioxyflavone (6); and isokanugin (7)] and one furanocoumarin [5-methoxy-8-geranyloxypsoralen (2)] were isolated from the bark extract. Compounds 2 and 6 were isolated for the first time from M. subunifoliolata. The methoxyflavones (compounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) show moderate inhibition in a muscarinic receptor binding assay, while the furanocoumarin (compound 2) is inactive. The potency of the methoxyflavones to inhibit [(3)H]NMS-muscarinic receptor binding is influenced by the position and number of methoxy substitution. The results suggest these compounds are probably muscarinic modulators, agonists or partial agonists/antagonists.

Allosteric modulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) are prototypical Family A G protein coupled-receptors. The five mAChR subtypes are widespread throughout the periphery and the central nervous system and, accordingly, are widely involved in a variety of both physiological and pathophysiological processes. There currently remains an unmet need for better therapeutic agents that can selectively target a given mAChR subtype to the relative exclusion of others. The main reason for the lack of such selective mAChR ligands is the high sequence homology within the acetylcholine-binding site (orthosteric site) across all mAChRs. However, the mAChRs possess at least one, and likely two, extracellular allosteric binding sites that can recognize small molecule allosteric modulators to regulate the binding and function of orthosteric ligands. Extensive studies of prototypical mAChR modulators, such as gallamine and alcuronium, have provided strong pharmacological evidence, and associated structure-activity relationships (SAR), for a "common" allosteric site on all five mAChRs. These studies are also supported by mutagenesis experiments implicating the second extracellular loop and the interface between the third extracellular loop and the top of transmembrane domain 7 as contributing to the common allosteric site. Other studies are also delineating the pharmacology of a second allosteric site, recognized by compounds such as staurosporine. In addition, allosteric agonists, such as McN-A-343, AC-42 and N-desmethylclozapine, have also been identified. Current challenges to the field include the ability to effectively detect and validate allosteric mechanisms, and to quantify allosteric effects on binding affinity and signaling efficacy to inform allosteric modulator SAR.

Allosteric enhancers, allosteric agonists and ago-allosteric modulators: where do they bind and how do they act?

Many small-molecule agonists also display allosteric properties. Such ago-allosteric modulators act as co-agonists, providing additive efficacy--instead of partial antagonism--and they can affect--and often improve--the potency of the endogenous agonist. Surprisingly, the apparent binding sites of several ordinary allosteric enhancers and ago-allosteric modulators seem to overlap with those of the endogenous agonists. Different molecular scenarios are proposed to explain this discrepancy from classical allosteric models. In one scenario, the ago-allosteric modulator can interchange between different binding modes. In another, dimeric, receptor scenario, the endogenous agonist binds to one protomer while the ago-allosteric modulator binds to the other, 'allosteric' protomer. It is suggested that testing for ago-allosteric properties should be an integral part of the agonist drug discovery process because a compound that acts with--rather than against--the endogenous agonist could be an optimal agonist drug.

Allosteric Modulation of G Protein–Coupled Receptors

The past decade has witnessed a significant growth in the identification of allosteric modulators of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), i.e., ligands that interact with binding sites that are topographically distinct from the orthosteric site recognized by the receptor's endogenous agonist. Because of their ability to modulate receptor conformations in the presence of orthosteric ligand, allosteric modulators can "fine-tune" classical pharmacological responses. This is advantageous in terms of a potential for engendering greater GPCR subtype-selectivity, but represents a significant challenge for detecting and validating allosteric behaviors. Although allosteric sites need not have evolved to accommodate endogenous ligands, there are a number of examples of where such modulators have been shown to contribute to physiological or pathophysiological processes. Studies are also beginning to unravel the structural basis of allosteric modulation of GPCRs. It remains to be determined whether such modulation represents interactions within monomers versus across dimers.

Mutational disruption of a conserved disulfide bond in muscarinic acetylcholine receptors attenuates positive homotropic cooperativity between multiple allosteric sites and has subtype-dependent effects on the affinities of muscarinic allosteric ligands

The 2nd outer loop (o2) of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) contains a highly conserved cysteine residue that is believed to participate in a disulfide bond and is flanked on either side by epitopes that are critical to the binding of many muscarinic allosteric modulators. We determined the allosteric binding parameters of the modulators gallamine, W84, and tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) at M2 and M3 mAChRs in which these cysteine residues had been mutated to alanines. THA is known to bind to mAChRs with a strong positive homotropic cooperativity (a Hill slope of approximately 2) that implies that it must interact with multiple allosteric sites. The disulfide cysteine mutations in M2 receptors reduced the allosteric potencies of the tested modulators as if the critical adjacent residue (Tyr177) itself had been mutated. However, in M3 receptors, the disulfide cysteine mutations had no effect on the potencies of gallamine or W84 and even increased the potency of THA. It was most interesting that the strong, positive, homotropic interactions of THA at both M2 and M3 receptors were markedly reduced by the cysteine mutations. In addition, gallamine also displayed positive homotropic cooperativity in its interactions with M3 receptors (but not M2 receptors), and this cooperativity was not evident in the cysteine mutants. Thus, it seems that these cysteine residues play a role in linking cooperating allosteric sites, although it is not currently possible to say whether these multiple sites lie within one receptor or on two linked receptors of a dimer or higher order oligomer.